Originally posted by Elikal

For me, a character I play must represent something of *me*, some part of myself externalized. (Is that a word?)

 

I found this comment interesting. As an old-school pen-and-paper roleplayer myself I feel completely the opposite. In an RPG I always want to play something as far away from me as I can imagine.

I prefer my MMO characters to be small as I've always found it easier to follow combat, particularly group PvP if I'm watching my opponents rather than myself. For this reason I almost always these days play female characters.

My toons race/gender is normally based on class.

Warrior-type: I play a larger race, male or smaller race, female.

Mage-type: Normally female, any race

Warlock/Necro: Normally male, humanoid average sized race

Ranger/hunter: Anything goes, just whatever I feel like

Dr00ds: Same as ranger/hunter

Originally posted by Miner-2049er

Originally posted by Elikal

For me, a character I play must represent something of *me*, some part of myself externalized. (Is that a word?)

 

I found this comment interesting. As an old-school pen-and-paper roleplayer myself I feel completely the opposite. In an RPG I always want to play something as far away from me as I can imagine.

I prefer my MMO characters to be small as I've always found it easier to follow combat, particularly group PvP if I'm watching my opponents rather than myself. For this reason I almost always these days play female characters.

 

Whoever has the better animations. Remember how female undead had front flips n' shi* back in WoW. Of course I've met people that you've described in your post, some still decent people with interesting lives, some are predators, and some are just biologically frustrated. I remember meeting this guy, a taxi driver from Las Vegas, told me how he would only play female characters because they statistically had an easier time grouping with strangers. He was right too.

Just know that you should never judge someone based on the gender of a race that they choose to play in an online RPG, or any game for that matter.

Originally posted by RefMinor

Originally posted by Miner-2049er

Originally posted by Elikal

For me, a character I play must represent something of *me*, some part of myself externalized. (Is that a word?)

 

I found this comment interesting. As an old-school pen-and-paper roleplayer myself I feel completely the opposite. In an RPG I always want to play something as far away from me as I can imagine.

I prefer my MMO characters to be small as I've always found it easier to follow combat, particularly group PvP if I'm watching my opponents rather than myself. For this reason I almost always these days play female characters.

 

 

I am in the same boat as Elikal, even in the PnP days, even though the different characters had different personalities, I always thought of them as me physically.

Well I guess thats the beauty of role-playing. I remember playing car wars as a road warrior with legs that stopped at the thighs. It was practically comedy role-play at times but was so much fun.

As this thread shows, people do things differently. I value freedom in MMORPGs, let people play as they want.

What if you play one of those sexually ambiguous characters mostly seen in asian games?  Does that mean you're confused?

Originally posted by maji

I don't get these "I don't like it when other people don't choose the characters gender according to their real one."

 

Why does the gender of a random person on the internet matter to you? Whether I'm female or male, what business is it of yours? I never got that. Except if some horny teens fap to every pixel-boob (or whatever they're into) they see, and don't like the thought of doing that to someone who is of the gender that's not preferred.

I think what disturbs a lot of people is the fact that this often goes the other way around. A lot (not all) of male players that play female characters either do so specifically to mess with and/or receive special treatment from other male players through flirtatious actions while some others do it because they're gay (please note, I have nothing against gays) and just want to flirt with guys.

A lot of relationships begin in online games these days. I think for people who are into that sort of thing its a real concern. Personally its one of the many reasons I'm actually not into the whole online dating thing. Also one of the reasons I refuse to play a female character in an MMO.

It all boils down to different people having different reasons to play and enjoying the same game in different ways. Simple conflict of interests.

Originally posted by Elikal

Now let me say ahead, I always respect everyone's decision what to play in a MMO. It is just a feeling. Let me explain. Now sure, as gay guy, I do not have the appeal to "see a girl's bum" while I play. But here is the thing. When I create MMO characters, I NEVER make "my idea man". And boy, I tried. Several times in MMOs I create a male character that looked as my "ideal looking man", and it SPOOKED THE HELL OUTTA ME. I can't even say why. But the idea to play a char that looks like my ideal man, was... wrong. It was something so outside anything I could identify or accpet. I always felt it was just wrong and spooky, to have some "cute puppet", some "love doll" or whatever. It felt just freaky. And that is why I shudder at the thought, no matter if you play same gender or opposite gender: this idea to create a character as "your ideal looking girl/guy" is what just feels so spooking me off.

For me, a character I play must represent something of *me*, some part of myself externalized. (Is that a word?) For instance, I loved my EQ2 Sarnath and my Fae Ranger. Both represented character traits of me. Both where a part of me, in a way I could not describe. Or my dark skinned characters I make in most MMOs as main. He is me, for reasons I can not explain. But he is FAR from the type of guy I want. I mean, I know some people would even play any random char because they don't care at all. But when you play a char so many hours as you do in a MMO, does it not evoke *some* feeling within you?

And that is what I don't get, how can you play a char months or even years which is your "love interest"? That sounds just so... bizarre. So it gives me more than a little doubt in players who do this. I know from experience with female gamers who talked to me, that female chars are usually treated better. If they enter older MMOs, they are WAY more likely to get help, money and other stuff. And that, shall we say, ulterior motive is what I also kind of suspect. Like they know, ok with a girl char people will be more helpful and nice. Which is the case. Female chars DO get more help.

 

So what do you think about it? And to you guys who play girls, how do you feel doing that? I wonder.

These are role playing games, as in, players take on the 'role' of a character in the story. These aren't approximations of myself or 'ideal mate', these characters are just like any character in a book,  film or other story telling medium. As such, I can play characters of any race or sex, as they are just characters in an unfolding story. That's true for just about everyone I play with. When starting a new game it's always interesting to see what kinds of characters friends have come up with, and our group is made up of males and females that have *all* had characters of each sex over the years. 

I don't just read books with male characters because I'm male, I don't skip movies that contain female characters. I've liked female characters in books and films (even alien characters, and I'm actually not an alien either). 

A cool character is a cool character. If I decide a female rogue seems like a cool character, I'll make one, if I have an idea for what I think is a cool male ranger, I'll play one. 

You make some very broad assumptions and certainly project a bit - we're not all operating with the same faulty logic. 

I'm glad I'm not as limited, that sounds horrible.  I feel a bit bad for those that are limited to only creating specific character types when games offer so many fun combinations of sexes and races.

Wait...doesn't that mean you should only play human characters? You're not a sarnak or fae, how can you possibly play one?

See? A bit silly, isn't it?

Originally posted by FrostWyrm

Originally posted by maji

I don't get these "I don't like it when other people don't choose the characters gender according to their real one."

 

Why does the gender of a random person on the internet matter to you? Whether I'm female or male, what business is it of yours? I never got that. Except if some horny teens fap to every pixel-boob (or whatever they're into) they see, and don't like the thought of doing that to someone who is of the gender that's not preferred.

I think what disturbs a lot of people is the fact that this often goes the other way around. A lot (not all) of male players that play female characters either do so specifically to mess with and/or receive special treatment from other male players through flirtatious actions while some others do it because they're gay (please note, I have nothing against gays) and just want to flirt with guys.

A lot of relationships begin in online games these days. I think for people who are into that sort of thing its a real concern. Personally its one of the many reasons I'm actually not into the whole online dating thing. Also one of the reasons I refuse to play a female character in an MMO.

It all boils down to different people having different reasons to play and enjoying the same game in different ways. Simple conflict of interests.

I don't know if I believe you or if you are just saying what you think you are expect to say.  How many guys have you flirted with in mmorpgs?

I play female and male toons.

Doesn't bother me when someone calls me by my female toons name. 

It does bother me when lonely, creepy guys get way creepy about crappy looking graphics.

You're the one with the problem, not me.

Only dummies would think that all the female toons running around are actually female. And only the creepy would be offended that a guy plays a female toon.

Doesn't really matter. Either or. In alot of games the armor for the female classes/races look much better then the male counterparts.

Its funny people get weirded out about some guy who plays a female character, but they don't care about the people playing a wolf, a cat, a orc, a cow or any number of  off-the wall races I've seen.

Its supposed to be a "Role Playing Game" you are playing that role. So anyone who "just wants to look at a nice female butt" while they play is A) A pervert who needs some real porn B) Not realy interested in the RPG aspect, unless they have secret desires to be a woman.

If a guy is playing a female toon because he wants to be a girl, I can respect that. But if he just wants to control a female character and not "be" their character, they're in the wrong genre.

Hm, players create female characters for a number of reasons. I'm sure many of those reasons are on the more perverted side, but my real issue here would come from people actually pretending that they're female. There is nothing wrong with playing a female character, there are many cool ones in a lot of games outside of MMOs, especially RPGs.

I aim to create a cool character that I like and I'm comfortable using. Usually these characters are male, but once in a while I'll create or play as a female in games. Females may also fit better into what I have in mind for a character, especially if they're roughly based on another character (games, anime, books, etc.)

Anyways, I don't have big problems with males playing as females, but if they're only making or playing as females in games, then they may have some issues (that's kind of weird).

This is something, as a female gamer I have particular feelings about. Playing PC games since 1996, I have seen the progression move away from games where you were lucky to find a female avatar to play. And if you chose to play a female you were limited to a particular class (Diablo).

The only time I have played a male character was when I was not given a choice. This was usually only something that happened in single player games (ie Planescape:Torment). And at the time that was forgivable since I understood the game story revolved around the male protagonist. But I found it hard to identify with a male character.

When online games came along, the female character choices had annoyingly skimpy outfits and usually anatomically incorrect body shapes. This irritated me to no end. Women played pc games, and have been since their inception just like men. Why not give a nod to women gamers by portraying their avatars with some resemblence of sensibility.  (plate mail underwear...really?) I understand that the online game is a fantasy world but at least let me have a piece of something I can envision to add to that world.

This concept that the hot looking woodelf female is most assuredly a female in the real world and must therefore be looking for someone to hit on her. I mean look at what shes wearing right?? This was irritating to no end. Thankfully the times have changed.

**Edit** I Should add that my husband plays male and female characters. This doesnt bother me. To him, his character is part of a developing story.  He imagines a rogue as a female. Small of stature, light on her feet.. sneaky. So he plays the character acording to how he imagines it to fit that class and race. It never felt weird playing along side his female characters since I knew his intent and the ideas that motivated their creation.

Originally posted by Vocadi

This is something, as a female gamer I have particular feelings about. Playing PC games since 1996, I have seen the progression move away from games where you were lucky to find a female avatar to play. And if you chose to play a female you were limited to a particular class (Diablo).

The only time I have played a male character was when I was not given a choice. This was usually only something that happened in single player games (ie Planescape:Torment). And at the time that was forgivable since I understood the game story revolved around the male protagonist. But I found it hard to identify with a male character.

When online games came along, the female character choices had annoyingly skimpy outfits and usually anatomically incorrect body shapes. This irritated me to no end. Women played pc games, and have been since their inception just like men. Why not give a nod to women gamers by portraying their avatars with some resemblence of sensibility.  (plate mail underwear...really?) I understand that the online game is a fantasy world but at least let me have a piece of something I can envision to add to that world.

This concept that the hot looking woodelf female is most assuredly a female in the real world and must therefore be looking for someone to hit on her. I mean look at what shes wearing right?? This was irritating to no end. Thankfully the times have changed.

But in all this I refused to play a male character since I appreciate the idea of a female hero. Someone strong and smart and adventurous. Theres always a little bit of who I am and who I imagine I may be in a game world when I play a character. I dont make the pretty little skinny elf, I make someone who looks like she can hold her own. Someone crafty, strong and clever. 

 

I appreciate that SWTOR included body shape 4 for females. That part is at least a step in the right direction... I realise this is a long post but I have always felt strongly about being able to play a female character the way I invision, not the way some guy behind a screen imagines.

**Edit** I Should add that my husband plays male and female characters. This doesnt bother me. To him, his character is part of a developing story.  He imagines a rogue as a female. Small of stature, light on her feet.. sneaky. So he plays the character acording to how he imagines it to fit that class and race. It never felt weird playing along side his female characters since I knew his intent and the ideas that motivated their creation.

Your husband is a cross dresser. Nah nah.

Err wait a minute, as of ME I have been making some female characters to play in other games as well. Scratch that first comment. My bad.

Seriously....

These are RPGs. I used to not like the idea of guys using gal chars. After Jennifer Hales rendition of Cmdr Shepard, and it being a must play thru, I am more open to these things. I made a gal char of each class in TOR to complement each guy char I made. I wanted to make sure I had all the voice actors covered.

Even though some games dont have the story focus of BW games, I have come to realize that folks may have their own story to their female representation. Much the same as your husband does.

Personally, I don't create female avatars because I role play.  As a guy, am I supposed to know how to RP a woman?

I don't really think I'd do a very good job!

In all my years of gaming I did make a female toon once; in Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines, and then only because I felt that the movement while crouched looked effeminate. :)

Originally posted by Scrogdog

Personally, I don't create female avatars because I role play.  As a guy, am I supposed to know how to RP a woman?

Same here.

I don't think I'd want to.

NAG NAG You're doing it wrong NAG NAG Clean that up NAG NAG :-P

I always wondered about this kinda thing though.  I could NOT play a female.  I tried, it sucks.  Had issues in games like FFXI where the class I wanted was of the wrong gender.

I will say that in that game I was treated overly nice... until they found out I was a guy.  No more help :-(  Character deleted.

Originally posted by Elikal 

So what do you think about it? And to you guys who play girls, how do you feel doing that? I wonder.

Humans playing elves, dwarves, charr, and hobbits (especially hobbits) spook me like nothing else. Also humans playing wizards, law-abiding citizens playing thieves, old fat bastards with abdominal fat and twig-boys with nothing but skin over their bones playing muscular heroes, too. Bloody weirdos! It's sickening and there should be a law against it...

Maybe correlation shouldn't be used here, but this sounds the same as my father saying "A guy is dressing/acting like a girl: what the hell is wrong with you boy!?"

Is it true that some people are born with an alignment toward the opposite sex of what they are? The social norm seems to be heading toward that direction, and has existed forever, just not as apparently.

The opinion that a guy shouldn't play as a female is strange to you, but could be just a matter of what your culture has shaped your opinion to be. Besides the fact that a person can lie about whether they are actually a male or female because of their anonymity on the internet, I don't see any problem with it...

Originally posted by GTwander

Originally posted by Elikal

 And to you guys who play girls, how do you feel doing that?

I like to tuck it back and tell random Players "it puts the lotion on it's skin".

"Put the lotion in the basket!"