Boobjam Seeks Busty Games Sans Tittillation

[NeutralDrow]

The only way I could see this working would be within the confines of a visual novel or similar game (in fact, it would make perfect sense in the context of some games I've already played).

But then, I don't have much imagination.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Eh...

Making a game that's all about boobs in a non-sexual way would actually be way more creepy than a female game character just having a nice rack.

But heck, maybe that's the whole point of this; Deromanticizing breasts.

 

[Lieju]

This sets up an interesting mechanic, but effectively punishes players for being the "wrong gender" by forcing them to pay/waste time to have their gear "adjusted" in order to have maximum effectiveness...

Then make sure neither sex is being punished more than the other.
Have as many female-fitted armor found from looting as male-fitted so that male-characters have to get them fitted as well.

As for transgender, maybe have it be determined not by your sex, but by your physique?

In many games where we can create our own characters, why is there the male/female choice at all? (I know why, of course. because in many of those games there's only one choice for body-type for either sex.)

Why not have more character-editors like Saints Row 2?

Where you can make a man with a female voice, or an androgynous character.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Hmm, this sounds intriguing. Since a significant portion (something like 80%) of women wear the wrong size bra, why not make a game about bra fitting? And when your character has found the perfect bra, she has to fight Brazilla (a massive reptile who eats bras?)... or something. I would play it.

80%? Damn, just go to a shop and ask them to fit you ... I know a girl who did it for a laugh and got told she was a size bigger than she thought, went from a C to a D in a couple of seconds. I thought she was in the minority, not the overwhelming majority.

Yeah, it's a really common problem. Usually women wear bras that are too big in the band and too small in the cup. The problem with just going to a shop to get fitted is that there is no guarantee that you'll get fitted properly. Victoria's Secret is the largest lingerie retailer in the US and it's pretty common to get poorly fitted at their stores. That's why it would be beneficial for women if they knew how to measure themselves.

I thought it was like shoes, you know if you get the wrong size shoes, they are either flopping round or a foot vice but when you get a nice fitting pair it's like a foot glove. I just figured it was the same for bra's, if it fits comfortably then it's the right size.

Well the thing is that a lot of women grow up wearing ill fitting bras and hence they don't always recognize the signs of poor fit. And plenty of women hate wearing bras and complain about them, but it seems to be more common to assume that that's just what bras are like, they're uncomfortable and annoying instead of thinking that hey, maybe I'm not wearing the right size. And there's tons of reasons why women usually assume the former instead of the latter.

I already knew on an academic level how the band size and cup size problems worked, but as a man with wide feet, this conversation made it a lot more real for me. See, it can be a pain in the butt for me to get shoes that are the right length without them being too narrow, or that are the right width without being too long. Just like a lot of women apparently go around with cups that are too small and bands that are too long. I even hated shoes as a kid, because I thought that they were just inherently uncomfortable and annoying. I'd still rather be barefoot most of the time, but at least now I've got some comfortable shoes for when I can't get away with going barefoot

As an aside to this topic, is anyone else kind of annoyed about the way Tomb Raider is the go to example for stuff like this? Not that Lara's design wasn't pure titillation, but we've got an entire generation who thinks that's all the games themselves were now thanks to articles like this one. They were wonderful, innovative action adventure games, dammit XD

 

[Infernal Lawyer]

I too would like a game that has some mechanics like this. Because it's awfully convieniant when playing a game like Skyrim that you as a female character can just pull some armor off of a dead male bandit and then just pop it on without thinking about it, especially if's plate armor. This is a concept that could be expanded further down the line as well. Like an orc trying on plate armor that was made for a bosmer height and weight, it wouldn't fit just right and maybe some penalty to agility or protection stats would be nice until the armor is refitted in town. Or am I just overthinking it?

Naw, that sounds like fun. And you could work it the other direction as well - it would be funny to see a male warrior temporarily stuck wearing plate armor with boob cups (until he could take it to a town and have it converted at a forge).

The conversion aspect would be important so that you wouldn't have a character unable to use a cool item due to wrong size penalties. It just takes a quick "adjustment" at a forge and you can set it to what you want/need.

I don't think that would work... or possibly it'd send an inaccurate message. This sets up an interesting mechanic, but effectively punishes players for being the "wrong gender" by forcing them to pay/waste time to have their gear "adjusted" in order to have maximum effectiveness... (as a side note, would that then give transgendered characters.. you all know that's the next logical step in a discussion about gender politics... a significant advantage or an even greater disadvantage be being either "always right" or "always wrong" gender?). Maybe if the game only had female characters/protagonist (which draws its own problems, see the Queen's Scarlet Blade MMO), or if all armor needs to be "fitted" before it can be worn/effective (see Venetica... [shudder]), then in what way would that differentiate male and female characters in a meaningful way as per the challenge)? surely that's just adding an extra, wasteful step in loot acquisition, like buying ID stuff in Diablo 1&2 (thus creating a grindy slog for players as opposed to the intended commentary on fitting clothes, boobs, and armor in the same general space... again, just like Venetica). Or is fluff dialogue all that is needed to complete the statement?

How does one balance making characters' mechanics unique based on physical characteristics, but equally effective in game terms without isolating one or the other or sacrificing "fun" from the game to make the statement?
It is a puzzlement... but I think there's a good start here.

I was thinking the same thing: It would just end up being extra hassle to the player, just to say 'URR MUR GURD, WE'RE PROGRESSIVE AND SHIT". After all, how many games are their where you can kill, say, a dwarf, and just fit his entire gear on without any issues, despite the far more obvious differences in physique?

That said, there's no reason why your character or other characters couldn't comment on how it doesn't fit her, is uncomfortable, looks awkward or even dangerous (i.e. it would all be purely cosmetic), and it would be re-fitted automatically when you visit a blacksmith (the blacksmith could say "By the way, I refitted your armor, so it shouldn't be such a squeeze/be so loose anymore." after you try to exit).

OT: I can't imagine how on earth a game could be about breasts without being awkward, terrible, or titillating. I'm all for discussions on how to make female characters more relevant and less sex-meat-on-a-stick... But this just confuses me on all sorts of levels. Now, I can get down on a game that is a lot more mature about breasts and the female anatomy in general. Imagine if at the start of Assassin's Creed 2, when you saw the main character being born, the mother unabashedly breast-fed the child. "Yes boys, this is what breasts are designed for, they're for feeding babies, not for flapping around in your face".

That said, this is a world where showing a few seconds of bare butt in a game turns it into a porno (see Mass Effect) and having a secret sex mini-game in your title is deemed unacceptable, despite the central content of stealing, cop-killing, murderous rampages and general simulated crime (see GTA). Hopefully this is treated with the respect it deserves.

And again... why the fuck is this being focused primarily on boobs? I'm still baffled by this.

 

[Smeatza]

Next up, let's desexualise penis' and vaginas - penisandvaginajam.
Then, let's desexualise sex -sexjam.
I'll never understand the whole "boobs are used for titillation too much" thing. Boobs have two purposes, feeding infants and sexually arousing males.
It's like saying "boobs are used for breast feeding too much."

 

[A Weakgeek]

Wouldn't that be like a game where you have to peridiocally reach into your pants and adjust your balls?

...

Yeah, I'm just going to leave games like that for you progressive people, and stick to playing current games.

EDIT: How about, in the next Halo game we have Master Chief getting random boners from time to time, and the staggering pain of his dick being squeezed against powerarmor has to be stopped by a QTE where Master Chief thinks of Grandma Chief

 

[Victim of Progress]

"I have a challenge for Eidos, in the next Tomb Raider create a storyline where Lara gets breast cancer.
Imagine the drama, as a vulnerable Lara croft still persists on her worldly adventures despite her illness;
It needs some fleshing out, no pun intended, but we're sure the gaming world would be shocked, stunned, and moved at the efforts to make Lara's character more meaningful.
We love Lara, but it's about time the industry had a big shock for a change."

 

[TT Kairen]

Ahh, that explains it nicely. Thanks!

No problem! ^^

I too would like a game that has some mechanics like this. Because it's awfully convieniant when playing a game like Skyrim that you as a female character can just pull some armor off of a dead male bandit and then just pop it on without thinking about it, especially if's plate armor. This is a concept that could be expanded further down the line as well. Like an orc trying on plate armor that was made for a bosmer height and weight, it wouldn't fit just right and maybe some penalty to agility or protection stats would be nice until the armor is refitted in town. Or am I just overthinking it?

Naw, that sounds like fun. And you could work it the other direction as well - it would be funny to see a male warrior temporarily stuck wearing plate armor with boob cups (until he could take it to a town and have it converted at a forge).

The conversion aspect would be important so that you wouldn't have a character unable to use a cool item due to wrong size penalties. It just takes a quick "adjustment" at a forge and you can set it to what you want/need.

I've heard both but never been clarified, is having a breastplate with boob cups or just an expanded flat plate more practical/protective? Also, I imagine wearing a chain shirt would be murder, on men it hangs off the shoulders which is straining enough, on a woman, half the weight would just be hanging off her breasts...

 

[In Search of Username]

I don't really see the point. I mean, make games about whatever you want, but I can't imagine a bunch of games themed around a specific body part being more realistically portrayed being remotely interesting?

 

[rodeolifant]

Huh. This is strangely enlightening. That is, I just realized the internet can still amaze me. The 'giving puberty a helping hand' line was priceless.

 

[NoeL]

I like this idea. I'm imagining a baby swinging from nipple to nipple like Tarzan.

I don't really see the point. I mean, make games about whatever you want, but I can't imagine a bunch of games themed around a specific body part being more realistically portrayed being remotely interesting?

It's clear you're not seeing the point, since you completely missed it. The point isn't to make games that "realistically portray" boobs, it's to make games about boobs that don't have "male gaze" titillation as a core focus - a game specifically about boobs where (most) male gamers won't be aroused playing it. It doesn't have to be a "realistic" portrayal (since boobs are sex organs you can have realistic portrayals that are still designed to titillate), just a non-sexual portrayal.

I didn't think people liking breasts was a problem.

Im not sure how computer games about breast cancer, breast awareness, bra fittings or superhero's made out of breasts addresses this 'problem' of people liking breasts.

de-sexualisation of breasts seems pointless to me, media sexualisation of small breasts however might be more productive. Lara Croft is an attractive character with large breasts, make an attractive female character with small breasts.

You're missing the point too (and I think the fact that so many people are missing the point is great evidence for why something like Boobjam could be beneficial). There's no "problem" with liking boobs - boobs are awesome. This isn't about taking away your precious boobs, or telling you how bad you are for liking boobs, it's about creating more diversity in the way boobs are portrayed in gaming. There's a LOT more to boobs than being great to look at, and this project is about getting people to be creative in those other areas that rarely - if ever - get a mention.

 

[chiefohara]

I didn't think people liking breasts was a problem.

Im not sure how computer games about breast cancer, breast awareness, bra fittings or superhero's made out of breasts addresses this 'problem' of people liking breasts.

de-sexualisation of breasts seems pointless to me, media sexualisation of small breasts however might be more productive. Lara Croft is an attractive character with large breasts, make an attractive female character with small breasts.

 

[Boogie Knight]

"Yo dawg, I heard you don't like the male gaze at breasts so you want to make a game about breasts that are not male gaze," but isn't focusing on breasts kinda what the male gaze is all about?

They can try, but this project is inherently self defeating. The closest thing that comes to mind is that Heavy Metal spoofing episode of South Park, but even then the focus on breasts was very male oriented. Just ain't gonna work.

 

[Manji187]

Ehhh, right. Well if they are serious about this...

There is an incredible range of experience invested in having (or not having, or newly having) boobs.

Ookaaay, but can those experiences be translated into interesting/ fun gameplay? Would people (guys and girls) actually want to play it? Call me harsh, but I'm just not that interested in lower back problems and trouble in finding the right bra.

Seriously, why would anyone want to devote their, often scarce, free time to a game about (the experience of having) breasts?

On the other hand, if it's done in the style of Catherine (i.e. weird), it could work.

Yeah, hand the whole project to the Japanese whahaha...I'm sure they know what to do with oppai.

 

[Mike Fang]

Excuse me if I have a moment some people might characterize as slightly chauvinistic.

Damn people, if you want to make a game about breast cancer awareness, fine, go ahead, I'm sure you'll get lots of support. But can we drop this stupid ass war against men being attracted to breasts?! It feels like its getting to the point where a guy's considered a pig if he attracted to anything larger than a b-cup and isn't turned on by a figure that's practically androgynous. Maybe I'm talking out of my ass, but I like to think guys at large (who aren't homosexual) have a variety of tastes in preferred female figures but can all come together in support of womens' health. So, how 'bout you petite lady lovers go enjoy your preferred models and let us full figure admirers enjoy ours in peace.

 

[Proverbial Jon]

That is exactly TWO lines of dialogue that would accomplish this goal. How? By putting the player in the situation of HAVING boobs rather than looking at them. The player's character has to purchase armor that will fit her cup size - that's not something most male gamers have thought about before, at least not in a practical fashion. It helps the male player feel empathy for the female character as a person rather than a sexual object for them to oogle.

It's a neat idea.

It is a neat idea.

I often play female characters in games where I have the choice simply so I can have a completely different perspective. It's a shame that most games don't actually offer anything beyond a character model swap. Perhaps its their own twisted version of gender equality.

I've often looked at female armour in the Mass Effect and Elder Scrolls games and felt compelled to question its practicality. I've always found Commander Shepard's armour to be very defined around the chest area (undeniably drawing the eyes) and it has occurred to me previously that she probably had it specially made to fit. Then again details like that bug me when not addressed!

Whereas Boobjam's idea might seem ridiculous on the surface it might actually prompt the industry to think more carefully about female characters and gender differences in general. I was a bit disappointed when the new Tomb Raider game (In all their desperation to de-sexualise Lara) simply ended up taking her gender away entirely and clean forgot she was a woman.

 

[Uhura]

I already knew on an academic level how the band size and cup size problems worked, but as a man with wide feet, this conversation made it a lot more real for me. See, it can be a pain in the butt for me to get shoes that are the right length without them being too narrow, or that are the right width without being too long. Just like a lot of women apparently go around with cups that are too small and bands that are too long. I even hated shoes as a kid, because I thought that they were just inherently uncomfortable and annoying. I'd still rather be barefoot most of the time, but at least now I've got some comfortable shoes for when I can't get away with going barefoot

Oh right, the width issue didn't even occur to me. Yeah, that's actually a pretty good analogy also in the sense that one of the reasons many women wear too large bands is that they compromise on the band size in order to find better fitting cups. Kind of like buying shoes that are too long in order to get the width right.