[Intrepid Homoludens]

Hana and Rain, lesbian lovers from Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix (Playstation).

Heroic sized breasts offer clue to women and gaming?
Idle Thumbs news | Posted 1 day, 0 hours, 26 minutes ago by Beiddie Rafól

Why aren't more women playing videogames? Sheri Graner Ray, Senior game designer for Sony Online Entertainment, may not have all the answers, but she's determined to find them. In an interview with CNET she pokes and probes the question.

Some key clues offered by Ray are that there are few female game characters to play. A large number of men often choose female characters, particularly in RPGs. Yet Ray revealed that most women don't like playing male characters because it makes them feel uncomfortable. "So it's one of those barriers. It's one of those doors that stops them from ever playing the game," she states.

Another turn-off for women is how female characters are physically represented. Ray observes that historically both male and female characters in games have always been designed to look strong, young, heroic, and ready for action. But it stops there for the boys and the girls are further worked on - to look more like they're ready for sex (which may explain why a lot of guys like playing female characters). This is done by exaggerating the breasts, pouting the lips, and other 'come hither' characteristics.

Which probably explains (partly) why my male hero in Fable never had nipples on his chest. I mean, what if he had actually been female? o_0

I thought I'd post this here 'cause there's a good discussion going on about it, curious to see what people here make of this.

Oh, and I put this in Chit Chat 'cause it should get more 'exposure' here (seeing as not everyone goes to General).

[artwking4]

One of my favorite things to do in KOTOR was to strip Bastilla down to her undies. Too bad that doing so also decreased her armor class rating. This has nothing to do with female gamers, but I felt I had to mention this.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Well, I should mention too that I loved stripping Carth and Canderous down to their undies. A rarity in games, KOTOR actually gives the male characters bulges down there !! Imagine that.


Anyway.........

[artwking4]

Yes, anyway...

I think that article explains a bit why there seem to be increasingly more female playable characters in adventure games. Guys don't seem to have a problem playing female characters, and women are more comfortable with them. Well, it explains it to me, but it might not be the actual reason. Although I wouldn't say adventure game females have HEROIC sized breasts, either. Not as a rule, that is. But it definitely seems true for action and/or rpg games.

On the other hand, I might be wrong, but men in action games aren't exactly portrayed as wimpy or "nice guys" either. They're exaggerated, too (i.e. tall, totally ripped). They just have more clothes then female characters.

[pleto4_ryan]

You could always strip her after giving her the sith lord's robe...for more kinky fantasies *firouli firoulira*

For Canderous...it was fun that only stripped you could see his tatoo...nice touch.


As for the true subject. I find the facts to be straightworth. After all, isn't that why female gamers pass their time mostly on Myst games and Sims. They are games that don't tone up or down sexuality and have characters females can easily identify.
I can say its's a little weird. Lara = too sexy, April = too clumsy(or so i read somewhere). Can't there be a balance?

Also...damn you trep for fooling me of a new fear effect...

[fov]

Yet Ray revealed that most women don't like playing male characters because it makes them feel uncomfortable. "So it's one of those barriers. It's one of those doors that stops them from ever playing the game," she states.

In what universe? I have never had a problem playing a male character in a video game.

[Jazhara7]

Originally Posted by artwking4

One of my favorite things to do in KOTOR was to strip Bastilla down to her undies. Too bad that doing so also decreased her armor class rating. This has nothing to do with female gamers, but I felt I had to mention this.

And I bet it gives her an armor check bonus. After all, the less clothes you wear, the harder it will be for the enemy to discover you



-

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Originally Posted by fov

In what universe? I have never had a problem playing a male character in a video game.

I don't think that's true across the board. However, it may be true enough as to be a major consideration from that potential market. There are other factors involved as well, I'm sure. Like if the male character is actually likeable by the women, and some other things.

[Jazhara7]

Originally Posted by pleto4_ryan

Also...damn you trep for fooling me of a new fear effect...

Hmmm...Zanthia! She's not what most people call sexy (that is, she is not a victim of the the "boobonic plague" ), and she is definitely not clumsy.


-

[Jazhara7]

Originally Posted by fov

In what universe? I have never had a problem playing a male character in a video game.

I would DEFINITELY have a problem with playing Anomen Delryn from "Baldur's Gate II" (it was bad enough that he was the only possible romance that a female character could have - while male characters had three possibilites for a romance). You really notice that his texts were written by males.


-

[fov]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

I don't think that's true across the board. However, it may be true enough as to be a major consideration from that potential market. There are other factors involved as well, I'm sure. Like if the male character is actually likeable by the women, and some other things.

Maybe I can't relate because I don't usually play the types of games she's talking about. I can't imagine a woman EVER saying "I don't want to play Gabriel Knight" (or Space Quest, or Moment of Silence, or whatever) "because I'm uncomfortable controlling a male character."

But even in games where I do have some choice (like in Final Fantasy when you get to pick your party) it's not like I'm always picking the girls. In fact, I tend not to. Weird.

-emily

[C_Knight]

pffft Carth...it's all about Hanharr...gotta love the hairy guys

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I thought Jade from BG&E was absolutely the 'fall-in-lovable' type, and she's got the average physical attributes, is fully clothed, and is all about intelligence and general good character traits.

Then again, she's one of the very few exceptions.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

Originally Posted by fov

But even in games where I do have some choice (like in Final Fantasy when you get to pick your party) it's not like I'm always picking the girls. In fact, I tend not to. Weird.

Man wishes?

I hear ya, hon. I have the same.

[JoeX111]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

I thought Jade from BG&E was absolutely the 'fall-in-lovable' type, and she's got the average physical attributes, is fully clothed, and is all about intelligence and general good character traits.

Then again, she's one of the very few exceptions.

I wish there were more strong female characters like this in gaming, because I get annoyed by all of the busty ones that tend to have zero personality. I'd much prefer to a play a game with Jade, April Ryan, or the girl from Syberia as opposed to the likes of Lara Croft and that chick they kept calling Future-Skank from Unreal 2.

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I would love a female equivalent of Sam Fisher. One who's in her 30s, attractive, a gymnast's body, with high intelligence.......I guess kinda like Sydney Bristow but without all that drama, and far less visible, of course, but still complex.

[Quadriflax]

All breasts are heroic. Their size has nothing to do with it.

I don't mind playing female characters. Why would I? Isn't the point of a game to do something in another world? Besides, when I do it on the internet I get lots of attention. Not to mention the better scenery.

sorry...

[TigerShard]

Back in 1996, the Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall was released. In that game, you could strip your characters down to nothing if you wanted to, at least the males (I never play female characters). When I say nothing, I mean nothing, you could even see male parts. Something that made it fun was you could buy different types of cloths. You couldn't wear clothes and armor at the same time, but it was fun playing dress up with the characters

[Intrepid Homoludens]

I can't strip Sam Fisher down to nothing.

[artwking4]

Originally Posted by Intrepid Homoludens

I would love a female equivalent of Sam Fisher. One who's in her 30s, attractive, a gymnast's body, with high intelligence.......I guess kinda like Sydney Bristow but without all that drama, and far less visible, of course, but still complex.

I've never really watched Alias, but even so, I cannot for the life of me understand how changing one's hair color to outrageous colors and/or styles is going to be a good "cover" that will allow you to successfully infiltrate questionable organizations. She's sure to be noticed looking like that. Like Jazhara7 said above, her best chance for getting in unnoticed would be to strip completely naked. Nobody would expect it.