Chuck, I really enjoy your posts -- long, and detailed, and providing provocative arguments. I have gotten behind on the Internet again, but I'm just catching up on a bunch of posts here now :)

I thoroughly agree with the points you're putting forth here as far as female characters. Mostly, my original post was just pointing out that Leigh's original piece was news and not opinion, and of value to those who might consider getting into bed with Activision.

But I definitely must agree here -- clearly, the characters she puts forth as examples are not the best ones. NOLF is an interesting case because that character actually started as a man as well, which provides some interesting parallels with Ripley. I have considered for some time returning to NOLF 2 (I seem to remember NOLF 1 having some pretty tedious bits) -- I wonder if there are bits in there that make Cate Archer the more inspired choice.