I'm happy that Bridget is back, but... (Civil discussion only)

[LNX BDSKZ]

[Forward: I know what a cesspit of a discussion gender identity in this community can be, especially on the hellscape of Steam forums, but I want to politely request everyone remain polite and not to feed any trolls as I'm sick of all these dramas]

Bridget being trans defeats the whole
point of his/her/their original character, his whole point was that he wanted to prove to people he was just as valid of a man even being femmine and for people to respect his cis identity, they've completely 180ed it now and it doesn't make sense.
I'm fully on board with the large majority of nonconforming identies, I'm a Bi guy who likes femminity and finds femboys and trans girls very cute, while I don't believe in Nonbinary as a concept applying to IRL humans (outside of temporary cases and rare exceptions like intersex) I still do my best to respect Enby peeps and their pronouns, as long as you aren't some kinda absurd Otherkin if you're a decent person I'll respect you and try not to question you much.

But this feels like such a fundamental misunderstanding of Bridget's character and is the exact polar opposite of what their story was about, it's already bad enough the toxic side of the Trans community is frequently trying to pressure happily cis nonconforming guys into joining them but now the character who was practically the OG femboy in gaming has been completely flipped.
Bridget's message was about being able to be girly and feminine but still being every bit as much of a valid man as anyone else, now they're just another cracking the eggshell story, those stories are perfectly fine and often even good but that's not what Bridget was supposed to be about.

He was forced to be raised as a girl due to a curse stigma from his village despite him wanting to be a boy, now all of a sudden they've decided they always wanted to be a girl and have transitioned?
TF kinda a message is that, it's harmful if anything, I'm all on board for trans characters and dysphoriac people absolutely deserve characters to relate to but Bridget is now just accepting the labels that were forced onto them against their will that he spent the majority of X2 protesting about.

I remember the whole drama about the Testament redesign and honestly I'm feeling quite a bit more bitter of them in retrospect, I was on board at first and was a defender if anything but this is 2 characters in a row this sorta thing has happened with.
They changed Teste so wildy that they're practically a different character now who resembles their past version in name alone, different design, different moveset, different personality, different gender, I wasn't as opposed then as it was the first case of it (character wise not moveset wise) but on reflection I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I like the New Testament but they've practically replaced the Old Testament and I liked him a lot too, it's kinda a slap in a face to his old fans to basically replace him with a completely different character.
Not to mention how butchered aspects were like the long pause victory line and the amount of clashing pronouns with all the cast and GG World misgendering them.

This series has always been progressive, those who deny that are blind, but if the devs want to cover these themes and create trans representation, why not do that with new original characters instead of slapping it on preexisting established ones?...

Honestly this feels like a bit of a monkeys paw, I've always wanted Bridget back but it doesn't fit their character the story they've been given now, and on reflection Teste was a gargantuan leap in logic even if I like them.
I'm still going to end up buying the DLC, and I love this game, but this decison really confuses me.

Long post, but wanted to lay down my thoughts on what I've seen and heard, hope they're appreciated, I know these forums can be toxic AF sometimes especially with this subject and would really appreciate it if we all did our part to avoid another braindead flame war.
I hope we can have a nice friendly discussion about the subject and keep things respectful to everyone, and as a reminder DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS, some people will probably try to cause chaos so don't fall for the bait.

Anyway I haven't slept properly and might end up falling asleep before I can properly respond to everyone so just letting you know in advance, hope everyone's enjoying Bridget regardless of what you think about the situation and looking forward to what the FGC has in general with SF6, Marie in Skullgirls, a new Fatal Fury, DBFZ Rollback, Multiversus, and etc.
Peace.

[Lordenheim]

Originally posted by LX BDK:

Originally posted by ⳐuᏦah:

whether or not the author decided the character can't quite figure out what gender he is doesn't affect the commands you have to input in order to play Bridget. the story is just dressing for the gameplay, it doesn't actually matter

that's where the discussion ends if you're not a goober

That's an incredibly stupid and dismissive mindset, obviously gameplay is No1 but to tell people off for daring to discuss or analyse the story is incredibly bad faith.

The story is there and people are going to and are entitled to talk about it, I never said any of it ruined the gameplay experience, I hate how people like you try to stop people from caring about other aspects and actively get upset when they do.
You're projecting your own straw man and honestly being pretty rude with your first two comments.

Please respect that people are allowed to discuss and review these aspects regardless of what you think.

no, you're stupid！I'm not stopping you from doing anything. respectfully, you are a goober. (in my opinion)

[LNX BDSKZ]

Originally posted by lostsomething:

But this feels like such a fundamental misunderstanding of Bridget's character and is the exact polar opposite of what their story was about,

... is it? I mean the whole point of the "Forced to be raised as a girl due to village superstition against two male twins" storyline was to provide a justification as to why it wasn't Bridget's choice to do so and Bridget's storylines are all about going up to various 'manly' characters and asking them for tips on how to be more manly.

Fanon can have a life of its own but by all means if you can point to anything in cannon as justifying X2 Bridget as *ever* having an outlook of "I dress like this because I like to dress like this" please, show me.

Bridget always enjoyed being femmine and wearing the Habit, but he was constantly correcting everyone who mistook him for a girl and firmly repeating his gender and identity, did you even play his X2 story?

[Sixtyfivekills]

Originally posted by ⳐuᏦah:

Originally posted by LX BDK:

That's an incredibly stupid and dismissive mindset, obviously gameplay is No1 but to tell people off for daring to discuss or analyse the story is incredibly bad faith.

The story is there and people are going to and are entitled to talk about it, I never said any of it ruined the gameplay experience, I hate how people like you try to stop people from caring about other aspects and actively get upset when they do.
You're projecting your own straw man and honestly being pretty rude with your first two comments.

Please respect that people are allowed to discuss and review these aspects regardless of what you think.

no, you're stupid！I'm not stopping you from doing anything. respectfully, you are a goober. (in my opinion)

That's not very civil way of having a discussion.








(in my opinion)

[lostsomething]

Originally posted by LX BDK:

Originally posted by lostsomething:

... is it? I mean the whole point of the "Forced to be raised as a girl due to village superstition against two male twins" storyline was to provide a justification as to why it wasn't Bridget's choice to do so and Bridget's storylines are all about going up to various 'manly' characters and asking them for tips on how to be more manly.

Fanon can have a life of its own but by all means if you can point to anything in cannon as justifying X2 Bridget as *ever* having an outlook of "I dress like this because I like to dress like this" please, show me.

Bridget always enjoyed being femmine and wearing the Habit, but he was constantly correcting everyone who mistook him for a girl and firmly repeating his gender and identity, did you even play his X2 story?

If it's a matter of choice then why the need for the contrived backstory?

[LNX BDSKZ]

Originally posted by lostsomething:

Originally posted by LX BDK:

Bridget always enjoyed being femmine and wearing the Habit, but he was constantly correcting everyone who mistook him for a girl and firmly repeating his gender and identity, did you even play his X2 story?

If it's a matter of choice then why the need for the contrived backstory?

Dude, this is Guilty Gear we're talking about, the whole series's story is a convoluted tangle, have you watched Woolies Lore videos on the series?
May is a superhuman who can canonically summon sea life from thin air because she's part of the rare ultra powerful near exinct species of the Japanese, every character is like this do you know what series you're talking about?

[lostsomething]

Originally posted by LX BDK:

Originally posted by lostsomething:

If it's a matter of choice then why the need for the contrived backstory?

Dude, this is Guilty Gear we're talking about, the whole series's story is a convoluted tangle, have you watched Woolies Lore videos on the series?
May is a superhuman who can canonically summon sea life from thin air because she's part of the rare ultra powerful near exinct species of the Japanese, every character is like this do you know what series you're talking about?

/waves arms and wildly deflects
Seriously, if it's a matter of choice then why the need for the contrived backstory? Doesn't having a backstory that plainly states this is something Bridget is being forced to do go counter to the message you're claiming it was about?

[Shogo]

I think wherever we're against or with doesn't matter anymore. Like I would hardly see Arcsys changing Bridget new story and make her a boy again
Therefore, all left is the greatest characters heist made by LBGT+ community IMO.
Damn, Bridget was highly asked by Japanese and made poorly in western poll for requested character in strive, and I highly doubt that they're ok with changing the historical symbol of femboy in otaku's culture
Welp, i'm going to stop arguing with this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ topic, it's not the first time industry piss on their fans and it won't stop today

[LNX BDSKZ]

Originally posted by lostsomething:

Originally posted by LX BDK:

Dude, this is Guilty Gear we're talking about, the whole series's story is a convoluted tangle, have you watched Woolies Lore videos on the series?
May is a superhuman who can canonically summon sea life from thin air because she's part of the rare ultra powerful near exinct species of the Japanese, every character is like this do you know what series you're talking about?

/waves arms and wildly deflects
Seriously, if it's a matter of choice then why the need for the contrived backstory? Doesn't having a backstory that plainly states this is something Bridget is being forced to do go counter to the message you're claiming it was about?

You have to be purposely ignoring/misinterpreting my points right now...
In bullet points:

1.Bridgets family forced him to pretend to be a girl and be referred to as female despite him being cis
2. Bridget was comfortable being feminine and kept wearing girly clothing, but still wanted people respect the fact that he was 100% a boy and not to misgender or dismiss him
3. The reason I replied that wasn't "wild deflection", it was showing how nearly every character in this series has a convuluted and contrived story as the whole lore is peak Fighting game absurdity.

You're the one getting needlessly aggressive and misinterpreting my replies.

[lostsomething]

Originally posted by LX BDK:

In bullet points:

1.Bridgets family forced him to pretend to be a girl and be referred to as female despite him being cis

I might stick an "apparently being" in there but aside from that no objection.

2. Bridget was comfortable being feminine and kept wearing girly clothing, but still wanted people respect the fact that he was 100% a boy and not to misgender or dismiss him

Here I have objections.
"Bridget was comfortable being feminine"
"This is what people call masculinity! I've been longing for someone like you. Can you teach me how to be unladylike?" - win quote vs Baiken.

"and kept wearing girly clothing"
Either still living in the village at this point or only a few days removed from it. X2 was their first bounty hunt. Bridget's PWAB profile includes "The subject, being a twin, is living as a girl despite being a boy. The threat of revealing this fact can be used to control the subject."

3. The reason I replied that wasn't "wild deflection", it was showing how nearly every character in this series has a convuluted and contrived story as the whole lore is peak Fighting game absurdity.

The Japanese super-powers thing is silly but its an established part of the lore and setting. Bridget's nameless village and their contrived custom is relevant only to Bridget and seems to serve no purpose other than to offer a "It's not like he actually *wants* to do this" to Bridget's crossdressing.

You're the one getting needlessly aggressive and misinterpreting my replies.

That was the second time you'd replied with a "Have you even?...". i think some degree of feeling annoyed is not out of order.

[天佑中共🐥the strongest]

yeah Bridget is a loser now

[Shylaar]

I agree completely. Making Bridget turn around and decide he wants to be a girl after all is completely contrary to and disrespectful towards his established character. Straight up flipped him around from trying to break free from his upbringing and be his own person to pushing that just because he's a feminine guy that means he has to be trans and will never be comfortable with himself unless he accepts the role that was forced on him against his will by his village. It's honestly disgusting.

[Sterlander]

Originally posted by Duke Nukem:

Quite daring for Arc to make their first transgender character be someone who was known to be groomed by their parents to act and dress as the opposite gender
very spicy

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this 7 / 8 years since her last appearance? A lot could've changed since then, and she's certainly grown, in the literal age sense and as a person.

I agree that her abused past regarding her gender is very weird when it comes to her now identifying fully as a girl rather than a boy, but...

Really, as long as her abusers are still put in the wrong, is it really that sketchy? The game isn't justifying her parents actions or saying they were right. It's just Bridget, through course of her own volition, coming out as a trans girl.

I think as long as her abusers are (rightfully) kept in the wrong, then it's totally fine.

Just sucks that her lore makes it very tricky and problematic to talk about, but hopefully you all get what I mean. Being groomed or abused in your past doesn't unjustify or de-legitimize your transition. She's made her own choice now to be a girl, and that's all that matters. And good for her man

I've met plenty of femboys who ended up coming out as trans eventually. She might've identified as a boy with very feminine traits before, but now she's changed and she's a girl. It's honestly a very realistic interpretation of how people can transition and change their gender throughout life.

This, combined with the NB rep we got with Testament, is imo very cool and a good thing.

Plus, she totally passes as a girl. The friends and siblings I showed the trailer were calling her a her the whole time (obv they don't know GG lore or anything so yeah)

[PH4T3 <*.*>]

I was curious why the gear was guilty but I learned much.

[Black Mirror]

Why this even matters to anyone? I never look past the actual playstyle of the character. Wy people need to mix all of this real life insanity into games, just play the damn game, its a fiction work of art so it don;t have to mirrior reality.

[SQDizzy]

Originally posted by Black Mirror:

Why this even matters to anyone? I never look past the actual playstyle of the character. Wy people need to mix all of this real life insanity into games, just play the damn game, its a fiction work of art so it don;t have to mirrior reality.

You must be fun at parties.