When will game developers realize there are female players too?

[squid5580]

-snip-

That's an flawed argument right there if I ever saw one.
You can NEVER please anyone with ANYTHING. That's just a simple fact.

Theoretically,
just because you are hot, big breasted and look like a supermodel doesn't mean everyone is going to love you.
In the same way, just because you are the kindest person on Earth doesn't mean everyone will love you.

But that wasn't what you said. You said that they stiffled their creativity, which is wrong.
Stiffled creativity doesn't come from gender of the main character, it comes from elsewhere.

I wasn't exactly making any 'arguments' there. I was more telling it as it is with the lot of you feminists. Really, this topic is nothing more but one giant fucking joke. The only thing that makes me laugh even more than the OP would have to be you.

Well, then you aren't contributing to the thread in neither discussion value nor argumentation and therefore are trolling with your offensive statements.

-snip to shorten lenght-

I still hope for Bungie to come to their senses and announce MC as a Female.
Don't give your praise to Bioware for that. There will be others greater ones.
I hate Bioware with annoyment, but that's a discussion for another time.

Spoiler: In here, will be a picture that you want

Ganondorf as well? Now I really want them to make it.. =(

Though, the whole garudo thing with Ganondorf might be a little much.
Reversing the whole 'one male born every 100 years destined to be king' thing could be taken really badly. XD

While we are at it, Prince Ruto? Actually, that's kinda creepy..

Maybe make Saria and Mido swap places? =3

Hah
I'm not very knowledged with Zelda games. My favorite is the second one on NES.
Gametrailers do have an awesome retrospective on it though.

Let me say this. You are not being discriminated in any way. I can without any problems play a game with a femele main charachter so I fail to see why you should have any problem with a male.

See, we live a democracy. That means devs are allowed to make their games like they want them. And if you write a story, let's say PoP: SoT, the plot demands that the prince is a man. Just like a book. Would Twilight work is Bella was a Bill?

Didn't think so.

Oh, so a democracy only works -> one way?
Yes, of course they are allowed to make their games the way they want them.
It's just a shame that many refuse to allow female protagonists as we've read about lately.

Also, I have not seen Twilight so I cannot comment on that.

I am kinda the same with you on this.
If I see a game that I find interesting but read "You play as Testestorone Bomb Joe", then I won't buy it.

Of course, one also buys games with a male protagonist because the game itself looks sweeet.
But I am all with you on this.

Here are a few things you can note as well when it comes to Male vs Female;
* In movies, if there are hot chicks in it, they never speak to each other. And if they do, they only talk about their men. Few movies break this habit.
* If there is a woman in a videogame, 7/10 times she'll be an damsel in distress. Even if the main character is a complete whimp, he will end up saving her at one time or another.

The argument about "It's mostly adolscent males who play games" is that of a broken one.

Here's a thought;
Imagine if Link were a girl and Zelda were the male?

Em they already made a Zelda game where Zelda had to save Link so that is not hard to imagine.

Hint: It sucked.
Ask Angry Video Game Nerd

There is one way they can and it would stifle the creativity. Let the player decide. Give them a male or female avatar to choose from. Unfortunately those resources have to come from somewhere. Since it is more than just switching skins.

And it doesn't matter if the game reaches AAA status or not. I don't believe developers are forking out millions for a game they think will blow dead goats.

 

[Legion]

Granted RPG's should always have a gender option because they are based upon role-play where people frequently like to play as themselves in a fantasy setting, but beyond that you are playing as a character not an avatar of yourself.

How is it that RPG's should have an gender option?
How is that logic?

Roleplaying does not equal to you playing yourself in a game, but instead of putting yourself in the role of another character you aren't. And yes, every game, movie and book in existance can under that rule be classified as "Roleplaying", but that's what it is. So why you basically are saying the same thing I am, you also aren't.

While you are playing the role of Lara Croft in one of her games, in RPG's more often than not you are playing the role of [Insert Human Player Here] and players frequently choose to be themselves, even going to far as to making their character look like them and having the same name.

Granted not all players do that, but RPG's are one of the very few types of games where appearance and name can be chosen, and as such it makes sense to allow gender choice as well for those who wish to be themselves.

I should point out that by RPG I am referring to Bioware ones such as KOTOR, Mass Effect and Dragon Age, as well as Fallout games as opposed to ones such as Diablo and so on.

 

[Shycte]

Let me say this. You are not being discriminated in any way. I can without any problems play a game with a femele main charachter so I fail to see why you should have any problem with a male.

See, we live a democracy. That means devs are allowed to make their games like they want them. And if you write a story, let's say PoP: SoT, the plot demands that the prince is a man. Just like a book. Would Twilight work is Bella was a Bill?

Didn't think so.

Oh, so a democracy only works -> one way?
Yes, of course they are allowed to make their games the way they want them.
It's just a shame that many refuse to allow female protagonists as we've read about lately.

Also, I have not seen Twilight so I cannot comment on that.

Okay... Let me elaborate.

There are plenty of female protaganists. But the main things is that because most gamers are male, the devs make more male characters because they are easier to relate to, for a man. They are just following the market like any good company would.

Anything else would be like opening a pork shop in Iran then cursing over the suprising lack of costumers.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

Why is it a problem for them to develop games where gender option is allowed?

Because sometimes there is a story with a character, which already has a name (which is why games also don't let you name yourself). Perfect example of a game that wouldn't work with a female lead, Duke Nukem.

Who cares if you play as a guy or a girl? I buy games for that thing people used to play games for called fun. I could care less about if the lead is male/female/whatever as long as the game is fun.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

If gender specificity or option is your issue and only thing preventing you from buying a game, you have limited your focus on something so shallow that I wonder why you even bother playing games.
What should it matter whether the protagonist is male or female? Story is good, gameplay is good, MC is just ancillary data. As is character customization options. Really it doesn't make the game any better in the area of gameplay. So instead you judge the proverbial book by its cover.
If you feel shunned as a girl/woman because there aren't enough main characters in your games, perhaps you need to turn back the clock a bit to the mid/late 80's to a little game called Metroid for the NES, which the BIG HONKING SPOILER was that Samus is a GIRL!!!!
Arguably one of the best games of all time, I remember being in school and amongst the gamers I knew, this was a huge topic of discussion.
Also there have been a lot of great games where the protagonist is female or you have the option to choose. See also the Resident Evil series, Super Mario 2, and a whole host of other games I won't name off but are big hits.
But one thing I can't stand is hypocrisy, and you madam have hit that mark. YOu complain about the dev's being shallow-minded (thats a nutshell synopsis) while saying that you specifically target male-protagonist games as something you'll never buy, which is shallow-minded.
Also making male *and* female characters isnt' always the easiest thing, especially if the MC has long lines of dialogue.
Here's a great example: For anyone who played the Soul Reaver/Legacy of Kain series, could you imagine if you'd had the option to play as a female version of Kain? Talk about stretching out dialogue, he had paragraphs of words whereas Raziel would say maybe one or two lines in-between. The cost to voice-over double the lines (and reach the same level of voice acting from both male/female talent) would cost the dev's more than they could probably afford.
Plus animations for male bodies are way different than female bodies and thus take a whole different level of coding/meshing.
In the short run, its not cost effective to make a game to cater to gamer girls (who yes are a rarity rather than the norm). Sorry, but thats the way it is, and until the base grows from a majority of males, you won't see that as a standard.
But as I said before, its ridiculous for you to judge a game by the gender of the MC.

 

[Aesir23]

Who cares anymore?! Just find a game you like and bloody play it instead of complaining that "developers don't know that girls play games too".

Why does there have to be a female character for you to enjoy a game anyway? What's the problem with playing as a guy character? There are plenty of fun games out there where the main character is male. It shouldn't matter what kind of genitalia a freaking digitally rendered character has as long as you have fun.

I'm probably going to be put on probation for this post, but I couldn't care less because I am just so sick and tired of other female gamers whining that game developers don't pay attention to female gamers.

And for the record, I'm a girl too. So no one go and accuse me of being biased towards guys.

/rant

 

[Assassin Xaero]

You mean like Gears of War 3 where there are two female main characters?
Halo Reach which also has one?
Tomb Raider.
Metroid.
Portal.
Mass Effect.
Dragon Age.
Fallout.
Tenchu.
Borderlands.
Mirrors Edge.
Perfect Dark.
Bayonetta.

Quite a few of these are Triple A titles.

Don't forget Portal.

 

[Legion]

You mean like Gears of War 3 where there are two female main characters?
Halo Reach which also has one?
Tomb Raider.
Metroid.
Portal.
Mass Effect.
Dragon Age.
Fallout.
Tenchu.
Borderlands.
Mirrors Edge.
Perfect Dark.
Bayonetta.

Quite a few of these are Triple A titles.

Don't forget Portal.

... Read the quote again. In fact, to make sure I didn't cheat, read the one in your post not mine.

=p

 

[Souplex]

It's all aboot marketing. Marketers influence publishers who control developers.
1: Marketers see that the majority of gamers are male.
2: Marketers send it through the grapevine that this is the segment of the population to market to.
3: Games get made that don't appeal to female gamers thus preventing more women from becoming gamers.
4: Go back to 1.

 

[PrimoThePro]

Maybe someone here can help me understand why gender option on MOST games, is not allowed.

Because MOST gamers are guys. You said it yourself, the majority of players are male. Although I do agree, a game with multiple gender options can be preferable, assuming the game is intended to be modeled after that. But what if the storyline can only work for just male characters? James Bond is a perfect example. I hear what you're saying, "Why not play one of the female characters?" Other then the fact that they don't take up a major part of the storyline, do you really want to play as some ditsy chick who throws herself at bonds' feet? No, because that is obviously demeaning. You are a girl who is a gamer, but I feel like if this same approach to gaming is taken, you will quickly become the dreaded "Gurl Gamer"...
And I know you're better then that.

 

[Azure Sky]

Spoiler: In here, will be a picture that you want

Ganondorf as well? Now I really want them to make it.. =(

Though, the whole garudo thing with Ganondorf might be a little much.
Reversing the whole 'one male born every 100 years destined to be king' thing could be taken really badly. XD

While we are at it, Prince Ruto? Actually, that's kinda creepy..

Maybe make Saria and Mido swap places? =3

Hah
I'm not very knowledged with Zelda games. My favorite is the second one on NES.
Gametrailers do have an awesome retrospective on it though.

I am basing my self of Ocarina on the 64 - what that picture depicts.
Other than Link himself, and Ganondorf, there are almost no male primary characters. Those that are are so by default (I have yet to see a female Goron, I suspect the race is unisex) Or are minor in their roles.
Mains being:
Zelda (obviously, Hyrulian, Female)
Saria (Forest Sage, Kokiri, Female)
Princess Ruto (Water Sage, Zora, Female)
Darunia(sp?) (Fire Sage, Goron, Male?)
Impa (Shadow Sage, Hyrulian, Female)
Desert chick (No idea on name, I really need to replay the game)(Spirit Sage, Hyrulian, Female)
Rarui? Ramius? Something like that (Light Sage, Hyrulian?, Male, Has like... 2 scenes in the entire game)
Malon (Hyrulian, Female, Original owner of Link's horse)
Talon/Ingo (Hyrulian, both male, both play second fiddle to Malon in the story)
That gravekeeper dude, Dampe? (Dead, Hyrulian, Male)

I can't think of any others off the top of my head.
I think that Zelda (Ocarina in particular and on) are very much catering to the female aspects of society, as even the archtypical damsel in distress buggers off and works her ass off keeping things from completely going to hell and then still holding Link's hand during 7 years the game is set over and Ganondorf doesn't manage to catch her until really late in the game. (Can't remember the details)
I can't actually think of a female character that is used as an 'object'/love interest for the main character (Which if this thread is to be believed is one of the main issues?)
Except maybe Malon, but I have a sneaking suspicion that is just the Fanfics/Defiant art talking a little too loudly.

Well.. this turned into a wall of text, and it's only on one game! XD
My bad =3

 

[Ava Elzbieta]

Why don't they realize that most women don't want to play as male characters? I mean just switch it around, how many male players would enjoy games if most of the ones available had women as the main character?

Why is it a problem for them to develop games where gender option is allowed?

Agreed. While I don't go quite as far as you and will play games regardless of the gender option (or lack thereof), I do find myself becoming immeasurably more immersed in the games where I am allowed to customize the character I play as. Games like Dragon Age that have just as much content for females as for males are part of what gives me hope that gender selection in games may becoming more a feature rather than a novelty. However, this may be a trend limited to the RPG-style of games. Still, any progress is better than none.

As for another of your questions, just hop in your local TARDIS and ask gamers what they thought when Samus was "revealed" if anyone doubts the significance of gender in games.

 

[The Procrastinated End]

Is there a reason why you need to play as a female character? I play and really enjoy a lot of games that have you playing as a female and I get immersed in them and enjoy myself.

 

[Shycte]

Of course, but does that justify slapping everyone down who suggests it?
Isn't the try worth it?

Final Fantasy 6 did it and it's commonly refered to as the favorite game of many people.
Metroid did it and it's one of my favorite game series.

If I were so bold to claim stuff, then I'd bet that most people's favorite game is one where there is a female protagonist.

Opening a pork shop in Iran? No, it is not worth a try because they will probably stone you to death.

About favorite games. That as because most games do have a female main character. Maybe you don't always play like one but they are still there.

I really fucking enjoyed Prince Of Persia: Sands of Time. I didn't play as Farah, and the main character did have a penis, but she was there thrugh out large parts of the game. Would it have worked vice versa? Not nearly as good.

I am not really sure what you are after, more games where you play as a girl? I believe we have already coverd that.

 

[robotam]

Look I don't want to come across as mean, but you are acting quite silly. It often depends on the story, you can't just give the main character tits and change all the "hes" to "shes". Sure, shoot-em ups may as well give you the option to play as a female because it wouldn't make to much of a difference, 'cause people mainly play them for the gameplay.
I would also welcome more games with female leads, that don't use it as a gimick (Portal did it well).
I think most people are ok with roleplaying the opposite sex. I am not really a wizard but I can play Dragon Age as a wizard, I'm not a dinosaur but can play Yoshi's Island, it's the same situation.

Sorry if I got off topic and I don't believe you have some feminist agenda, but maybe give some games with male leads a go, maybe you have just been unlucky and got some sexist games.

 

[Kialee]

If it's a fun game, I'm going to play it no matter what the gender of the main character is.
Would I rather play as a female? Yes. Does it really make me lose that much sleep at night? No.
Besides, it's not like the female leads are any more flattering than the males - instead of Big McLargeHuge, we get Titty McBounceBreasts.

 

[eddielovato]

You mean like Gears of War 3 where there are two female main characters?
Halo Reach which also has one?

Tomb Raider.
Metroid.
Portal.
Mass Effect.
Dragon Age.
Fallout.
Tenchu.
Borderlands.
Mirrors Edge.

Nice, very nice.

OP: Awwww, come on, it's true that there are more male characters out there, but you gals' aren't TOTALLY in the dark!

It's just some games are made to work with a male character, and some are made to work with female.

....
fail
you forgot...
fallout 1
fallout 2
fallout tactics
van buren
elder scrolls arena
elder scrolls II dagger fall
elder scrolls III morrowind
elder scrolls IV oblivion
and i think you could be a female in daggerfall
you also forgot resistance 2 ( the online side)
heavenly sword
and civilization revolution
oh yeah
and mirrors edge

 

[Reveras]

I like me some busty white meat.

 

[SyphonX]

It's about the same as blockbuster movies. When was the last AAA movie you saw that featured a female lead?

There has always been a healthy dose of female characters in video games. Some of my favorite past games featured female leads, or the option to do so. Specifically the Resident Evil series. Resident Evil 1, 2 & 3, plus Code Veronica. Silent Hill series as well, specifically Silent Hill 3.

Bioware is one of the industry leaders in androgynous character casting. Also, let's not forget about Final Fantasy 13, a franchise with one of the largest budgets ever, had a female lead.

Kind of a non-issue.

 

[eddielovato]

how many male players would enjoy games if most of the ones available had women as the main character?

Are you really asking us that question??

you know i really dont mind
i find my self more in the fps side
all you can see is hands
why do you care about hands!?