Apr 29, 1:40 pm
I have always been fascinated by the great Empires of the world - their successes and downfalls, their glorious histories, and all those riches. They are the reason that I continued to study history in school for so long, and then dropped it when I realised I was only going to learn about Irish politics… Even though Settlers will not teach me about the real world’s ancient past, the thought of raising my own empire makes me very happy, and thus the recently announced title: Rise of an Empire, got me interested immediately.
Having read the features of the game I was pleased to see that Frag Doll powers are now influencing more and more Ubisoft titles. It starts small with the introduction of a little pink camo here and there (in Rainbow Six: Vegas) and then it hits real political status with the introduction of women into a male dominated world. That’s right, real women are now featured in Settlers - well, virtual women, but they are certainly there.
In the past all Settlers characters have been men. I can only assume that this was necessary to facilitate all the building and other such manly tasks needing to be done, while also not stretching the limits of past computers too much. However these hard working little Settler men can now have a much merrier existence with the chance to woo a lady for marriage after a hard day’s work in the mine. Happiness ensues all round, the men get their nookie and the women get their representation. W00t.
As a Frag Doll I have been asked a lot of times whether women characters in games are important, and of course they are. Many women play Settlers and have done so with no qualms at all over the lack of a female role model. None the less it is really great when you notice changes being made, and all groups being included. The game designers have also gone one step further, including four different climatic regions. There’s nothing worse than a moany old woman grumbling about the weather!
Check out this video, it made me feel all squishy inside.
