Konami has been running a holiday poll asking fans to vote on best couple from a game for Valentine’s Day, and while several selections have been straightforward — actual couples — on their official @Konami Twitter (and I assume the associated poll, but the links no longer work), there have been a number of joke suggestions. Simon Belmont and Dracula, together forever. Or maybe your favorite “couple” is the Contra commandos? Haha, right? Let’s crack jokes about two guys together. Maybe it’s Quiet and Big Boss? Yes, the poll has been full of real winners.
But whomever is handling this poll for Konami took things a step further when they suggested (twice!) perhaps fans might want to vote for Pyramid Head and Mannequin.
Here’s the thing to remember: whether or not the writers and game designers say Pyramid Head was an actual rapist, the actions are read by many as rape. Pyramid Head is indelibly associated with rape and violence. As the reflection of protagonist James’ subconscious, Pyramid Head is a physical embodiment of many gruesome, horrific behaviors, and reading the mannequin sequence as rape, within the constraints of both graphics and presentation constraints, is legitimate, but more importantly, it’s a popular read. Konami reps know Pyramid Head is seen as a rapist and so there’s no read on this incident that isn’t a rape joke.
There are a lot of questionable relationships and depictions of power dynamics in gaming — the “joke” suggestions reveal that very issue. Violence against women (female forms and creatures, too), particularly sexual violence, as a recurring plot tool is an oft-discussed issue, and here I’ll say something that may be surprising: I think it is important for narratives to explore such dynamics. I think it needs to be done with care (often, it isn’t), and perhaps not be reduced to a ubiquitous rubber mallet of threat that hangs over the female characters who are so often boiled down to plot objects, but regardless, let’s not restrict narrative when the narrative is thoughtful.
However, that isn’t reality. Game narratives in the broadest sense are not treated with especial care, so it follows that narratives exploring feminine roles often aren’t either. And none of that will happen when treatment like Konami’s is the norm. When we normalize rape and sexual violence and abusive power dynamics, when we reduce these issues to throwaway jokes, they aren’t seen as issues that need any deeper treatment. That’s the problem with comedians cavalierly cracking rape jokes, and it’s a problem here.
I was heartened to see a backlash on Konami’s tweet. While the response was certainly mixed, there were plenty of people not pleased that Konami was equating rape with couples. At least, the second time the tweet went out, on February 8, several people spoke out. The first time, far fewer. Perhaps Pyramid Head is less worrisome as a romantic partner when he’s giving up a little heart.
