Gender Roles Present in Casual Mobile Video Games Based on Multimodality
摘要
This chapter analyzes gender stereotypes in casual mobile video games targeted at young audiences, focusing on two “pink” games: Hey Beauty: Love & Puzzle and Love Fantasy: Match & Stories. Using a multimodal analysis framework, the study examines the narratives, visuals, and gameplay mechanics to uncover how gender roles are constructed and perpetuated. The findings reveal that both games rely heavily on traditional gender stereotypes, emphasizing physical attractiveness, makeover culture, and dependency on male characters for personal and social success. Female characters are depicted as needing constant grooming and image enhancement to navigate their worlds, while male characters are often portrayed as saviors or sources of validation. These narratives reinforce Manichean views of morality and interpersonal relationships. The games operate on a freemium model, which requires players to make purchases to progress, further embedding consumerist values into their narratives. The fictional worlds are immersive yet limited, promoting superficial engagement through predictable plots and minimal interactivity. The chapter concludes that such games contribute to the socialization of young players by normalizing gendered expectations and stereotypes. It calls for greater awareness of the impact of video games on identity formation and advocates for more inclusive and diverse representations in the gaming industry.