Gender bending in MMOGs

[Sccye]

I'm an infrequent player on some MMORPGs, intending to do more when I've finally finished my degree and want some down-time. I started a new character on WoW on a friend's trial account for Lich King, and as is often my tradition, I played a female character. Not for any particular reason, I just tend to have a female avatar in RPGs when given the option.

It was strange. Very strange. People were suddenly very, very polite and courteous. Overly so. It was nice, but simulatneously a little bit creepy. Likewise, playing on Neverwinter Nights, on a custom server a guy spent 10 minutes making me some custom clothing. Sure, you take it because it's a new character. But a random guy remarked straight off, 'Heh, you're [ instert crappy generic elf name here]'s girl now '. When I've played as a male avatar, people were cordial but far from charitable. Playing as a female avatar was ... weird. It was like being some kind of minor celebrity or aristocrat by virtue of polygon-constructed breasts and a forcibly exposed midriff.

I don't especially want to get into deep analysis or anything straight off, but does else have any similar experiences?

 

[Ultrajoe]

I know a friend who plays a female Shammy just because he finds it hilarious how the WoW guys treat him better for it, and give him stuff.

I always treat females worse for this exact reason.

And because i play a Rogue. I am duty bound as a disciple of 'the flippy' to be a pirate-like ass. That and vanishing at the first sign of a wipe and shanking you while you're trying to quest.

 

[DigitalSushi]

according to Gabe Newell, whoever plays as Zoe in Left 4 dead gets giving more med kits at the first sign of trouble, regardless of real life gender.

 

[DigitalSushi]

sorry forgot to add, I always use a female protagonist if possible in an FPS, primarily because my logic states that her lythe supple body will have a smaller collisoin detection, hence harder to hit.

that and the girl in Unreal is a hottie.

 

[Danglybits]

I've never noticed too much of a difference because of my character's gender on my main but this might be because she's a tauren. On my nelf alt one guy did ask me in a very polite but really awkward way (it was an RP server) what gender I myself was. But for the most part I tend to be left alone about it. If people are nice to me because I've got a female toon I just look at it because they're stupid not because men react differently.

 

[Seydaman]

i have never noticed this... unless you count the strippers by the mailbox

 

[PlasticPorter]

My friends friend in high school played as a female character and agreed to be player's girlfriend to get free gear.
he also cybered with them to get more free stuff...it was kind of creepy

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

I played as a female character in WoW just to have something to look at while i grind.
I've honestly never noticed anyone treating me any different than when i play a male character.
I try to always play Zoe when play left 4 dead (360) and i do see more people being generous.
Even though, the other day... Playing no mercy versus, I see what i first believe to be the player playing francis teabagging an infected. I then realise he was following me, trying to get a good angle to look at Zoe.

I was raped on left 4 dead o_o