Jimquisition: Booth Babes

[SpectacularWebHead]

The more I hear Jim's campaign pitches, the more I want to vote for him.

This needs to happen.

In relevance to the topic, instead of getting rid of Booth Babes, why not just have them wear something more professional and tone down the makeup? They keep their job and others don't have to feel uncomfortable.

Well, How about getting them to dress as female characters from the games they're supposed to attract people too? Why not hire "Booth Studs" to dress as male characters in the same way, thus providing some form of relevance to having eye-candy around your booth.

And then make them break-dance.

 

[Kojiro ftt]

So if you ban booth babes, what do you do when a female sales/marketing/engineer works a booth and happens to be hot? Or what if they hire people to cosplay in the booth? Where is the line? When is she no longer a representative that happens to be female, but a "booth babe" who should be escorted off the show floor?

Banning them is pointless. Let the public vote with their feet by avoiding booths that have offensively dressed women. They will get the point and join the 21st century eventually.

 

[Mortamus]

Why not hire "Booth Studs" to dress as male characters in the same way, thus providing some form of relevance to having eye-candy around your booth.

I rather like this idea. Pretty fair, but then again, we may end up with a number of people complaining that they feel intimidated by a life-like Kratos growling at people.

And then make them break-dance.

Well, as long as this happening, it should be fun for everyone! I DEMAND BREAKDANCING CYCLOPS!

 

[Mortamus]

Both Babes issue aside, one thing that annoyed me was the issue of cosplayers being harassed as well, these aren't professionals who are being paid to be there, they're people who love gaming and anime and have put effort into their look and paid their own money to be there

The big trade shows, E3, TGS, etc., are not really open to the public. You have to be part of the industry to attend, and if you don't have prof that you are you have to pay hundreds of dollars to get in. The show runners, sometimes part of the industry, set the clothing standards. Just lIke Disney Land, if you don't work there (if you aren't working at a both) they don't want you dressing up because it can cause confusion and look really unprofessional. I'm not about people getting harassed when they show passion for something by dressing up, but even some of the expos that anyone can attend have dress code rules that as attendees you must adhere to - sometimes just for insurance reasons.

Pretty much this. I appreciate a well built costume, and love seeing someone's hard work being shown off, but there is a time and place for it. That's why we have things like Dragon Con, Faires, etc. Such big trade shows generally aren't about such things, but the unveiling of new products. Someone who is only interested in the new technology may not want to see your fancy outfit, especially if it offends them.

 

[Darmani]

Booth Babe=/=Cosplayers

They are promoters there to work the floor and look good a presentable like the pharmaceutical reps sent to medical facilities and doctor's offices.

Again crackdown on the harassment, demand the attendees treat them like the professional models there to present a product they are. Drop the demeaning monniker in common game journalism parlance. Maybe ask the show runners to please have them dress in a way that isn't as discomforting to the men who apparently can't help themselves (this is already borderline). But its been my understanding quality booth babes are presenters of products hired for their looks and ability to present and sell this shit. They are not aliens, soiled doves, or your dirty little secret. Have them perform a function in presenting, hopefully pulling double duty, and make surethe showmanship is toned down or at least deniable under artistic license.

But there is no horror, issue, or shame in having the equivalent of cute hostesses or cheerleaders/waitresses at these events. Mind you the behavior and attitude THAT's worth a change but that's on the (prevailingly male) attendees.

 

[Shiro No Uma]

Both Babes issue aside, one thing that annoyed me was the issue of cosplayers being harassed as well, these aren't professionals who are being paid to be there, they're people who love gaming and anime and have put effort into their look and paid their own money to be there

The big trade shows, E3, TGS, etc., are not really open to the public. You have to be part of the industry to attend, and if you don't have prof that you are you have to pay hundreds of dollars to get in. The show runners, sometimes part of the industry, set the clothing standards. Just lIke Disney Land, if you don't work there (if you aren't working at a both) they don't want you dressing up because it can cause confusion and look really unprofessional. I'm not about people getting harassed when they show passion for something by dressing up, but even some of the expos that anyone can attend have dress code rules that as attendees you must adhere to - sometimes just for insurance reasons.

Pretty much this. I appreciate a well built costume, and love seeing someone's hard work being shown off, but there is a time and place for it. That's why we have things like Dragon Con, Faires, etc. Such big trade shows generally aren't about such things, but the unveiling of new products. Someone who is only interested in the new technology may not want to see your fancy outfit, especially if it offends them.

Exactly. Booth babes hired for the trade shows get costumes from the developers and publishers, who every they are promoting, and they are supposed to be there. Cosplayers really aren't welcome at the big trades, and never have been, by the show runners themselves. Honestly, developers and publishers alike at the last trade show I worked couldn't care less if someone put the time into making a costume, put it on and then were asked by the show runners to either change to street cloths or leave. It's not why they are there.

 

[Zombiefish]

Does anyone actually have an issue with making the booth babes dress in cosplay and gain basic knowledge about the game?

It seems a very simple solution that would benefit everyone.

 

[Strazdas]

Prostitution also gives work for many women. and yet many are objected to it.
Maybe we should bring back slavery, then everyone will have a job, whether they want it or not?

Also, booth babes are a very small part of modeling community, its not like your creating a second crysis here you know.

So if you ban booth babes, what do you do when a female sales/marketing/engineer works a booth and happens to be hot? Or what if they hire people to cosplay in the booth? Where is the line? When is she no longer a representative that happens to be female, but a "booth babe" who should be escorted off the show floor?

A (hot) person is hired to represent a product by providing knowledge about it and optionally use a costume that represents your product - fine.
a (hot) person is hired to look hot in order to attract male (prime gamer consumer) to your booth just for looks - bad.

 

[hooksashands]

The reason no one asks booth babes what they think is because it's a stupid question with the same straightforward answer:
"This job is easy, I hope I get to keep it."

And that's pretty much it.

You're never going to find anybody who says "Yes, actually, I'd love to lose an opportunity for employment."

 

[Something Amyss]

Oh come on now, you can't compare slaves to the modern booth babe and expect it to be taken seriously.

You just acknowledged you misinterpreted my last post. Please don't then do it again in this post.

I'm sorry, I probably should have read on, but this is a serious problem. I do not appreciate being repeatedly misrepresented.

 

[Lyri]

You just acknowledged you misinterpreted my last post. Please don't then do it again in this post.

I'm sorry, I probably should have read on, but this is a serious problem. I do not appreciate being repeatedly misrepresented.

Unless you have some mystical meaning that is hidden between the words of

"I just want to point out that a lot of slaves were happy" when I claimed that porn stars liked their jobs, you're not being misrepresented.

 

[gsf1200]

What's with all the hate for booth babes? I love 'em, and think they should be naked! If they offend you, don't go!!

 

[victorRagusila]

While this is a very good discussion, it misses one voice: That of booth babes ! (well more than one).

Jim, why didnt you use your charm, wealth and influence to bring some booth babe to the show? I am curious how the gaming-cons compare with car shows and photo shows (which also have booth babes, which EVERYONE "tests" their cameras on) from their point of view.

The public (me) is attracted to flashy lights, loud music and sexy people. A developer/publisher that hires attractive staff definitely grabs attention.

It is also weird that besides arguing about both babes without having no input from them, the gaming community is discussing whether it is a great idea to fire a bunch of women from the conventions.

Go talk to a woman. They talk back. Most have things to say.

 

[CrunchyMint]

Booth Babes

The punditry of the videogame community have been chatting an awful lot about booth babes this past year or so.

Watch Video

Thank god someone who's not treating these ladies like some kind of plague. There people too and I intend to treat them as such. also the fact that you can still have cosplayers where the booth babes are banned is hypocritical to me.

My solution: Find a middleground. since no one is objectively right instead of causing these poor women to lose jobs. Why not just dress em up a bit and hell teach em something about the games, make them knowledgable about the product.

What I don't get is this strange demeaning sympathy for booth babes as if they wouldn't be able to get another job that would dignify and reward them for using their brains? Why is that such a bad thing? I just don't think that this level of objectification is healthy to anyone.