Heeeeeelllooooooo Tomb Raider

Originally posted by liddokun

I bet if you make a virtual sex MMO it'll sell like hotcake.. then again it'll be rated Mature only and many game store and hobby shop won't carry mature rated titles.

Sex doesn't necessarily sell, but sexy and sexuality does sell.

It is basic marketing.  People buy what they think is good, what they think looks good.  By connecting the game to something that people think is good (hot bodies look good) people are more likely to give the game a look over. 

So the sex did not sell the game but it did make you look at the game.  It was the grabber.

Venge Sunsoar

Originally posted by Decadentia

Sex sells period. I think thats blatantly obvious in our age. That doesn't mean it sells to everyone, just a large amount of people. 

I personally only enjoy Linneage II for its art direction, and how the dark elf females look.  

Originally posted by Zindaihas

I read this website's preview of AoC by Carolyn Koh and she mentions several times the game's blatant use of sexuality.  Granted, this may be in keeping with the theme of the Conan universe, but I have to wonder if it also has to do with increasing subscriptions.  If so, will it work?

For me, it's all about the gameplay.  If it's lame, no amount of sexuality is going to hold my interest.  If it's fun, it's not going to be the outfits (or lack thereof) that's going to make me go out and buy it.  I haven't decided yet whether or not I'm going to play AoC.  But I'm definitely going to wait until I hear what other players think of it.  And believe me, my first question isn't going to be, "How's the sex?"

The sexual themes, amongst others are what gives rise to its "Mature" theme. Also included in the game I don't see how they would effect the gameplay in any way. I wouldn' t necessarily say that these themes are in the game based on trying to sell more subscriptions. If you are on your way to truly grasping the in's and outs of R.E.H's Conan universe (75 yrs old) themes like these are second nature in the stories. Its content that is there and doesn't inhibit the reader from some truly adventurous and savage reading. Comics, soft and hardback books on the lore have been selling for decades now, more recently video games, its only now in this more visual social environment that questions are asked more frequently.

When Funcom, set out to make a game based on Conan, a pretty strong and established I.P, I doub't that the first thing on their mind would be "hey, if we are going to stick the original vision and lore we are going to have to include the sexual themes" "Oh, yea, this will get us more subs - awesome!"

It's more about doing the original vision / lore justice. Sexual undertones have always been in 99% of Conan material out there.

Lets not forget that Robert E Howards creation in Conan the Cimmerian gave rise to the entire swords and scorcery concept, some 20yrs before Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

I think that if people immersed themselves within the lore a little, they would understand more where the whole approach/ direction is coming from in Funcom's interpretation in Age of Conan.

Suffice to say though, a knowledge of the lore background is not an necessity in anticipation or to actually play the game.

For those that will try the game out, please understand that any sexual themes you see in AoC, is really inline with the history and the background in Funcom interpretation, melded with other themes that can be just as controversial. Its part and parcel of the package that is AoC and inlien with the bigger picture. I for one hope they pull it all off together.

For those out there that are really offended by a few demon bosses with breasts then I suggest this game might not be for you.

For those out there who think that these sexual themes are here for subs, I think your misguided and mis-informed.

The game that Funcom are making derives from the original vision of adventure, scorcery and sword play, and low fantasy elements all wrapped in an mmo world. I would hope that these elements aren't overlooked by the public for interest, and I would like the think these are what the gaming community would rather play the game for.

It's definately not about the boobs or about the "blatant use of sexuality" for me, its about the "core" elements of the game that fundamentaly is going to make it how good it is, and how well Funcom can meld those idea's. And so far ableit in Beta still, the game does hold promise and intrigue for elements other than "sexuality"

As for the subject of nudity, lets face facts, this isn't the first time we as gamers have seen this. (depending on your experience)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_controversy

The Sopranos: Road to Respect-Towards the beginning of the game, the player enters the Bada Bang, the strip club owned by Tony and the gang. During many of the scenes, women are seen topless. There is also an option that if the player walks up to the stripper area, he can watch the show. Also, the player allows a stripper to do a lap dance for him.

M — Mature: Contains content that is considered suitable for ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Many retailers (such as Wal-Mart) have a policy of not selling games with this rating to minors without parental presence and approval. Examples of games with this rating are the Half-Life series, the Halo series, Jaws Unleashed, Dead or Alive 4, Duke Nukem 3D, Quake4, Silent Hill, Doom, Mortal Kombat series, Grand Theft Auto Series, Resident Evil, System Shock 2, God of War, Killzone, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, Dawn of War, Company of Heroes, and the Rainbow Six series.

 

Everybody seems to be harping on the sexual content of AoC...why?  The movies show skin, the books are in a male-centric gritty world with lots of skin...deal with it!

Yes, I believe that the skin content holds true to the Conan canon (no pun intended), but I also agree that the GAMEPLAY is what will make or break the game.

Sex sells everything.

A lot of people talk big about sexiness and how desirable it is in everything, but seriously, few people buy games for the sex in them. Why? Because thats not what games are for, thats not what they're good at. You can go to numerous other places for your dose of extreme sex, like, well, porn sites. But games almost always throw some amount of female seductivity in just to keep your attention a little longer.

Its just another ploy used to draw in a certain audience.... and when a game goes 'mature', they tend to go all out in order to get the violence/titty crowd as assured customers, so they like to couple gore and bloodshed with sex and breasts, because thats what they know young males with money will buy.  Same with movies.However, its just one peice of the puzzle, you aren't going to pay 15 bucks a month JUST for scantily clad pixels. A game has to have a lot more than that, just like you wouldn't play a game simply because it has amazing graphics, if the gameplay sucked.

But besides that, most of the people that make games are white males or asian males, so thats what you always see reflected in games; their fantasies, what they like, which tend to be stupid white or asian female bimbos, who usually just serve as side characters or love interests, or succubus.

Originally posted by zethcarn

"Sex sells" is overrated.  Good gameplay & good graphics sells a lot more.

The common mis-conception of AoC is the time period and the lore behind it. This time period was full of sex and sexual themes, just look back towards Rome's history same ideology. I'm glad the developers are sticking true to the series and not holding back, it's about time.

Players who think just because it's a mature game that there will be a safe haven from annoying immature community are sadly mistaken. Immaturity should never be set with an age, I know men who are going into their 30's and whine like a baby when they don't get their way. Not really surprising when you know the guy but the point is still made clear.

I have watched GameSpot's E3 interview video with AoC, the game looks great and feels great. The new real-time system is definitely what this genre needs to get more inspiring MMOs out there. They did talk about the quest's a tad, they explained the first quest you encounter will be to help a prostitute back to the city. So yes they are staying true to the time-period, lore, etc.

More importantly the avid question does sex sell? This isn't a question you have to think hard on at all. If sex didn't sell we wouldn't have the commercials on TV and the games we have today. Ever had a Fanta? I personally think they taste like watered down crap, maybe this is why they have the fantana's shaking their goods around in sexy outfits on the commercials. Sex sells there product no doubt. Magazines as well they make sure to have that sexual edge on the cover so you pick it up and become intrigued to buy it. As a member before has said just take a look at the porn industry. Yogurt, hell I wouldn't eat the shit, but I tell ya when i see this sexy chick in her underwear eating it. It does make me want some damn Yogurt.

Heh, anyway my 2 cents, take it for what it is worth.

stop this topic..

i don't want to talk about sex...!!!

Sex appeal helps games sell, but I doubt many people buy/play them for that sex appeal alone.

It's like almost any other form of entertainment: something/someone good-looking/sexy gets your attention, and so you give it some of your time.  If you like it, BAM!  Sold.  If not, well, you move on.  But by using sex appeal, they got your attention in the first place and a better chance at a sale.  This is no secret.  There is a reason that most singers/pro musicians are selected by music companies strongly based on their sexual appeal/charisma.  Same with actors.

People are also naturally drawn to other attractive people.  I'm not sure what the psychology behnid it is, except for maybe smoe kind of halo effect or perhaps a higher sense of self-esteem for associating yuorself with someone/something that you hold in higher regard because of its appearance.  For example, how many successful politicians are very ugly?  Very, very few, and those who are tend to have something very charismatic in their personalities.

For video games, good graphics (not necessarily for sexier characters either) serve much of the same role.  A game's gorgeous graphics can get your attention and maybe even get you to try it.  Or it may make you think the game is better simply because it looks so good.  But if it has lousy visuals?  You're much less likely to give it a shot in the first place.

Sex always has , and will always continue to be used to sell anything.

For instance there is a company  that specialises in delivering fresh mushrooms to stores and restaurants where i work. On the side of the mushroom transporting lorry is a large picture of a lovely woman wearing just a bra and nickers.

What the hell has a semi naked woman got to do with mushrooms ! , bleeding unbelievable i teel ya.

(maybe all their trucks are drivenis by  lovely semi naked ladies , if thats the case then i may order a couple of loads myself )

Sure sex sells and I do not find it bad neither. I mean, as a female myself, I rather play a sexy female char then a lame or horrible looking char. ;)

In the original Conan stories, almost every woman Howard ever wrote about was described as a sex goddess:

- young
- wearing a scanty silk tunic "girdled at the waist"
- perfectly soft, pale white skin
- "supple" figure
- usually "black foam" for hair
- girlish naivety
- panting & clingy when excited/scared

The answer is a firm YES.

Anything sells when sex is involved. ....  unless it's a "different" type of sex....well then it still sells but only to a certain sort of people....

I am not sure it sells. Its more a nerd-teenager-trap. Sure you get more pimpled teenages straights to buy it, but you also loose customers. I know several female gamers and families who avoid games with "boob-shows".

Personally, I am really not prude and sex is all nice and good. But unless it really fits the game I dont want to see sexual eye catchers on game packages or in the game or in ads. Playing lotsa fantasy I am just too much influenced by Tolkien or Dungeons & Dragons style, so it doesnt fit into my imagination of such worlds. You can depict beauty without almost nude mini-bikini chainmails! We really dont have to go to Amish-style, but what many ads and games depict really borders on degrading females. I dont want semi-nude people of whatsoever gender in my fantasy games. Or any game. Unless it REALLY fits. We really need less stupid trash-art in games, and 99% of seminude is just total trash.

Originally posted by Zindaihas

I read this website's preview of AoC by Carolyn Koh and she mentions several times the game's blatant use of sexuality.  Granted, this may be in keeping with the theme of the Conan universe, but I have to wonder if it also has to do with increasing subscriptions.  If so, will it work?

For me, it's all about the gameplay.  If it's lame, no amount of sexuality is going to hold my interest.  If it's fun, it's not going to be the outfits (or lack thereof) that's going to make me go out and buy it.  I haven't decided yet whether or not I'm going to play AoC.  But I'm definitely going to wait until I hear what other players think of it.  And believe me, my first question isn't going to be, "How's the sex?"

1. Carolyn Koh is a... silly person... to claim anything Conan related is too sexual. The GAME itself is attempting to make money off the Conan IP. Did she ever read any of the classic Conan comics?!? Every single cover depicts Conan (almost naked) rescuing some maiden (almost naked). I guess she does not find the male or female body attractive?

There is a GREAT essay by a philosepher (sp) on why Americans (especially American females) are sooo officially uncomfortable with the human body. This unnatural uncomfortableness does not exist in Europe, Australia, Canada, and less so in Asia.

Basically, the essay goes into how before the advent of "Western civilization" other cultures , Roman, Greek, Middle East, Asian, S. American, Nubian, etc... etc... saw the human body as a thing of beauty. Just like when one sees a lion, tiger, kitten, deer, forest, lake, etc...  It's the  reason why in the original olympics the contestants were either almost naked, or fully naked.

2. I agree with you, in the longrun it's the game play, game features, game mechanics, that keep a game alive, that attract a quality fanbase.

3. There's something MORE to the topic of "Does sex sell?". It's more like "Does a beautiful picture/image/staute of the human body sell?". Do people like beautiful things?

Just think, IF the Christian god had His way, Adam and Eve would NOT have sinned, and guess what? We ALL would be walking around naked!

Originally posted by roundhead

 

Originally posted by Apocalyptica

Sure sex sells and I do not find it bad neither. I mean, as a female myself, I rather play a sexy female char then a lame or horrible looking char. ;)

That's great!  However, I would like to make sure that games give also female players options to be more realistic, and not force them to wear chainmail bikinis all the time over their DD chests and tiaras over their 18-yr-old porcelain doll faces.

 

 

 I fully agree. That's why cSWG (it's even still in the current SWG) had THE best ever character creation ever created in a mmorpg. Players had near infinate control over how their character looked. From being anorexic, to ultra fat with a big fat pot-belly, and every single degree in between.

Originally posted by Apocalyptica

Sure sex sells and I do not find it bad neither. I mean, as a female myself, I rather play a sexy female char then a lame or horrible looking char. ;)