1. GLaDOS: Villian & Reluctant Mother Shannon Powell, Augusta Rawlins-Rader, Alex Miller, Paula Stevens

2. 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

3. Aperture Science Stark colors Science facility = masculine First person shooter Puzzle solving

4. GLaDOS Female, robotic AI Only a voice Starts off as guiding and nurturing Ends up trying to kill you

5. Warm, Welcoming Character “Spectacular” “Speedy Things”

6. Passive Aggressive, Manipulative Gaining Your Independence ‘Vital Organs’ ‘Not monitored’ ‘Promise not to lie again’

7. Trying to Kill You, Fails ‘…then there will be cake’ ‘ pretended we were going to kill you …’ She starts pleading

8. Final Stand “You broke my heart” Morality Core

9. Portal 2, Caroline “Yes Sir!” “I don’t want this!”

10. Masculine Effect of Feminine Victim or Villain? – Out of control female, augmented to control her – Created by men, in a science facility

11. Venus? Or Bondage?

12. /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 sexualization 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?