Can somone explain this "booth babe" thing to me?

Vault101

I'm in your mind fuzz
Sep 26, 2010
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so first of all I dont know much about this or if its even commone anymore

so Im GUESSING that its attractive scantiliy clad women at game conventions and such used to promote..uh games I guess?

so what Im asking is how do you feel about it?

is it just innocent promotion...like no one complains when you have the same thing at car shows? AND it is true that gaming is still very male orientated...

OR do you find it off putting? and think it really needs to go if we are ever going to be taken seriously?
 

King of the Sandbox

& His Royal +4 Bucket of Doom
Jan 22, 2010
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I always thought it was a bad idea as most typical nerds are afeared of the womenz.

But yeah, basically, it's boobs = attention. Best billboards you can have. :)
 

wooty

Vi Britannia
Aug 1, 2009
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Doesnt bother me, been to plenty of car shows with thr girls there, they add an extra dimension to proceedings. Also, the maid/cosplay cafes in Japan offer the same service, and im now quite a fan of those too :)
 

weker

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May 27, 2009
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Its a bad representation of the gaming industry, but hey its attractive women with their knocks half out.
 

Rawne1980

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Jul 29, 2011
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It's used to grab attention but it typically takes my attention away from the game.

Not a bad thing at all though, i'd rather talk to those lasses than some of the people presenting things.
 

Thaluikhain

Elite Member
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Jan 16, 2010
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You know how people think of gamers as sad, desperate basement dwelling males?

This is the sort of thing that makes you doubt whether you should deny it.
 

Mr Thin

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Apr 4, 2010
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It makes me feel creepy and pervy. And pissed off that I am made to feel creepy and pervy.

I don't object to sex being used to sell something in principle, I just wish it wasn't used to sell something I care about.
 

BonsaiK

Music Industry Corporate Whore
Nov 14, 2007
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Vault101 said:
so first of all I dont know much about this or if its even commone anymore

so Im GUESSING that its attractive scantiliy clad women at game conventions and such used to promote..uh games I guess?

so what Im asking is how do you feel about it?

is it just innocent promotion...like no one complains when you have the same thing at car shows? AND it is true that gaming is still very male orientated...

OR do you find it off putting? and think it really needs to go if we are ever going to be taken seriously?
It's common. Any "expo" kind of event has them.

I don't really care much about it. Besides, I know a few "booth babes" and they're cool girls who really don't mind standing around in minimal clothing and getting paid to smile and be nice to people. As far as they're concerned they consider it a compliment, and if they didn't want to do it they wouldn't be there. If they're getting paid for it and don't have a problem with it, I don't see why I should step in and try to tell them what's what.
 

Monkfish Acc.

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May 7, 2008
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Sex sells. It's a sad fact of life.
It is kind of lame that companies put tits next to something and expect it to make people pay attention. It is more lame that it actually does make people pay attention.

I have to wonder why booth boys or booth hunks or whatever isn't a thing, though. Can you imagine the mad cash you would get.
It'd be like selling ice-cream in a desert.
 

Caffeine Rage

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Mar 11, 2011
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It simply boils down to sex sells.

Booth babes bring people's attention to their booths. The more people which pay attention to the booth, the more people which may talk about the content of that booth.

And, let's face it; many people are still under the false impression that the vast majority of gamers are male. So, booth dudes don't exist --to my knowledge-- to bring in the female gamer/reporters.
 

Guitarmasterx7

Day Pig
Mar 16, 2009
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As someone who's been to E3, I can tell you first hand that it does get you to check out games that you otherwise would not give the time of day. Not even because I'm some socially depraved nerd who freaks out around boobies, but rather because a really hot girl with a giant scythe in full bondage gear naturally evokes curiosity. I mean there is a certain level of eye magnetism involved, and that's probably most of it, but that's not really enough to actually pay attention to what she's selling unless it's something you're already interested in. If her slut costume is elaborate and confusing enough though it'll definitely spark your interest.
 

similar.squirrel

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Mar 28, 2009
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Nerds. Closest that many of them will come to a scantily-clad woman. Good for promotional purposes, and I guess it makes 'em happy. Which is nice.
 

Richardplex

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Jun 22, 2011
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I like it. I mean, if a game needs to use such a tactic to sell their game instead of promoting how awesome the game is, then I know to stay away from that game. Effective quality control.
 

Scarim Coral

Jumped the ship
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Oct 29, 2010
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Yes it is somewhat degrading but video game themselves usually have a sexy female characters in it one way or another so it just them portraying it in real life. What can I say it's eye candy ad sex sell (yes I'm a guy) but if they got rid of it than I'm fine with that.
 

Alexnader

$20 For Steve
May 18, 2009
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If it compliments the game in some way I don't mind it, like having attractive women demo the motion control based rhythm games or having them present something at a Saint's Row or GTA booth. If they did it for Battlefield 3 or Skyrim... eh. Although I could see Skyrim provided they were dressed in stuff that actually looked like armour and whatnot.

Also loads of dancing girls adds a sense of occasion, says "Look, we're important enough as a medium to hire pretty girls to showcase our stuff. Like the automotive industry etc".
 

Vault101

I'm in your mind fuzz
Sep 26, 2010
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FPSMadPaul said:
trollpwner said:
And no amount of breasts make a game better.
I disagree, The Saboteur Midnight Show.
I got that game second hand...so what exactally IS the midnight show?

anyway I supose I shouldnt think too much about a game thats opening shot is a pair of almost bare tits...its acutally kind of funny early on in the game when the charachters are captured/tortued by the natzis Im almost thinking

"hold on this is a Natzi base....whats that stripper doing there?...oh shes suposed to actually be a REAL natzi officer..could have fooled me"

and that english chick too....she would be arrested for showing that much cleavige (mabye just for wearing pants too)