MMO Bans Men Playing As Women

[kris threat]

Sure, I can see how it might make since in the developers mind. They want people to be the gender they really are so people can actually befriend them blah blah blah. But then why does the rule not extend to females playing as males. I mean, come on...if your going to make such a rule...have it apply to everyone...not just the males. Its a game for crying out loud...let the players pick what characters they want to play as or you game isn't going to be around very long.

[F9zDark]

Sure, I can see how it might make since in the developers mind. They want people to be the gender they really are so people can actually befriend them blah blah blah. But then why does the rule not extend to females playing as males. I mean, come on...if your going to make such a rule...have it apply to everyone...not just the males. Its a game for crying out loud...let the players pick what characters they want to play as or you game isn't going to be around very long.

That part bothers me as well. I really can't see any reason for this besides the fact that the employees want a visual record of the chicks playing the game. Thats what it really boils down. Sure they may blanket that with the social aspects, and while they would be right to do so, the fact they don't extend this to women playing as males seems to indicate its not really their motive.

Again, if the reasons are social ones, then they would extend it to cover women playing as men; cause in reality its a two way street. As others have said, women in games are treated nicer, often with more respect (although they are also often hit on, harassed for ASL, pics, myspace, etc or even sexually harassed). This rule could, in fact, worsen male-male interaction, since every male playing the game would be playing as a male character.

Since they would know that probably 99% of the males they come across would be actually male, there would be no doubt in their mind when they whip out the vulgar insults.

But it really doesn't matter, I can see this game having maybe a total female population of about 2%, with many females playing as males to circumvent having to post their pictures.

In the end, this rule will probably be the death of itself, if not the death of the game. As I can certainly see this ending up in the mainstream media, if not amongst the likes of feminist groups wishing to protect a female's privacy, which is paramount in online gaming, where women are, hit on and harassed by male gamers constantly.

[robman84]

This should extend to all games. If you want to play the part of a woman, you should be a woman. If you want to play as an alien, you should have to prove you are an alien. Driving games? Show me your brake disks. Asteroids? Prove to me that you are indeed a wireframe triangle.

As you may have guessed, I think this is rather ridiculous.

Rob (who is actually a small orange flightless bird)

[DanWare]

Well this issue must be close to your hearts, so many posts...

It is sad that people feel misled by someone's gender in a game - they're just players! What, do they wanna date them or something?

Hilarious stuff though.

[Shiori]

This is foonay.

^_^.


I can't imagine the amount of fake videos they will be swamped with. Its such a creative outlet.

[kris threat]

But it really doesn't matter, I can see this game having maybe a total female population of about 2%, with many females playing as males to circumvent having to post their pictures.

This is another point where I can see a major issue with this rule. Lets say that it really does have a 2% female population...and lets say alot of the female characters are actually played by males and then you suddenly tell them to stop and now all female character must send webcam evidence to prove their womanhood. Like you said...there would probably be an increase in women playing as men because they don't want to send their pictures to other people...and then you will also get a the developers desired effect of no men playing as females...suddenly this game has an all male cast with the only variety being the character class or race. I don't play MMOs but I still find this whole thing to be utterly ridiculous.

[F9zDark]

Well this issue must be close to your hearts, so many posts...

It is sad that people feel misled by someone's gender in a game - they're just players! What, do they wanna date them or something?

Hilarious stuff though.

Truth of the matter, yeah thats pretty much what it boils down to. I have seen in countless games, gaming chatrooms, forums and even MMOs where once a female makes it known, they get lambasted by every male within a 300 mile radius of their location. Well, thats a bit of an exaggeration, but needless to say, its pretty bad.

[m enterprise]

man thats so gay, men playing as women?

[Kloe]

I've never even heard of this game... I'm sure the game is crappy with developers like that.

[F9zDark]

man thats so gay, men playing as women?

I don't see how its gay. Play Heavenly Sword, and tell me if thats gay, playing a woman? There is nothing wrong with playing a woman in a game. If you believe there is then thats your prerogative. But many people don't. I don't for one. Depends on the game and whether or not I want to roleplay (and I mean, really roleplay, by refraining from OOC, speaking in the way people in that time period or location would speak, etc).

I have RPed female characters before and its actually rather fun. Thats the point of these games, to enter a virtual world as SOMEONE ELSE. Now if a guy played a female character and was going around asking male characters if they would like fellatio, now that'd be some cause for alarm...