favorite women in gaming

Cammy (StreetFighter II)

• Gamers have adored her muscled arms for 30 years. She defied the "delicate female" body trope and gamers loved her for it.

• Her facial scar has taught kids not to be body-shamed by injuries beyond their control, and empowered women of all ages who felt anxious about their "imperfect" faces.

• She brought minority representation (Britain) into a game dominated by paticipants from the American (Guile, Ken, Balrog, Dee Jay, T. Hawk) and Asian (Ryu, Honda, Chun Li, Zangief, Dhalsim, Sagat, Bison, Fei Long) continents.

• As an MI-6 agent, she proved a young woman can hold her own and thrive in a predominantly male government agency

• Unlike many of her peers, she does not use weapons or shoot firebals. Her strength is her physical martial art skills tailored to her diminutive size, learned and practiced, making her relatable to young girls everywhere.

• She isn't ashamed of her femininity and does not promote the message that women can only be "strong" by imitating men. She's proud of her long hair and doesn't let puritanical society shame her into covering up her skin and leg tattoos. Like all female volleyball players and gymnasts, she choses to wear her signature leotard because it's practical for the competitive physical sport she engages in.

• Serves as a role model for young asexual women by boldly defying gendered fashion norms through her repeated wearing of neckties, while also normalizing female sexual empowerment through her fondness for chokers.

• Is as popular today as she was back when she was voted 5th best character in 1993. Adored by female fans and one of the most cosplayed characters of the franchise, and has consistantly swept polls for the most popular and most wanted character in Streetfighter games for decades.

• Teaches everyone that inclusive, all-female groups are a force to be reckoned with!