Female Game Characters and How Boobplate Will Probably Get You Killed

Ladies’ armor in video games (and movies as well) has always been a bit of a joke. It’s there if you’ve ever played Soul Caliber and watched your warrior move onto the battle field in a bikini, or really any other game where your female character is basically naked. Chain mail bikinis and armor plated breasts are extremely common for female characters.

But what about the breast shaped armor? The armor that looks like it might actually protect the wearer, but still manages to show off the feminine form? Surely that’s better.

Disregarding that armor isn’t meant to be physically attractive anyway (these are fantasy games we’re discussing) there are actual problems with “boobplate” armor, as covered in this recent article by tor.com. The extra shapely chest is actually a good way to do yourself more damage. If you take a fall during battle or get struck extra hard (for example, by one of those giant sword wielding demi-gods that seem to be so common in fighting games), you can fracture your sternum or breast bone, which can “[destroy] your heart and lungs, instantly killing you.”

Boobplate armor is a step above the armored bikini, but the version you often see in video games is clearly designed with the display of breasts in mind and can break character. There is nothing wrong with a flattering ladies armor, but the armor depicted seems to be used for the sole idea of “lifting and separating” like it was purchased at a Victoria’s Secret for medieval knights.

Ladies’ video game armor should hopefully come to a point where it is a little better than laughable. Take this example from League of Legends—the character Sejuani. She’s a battle-pig-riding tough warrior (in a cold climate nonetheless) but she’s depicted as wearing what I can only assume is a “battle bikini.” Thankfully a redesign took place, but it’s still boobplate.

I don’t mean that strong women can’t also be sexy, but it would be nice to recognize that there’s more to beauty and sex appeal than the boobs. There are some great examples on this Tumlbr community.