Anita Sarkeesian is a media critic with a bachelors degree in Communication Studies from California State University of Northridge and is the creator of Feminist Frequency, a video series on Youtube. She has won awards such as a National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers honorary award in 2013, the 2014 Game Developers Choice Ambassador Award, and a spot in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People this year.

“Her work focuses on deconstructing the stereotypes and tropes associated with women in popular culture as well as highlighting issues surrounding the targeted harassment of women in online and gaming spaces,” according to the Feminist Frequency’s website.

In order to further understand the way women are being portrayed in modern mainstream video game play, I watched “Anita Sarkeesian’s Women as Background Decoration: Part 1 and Part 2”. Sarkeesian discusses the sexual objectification and belittling of a women’s importance by emphasizing how little of a role female characters play and how male violence is rampant in the games. The videos illuminate the basic thesis that non-playable, hyper-sexualized women bodies placed in video games only play the role of sex object and/or victim of male violence.

While males do not dominate the industry, marketing seems to target the male audience. About 30% of gamers are in the age range of 18-30 with 26% being below the age of 18, and 52% of gamers are male, according to a 2015 survey from Statista.com.

Sarkeesian claims that by utilizing over-sexualized female bodies at the disposal of male violence in games, developers create an environment that provides titillation and a power complex for the male players.

Although Sarkeesian’s has been recognized for her advocacy on many occasions, there remains a large controversy around her claims.

I believe the opposition stems from a defensive reaction to her accusations. Game developers and gamers may be taking it personally and ultimately be fearful to what changes Sarkeesian’s claims could cause to the industry.

Also, many may be tired of the ongoing, but no doubt important, feminist movement. It seems the movement has seeped into all aspect of society, and gamers may just be acting territorial.

Sarkeesian is doing a positive thing by bringing these issues to light in an educational manner. Although she may take some things to the extreme to prove her points, she is only trying to bring awareness and advocacy to an issue that deserves attention.