Eurogamer Expo Bans Booth Babes

[Andy Chalk]

Eurogamer Expo Bans Booth Babes

The Eurogamer Expo has implemented a formal ban on booth babes after Virgin Gaming went a little too far.

The Eurogamer Expo went down this past weekend in the U.K. and by all reports it was a smooth and solid success, with one minor bump in the road: booth babes. According to Eurogamer Network Managing Director Rupert Loman, the event has always had an "informal guideline" discouraging exhibitors from bringing booth babes, but this year three companies brought them anyway. The Virgin Gaming girls were of particular concern, because they each had a QR code printed on their backsides.

"Exhibitors need to bring staff to the show, but they should be interesting, cool and exciting and knowledgeable (developers and publisher staff) rather than pretty girls in revealing outfits just for the sake of it. We want the show to be friendly, and all 50,000 attendees to feel comfortable. At this year's show three companies showed up with booth babes. Two in particular we thought were dressed inappropriately. As a short term measure we told them to move into the 18+ zone, and we asked some of them to put on leggings as well," Loman wrote on the Eurogamer forums.

"Although it was only a small number of booth babes, our regret is that we didn't go further on the first day and just say 'this isn't right' and ask them to change their clothes - or not attend. Instead, with the huge pressures of putting on such a large show and everything that comes with it, we let it go. And that's what has prompted this debate - and we're sorry it happened," he continued. "For future shows we will be issuing formal guidelines: Booth babes are Not OK."

Is this really an issue? Because I have to say I find it a little odd that while the Eurogamer Expo makes such a big show of banning booth babes from its floor, it has no problem with scantily-clad "cosplayers," or posting pictures of them on its Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/The.Eurogamer.Expo/photos_stream]. Is the woman in the photo above a booth babe or a cosplayer? And if you can't tell, then how do we determine where to draw the line - and why?

I also find myself wondering what would happen if Virgin showed up next year with a flock of muscular, oiled-up studmuffins in Speedos. Here's hoping somebody tries it.


Sources: Eurogamer [http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/eurogamer-bans-booth-babes-from-future-expos/0103908]

Permalink

 

[Legion]

The difference is that a cosplayer is a person attending the event as a character that they like, and the other is using sex to gain interest in their product.

Whether or not that makes a difference depends on perspective.

Also, why the " on cosplayers?

 

[The Lunatic]

Seems a good idea to me.

As for the whole Cosplay vs Booth Babe thing, I tend to think it's quite apparent those who are there and attending for cosplay compared to those who are for booth babe duties.


Generally, you'll find out if you just ask them 10 questions about the character they're playing.

 

[Combustion Kevin]

I think the main difference is that booth babes tend to advertise things, cosplayers don't.

I get where they're coming from though, the whole "be interested because tits!" thing is feeling a bit insulting to be entirely honest.

 

[Krantos]

I'm actually ok with this.

I don't see booth babes as adding anything of substance to these expos. Perhaps not having them available as easy marketing will encourage presenters to have something more substantive on display than than a pair of bouncing breasts.

 

[BrotherRool]

I'm mean cosplayers is about letting people dress like they want to and express themselves, booth babes are about companies taking the level of discussion to the floor and hiring people based on looks rather than knowledge and skillset. People should get the job because they're good at what they do, not because they look hawt and are willing to wear clothes other people might find uncomfortable.

Also the vast majority of cosplayers that you linked too aren't scantily dressed. A lot of them are guys even. I had to look real hard to see what you were getting at, it's hardly flaunting, and even then it's not QR-code-on-ass level of crass

Maybe it's this picture you were objecting to them flaunting =D
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=533062460043538&set=pb.117467601603028.-2207520000.1349387469&type=1&theater


I think no-one looking at that Facebook page would think they were just selling out on sex-appeal. That's clearly just a genuine display of a lot of cool people show off some stuff they love

 

[Oskuro]

I'm with the idea of, rather than banning, enforcing an equal amount of booth-studs.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!! DX

Without booth babes, where are we possible going to see pictures of women in sexy outfits!?!

This isn't like we all have access to an infinite source of porn or anything!

 

[AwesomeDave]

Really, it's not like they are the only people using under-dressed women to attract guys... sex sells...

 

[DugMachine]

I believe I used to be against booth babes for some reason but now that I think about it... why the fuck not? Some girls get some easy cash and whoever finds them attractive gets some eye candy. Not like they're giving out $5 blowjobs.

Yeah sure they may know fuck all about the game they're promoting but that's not their job so why people even bother to ask them is beyond me.

 

[gardian06]

when I go to an expo to see games, and find out more information about the cup-size, or pant-size of the people "working" the booth then the game I am disappointed in the developer. I can understand that your target market is teenage boys I get that, but instead of appealing to teenage boys through sex appeal even when your game has nothing to do with sex appeal, or has no female characters in it I am also disappointed.

hows this appeal to teenage boys through violence. heck you can even expand your target demographic with that you also pick up adolescents, and young adults, and one of those has their own money.

 

[RJ Dalton]

I have no problem with this decision.

 

[Genocidicles]

I was hoping it'd be for some good reason, like how having them there says that gaming is still just for teenage losers, but no.

They're not allowed because god forbid a kid sees a woman dressed as scantily as she would be on a beach.

 

[Imthatguy]

One gets paid to do it and the other is doing it for shits and giggles.

 

[Frankster]

I'm with the idea of, rather than banning, enforcing an equal amount of booth-studs.

+1 Have buff guys with just a belt of ammo covering their privates for advertising shooter games to balance it all out.

 

[grigjd3]

I don't understand the reactionist rage here. It's not like the expo is saying that scantily clad women shouldn't be seen in public - just that they aren't spending their own marketing dollars to promote it. The expo has an image they wish to promote and they will do what it takes to promote it. This isn't as if they are attempting to get the government to ban porn.

 

[hotdogoctopus]

It's funny to think that someone may think she's not a cosplayer with the big background that you stand in front of that says "cosplay". Also, she's a cosplayer because she's not costume accurate, media attractive, or posing with a chainsaw. Also booth babes are disgusting. Cosplay = acceptable. Booth babes/dudes = disgusting.