1507 réponses à ce sujet

[raulsems]

ErichHartmann wrote...

raulsems wrote...

Why does it matter if you know you can be a female it's not like it's a online game of something.

Why bother posting if you don't even bother to read the first 10 pages or so?

I'll do so next time.

[Shad0wOGRE]

You'll get the game when a man tells you to, silly woman. Now take those shoes off, get pregnant, and make me a sandwich...



Seriously, most of the women who are playing those games are bored middle-aged housewives playing bejewelled and other similar casual games. The majority of pc and console games, of the type that Bioware make, are still males Teen and up.



To be perfectly honest female gamers are lucky that Bioware bothers to include the female option at all as many companies don't.



Just take a look at the major titles of other companies. Heck, Alan Wake could have just as easily switched the protagonist to his wife. Gears of War, no playable female characters until the third. Red Dead Redemption, no playable female. Splinter Cell, any of them, no pf. Silent Hill, any of them, no pf. Assassin's Creed, inFamous, Prototype, Bioshock, Halo... The list goes on.



So like I said, consider yourselves lucky that Bioware pays the attention it does to its female players.

[Arrtis]

As the american way goes.....it does not matter how lucky I am I WANT MORE!!!
I am american and I follow this.

Modifié par Arrtis, 02 septembre 2010 - 12:20 .

[KIrving]

"Will DA2's current marketing campaign appeal at all to new female players?."

Unlikely.  BioWare/EA know that it doesn't.  They're not fussed and clearly don't wish to broaden their customer base.  If anything, I would say that they have been deliberately narrowing their focus since before ME. 
It doesn't even appeal to this old female player.
  
There were numerous threads about this issue from the time the ME marketing direction was proposed and also many threads asking if the protagonist could be a woman, both before and after the game was released.  Not only does this style of marketing probably not appeal to many women, it seems to cause some confusion.   I imagine the same thing happened with ME2.
I commend the thread starter for having the courage to broach this topic  and experience the inevitable attacks that seem to happen as a result.  I wish you a sturdy, flame proof shield.  

Arrtis wrote...

TheMufflon wrote...

Arrtis wrote...

How do we know it targets young males though?

Did you actually watch the trailer?

So fighting and violence does not appeal to female players?

Fighting and violence appeals to this female player.  Fighting, violence and the option to experience it all as a female protagonist, who is not just eye candy, appeals even more. 
When I see these, stock standard, trailers or gamecovers featuring a male hero with a big sword I just get bored.  I don't feel inspired to do research.  I don't want to have to sift through screenshots, search forums and interviews, previews or reviews just to find out if I get to play the game with a female character. 
I want that information straight up and in my face so I can make a choice about whether to buy this game or something else.  

Modifié par KIrving, 02 septembre 2010 - 01:56 .

[AlanC9]

KIrving wrote...
When I see these, stock standard, trailers or gamecovers featuring a male hero with a big sword I just get bored.  I don't feel inspired to do research.  I don't want to have to sift through screenshots, search forums and interviews, previews or reviews just to find out if I get to play the game with a female character. 

So you actually know that you're missing out on some games that you'd like, since some of those games will have a potential female PC despite not having a female PC in the trailer.

How's that working for you?   And how did you discover DA?

[Blessed Silence]

CommanderNuetral wrote...

You'll get the game when a man tells you to, silly woman. Now take those shoes off, get pregnant, and make me a sandwich...

Seriously, most of the women who are playing those games are bored middle-aged housewives playing bejewelled and other similar casual games. The majority of pc and console games, of the type that Bioware make, are still males Teen and up.

To be perfectly honest female gamers are lucky that Bioware bothers to include the female option at all as many companies don't.

Just take a look at the major titles of other companies. Heck, Alan Wake could have just as easily switched the protagonist to his wife. Gears of War, no playable female characters until the third. Red Dead Redemption, no playable female. Splinter Cell, any of them, no pf. Silent Hill, any of them, no pf. Assassin's Creed, inFamous, Prototype, Bioshock, Halo... The list goes on.

So like I said, consider yourselves lucky that Bioware pays the attention it does to its female players.

You should be very glad I have no way to reach into my monitor and slap you hard.  I swear some men and women are so backwards like we are fighting to get our right to vote still.

Females had the option to play as far back as pen and paper DnD.  So it's not like someone at BioWare just had an epiphany about putting females into their games.

And I will say it again (though I hate repeating myself) I really don't give a flying rat butt if my character is male or female.  What matters is the story and other factors.

Sure there are some women who like to play their gender and there is nothing wrong with marketing to women.  We aren't  stupid and can play games just as men can.  The thing is, if BioWare is stating you can play both as male and female, what does it hurt to show them both in marketing?  NOTHING.

[KIrving]

AlanC9 wrote...

KIrving wrote...
When I see these, stock standard, trailers or gamecovers featuring a male hero with a big sword I just get bored.  I don't feel inspired to do research.  I don't want to have to sift through screenshots, search forums and interviews, previews or reviews just to find out if I get to play the game with a female character. 

So you actually know that you're missing out on some games that you'd like, since some of those games will have a potential female PC despite not having a female PC in the trailer.

How's that working for you?   And how did you discover DA?

Yes.  However the odds are extremely likely that I'll just waste many hours doing research on a game, only to find out that there is no option to play a female pc.   I had that happen  a few months back with the upcoming game Brink.  I was quite excited when I first heard about that game and looked forward to playing it as  co-op with my husband.  It's now off our wish list.   I only have so much time to play games as it is, let alone sift through a lot of information for the occasional developer comment.  I'm tired of having to hunt for information that is a selling point for me and probably for other people too.  Of course this also means that game developers are missing out on my sale because they are failing to clearly get the information across.  

It's working out fine for me.    I've been discovering a number of independent developed games to spend my money on. 
I followed the development of DA since the early days and I have also been playing BioWare games since the BG series.  I don't automatically purchase any game though because of respect for the developers or nostalgia.  Also with the direction BioWare are headed I don't feel that it is safe to assume that I will always get the option to play a female character. 

[Shadow_broker]

I think it's important to note



BEWBS

[Shad0wOGRE]

Blessed Silence wrote...

CommanderNuetral wrote...

You'll get the game when a man tells you to, silly woman. Now take those shoes off, get pregnant, and make me a sandwich...

Seriously, most of the women who are playing those games are bored middle-aged housewives playing bejewelled and other similar casual games. The majority of pc and console games, of the type that Bioware make, are still males Teen and up.

To be perfectly honest female gamers are lucky that Bioware bothers to include the female option at all as many companies don't.

Just take a look at the major titles of other companies. Heck, Alan Wake could have just as easily switched the protagonist to his wife. Gears of War, no playable female characters until the third. Red Dead Redemption, no playable female. Splinter Cell, any of them, no pf. Silent Hill, any of them, no pf. Assassin's Creed, inFamous, Prototype, Bioshock, Halo... The list goes on.

So like I said, consider yourselves lucky that Bioware pays the attention it does to its female players.

You should be very glad I have no way to reach into my monitor and slap you hard.  I swear some men and women are so backwards like we are fighting to get our right to vote still.

You not being able to slap me makes me sad...

Females had the option to play as far back as pen and paper DnD.  So it's not like someone at BioWare just had an epiphany about putting females into their games.

Yes dear, I'm well aware of that. But your side note about PnP roleplaying games doesn't really have any bearing  on the fact that most video games have male PCs. My point is that Bioware cares about its female fans a lot more than most companies and the people complaining about their smart marketing decision to advertise to the demographic most likely to buy their game is just smart business. You know, so they can make money and more games that their fans love.

And I will say it again (though I hate repeating myself) I really don't give a flying rat butt if my character is male or female.  What matters is the story and other factors.

Sure there are some women who like to play their gender and there is nothing wrong with marketing to women.  We aren't  stupid and can play games just as men can.  The thing is, if BioWare is stating you can play both as male and female, what does it hurt to show them both in marketing?  NOTHING.

Because those trailers that Bioware is paying Blur to make cost money. And you want to spend your money on the most effective advertising. That's to male players. And unlike myself, a lot of male players aren't secure enough in their manhood that they feel threatened by a female PC (of course they usually feel threatened by women in real life as well). But it's just the way it is and Bioware is a business and they want to make money.

Now I will give you this. I don't know why they are so reluctant to show in-game pics and videos of LadyHawke, unless it's just a "she's too ugly for camera" type of thing. Or they are concerned that if they don't create a universally appealing LadyHawke it will turn customers off. And let's be honest, a male main character can be ugly but still be a badass and people will give him a pass (Marcus Fenix anyone?) but an ugly female character? No, people don't like that.

*shrug*

Maybe if we ever get a Jade Empire 2 they'll focus on the female main character... but I doubt it.

[Arrtis]

Martial arts+female tend to appeal all around...

It is true that many men will be very turned off by a game if the main character being advertised is female.

[Shad0wOGRE]

Arrtis wrote...

Martial arts+female tend to appeal all around...

It's the flexibility.

It is true that many men will be very turned off by a game if the main character being advertised is female.

Final Fantasy X-2 comes to mind. There wasn't anything wrong with the game. I thought the costume changes were kinda interesting. And there was the whole 3 hot chicks hanging out thing. And the Charlie's Angels vibe going on. But lots of male gamers didn't want to play it because there was no leading male.

And that was a Final Fantasy game and those fans are rabid...

Hence, Bioware focuses its adverts on male PC.

[Arrtis]

True my brother who was a fan said no to mmos and FFs with female leads.

[spernus]

Arrtis wrote...

True my brother who was a fan said no to mmos and FFs with female leads.

FF XIII has a female lead and it sold very well,despite being one of the worst entry in the serie.

It is true that there are a lot of insecure men out there,but the negative effect of a female lead is probably bigger in movies than in videogames.FF will sell well with or without a female lead.

[Count Viceroy]

I think women who disregard potentially good games just because the protagonist is locked to a specific gender (usually male) is doing themselves a disfavour.

Do you try to make some kind of statement? I won't buy this unless it's got female playable characters in it? Would you buy a crap game just because you can play as a woman? Does that somehow enrich the experience ten fold ?

Oh well, it's your loss. I couldn't care less if the main character is male or female.
I don't see this as such a big deal. A good game is a good game regardless of what gender the main character is.

Modifié par Count Viceroy, 02 septembre 2010 - 03:48 .

[Count Viceroy]

It's more fun and ironic that way. But fair enough.

Modifié par Count Viceroy, 02 septembre 2010 - 03:49 .

[Inzhuna]

I found out about an upcoming MMO 'The Secret World' yesterday, and i just reaffirmed my undying love for Funcom. Most of the marketing is done with a female character - trailer, gameplay demonstration, concept art, screenshots. And a lot of guys seem to be genuinely interested in the game, and I haven't seen anyone commenting that they won't play cause there's a girl there in the video instead of a guy. Seriously, what's wrong with showing a female PC or using her, for a change, as the main character in advertising? Would it really hurt sales that much?

[Lyssar]

To answer the original question: I think in the end it doesn’t matter. Female players interested in RPG and wanting to play their own gender will sooner or later end up with a Bioware game. And once you are part of the fan base, you know about the female option in almost all their games, so they don’t really need to advertise it.

I enjoy getting some information about the female character though. I want to see at least a few screenshots (the ME2 campaign annoyed me a little because there was almost no info).
I also prefer playing my own gender. If a game has only a male option and has got some good critics I won’t miss out on it, but only after making sure it’s really worth it. I would never pre-order such a game.

Funnily enough, almost all RPG players I know in RL are women. My male friends prefer shooters and strategic games. There is only one exception. Sometimes I wonder: where are all those male players people keep talking about?

[WilliamShatner]

CommanderNuetral wrote...

Arrtis wrote...

Martial arts+female tend to appeal all around...

It's the flexibility.

It is true that many men will be very turned off by a game if the main character being advertised is female.

Final Fantasy X-2 comes to mind. There wasn't anything wrong with the game. I thought the costume changes were kinda interesting. And there was the whole 3 hot chicks hanging out thing. And the Charlie's Angels vibe going on. But lots of male gamers didn't want to play it because there was no leading male.

And that was a Final Fantasy game and those fans are rabid...

Hence, Bioware focuses its adverts on male PC.

Still sold more than 5 million copies, more than the male advertising dominated Mass Effect and ME2 put together.

[Addai]

Count Viceroy wrote...

I think women who disregard potentially good games just because the protagonist is locked to a specific gender (usually male) is doing themselves a disfavour.

Do you try to make some kind of statement? I won't buy this unless it's got female playable characters in it? Would you buy a crap game just because you can play as a woman? Does that somehow enrich the experience ten fold ?

Oh well, it's your loss. I couldn't care less if the main character is male or female.
I don't see this as such a big deal. A good game is a good game regardless of what gender the main character is.

For me it's not a "statement," it's having a character I can feel immersed into.  I enjoyed my one, lone male PC in DAO, but it wasn't the same as playing my female PCs.  It was the difference between "wow I'm awesome" and "hey, he's pretty sexy".   Both experiences are entertaining in their own way, but the first is really what an immersive RPG is supposed to be about, at least what I want out of one.

It's not really relevant, is it?  DA2 will have a female Hawke.

What I hope they re-think are the porn-sized melons we've now seen on Bethany and her mom.  I mean, really???  It's funny to me that BW releases a screen shot where it's obvious that Bethany's purpose in the marketing is to be leered at, and then get all prissy here in the forums when people start talking about some hot, hot Hawke family bonding.

Modifié par Addai67, 02 septembre 2010 - 04:52 .

[Inzhuna]

Exactly, Addai. It's easy for the guys to say that they don't give a damn if the game has a male or female character when like 90% of the time it *is* male. I wonder what they would be saying if situation was different, if most games had female characters?



@Lyssar

"Funnily enough, almost all RPG players I know in RL are women. My male friends prefer shooters and strategic games. There is only one exception. Sometimes I wonder: where are all those male players people keep talking about?"

Now that you mention it, this is so true. My brother, my bf, my male friends all tend to play action games or strategies and don't really care about RPGs. Weird.

[maxernst]

KIrving wrote...

AlanC9 wrote...

KIrving wrote...
When I see these, stock standard, trailers or gamecovers featuring a male hero with a big sword I just get bored.  I don't feel inspired to do research.  I don't want to have to sift through screenshots, search forums and interviews, previews or reviews just to find out if I get to play the game with a female character. 

So you actually know that you're missing out on some games that you'd like, since some of those games will have a potential female PC despite not having a female PC in the trailer.

How's that working for you?   And how did you discover DA?

Yes.  However the odds are extremely likely that I'll just waste many hours doing research on a game, only to find out that there is no option to play a female pc. 

Many hours???  Okay, I just went to Bioware's website to look up Dragon Age 2.  I clicked on game info which heads off with frequently asked questions.

9.  What will my character be like?  Your character in Dragon Age 2 will be a legendary figure in the history
of Thedas. Not only will you hear people respond to your conversations,
but your character will also be be fully-voiced. You will play as a
human male or female of any class you wish: Warrior, Mage or Rogue.

Five minutes max.

[Count Viceroy]

Inzhuna wrote...

Exactly, Addai. It's easy for the guys to say that they don't give a damn if the game has a male or female character when like 90% of the time it *is* male. I wonder what they would be saying if situation was different, if most games had female characters?

I was just waiting for this one.