76 replies to this topic

[Afyael]

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

1. Why do you play as a character of the opposite gender?
2. Does it influence/change your gaming experience? How? (i.e. social aspects, aesthetics, makes the game easier, etc.)
3. Do you identify with your character? How?
4. Have you done gender-bending before? In what games?
5. Is Guild Wars 2 more gender-bending friendly? For example, are the graphics and designs more attractive than in other games?
6. Do you enjoy playing as the opposite gender in single-player games?
7. Do you admit to your real gender while interacting with other players?
8. Would you pose as someone of the opposite gender outside games?

1. Because I think that certain classes/races look better as a particular gender.
2. Doesn't influence it in any way at all.
3. I identify my character as a badass monster slayer
4. I have in Guild Wars 1, Rift, Aion and Diablo 3.
5. I wouldn't really say so. I would say that Guild Wars 1 was probably the most attractive game to 'gender-bending' because so many male caster armors looked awful.
6. I don't especially enjoy playing as the other gender but usually if I'm a mage/ranger type I will go female.
7. Yes, I think most people assume unless proven otherwise that female characters are all male players.
8. Maybe for a prank/special event at my college or if my girlfriend wanted to do matching halloween costumes otherwise probably not.

[mrs_pilon]

Again, thank you so much for all your responses. I got more that I could have hoped for. I'll be closing the survey today evening (around 8PM GMT+1) because I simply won't be able to analyse all of the data given the amount of time I have. I will, however, leave this thread open for any further discussion.

caveslug, on 04 November 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

This topic pops up about once a month, on ever single MMO game forum for the past 12 years. About ever 3-4 months you will see a topic like this one instead, a student conducting a survey for school. Generally they are psychology students, this is the first I have seen use "game culture class".

I understand if someone rolled their eyes seeing another student with a survey. Especially WoW is the mekka of game reserach. Pretty much every class I took had something about WoW (I study games, not psychology )

Edited by mrs_pilon, 05 November 2012 - 07:26 AM.

[WildmouseX]

Male, 37

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

1. Why do you play as a character of the opposite gender?

when playing games where i spend most of the time staring at my characters back porch, I'ld rather look at a female's.

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

2. Does it influence/change your gaming experience? How? (i.e. social aspects, aesthetics, makes the game easier, etc.)

yes, it makes me want too look at the screen.

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

3. Do you identify with your character? How?

nope, but i'm sane.

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

4. Have you done gender-bending before? In what games?

every game where i have to look at a characters rump, and get to make a choice.

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

5. Is Guild Wars 2 more gender-bending friendly? For example, are the graphics and designs more attractive than in other games?

sure, why not?

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

6. Do you enjoy playing as the opposite gender in single-player games?

if i have a choice, I always choose to look at chicks

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

7. Do you admit to your real gender while interacting with other players?

"admitting" indicate's that I'm doing something wrong, if someone hit's on me or something (which is usually the reason why the subject is ever broached), I tell them I'm a guy and that their perverted ass best go talk to a shrink about their poor choice in searching for a mate based on what a MMO character looks like before it's too late for them to ever get laid.

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

8. Would you pose as someone of the opposite gender outside games?

only for girlfriends with strap-on fetish's.

[Sevens]

MisterB, on 04 November 2012 - 06:31 PM, said:

Playing a character of the opposite gender in a video game is not the same thing as gender bending. Perhaps you should reconsider your assumptions.

Quoted this for truth
Its an avatar in a video game
Using the Term Gender Bending is pretty stupid

[Gremlin]

To the next psychology student who wants their done for them, I think it reasonable that we receive credit when you produce the paper.
Test subjects are often paid but we accept in game gold.

Also if you want your paper to stand out from all the others and so you get a better grade I suggest 2 more questions that will get you some great feedback.

9 do you feel the need to continue playing as your character in real life are you a Norn warrior at the office for instance.

10 do you ever dress as your character either while playing or just for fun.

Edited by Gremlin, 05 November 2012 - 11:26 AM.

[Rhododendron]

AW hell not dis shit again

[Fenice_86]

Female, cause i like to see boobs.

Simple as that

[Velicia]

mrs_pilon, on 04 November 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

1. Why do you play as a character of the opposite gender?
2. Does it influence/change your gaming experience? How? (i.e. social aspects, aesthetics, makes the game easier, etc.)
3. Do you identify with your character? How?
4. Have you done gender-bending before? In what games?
5. Is Guild Wars 2 more gender-bending friendly? For example, are the graphics and designs more attractive than in other games?
6. Do you enjoy playing as the opposite gender in single-player games?
7. Do you admit to your real gender while interacting with other players?
8. Would you pose as someone of the opposite gender outside games?

Male 24.

1) Because generally speaking the male models in most MMO's look stupid, and I like my characters in game to look good. GW2 and a few other games are an exception as their male character models do look OK.

2) Not at all, I've never understood the "I play a female avatar because I get more help" comment.

3) No its a fantasy game. I identify with the world I'm playing in, not the character I'm playing.

4) Most games where there is a gender select on character creation.

5) I would say no, the simple fact that some of the male character models look as awesome as the female ones. Should mean the game is less open to player a character of the opposite sex (Talking about male gamers here of course).

6) I don't enjoy playing my characters, I enjoy the game.

7) Yes, in fact I think I've only ever been mistake for a female counter part in more role playing specific games. I know a lot of females play games now, but I still view a character in game as a male gamer in-till otherwise specified.

8) No.


Edit:
I even have a female name of the forum, but this is only because one of the main character I play in game, goes by that name. And the profile options wont let me change the display name for some reason!

Edited by Velicia, 05 November 2012 - 11:48 AM.

[astromarmot]

Playing games to me is much like reading a fiction novel.  I do not believe myself to be the protagonist in either genre, but I enjoy tagging along on their adventures.  I'm curious, would the same questions be appropriate for puppeteers and team mascots?

Edited by astromarmot, 05 November 2012 - 11:57 AM.

[RetroFreud]

I like the eye candy...

Or,

I am in touch with my Anima.

[Desild]

RetroFreud, on 05 November 2012 - 12:30 PM, said:

I am in touch with my Anima.

Finaly! Someone whot gets it! Thank you good sir, we need more Jungian and Psychodynamic Psychology here on Guild Wars.

[geulsae]

Why do you play same gender character?
Do you find yourself staring at your characters behind?
Pause and look at their naked body while changing gear?
Do you enjoy the company of same gender friends?
Do you spend more time in the gym shower than it's necessary?
Have you ever thought that a same gender celebrity was handsome/beautiful?

Edited by geulsae, 05 November 2012 - 04:24 PM.

[garethfedwards]

I have a hard time playing anything other than a human male, but that’s just me.

While I often joke with guildies or friends about playing girls, I would never group them as horny teens, desperate single older men or "sexually confused".

Just because someone likes playing human female or some other fantasy creature goblins, norn or dwarves, doesn't mean they are "sexually confused" or have a break with reality. It's a game after all.

And there is far better HD porn out there, you don't need to get excited about a pixealated cartoon. Or if that’s your thing at least get Fallout or oblivion HD body mods.

[Reverse Ghost]

astromarmot, on 05 November 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

Playing games to me is much like reading a fiction novel.  I do not believe myself to be the protagonist in either genre, but I enjoy tagging along on their adventures.  I'm curious, would the same questions be appropriate for puppeteers and team mascots?

To be fair, you aren't in control of any of the characters' actions when reading. You are directly responsible for your character's actions when playing a game.

Puppeteers / mascots makes more sense for what you're going for though.

[astromarmot]

Reverse Ghost, on 07 November 2012 - 03:51 AM, said:

To be fair, you aren't in control of any of the characters' actions when reading. You are directly responsible for your character's actions when playing a game.

Puppeteers / mascots makes more sense for what you're going for though.

While I may not be directly controlling their actions in a novel(outside of those choose-your-own-adventure tales) I am inferring much about them and their actions, and subjectively experiencing the novelist's words.  In many games you get much more limited choices, ie Tomb Raider forcing the player to be a "girl" even though you control some/most of the characters actions.  Even in this game, you don't really get much in the way of choice in the personal story and it's much more like reading a novel than say playing 2nd Life. While I see what you're saying, it's not a binary issue.

[Heart Collector]

To star with, I play on characters of either gender. As a male IRL (straight) I always start with a male main, but will create both male and female alts.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Why do you play as a character of the opposite gender?

It depends on a number of factors, mostly aesthetic (character models and animations, armours, race gender aesthetics, class feel, voice actor)

2. Does it influence/change your gaming experience? How? (i.e. social aspects, aesthetics, makes the game easier, etc.)

Nope.

3. Do you identify with your character? How?

Dunno really... I guess it's a bit like acting. But even if RPing on a female character I leave out anything that has to do with my characters gender (no sexuality etc).

4. Have you done gender-bending before? In what games?

Just about every game you can choose male or female, if the female is better than the male (as defined in my answer to question #1). I will always start out with a male main though.

5. Is Guild Wars 2 more gender-bending friendly? For example, are the graphics and designs more attractive than in other games?

Depends on the race and class.

6. Do you enjoy playing as the opposite gender in single-player games?

Again, if the female is better than the male in the ways I described yes.

7. Do you admit to your real gender while interacting with other players?

Duh! Why wouldn't I? It's not like it's important anyway. This is a game, not a dating service.

8. Would you pose as someone of the opposite gender outside games?

No, unless I was into acting or something.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

All in all, I think that people make too big a deal about this. It's a videogame, I don't care what gender you are IRL as long as you're a decent sort and fun to play the game with. I'm not looking for a date.

[Doctor Overlord]

This thread should have been linked.  http://www.guildwars...te-your-gender/

I have a stock response that I post everytime this dead horse topic is brought up again.  

http://www.guildwars...30#entry1897705

To be polite I'll respond to the specific questions:


1. Why do you play as a character of the opposite gender?

I like stories with multiple characters (ala Game of Thrones).   Video game RPGs are just stories where you get to control the character.

2. Does it influence/change your gaming experience? How? (i.e. social aspects, aesthetics, makes the game easier, etc.)

Not any more than reading about male or female character changes my experience reading a book.   It's the quality of the story/game that matters.

3. Do you identify with your character? How?

The same way I might identify with a character in a movie or novel.  A good story is compelling and dramatic and gets you interested in the characters. Otherwise, I do not see MMO characters as representing me.  MMOs are not a reflection of real life.  It's a video game.

4. Have you done gender-bending before? In what games?

Tomb Raider. Bayonetta. Silent Hill 3. Various times in Resident Evil. Street Fighter, Soul Caliber, Dead or Alive and other fighting games.

I've heard the argument that MMO's are different because you interact with people.  I interact with people playing a fighting game or FPS and character gender never makes a whit of difference in those.  

5. Is Guild Wars 2 more gender-bending friendly? For example, are the graphics and designs more attractive than in other games?

I don't see any aesthetic difference between the quality of male or female characters in GW2.

6. Do you enjoy playing as the opposite gender in single-player games?

See 4.  

7. Do you admit to your real gender while interacting with other players?

Yes.

8. Would you pose as someone of the opposite gender outside games?

I was going to give this thread a bit of leeway for the choice in title but it is taking a great deal of effort not to be insulted.  Every time this topic starts up some troll posts that anyone who doesn't apply their real life gender to a video game must be a cross-dresser.  

I will give the OP the benefit of the doubt that they were simply and naively asking a question to incorporate into their paper but next time I suggest they do a Google search.   You won't find an MMO forum out there where this hasn't been posted, usually every few months.   It won't take long to see exactly how insulting a certain fraction of the community can be because they think that everyone should regard a video game as a reflection of real life.  And that fraction are the usually ones who use the term 'gender-bending', which is something done in real life, to character selection in a game.

Edited by Doctor Overlord, 16 November 2012 - 04:25 AM.