Day 1 and Already I Love You, TESO!

IrishGirlGamer

@ThePonzzz: Hmmm ... I've been in the game a few days but I still haven't got any free stuff, either. Maybe I'm not using the right ... approach.

But don't worry - I send you some worms next time I'm online. Trust me, I got a bunch.

@Rosveen: I'm not "hating" anything. To hate something - as the word is defined - I'd have to feel a strong, passionate and emotional dislike. Witcher amuses me more than offends me. If I don't have to see it - and I don't - then it's not really bothering me, is it?

We could have a fascinating discussion about how woman are depicted (or reflected) in video games. Think about your comment about the magically changing dresses in Skyrim (which was another HUGE frustration of mine - what, I can't wear pants? Really?). And now consider that the Bethesda Skyrim team had a number of women on it. Did it not occur to them? And if it did, why did they not say anything? If you go through the published images of the female members of the team, none of them are wearing dresses.

(BTW, Skyrim has not gone unnoticed by women writing on gender roles in modern media: http://womeningamestudies.com/exploring-the-virtual-dollhouse-ludic-play-in-skyrim/ ).

This fall I'm beginning my Ph.D work and unless something changes dramatically, I'll be researching and writing on the artistic interpretation of gender in video games. Not just obvious stuff like Skyrim, Mass Effect, Uncharted and so on, but also Zelda, a number indie games, and now TESO.

For years the video game industry has been dominated by males. Men played video games, women did ... whatever. Video games reflected that male dominance and played on male desires. In much the same way that stereotypes existed in what is called men's fiction or film, video games created a stereotype the strong dominant male in control of his world - the perfect escape for the man who felt his power and status in the real world were diminishing, along with his ability to control that world.

Witcher is a perfect example. Maybe the player can't get a date with the woman he wants but he can play this video game where that type of woman HAS TO like him - and his power is them reflected in their sexual surrender to him. How cool is that? And as @Singular points out: there's none of the "ugliness" of humanity: physical or emotional. A video game allows you to be as completely selfish as you want to be and still get what you want out of the "relationship." It's a psychological win/win, where the player gets what he wants and the studio gets his money.

What games like TESO and Skyrim have done is advance girls and women into the gaming industry via a major studio - not just as players, but as designers, artists and developers. I don't think it's unintentional that female roles in the TES series have equalized over the last few releases. Clearly there are a number of talented female artists working for Bethesda and TESO and their finding their voices - which is a great thing.

I look forward to the day in the not too distant future when the museum I work for features an exhibit about art in video games - and I'm not having to see a man's name by almost every exhibit.

Edit: And isn't it interesting now that in TESO, men are forced to wear robes - which are referred to on this forum as dresses ...

ThePonzzz

@IrishGirlGamer - Hah, thank you!

If you're ever looking for some RP or someone who is sort of slow and not all about the numbers, feel free to find me in game.

Rosveen

I think the days of female characters getting stuff for free might be gone. Maybe if fewer women played ESO... But they're everywhere.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

(BTW, Skyrim has not gone unnoticed by women writing on gender roles in modern media: http://womeningamestudies.com/exploring-the-virtual-dollhouse-ludic-play-in-skyrim/ ).

An interesting read, thanks for linking. I'm not sure how I feel about Skyrim being described as "somewhat" inclusive to female players - I can't think of many games more inclusive than TES - but okay. I see the author's point. The part about women in position of power made me cringe though. The conclusions are not wrong, but the preceding factual errors... Anyhow, this subject deserves its own article.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

A video game allows you to be as completely selfish as you want to be and still get what you want out of the "relationship."

Not all games. My characters had lovers leave them and friends become estranged because of their choices. It's not as much about male dominance as the player's dominance - the world revolving around us.

Merlin13KAGL

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Male players playing female characters has one extremely useful fact that you can't avoid. Females tend to get WAY more free stuff. Friend of mine got the primal motif for free, just because they were a "good person."

@ThePonzzz, I see the thinking here..."No Cover Charge," Aye. I've never chosen a character build based on anything like that and have played several types.

(For the record, I am also not a Kajhiit in real life...)

ThePonzzz wrote: »

I can't even get free worms.

This makes me sad...:(

I will send you worms, post haste, the next time I log in.

ganja.mullarwb17_ESO

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

ganja.mullarwb17_ESO wrote: »

Im really glad you are enjoying the game and playing it like the dev's would want all their customers to. However checking out walk animations on a female character while being female yourself prompts a like of another kind xD.

Really? Does it? Why? Are you a guy who plays as a girl? Do you then think all women want to play as men? Why? So we can watch a toon's butt move across the screen?

Snarcasm aside, I don't really understand the male fascination with playing as women. If men had to experience all of womanhood when they played women in video games, there'd be a lot less 16 year old schoolgirl heroes running around Tamriel.

Me thinks i didnt come across as clear as i wanted to. What i wanted to express was that i like women who check our other womens walks - it was a subtle reminder of how much men love lesbians.
Now before you go all Irish rage of death on me, please understand i am NOT calling you a lesbian or insinuating that you have lesbian tendancies (even if u did, its none of my business). I only meant to give a slightly funny reply to your original topic.
FYI: Im a guy who plays a guy and my toons ass is clunky at best (heavy armor will do that to ya)
Anyhow, im still glad that there are positive threads amongst an ocean of negativity on these forums

Please dont rip me up again, im an innocent templar >.<

Swampster

ThePonzzz wrote: »

Male players playing female characters has one extremely useful fact that you can't avoid. Females tend to get WAY more free stuff. Friend of mine got the primal motif for free, just because they were a "good person." I can't even get free worms.

LOL ^^ this 100%

Guys know how lots of guys think... and those who've been playing MMO's a good while know this to be an indisputable truth!

Play a female toon, use those 'womanly charms' and gets FREE STUFF!!

Though as people have got more saavy, and played more MMO's some reverse psychology is at play these days I'm sure of it... you just can't be certain. Have you 'real' females had any experience of having difficulty persuading your fellow players you are in fact a REAL flesh and blood female?

Sanibel

Akkale wrote: »

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

SHHHHHH!!!!! Haters are gonna hear you and much like my Ex Gf's they will smell your happiness and set out to destroy it.

I give him/her a week

I started playing about 2 months ago and I still haven't found anything that I really dislike about the game. I had concerns about bots (not multi-boxers) when I started but those have since been addressed quickly. And also their subscription system, but since have come to realize it makes more sense to help prevent malicious activities in the game. No other MMORPG on this scale is giving out updates and patches as fast as they are.

IrishGirlGamer

ThePonzzz wrote: »

@IrishGirlGamer - Hah, thank you!

If you're ever looking for some RP or someone who is sort of slow and not all about the numbers, feel free to find me in game.

@ThePonzzz,

So here's the thing: I was fresh out of worms. So I just sent you some crap I found tonight on the beach in Khenarthi's Roost.

Enjoy. (P.S. And now you're like a girl who gets things for free. ).

Mablung

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Mablung wrote: »

I see nothing here worthy of a response so I am responding that it is not an actual response. Enjoy your female walk animation OP.

I will and thank you.

With your ability to perform complicated logic and obvious superior intellectual development, you are indeed a rarity. Do take care of yourself, Dr. Manhattan.

I will take this as a compliment since you reference one of the greatest graphic novels to have ever been penned.

Uisi

One of the most enjoyable post in this forum, thank you!

ThePonzzz

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

@IrishGirlGamer - Hah, thank you!

If you're ever looking for some RP or someone who is sort of slow and not all about the numbers, feel free to find me in game.

@ThePonzzz,

So here's the thing: I was fresh out of worms. So I just sent you some crap I found tonight on the beach in Khenarthi's Roost.

Enjoy. (P.S. And now you're like a girl who gets things for free. ).

I shall catch a glorious fish in your honor!

IrishGirlGamer

ThePonzzz wrote: »

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

ThePonzzz wrote: »

@IrishGirlGamer - Hah, thank you!

If you're ever looking for some RP or someone who is sort of slow and not all about the numbers, feel free to find me in game.

@ThePonzzz,

So here's the thing: I was fresh out of worms. So I just sent you some crap I found tonight on the beach in Khenarthi's Roost.

Enjoy. (P.S. And now you're like a girl who gets things for free. ).

I shall catch a glorious fish in your honor!

Hurray! And you can craft something. Nothing big but, you know, something small, like maybe a magical walking stick thingy ...

IrishGirlGamer

Mablung wrote: »

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Mablung wrote: »

I see nothing here worthy of a response so I am responding that it is not an actual response. Enjoy your female walk animation OP.

I will and thank you.

With your ability to perform complicated logic and obvious superior intellectual development, you are indeed a rarity. Do take care of yourself, Dr. Manhattan.

I will take this as a compliment since you reference one of the greatest graphic novels to have ever been penned.

@Mablung: You should take it as a compliment - and a further compliment that you got the reference (and without the help of Google).

You are truly intellectually superior.

ThreeEyedCrow

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

@ThePonzzz: Hmmm ... I've been in the game a few days but I still haven't got any free stuff, either. Maybe I'm not using the right ... approach.

But don't worry - I send you some worms next time I'm online. Trust me, I got a bunch.

@Rosveen: I'm not "hating" anything. To hate something - as the word is defined - I'd have to feel a strong, passionate and emotional dislike. Witcher amuses me more than offends me. If I don't have to see it - and I don't - then it's not really bothering me, is it?

We could have a fascinating discussion about how woman are depicted (or reflected) in video games. Think about your comment about the magically changing dresses in Skyrim (which was another HUGE frustration of mine - what, I can't wear pants? Really?). And now consider that the Bethesda Skyrim team had a number of women on it. Did it not occur to them? And if it did, why did they not say anything? If you go through the published images of the female members of the team, none of them are wearing dresses.

(BTW, Skyrim has not gone unnoticed by women writing on gender roles in modern media: http://womeningamestudies.com/exploring-the-virtual-dollhouse-ludic-play-in-skyrim/ ).

This fall I'm beginning my Ph.D work and unless something changes dramatically, I'll be researching and writing on the artistic interpretation of gender in video games. Not just obvious stuff like Skyrim, Mass Effect, Uncharted and so on, but also Zelda, a number indie games, and now TESO.

For years the video game industry has been dominated by males. Men played video games, women did ... whatever. Video games reflected that male dominance and played on male desires. In much the same way that stereotypes existed in what is called men's fiction or film, video games created a stereotype the strong dominant male in control of his world - the perfect escape for the man who felt his power and status in the real world were diminishing, along with his ability to control that world.

Witcher is a perfect example. Maybe the player can't get a date with the woman he wants but he can play this video game where that type of woman HAS TO like him - and his power is them reflected in their sexual surrender to him. How cool is that? And as @Singular points out: there's none of the "ugliness" of humanity: physical or emotional. A video game allows you to be as completely selfish as you want to be and still get what you want out of the "relationship." It's a psychological win/win, where the player gets what he wants and the studio gets his money.

What games like TESO and Skyrim have done is advance girls and women into the gaming industry via a major studio - not just as players, but as designers, artists and developers. I don't think it's unintentional that female roles in the TES series have equalized over the last few releases. Clearly there are a number of talented female artists working for Bethesda and TESO and their finding their voices - which is a great thing.

I look forward to the day in the not too distant future when the museum I work for features an exhibit about art in video games - and I'm not having to see a man's name by almost every exhibit.

Edit: And isn't it interesting now that in TESO, men are forced to wear robes - which are referred to on this forum as dresses ...

Interesting point. While I believe the recent estimates from market research are that 47-48% of all gamers are now female, the design studios themselves might be very male dominated still. Since the market is basically half female, it would certainly be in company's interests to start hiring more females and getting their input on design and gameplay aspects.

As a side note, since I play most games with my girlfriend, its interesting sometimes which details she notices that I don't. Like she wanted to chance her hairstyle in ESO like she could in Skyrim but the option wasn't there whereas I never even noticed that.

kirnmalidus

ThreeEyedCrow wrote: »

Interesting point. While I believe the recent estimates from market research are that 47-48% of all gamers are now female, the design studios themselves might be very male dominated still. Since the market is basically half female, it would certainly be in company's interests to start hiring more females and getting their input on design and gameplay aspects.

Not sure what studies you are citing specifically, but from my understanding those studies tend to be skewed by women that play "Farmville" or online Euchre on Yahoo! type games. They aren't what you and I would consider a "gamer" per se, but because they play these types of games the researchers usually classify them as such.

I would like to see a study that has data broken out with percentages of women that play the more "hardcore" types of games, like major console releases (Call of Duty, Dark Souls, Assassin's Creed… everything but "Arcade" games) and MMOs like ESO and WoW.

Arora

I was just complaing that i have nothing sexy to wear XD

IrishGirlGamer

Arora wrote: »

I was just complaing that i have nothing sexy to wear XD

Funny thing about that. When I was getting an MFA in the U.S., one of my colleagues conducted a study involving IIR aboiut 100+ female gamers. They were mostly undergraduates at the university. To participate, they had to have at least three years experience playing in MMOs.

The women were shown several series of images of women from MMOs like Second Life and other games. In each of the series of images, the women's clothing/armor ranged from conservative to really skimpy. The women picked, on the range from 1 to 5, what clothing/armor they would be comfortable wearing in the game. They were also asked to comment on their choice. IIR, there were three or four series of images, but one was definitely an armor set.

Over 30% (IIR about 32%) of the verified women in the study chose within the 3 to 4 range (1 being the most conservative coverage). At least 10% chose the 4 to 5 range. And the most common reason for not choosing the more revealing armors was factual and rational (protection) as opposed to gender issues or modesty.

Men sometimes assume women don't want to look attractive in video games, when really we just don't want to look ridiculous.

cigarsmoker

If they're playing a nightblade I figure two more hours until disillusionment.

Eivar

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Men sometimes assume women don't want to look attractive in video games, when really we just don't want to look ridiculous.

This is my main complaint when it comes to female characters in video games, walking around in metal bikinis and the like is absurd. I'm not against female characters looking "attractive" I'm just against ludicrous "armor' designs that wouldn't actually serve as real armor. TBH this is why I'm such a big fan of Brienne in GoT, they held closer to the books and dressed her up in actual functional armor. Anyway, hoping this thread doesn't turn into another "skimpy armors thread' that place was horrid. lol.

ers101284b14_ESO

Eivar wrote: »

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Men sometimes assume women don't want to look attractive in video games, when really we just don't want to look ridiculous.

This is my main complaint when it comes to female characters in video games, walking around in metal bikinis and the like is absurd. I'm not against female characters looking "attractive" I'm just against ludicrous "armor' designs that wouldn't actually serve as real armor. TBH this is why I'm such a big fan of Brienne in GoT, they held closer to the books and dressed her up in actual functional armor. Anyway, hoping this thread doesn't turn into another "skimpy armors thread' that place was horrid. lol.

So you mean this shouldn't be the best female armor in the game?
http://marvellousmoandme.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/bandaid2.jpg

seriously though I agree, sexy does not always mean skimpy.

CorgiRoo

Sallakat wrote: »

robynheraty_ESO wrote: »

I'm also happy that the female armor isn't embarrassingly skimpy, either.

Pfffft this game needs a lot more cleavage in the outfits

I disagree... This game is great how it is, however, you can add more cleavage (if you really want to,) to your character. Because it can get pretty, er... Um, yep.

Maverick827

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Arora wrote: »

I was just complaing that i have nothing sexy to wear XD

Funny thing about that. When I was getting an MFA in the U.S., one of my colleagues conducted a study involving IIR aboiut 100+ female gamers. They were mostly undergraduates at the university. To participate, they had to have at least three years experience playing in MMOs.

The women were shown several series of images of women from MMOs like Second Life and other games. In each of the series of images, the women's clothing/armor ranged from conservative to really skimpy. The women picked, on the range from 1 to 5, what clothing/armor they would be comfortable wearing in the game. They were also asked to comment on their choice. IIR, there were three or four series of images, but one was definitely an armor set.

Over 30% (IIR about 32%) of the verified women in the study chose within the 3 to 4 range (1 being the most conservative coverage). At least 10% chose the 4 to 5 range. And the most common reason for not choosing the more revealing armors was factual and rational (protection) as opposed to gender issues or modesty.

Men sometimes assume women don't want to look attractive in video games, when really we just don't want to look ridiculous.

I think the opposite is true. Male developers rationalize skimpy armor thinking that "women like to look pretty," so with both sides in favor of it (because all men enjoy skimpy armor...), why not have metal thongs and boob window plate armor?

As a guy, I dislike such armors because they're impractical and unimmersive for any fantasy world. There's also a second layer of anti-immersion because whenever I see it, I know why it exists, and I know some young male developer made it specifically to entice other young men. When I'm playing an RPG, the last thing I want is to be reminded that this entire world was created in some building by people as a day job, but that's exactly what obvious "gamey" things in games do. It's why a lot of RPGs are trying to remove or obfuscate RPG elements.

IrishGirlGamer

ers101284b14_ESO wrote: »

So you mean this shouldn't be the best female armor in the game?
http://marvellousmoandme.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/bandaid2.jpg

seriously though I agree, sexy does not always mean skimpy.

That was actually quite funny.

I wish I could show you the series of images used in the study. The series from Second Life stuck in my mind because the "bra" the woman was wearing in the No. 5 image was just about what you posted - except it was black electric tape (ouch!).

@Maverick827: Remember, the study was direct at women, not game designers. But yes, you're correct, and for some companies, the male idea of what's attractive is something like this:

https://gomakemeasandwich.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/cso2.jpg

And they believe women want to dress this way. Kudos to TESO for being above all that ... which is why I'm willing to give them my money.

cigarsmoker

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

We could have a fascinating discussion about how woman are depicted (or reflected) in video games. Think about your comment about the magically changing dresses in Skyrim (which was another HUGE frustration of mine - what, I can't wear pants? Really?). And now consider that the Bethesda Skyrim team had a number of women on it. Did it not occur to them? And if it did, why did they not say anything? If you go through the published images of the female members of the team, none of them are wearing dresses.

This has nothing to do with game design and everything to do with HISTORICAL fact. If you were a woman in the time period generally used as a basis for the game you would be in a dress / skirt. IF you decided pants were the way to go you would be shunned at the least, stoned or burned at the worst. Depending on where in the real world you happened to be, of course. So this is a logical depiction of attire in the game.

As modern people they look like dresses to us because the Robe/Kimono as an every day piece of clothing has fallen to the wayside, where in the time period depicted Scholars, Religious officials, some Nobility, and many others wore Robes as their working clothes, and in Japan the Kimono was the only option for anyone not working in a field or trade.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

This fall I'm beginning my Ph.D work and unless something changes dramatically, I'll be researching and writing on the artistic interpretation of gender in video games. Not just obvious stuff like Skyrim, Mass Effect, Uncharted and so on, but also Zelda, a number indie games, and now TESO.

If it is as short sighted and prejudiced as this link you posted:

(BTW, Skyrim has not gone unnoticed by women writing on gender roles in modern media: http://womeningamestudies.com/exploring-the-virtual-dollhouse-ludic-play-in-skyrim/ ).

I don't think you'll pass muster for that Ph.D, sorry. Well unless it's a degree like something from psychology or sociology or women's studies, something useless in the real world. The requirements for those areas are so lax you could write about anything and get a Ph.D.

I would also consider this piece badly written. I know it's supposed to be a research paper, but the dry way in which the information is presented does no one any good. It also seems like the author doesn't understand enough about the current limitations of the AI in video games and what is and is not capable within the system. I feel sorry for her a couple of programming and writing classes would have really helped her out.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

For years the video game industry has been dominated by males. Men played video games, women did ... whatever. Video games reflected that male dominance and played on male desires. In much the same way that stereotypes existed in what is called men's fiction or film, video games created a stereotype the strong dominant male in control of his world - the perfect escape for the man who felt his power and status in the real world were diminishing, along with his ability to control that world.

Men's power and status in the real world IS diminishing. His home is no longer his castle, and his only area of control might be his Garage or Yard.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Witcher is a perfect example. Maybe the player can't get a date with the woman he wants but he can play this video game where that type of woman HAS TO like him - and his power is them reflected in their sexual surrender to him. How cool is that? And as @Singular points out: there's none of the "ugliness" of humanity: physical or emotional. A video game allows you to be as completely selfish as you want to be and still get what you want out of the "relationship." It's a psychological win/win, where the player gets what he wants and the studio gets his money.

Just like all those Rom/Com movies and "bodice ripper" romance novels (The single LARGEST section at the bookstore I worked at) for women. It's all the same, just the medium presenting it is different. The watcher/reader gets what she wants and the publisher gets her money.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

What games like TESO and Skyrim have done is advance girls and women into the gaming industry via a major studio - not just as players, but as designers, artists and developers. I don't think it's unintentional that female roles in the TES series have equalized over the last few releases. Clearly there are a number of talented female artists working for Bethesda and TESO and their finding their voices - which is a great thing.

Like most people out there I don't care WHO is making my video game, just so long as the end result is something enjoyable and playable:
Excellent Plot
Great Art
Intuitive Interface
Minimal Bugs

All those things that make a game worth playing. If a game is good or bad it's always the game director/designer's fault. ALWAYS. Doesn't matter if it's a guy or gal it's all on them.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

I look forward to the day in the not too distant future when the museum I work for features an exhibit about art in video games - and I'm not having to see a man's name by almost every exhibit.

Art is Art. It doesn't matter who makes it so long as there is something about it that makes you think, "this is beautiful." And as much as my artist friends would shoot me for this, their name on the bottom is an afterthought.

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Edit: And isn't it interesting now that in TESO, men are forced to wear robes - which are referred to on this forum as dresses ...

See my reply about time period above.


~CS~

IrishGirlGamer

cigarsmoker wrote: »

This has nothing to do with game design and everything to do with HISTORICAL fact.

You know what I absolutely love about this statement? Apart from it's obvious historical inaccuracy, it's how men can argue, with a straight face, that women have to wear a dress because it's historical reality and at the same time insist she should run around in latex lingerie because TES is fantasy game.

cigarsmoker wrote: »

If it is as short sighted and prejudiced as this link you posted:

...

I don't think you'll pass muster for that Ph.D, sorry.

How fortunate for me the trustees and faculty of the Department of Art History at Georgetown University get to make that decision - and not you.

cigarsmoker wrote: »

Men's power and status in the real world IS diminishing. His home is no longer his castle, and his only area of control might be his Garage or Yard.

And I think we have a winner here ...

Sierra117

Lukee wrote: »

*Sniff* *Sniff*
What the hell is that.. it smells like.. Happiness..

I HATE HAPPINESS

Happiness is Loneleyness
Happiness is Loneleyness
Happiness is Loneleyness
Happiness is Loneleyness
Loneleyness is Happiness,
Happiness is Loneleyness
Happiness is Loneleyness
Happiness is Loneleyness

cigarsmoker

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

cigarsmoker wrote: »

This has nothing to do with game design and everything to do with HISTORICAL fact.

You know what I absolutely love about this statement? Apart from it's obvious historical inaccuracy, it's how men can argue, with a straight face, that women have to wear a dress because it's historical reality and at the same time insist she should run around in latex lingerie because TES is fantasy game.

cigarsmoker wrote: »

If it is as short sighted and prejudiced as this link you posted:

...

I don't think you'll pass muster for that Ph.D, sorry.

How fortunate for me the trustees and faculty of the Department of Art History at Georgetown University get to make that decision - and not you.

cigarsmoker wrote: »

Men's power and status in the real world IS diminishing. His home is no longer his castle, and his only area of control might be his Garage or Yard.

And I think we have a winner here ...

Historically everyone wore skirts, but at a point the fashion/practicality trends changed and women wore skirts. I never said you had to wear a skirt. For all I care you can run around naked doing cartwheels shouting "I am queen of the lobster people". No skin off my nose there.

I'm sure your paper will be much better written than the one you posted. You've shown yourself to be a much better writer in the few paragraphs you've posted here as compared to the whole of that woman's paper. I'm sure your Art History Trustee's will appreciate that level of writing and readability considering how much awful writing passes their desk every year.

If you don't see how men are slowly being knocked down in status in the real world I don't know what to tell you. Maybe watch any sitcom for a few episodes? See how it's always the 'goofy and idiot father figure' and the 'intelligent and in control mother figure' portrayed. But hey what do I know it's only TV, the most influential device in history.

Arora

IrishGirlGamer wrote: »

Arora wrote: »

I was just complaing that i have nothing sexy to wear XD

Funny thing about that. When I was getting an MFA in the U.S., one of my colleagues conducted a study involving IIR aboiut 100+ female gamers. They were mostly undergraduates at the university. To participate, they had to have at least three years experience playing in MMOs.

The women were shown several series of images of women from MMOs like Second Life and other games. In each of the series of images, the women's clothing/armor ranged from conservative to really skimpy. The women picked, on the range from 1 to 5, what clothing/armor they would be comfortable wearing in the game. They were also asked to comment on their choice. IIR, there were three or four series of images, but one was definitely an armor set.

Over 30% (IIR about 32%) of the verified women in the study chose within the 3 to 4 range (1 being the most conservative coverage). At least 10% chose the 4 to 5 range. And the most common reason for not choosing the more revealing armors was factual and rational (protection) as opposed to gender issues or modesty.

Men sometimes assume women don't want to look attractive in video games, when really we just don't want to look ridiculous.

Yeah! I dont mind looking at something sexy all day lol. And I honestly dont mind it its a freaking game, If i cant be a 10 at least my alter ego can XD

cigarsmoker

Also, I'm not arguing. I am pointing out a possible reason behind the decision.

IrishGirlGamer

@cigarsmoker: Understand. I apologize if I came across as snarky. This is a hot button issue for me, which means I should probably stay away from (some) video game forums.

cigarsmoker wrote: »

If you don't see how men are slowly being knocked down in status in the real world I don't know what to tell you. Maybe watch any sitcom for a few episodes? See how it's always the 'goofy and idiot father figure' and the 'intelligent and in control mother figure' portrayed. But hey what do I know it's only TV, the most influential device in history.

Admittedly inaccurate. But while television is influential, I question whether it raises itself to "art." Some shows, surely do. Others, not so much.

Anyway, this has gotten way, way off topic, so I'll end it here. Peace.