Girls and boys in the game

Grunim · June 2015

FancyTuna8 wrote: »

So I'm not the only guy who plays female characters? I'm about 50-50 split--I just can't watch a guy run around skyrim all day long, and when I know I'm going to play hundreds of hours, I need some change of pace. Plus, in games like Dragon Age the dialogues with npc's were vastly different based on gender. The RP aspects
I chalk my mix of male/female with this up to the Dragonlance series--by the time the original trilogy was done, Tanis was my second favorite to Laurana because I couldn't quite forgive him for some of his stupid/dubious choices, whereas she had grown so much. I identified as him.

The real question is how many people make old female characters? There should almost be an achievement for beating some late-level boss with an old lady, because I'd bet it is the lowest percentage demographic made.

One of my veteran characters is an old lady. She's got gray hair, wrinkled skin and wears an eye patch. She also transforms into a werewolf now and while in werewolf form she doesn't notice her arthritis as much.

Roselle · June 2015

Pawkette wrote: »

There's actually a fair amount of evidence to support that men just wanna be women.

Please link any claims to this theory. I actually don't believe it.

Rosveen · June 2015

Roselle wrote: »

Pawkette wrote: »

There's actually a fair amount of evidence to support that men just wanna be women.

Please link any claims to this theory. I actually don't believe it.

I thought it was a joke.

BigM · June 2015

I play a transgender/Mexican/Jewish/Black/woman who started out as a Khajiit, Imperial.

Really what does it matter, we all role play what we really aren't.

@Pawkette yeah yeah no bring up Bruce Jenner.

Squishs · June 2015

In all seriousness, and this is coming from a gay man who's very comfortable in my own gender and body.

I enjoy playing both male and female characters, sometimes it comes down to pure aesthetics, maybe I wanna be a Brienne of Tarth-esque Nord Warrioress ploughing down hordes of enemies? a super old altmer dude who looks like you've animated a corpse? I'm down, and yeah, sometimes it's cool just to play a hot chick (or dude.) who fits armour well.

Character choice should always be about personal preference.

And about the women playing ESO..

Women do play video games, women have always played video games, stop assuming women don't play video games.

firstdecan · June 2015

k2blader wrote: »

firstdecan wrote: »

I have a general question I'd like to add to this thread: Why do some people think it's unusual for a person to play a cross gender character?

I'm a guy, and my "roster" is filled out with 5 females and three males. Of the toons I have played through at least silver, 2 are male and 2 female. I don't give it a second thought when playing, I don't identify with the character. It's not me on the screen, nor is it any projection of myself or my psychological desires. When I create characters, I simply like to create something that's attractive and\or looks cool (attractive in the appealing sense, not necessarily the sexual sense).

I can understand looking for something in common with other players (especially given the way many boys are on the internet), but what difference does it make what gender your toon is?

You bring up an interesting point. I do tend to identify with my characters, even if they are just bank alts. And because I have really no interest in "being" a male, I have no interest in creating a male character. While I know it's just a game, my character is still a representation of myself-- some part or other of myself, anyway-- IRL. Often I see sexual harassment level stuff in the game-- presumably from guys because it's sexual objectification of women-- and it turns me off, further solidifying my lack of interest in "being" in any way, male.

I do have to admit, when playing my female toons I have had some guys flirt \ hit on me. If I'm not in the mood to deal with it I'll simply respond with "I'll bet you say that to all the middle aged men playing girl characters." If I'm feeling more devious, I'll group up with them and goad them into a team speak just so they can feel stupid (hilarity usually ensues). It's a video game, if someone is really interested in attention from the opposite sex, maybe it's time to leave the basement.

Rosveen wrote: »

Their answer is usually "it just feels wrong." I guess if you see your character as an extension of yourself, which most people do, then playing as a woman might appear unmanly. On the other hand, if you don't identify with your character, then it's dangerously close to playing with dolls, which is also unmanly. I say unmanly because people usually don't question women playing male characters.

Dunno, before the internet helpfully informed me about it, it never even occured to me that playing as the other gender might be considered weird. I've always played characters of both genders in games (and often didn't have any choice in that matter).

What I find interesting about your comment is that boys have always played with toy soldiers of some kind, whether they be made from wood, lead or plastic. They're essentially dolls, just ones that are geared to a more stereotypically masculine archetype. Maybe they're not dolls if we call them "action figures" or "toy soldiers." I don't think it was ever unmanly to have Scarlett or Lady Jaye in my GI Joe collection (although they did get kidnapped a lot for some reason....)

God-eater wrote: »

Oryctolagus wrote: »

It's comforting to me that whenever I visit a game's forum for the first time I can depend on seeing this thread. It's like a warm welcome. Thanks.

And, every time, the page count goes thru the roof. Never understood it myself - the actual gender of another player is about as irrelevant as it gets in an RPG.

I'm often male, but sometimes I'm not. Sometimes I'm a humanoid cat with a septum ring. Once, I was a stocky Italian plumber and another time I was a middle-aged, scarfaced lesbian space marine who banged a genderless blue alien.

I wouldn't get too hung up on people's character choices, is my point - or who is really behind the screen.

Lol, I love it. I remember when I was an earthworm in an alien space suit, or I was a young boy who lost his frog and chased it into a cavern only to find a giant tank. Heck, if you want to go back far enough, I remember when I was a line on a low res screen bouncing a square back and forth between another line.

Artfuldodger · June 2015

Men playing as females? Oh my, well I wont be chasing any more female characters around the map again that is for certain

firstdecan · June 2015

Artfuldodger wrote: »

Men playing as females? Oh my, well I wont be chasing any more female characters around the map again that is for certain

But I could really use help with this quest. Can you hop on my TS channel?

Artfuldodger · June 2015

But I could really use help with this quest. Can you hop on my TS channel?

Ha ha, very clever.

I remember when I was a line on a low res screen bouncing a square back and forth between another line.

Me too

IrishGirlGamer · June 2015

Pawkette wrote: »

There's actually a fair amount of evidence to support that men just wanna be women.

Right up until they have to get cramps ...

Mitchblue · June 2015

Rosveen wrote: »

Mitchblue wrote: »

Rosveen wrote: »

firstdecan wrote: »

I have a general question I'd like to add to this thread: Why do some people think it's unusual for a person to play a cross gender character?

Their answer is usually "it just feels wrong." I guess if you see your character as an extension of yourself, which most people do, then playing as a woman might appear unmanly. On the other hand, if you don't identify with your character, then it's dangerously close to playing with dolls, which is also unmanly. I say unmanly because people usually don't question women playing male characters.

Dunno, before the internet helpfully informed me about it, it never even occured to me that playing as the other gender might be considered weird. I've always played characters of both genders in games (and often didn't have any choice in that matter).

It's not about the extension of yourself but the fact guys playing MMO's, like to look at a female toon's ass. That's the weird part. If that's not why someone plays a female character then this part doesn't partake to them.

How can that be weird? It's perfectly normal for a straight guy to enjoy looking at a female character's ass.

It's a cartoon. It has nothing to do about being straight.

FancyTuna8 · June 2015

Mitchblue wrote: »

Rosveen wrote: »

It's not about the extension of yourself but the fact guys playing MMO's, like to look at a female toon's ass. That's the weird part. If that's not why someone plays a female character then this part doesn't partake to them.

How can that be weird? It's perfectly normal for a straight guy to enjoy looking at a female character's ass.

It's a cartoon. It has nothing to do about being straight.

Quick, inform everyone that their WW2 relatives were all wrong in the head for liking pinup girl art on their jackets, bombers, etc....pretty sure this isn't a new phenomenon.

newtinmpls · June 2015

Grunim wrote: »

One of my veteran characters is an old lady. She's got gray hair, wrinkled skin and wears an eye patch. She also transforms into a werewolf now and while in werewolf form she doesn't notice her arthritis as much.

Oh you totally rock.

I was on the way to work, thinking about gaming and who (logically speaking) would be an 'old lady' connected in some way to characters I already have - and then it hit me: she's an orc. She's a tiny withered old Orc that doesn't take crap from anyone, and in my version of reality she squiggled her foot loose of chains and nailed his Mannimarco-ness in the [ahem] just as he sacrificed her. I've got a ton of Sorcs and Templars, so either DK or NB; most likely NB.

Still working on more description and a name - but I think her 'family name' is going to be "gra Pasedena"

Krombie · June 2015

I'm a guy and I have male characters only.

timborggrenlarsenb16_ESO · June 2015

Go for it.
I love to date a gamer - woman

BlueViolet · June 2015

Grunim wrote: »

One of my veteran characters is an old lady. She's got gray hair, wrinkled skin and wears an eye patch. She also transforms into a werewolf now and while in werewolf form she doesn't notice her arthritis as much.

This is awesome. I nearly choked laughing on my coffee when I read the last bit

I really love reading people's backgrounds and idea's for their characters

God-eater · June 2015

k2blader wrote: »

God-eater wrote: »

Bemused, not angry. And it's been my experience that the driving force behind the topic is less natuaral curiosity and more boys who want to know if that's a girl under those pixels. No one ever questions my gender when I play males - only my females get asked. The whole thing just feels a bit sexist to me.

Sorry for the earlier snark. I was just talking about this thread's existence but I think I understand what you're saying now (maybe, lol).

You kind of got me thinking.. This is the first mmo I've played where people are so insistent on using VoIP ("voice" such as TeamSpeak, etc.) for things. Having started with WoW I'm used to typing in-game and would much rather type and not talk. Also, call me weird (yeah I know I am!) but I don't like the sound of random strangers' voices blabbing in my home. Anyway, it goes without saying that a girl/woman speaking on voice immediately "outs" herself (unless she has a very manly sounding voice!) which can bring about unwanted attention out-of-the-blue. It's one reason I rarely talk when I have to get on voice. I don't want people treating me "differently" because I'm not male; but at times I feel there's no way to avoid it.

All good - I was agreeing with you - every game that allows gender choices has this issue raised. Further suggested that the most obsessed seem to be (usually young) boys trying to work out who the girls are - and will then treat them differently depending on whether they're a girl or a G.I.R.L.

@Ulaidian - you're funny. You should try again.

Parrotbrain · June 2015

This thread still going

? I think we should all lay down our hatchets; be like Bonobos, and have our toons make peace...the Bonobo way !!!

Wolfshead · June 2015

Well my gf is play ESO and she love alot every weekend she ask if we can play and we are even in guild for couple so i would say that it feel like it is more girl/woman play ESO then any other mmo i have/hade/are playing.

ContraTempo · June 2015

k2blader wrote: »

You kind of got me thinking.. This is the first mmo I've played where people are so insistent on using VoIP ("voice" such as TeamSpeak, etc.) for things. Having started with WoW I'm used to typing in-game and would much rather type and not talk. Also, call me weird (yeah I know I am!) but I don't like the sound of random strangers' voices blabbing in my home. Anyway, it goes without saying that a girl/woman speaking on voice immediately "outs" herself (unless she has a very manly sounding voice!) which can bring about unwanted attention out-of-the-blue. It's one reason I rarely talk when I have to get on voice. I don't want people treating me "differently" because I'm not male; but at times I feel there's no way to avoid it.

Yeah, I have to wonder when voice alteration will get good enough that you can really make your VoIP voice match your character. It's getting closer.

Also, IMO thinking that people playing cross gender is no big deal and does not mean anything except that that is what they wanted to play this time around, is linked to thinking that women playing video games is no big deal and doesn't mean anything other than that women like that game too. If we say gender in these games is no big deal we can't then turn around and say it is. Everyone plays what they want, no one gets judged.

newtinmpls · June 2015

Well I rolled up Kali gra Pazadena last night.

Hadn't realized I had improved so much as a player, but just as a casual thing she tried out (and slaughtered left and right with) just about every weapon I happened to pick up in the Wailing Prison. It's not the game being nerfed - it's me as a better player. But it's also fun RP-wise since as this little old lady I'm carving a path of destruction through the various baddies, I'm also muttering about how "In MY day" this or that.

My husband was watching me (he was running a V8 thing also, but it wasn't taking all of his attention) chuckling.

So finally I get out to Daggerfall and run into some young orcish whippersnapper standing on a stair/rail naked. Told him to get some Dam* clothing on and he tells me that it's because he's in a naked guild. So I was suddenly possesed by my character and reply to him:

Back in my day in Orsinium we did chores naked. And hiked for two hours. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways.

Totally cracked him up.

Bleakraven · June 2015

I'm a girl and I play characters of both genders. I currently have 2 girl characters and 3 guy characters. I thought we gamers were already way beyond the "any girls here?" threads :P

DragonRacer · June 2015

Grunim wrote: »

@pablinski You wouldn't happen to be a console player would you? I have yet to hear a female voice once on the NA Xbox megaserver, but I'm a long time PC player and this game has so many women who play on the PC that no one finds it remarkable to hear a woman's voice when you hop on someone's voice chat.

Relying on hearing a female voice on console is not a good way to gauge the size of the female gamer population. I know a lot of women who don't mic up at all for fear of harassment or unwanted come-ons (seems more of a console problem, but it's certainly not exclusive). In general, I tend to only mic up if other people are actually talking (I am female), but so far my experience on the PS4 NA server is that the only people mic'ing up are doing so to randomly cough into the mic or blare their background noise, but not to actually attempt communication with anyone. More often than not, I mute area chat because of that annoyance.

But many women game on console (as you noted they do on PC as well). I met many on Mass Effect 3 MP both on XBox 360 and PS3, and a few on Dragon Age: Inquisition MP on PS4. I know at least one of my female friends who's playing ESO, but otherwise everyone else is a big unknown.

To answer the original question of the thread, I'm a woman currently playing a female Khajiit. I have plans to eventually create a male Argonian as well, but beyond that... well, haven't thought that far out as I am plenty immersed in my current playthrough.

Pallmor · June 2015

I'm a male and have always created male characters. The idea of creating a surrogate and making her female always seemed creepy/dishonest to me. I find the "I would rather look at a sexy female on my screen all day" argument particularly creepy. That's fine if you're a 13-year-old boy and all. If you're a grown adult, it's goes over into the realm of immature/sleazy/creepy. It's like a middle-aged guy who still has posters of girls in bikinis on his bedroom walls. I mean, seriously dude?

Imhotep71 · June 2015

Pallmor wrote: »

I'm a male and have always created male characters. The idea of creating a surrogate and making her female always seemed creepy/dishonest to me. I find the "I would rather look at a sexy female on my screen all day" argument particularly creepy. That's fine if you're a 13-year-old boy and all. If you're a grown adult, it's goes over into the realm of immature/sleazy/creepy. It's like a middle-aged guy who still has posters of girls in bikinis on his bedroom walls. I mean, seriously dude?

I would agree with your statement if the guy intentionally makes people think he is actually female. Ive seen this and yeah its a bit weird to me.

As far as just having a female toon, meh nothing wrong with that. It could be anything from aesthetics to the hitbox being smaller for female toons. It really depends on the game. Not everyone looks at their character as a digital version of themselves.

Ghanima_Atreides · June 2015

Spectral_Lord wrote: »

Some people, like me, see characters as... well.. characters. Not a representation of yourself in-game.

Agreed. I am female and I have over 20 characters (on two accounts), some male, some female, both young and older. I don't identify with any of them nor are they supposed to be extensions of me in any shape or form. They are products of my imagination, each with their personality and backstory, and ways for me to explore different builds. When I play them, I react to the in-game story and events from their perspective, but they remain characters -I- control.

UrQuan · June 2015

Spectral_Lord wrote: »

Some people, like me, see characters as... well.. characters. Not a representation of yourself in-game.

Exactly. This is why I've got such a variety of characters: all races, all classes, both sexes, each using a different combination of gear. Maybe part of it comes from years and years of DMing (or GMing depending on the game) pen and paper RPGs. Or maybe it has to do with all of the plays I used to act in when I was in school, and all the theatre sports I used to do. They're characters that I play - they have nothing at all to do with who I am, they have everything to do with whether I have a concept for a character that I find interesting.

UrQuan · June 2015

Bleakraven wrote: »

I thought we gamers were already way beyond the "any girls here?" threads :P

Well, we were until the console folks showed up...

That's a little unfair, though, because I remember a couple of these threads on the forums before, but it's been many months since I remember seeing one. Until console launch happened...

Imhotep71 · June 2015

UrQuan wrote: »

Bleakraven wrote: »

I thought we gamers were already way beyond the "any girls here?" threads :P

Well, we were until the console folks showed up...

That's a little unfair, though, because I remember a couple of these threads on the forums before, but it's been many months since I remember seeing one. Until console launch happened...

It is possibly a carry over from Destiny. A good number of console players got their first taste of an MMO TYPE game in Destiny and bought TESO to see what an actual MMO is all about.

There were a ton of threads over there regarding males playing females. The comments were a bit ridiculous but most likely from youngsters.

Davadin · June 2015

32.
male.

NEVER ever play female char in MMO because i want to be immersed... so I like to model my toon to look like myself as close as possible.

So i'm proud to say I do actually look like my DK.

(except a little shorter)
(and less muscular)
(and thinner hair)
(worse standing posture)
(less jawlines)
(........)