Vivian James

Vivian James is in essence what happens when you combine Memetic Mutation, Image Boards, video games and controversy into one character. Although she's inevitably linked with Gamergate, her origins can be traced back to 2014, when 4chan's /v/ board and indie developer group The Fine Young Capitalists collaborated to design a character for a game jam (later revealed to be for the indie game Afterlife Empire) in the wake of the image board's donations. Since then however, she's taken a life all of her own.

Generally depicted as a red-haired, freckled female gamer wearing jeans and a striped sweater, Vivian at first glance seems like an unlikely figure to attract so much attention (for good or ill). Still, she's seen as many things. Most notably, a symbol of Gamergate. But she's also an embodiment of both 4chan and 8chan's /v/ boards. A representative of modern gamers - and gaming at large - as they are, rather than what certain elements wish them to be. A legitimate gamer girl who's not afraid to be who she is or fight for what she believes in, be it ethics in games journalism or video games in general.

In addition to Vivian's originally intended game, she has appeared in various image albums, fan/webcomics and even cosplay. Over time, she's also been accompanied by a growing, colorful cast of characters. And is slated to be a major character in an upcoming game called Project SOCJUS.


 * Anthropomorphic Personification: After a fashion. Aside from being associated with the /v/ boards in both 4chan and 8chan, though her origins are traced back to 4chan and a group called The Fine Young Capitalists, she's sometimes affectionately used to symbolize modern gaming.
 * And sometimes used as a Straw Character by anti-GG, corrupting her established carefree personality.
 * Color Motif: Her striped sweater/sweatshirt is green and purple, a partial nod to an old 4chan meme involving Dragonball Z.
 * Loads and Loads of Characters:Over time, other personifications have emerged such as Gilda Mars (meant to embody Reddit) and the DeepFreeze siblings.
 * Lillian Woods, originally a knock-off of Vivian James meant to mock GG has since come to be associated with anti-GG.
 * Breakout Character: Originally intended for the indie game Afterlife Empire, Vivian has since taken on a life of her own, along a number of other personified characters.
 * Gamer Chick: Vivian in spades. While also averting the usual media stereotype by portraying her as nerdy and rough as any other gamer.
 * Rule 34: She and others aren't exempt from this either.
 * Unkempt Beauty: How Vivian's sometimes portrayed. Which is meant to emphasize how beautiful she in spite of her appearance.