So, this happened on the East Meets West, Art Direction for a Worldwide Audience panel at NYCC:

In describing his influences, Jacques-Bellêtete [art director of Deus Ex: Human Revolution] mentioned he was heavily influenced by Metal Gear and Final Fantasy. Then he went into a two minute riff about “always trying to have very beautiful female characters,” noting that these were characters he would want to sleep with. After making a semi-disparaging remark about female characters drawn in a North American style, he concludes “I’d rather have female characters from Final Fantasy or Soul Caliber to sleep with.” This draws chuckles from the crowd.

And there it was, the truth about character design that so many players know but most designers wouldn’t usually articulate: most of the egregiously sexist character designs are based on fuckability, rather than playability.

Phwooaarr arf arf arf look at them tits on that bird wwwooooaaarrr hey and so on.

•