L4D: Why is Zoey a better character than Rochelle?

[Atmos Duality]

Rochelle isn't a worse character. She fits the setting just fine.
I just found her voice actress grating and annoying.

As for Zoey, I didn't really care. And I still don't see the huge nerdgasm some people get over her. She had a few great lines though.

"Hey Bill, look! It's your favorite: STAIRS!"

 

[KalosCast]

Because with the exception of Nick, the entire L4D2 cast sucks... and Rochelle is the worst of all of them. She has absolutely no good lines, and whenever she talks it's just to set up something for one of the guys.

Zoey was a pretty flat character as well, but she had a couple memorable lines. Also, she was a nerd girl and just look what that did for Tali "Walking block of exposition and abandonment issues in a bubble-suit" from Mass Effect.

 

[Samwise137]

MOAR ZOEY NOW! I think I'm the only dude who enjoys playing her

No, dude, I play as Zoey every time. I had to be dragged into playing Bill to grab the Kill Bill achievement. I play as Rochelle too. For me, it's mostly 'cause my friends feel uncomfortable taking on the role of a girl and I really couldn't care less. I will say that I like Zoey better than Rochelle but merely because she fits the setting better. Zoey just has the badass built in while Rochelle...doesn't.

 

[Erana]

because zoey was voiced my the overlord of videogame female voices.

I KNOW. I wish I was voiced by Jen Taylor...

But before we talk about looks, just imagine switching the character's dialogue, age, background, etc.
Now look at which one most of the people playing L4D could picture themselves hanging around. Chances are, they'd still prefer the presence of their fellow geek, especially one that was female, but comfortable around the male characters. They're not necessarily better or worse characters, its that geeks feel safer with their fellow geeks.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Okay, so I have heard quite often from a lot of people that Rochelle is a plank of a character, and that she should be replaced with Zoey, because she is obviously a better character.

But is she?

Rochelle is meant to be a journalist I believe, but ignoring this bit of information, as a character she is, in fact, a *****. Though he's meant to be on occasion an irksome character, she's always telling Ellis to hush, and whenever Nick dies she says something along the lines of "well at least he's dressed for a funeral" (someone correct me on that because I'm certain that's not the exact words).

But just by her being a *****, she's got more depth than Zoey. The only thing I've seen people say about Zoey is that she's "a college student or something", and the only entertaining thing I've ever heard her say is "OH MY GOD! NOT BILL!", and besides that she appears personality-lite.

So why is it? Is it nostalgia? Or is it...(don't make me say it)

EDIT: I should point out that the last part wasn't supposed to imply it's because she's black, but in fact by popular opinion, less attractive on all accounts. So there.

It's because Zoey is white and most gamers are white. It doesn't necessarily make them racist, but scientific studies have demonstrated a racial bias even if it's unconscious, presumably because there's more to identify with on a superficial level.

Also, it could be because of those mods which take all of Zoey's clothes off.

Disclaimer: I don't have left4dead 1 so I can't confirm whether this is true... but it is because of #34.

Well I'm black. So do you think that because of this, it was more likely for me to question why many favour Zoey over Rochelle than a white person?

This was done a while ago, but my opinion is still pretty much the same. And yes, those nude mods do exist in the game.

 

[Solo-Wing]

Only time I liked Rochelle was in the trailer for The Passing. I love how she just pissed of Francis in it.

 

[Outright Villainy]

because zoey was voiced my the overlord of videogame female voices.

I KNOW. I wish I was voiced by Jen Taylor...

But before we talk about looks, just imagine switching the character's dialogue, age, background, etc.
Now look at which one most of the people playing L4D could picture themselves hanging around. Chances are, they'd still prefer the presence of their fellow geek, especially one that was female, but comfortable around the male characters. They're not necessarily better or worse characters, its that geeks feel safer with their fellow geeks.

Well, there's certainly the geekiness factor which makes zoe more relateable, but also the fact that Rochelle does nothing except tell Ellis to shut up.

So I hate her.