Glados: Villain & Reluctant Mother

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GLaDOS: Villain & Reluctant Mother Shannon Powell, Augusta Rawlins-Rader, Alex Miller, Paula Stevens Portal • Quickly made, inexpensive “extra” game in the Orange Box Set • Not meant to be marketed to a mass audience • You only see glimpses of the character you control – She, Chell, never speaks Aperture Science • Stark colors • Science facility = masculine • First person shooter • Puzzle solving GLaDOS • Female, robotic AI • Only a voice • Starts off as guiding and nurturing • Ends up trying to kill you Warm, Welcoming Character • “Spectacular” • “Speedy Things” Passive Aggressive, Manipulative • Gaining Your Independence • "Vital Organs" • "Not monitored" • "Promise not to lie again" Trying to Kill You, Fails • "…then there will be cake." • " pretended we were going to kill you …" • She starts pleading Final Stand • “You broke my heart” • Morality Core Portal 2, Caroline • “Yes Sir!” • “I don’t want this!” Masculine Effect on Feminine • Victim or Villain? – Out of control female, augmented to control her – Created by men, in a science facility Venus? Or Bondage? /discuss • Given the fact that she exhibits so many female stereotypes in both games, would you consider GLaDOS to be a stereotypical female character? • Do you think that the small design staff of the first game influenced the richness and complexity of GLaDOS’ character & femininity? • What is the symbolism of GLaDOS becoming sexualized near the end of Portal? Does her sexuality symbolize the breaking down of her “morality” and becoming a villain, or does it imply deeper definition of her femininity and character? • Does the fact that the main character of the game, Chell, is also a woman influence the ways the player can perceive GLaDOS’ character maternal qualities, and/or femininity? • Can you think of any other characters that have similar traits, narratives or back stories as GLaDOS? .

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