GLaDOS:
Villain & Reluctant Mother
Shannon Powell, Augusta Rawlins-Rader,
Alex Miller, Paula Stevens
Portal
• Quickly made, inexpensive “extra” game in the
Orange Box Set
• Not meant to be marketed to a mass audience
• You only see glimpses of the character you
control
– She, Chell, never speaks
Aperture Science
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Stark colors
Science facility = masculine
First person shooter
Puzzle solving
GLaDOS
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Female, robotic AI
Only a voice
Starts off as guiding and nurturing
Ends up trying to kill you
Warm, Welcoming Character
• “Spectacular”
• “Speedy Things”
Passive Aggressive, Manipulative
• Gaining Your Independence
• "Vital Organs"
• "Not monitored"
• "Promise not to lie again"
Trying to Kill You, Fails
• "…then there will be cake."
• " pretended we were going to kill you …"
• She starts pleading
Final Stand
• “You broke my heart”
• Morality Core
Portal 2, Caroline
• “Yes Sir!”
• “I don’t want this!”
Masculine Effect on Feminine
• Victim or Villain?
– Out of control female, augmented to control her
– Created by men, in a science facility
Venus? Or Bondage?
/discuss
• Given the fact that she exhibits so many female stereotypes in both
games, would you consider GLaDOS to be a stereotypical female
character?
• Do you think that the small design staff of the first game influenced
the richness and complexity of GLaDOS’ character & femininity?
• What is the symbolism of GLaDOS becoming sexualized near the
end of Portal? Does her sexuality symbolize the breaking down of
her “morality” and becoming a villain, or does it imply deeper
definition of her femininity and character?
• Does the fact that the main character of the game, Chell, is also a
woman influence the ways the player can perceive GLaDOS’
character maternal qualities, and/or femininity?
• Can you think of any other characters that have similar traits,
narratives or back stories as GLaDOS?