Webcomic author puts the princess in charge
The first part of Anita Sakeesian’sTropes vs. Women in Video Gamesseries recently hit the web, focusing on the “damsel in distress” theme common to many popular game titles. In the video, Sakessian points some of her criticism at theZeldafranchise, proposing that it would be nice to see a game actually starring the princess (not counting that one CD-I adventure).
This idea was the basis behind the above concept art, put together byDresden Codakauthor Aaron Diaz. Hisimpressively detailed pitchforZelda: Clockwork Empirerecasts Zelda as the sword-wielding hero, while “Prince Link” is relegated to living a sheltered life behind the castle walls.
Diaz comments that he’s a bigZeldafan, and wanted his concept to tie into the established series continuity, setting it 2000 years after the events ofTwilight Princess. He writes: “This concept work is meant to show that Zelda as a game protagonist can be both compelling and true to the franchise, while bringing new and dynamic game elements that go farther than being a simple gender swap.”
Though this unofficial fan-work likely won’t ever be a real game, it’s still an interesting look at what a female-ledZeldagame might look like. Very cool!
