Her name is Quiet, but the ruckus around her is going to be loud.
An upcoming action figure based on the "Quiet" character from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain has breasts that you can squeeze. Series creator Hideo Kojima shared a look at the upcoming collectible, from the Play Arts Kai toy line, on Twitter.
PlayArtsKAI's Quiet is coming soon. Yoji, a supervisor says some soft materials enables to be pushed & lifted. lol pic.twitter.com/LtvO0g8PpL”
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) May 11, 2015
One has to wonder how publisher Konami thought the Quiet action figure would be received, given the rising tide of feminist sentiments in the video game space and the continuing impact of the GamerGate hate group. You don't have to look far to see evidence of the ongoing movement's ability to rain misery down on anyone -- particularly women -- who uphold that there's gender inequity in gaming.
Quiet was originally revealed in 2013, long before the beginnings of GamerGate late last year. Kojima quickly stepped up on Twitter to defend the character's revealing outfit; he claims she was created as a response to scantily clad fighting game characters "who are excessively exposed," and hinted that there's narrative justification for her probably-not-military-issue attire that fits into MGS V's larger themes.
I know there's people concerning about "Quiet" but don't worry. I created her character as an antithesis to the women characters (cont) — HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 7, 2013
appeared in the past fighting game who are excessively exposed. "Quiet" who doesn't have a word will be teased in the story as well. (Cont)
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 7, 2013
(Cont) But once you recognize the secret reason for her exposure, you will feel ashamed of your words & deeds.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 7, 2013
Theme of "MGSV" is "GENE"⇒"MEME"⇒"SCENE"⇒"PEACE"⇒"RACE". Story touches the misunderstanding, prejudice, hatred, conflict caused by (cont) — HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 7, 2013
the difference of language, race, custom, culture, and preference. (Cont) — HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 7, 2013
(Cont) The response of "Quiet" disclosure few days ago incited by the net is exactly what "MGSV" itself is.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) September 7, 2013
Play Arts Kai's creation doesn't go far to dispel the notion that Quiet is the product of sexist sensibilities in the game development landscape. And with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain not out until Sept. 1, it will be some months before the contents of the game will have a chance to support Kojima's 2013 defense of the character.
Quiet's narrative background may well somewhat justify what appears to be a textbook example of objectification: a completely silent character whose body is her defining characteristic. But that's also the in-game character, not the collectible object with squeezy breasts.
Mashable has reached out to Konami and to Square Enix/Play Arts both for comment, and will update accordingly once we've heard back.