I think you mix several topics here.

First of all, the politics, as inevitable they are, must be evaluated in necesary and unneceary terms: its abosolute not useful to pay attention to groups of machistas, feminists, parents, mothers, grandmothers or whatever time-loosing-group appear, unleast we do it in an appropiate context. That kind of demands gain power with the indiference of the accused; ways must be open to canalize and analize those demands, and show good will to the goverments in the way. That said, is obviously urgent the need of auto-regulation.

The history is repeating itself: the same dangers appeared with the movies, but the answer from the industry was so forceful (the strong will of auto-regulation and clasification of films), that no arguments were opposed. Sadly, the videogame industry is not following those steps. It remains sleep, while games are forbidden from whole countries (like the recent case of UK and the last game from Rockstar) and the rise of arbitrary declarations. Like you appropriately say: or we do, or someone else will do it for us.

Then you talk about sexism. I think this topic is divided in several parts too.

First, the fact of use big havok-processed boobs (as rule or as exception) is not more sexist than Baywatch is. Do you think they must stop showing Pamela’s un-biological body? That is a market desition, and they have the perfect right to make it. Its that desition intelligent or moral? Thats another debate.

Second: I think its totally naif talking about people verbally attacking other people by any condition, and then try to put it in a labeled box, like say, “Gamers” for example. More yet, when it is a time-limited activity like gamming. People is racist or not, its not temporarily abusive, and then release the mouse and act as a boy scout (or, we are in presence of a massive psycho behaviour).

So, I can conclude two points: it is common, but is comming from a minority; or it is said without real meaning, in which case the real problem is an installed gang-type jargon. That way its not a direct-resoluble problem (at least in terms of regulation), but it is less dramatical than the original focus.

Womens are new to the relative-fresh world of video games. Their appearence will generate changes with time, like the change of the jargon, the view of the market, and many other unforseen doors. They will feel inadecuate for a time, like myself entering late in a party: a short time pass, before I drink something and relax myself (and the others).

Greetings from Argentina!

P.S.: please dont take nothing too seriously, its just an opinion

but great post!