I apologize, Hannibal, for failing to find a way to ask you to explain your position to me without sounding accusatory. I've tried to rephrase my request several different ways, but I seem to be unable to find a way to ask the question that makes it clear that I really am looking for you to answer. If my phrasing makes you feel like I'm trying to imply you're a misogynist, I apologize again--I have no intention of putting labels on anyone.

The reason I use the phrase "adamantly opposed to gender equality" is that you are arguing against me, when my argument is simply that the genders should be treated equally. I've listed several ways in which the FF series does not treat the genders equally, and you've agreed that they're not equal, but you dismiss those inequalities as not problematic. I explained three ways Cidney's outfit specifically is problematic, and you said I was being hypocritical for not giving Gladiolus's open shirt equal weight, despite none of those three ways applying to him.

I'm simply asking how wide the disparity has to be before you feel it is problematic, especially in the face of such overwhelming data supporting the claim that it's already well into "problematic" territory. I'm also asking what your motivation is for opposing the people in this thread who are in favor of equal treatment of the genders. The guesses I made seem to have offended you--that wasn't my intent; I just have no idea what your motivation could be here.

In regards to the way you've been painting my position, there are still some flaws. For one, no one has proposed a quota that ensures 100% tit-for-tat balance in every circumstance. All that's required is that game creator's be aware of the implications of the design choices they make. I appreciate that you want to defend "artists," but you'll be hard pressed to convince me that giving Lightning a jiggly boob job is them being "artistic" and "creative."

If the cards fall and there's not a "balanced cast", that doesn't mean that the game is sexist (and by extension, the artist that create them).
There are no "cards" falling; there is someone behind every decision. We can give things a pass on a regular basis--it's okay to have games with male casts or with female casts--but when one gender is consistently less represented than the other but also consistently more sexualized, that is sexist, and that is something an "artist" should consider when designing their world and story.

To give another example, sitcom writers are actively moving away from the "dumb dad" trope because it's become problematic and offensive. I know so many dads (and non-dads, and women) who are irritated that TV shows portray them as incapable of caring for their own children. People have made it known that there is a demand out there for competent dads on TV, and now there's a a decrease in that stereotype.

And then there's those troutty live action Disney Channel shows where the tweens are constantly being troutty to their stupid parents. If you think media doesn't influence our attitudes, spend time with a kid whose parents let them watch those. All of my friends have banned their kids from watching them because as soon as they do, their kids start disrespecting them. Hopefully Disney Channel will figure out soon that that trout's old.

Again, I apologize for making you feel as though my goal was to call you a misogynist. I'm trying to understand your position and simply failing.