360 réponses à ce sujet

[Veex]

Being completely honest I would say that the game would likely, at least initially, be less appealing for me. I generally don't play female characters even in BioWare games, and I can't recall the last game I played in which the protagonist was female. Thinking back I believe I do have a single Jane Shepard playthrough that spans Mass Effect 1 and 2.

That said, assuming the other aspects of the game were sufficiently appealing, I'd likely give it a fair shot.

[DA_GamerGal]

Sylvianus wrote...

You 're right. The question on this board is useless. We know the bioware's games and we buy them for their content. The question is important if asked to the new players, those who didn't  play bioware's game, rpgs, etc.

I found the question interesting, I asked the question to some console players, some friends, and my brothers. Their answer was no. I think if they would only see the marketting with a female protagonist, they wouldn't bother to seek if they can play with a male protagonist, because, they don't know what is a rpg, this style of game must interest them before, in my opinion. So they wouldn't buy it.

I had some positive answers, with humour as well if the female protagonist is sexualized, like Lara croft or the heroine of Bayonetta. And I don't think that's what most female players want.

Me, It wouldn't bother me as well.

I'm sorry, but I don't feel my question was "useless" as you put it. 

There are many male games- even those that are familiar with BioWare games and RPGs in general- that do not feel comfortable playing as a female character.

There are also many people on these forums that are new to RPGs and Bioware games, so I thought by asking my questions I would get a pretty good consensus of what male gamers think about playing as a female protagonist and whether promoting- or not promoting- female protagonist would factor into their decision to buy a game.

I guess I should feel grateful that you found my "useless" question "interesting"....  

[MozartsGhost]

As someone who has no real interest one way or the other what gender my character is, I'm a little curious as to why some people are saying they would probably not play a game, or at least be more wary of it, if they were forced to play a specific gender. As far as I can see, in most BioWare games gender is a purely aesthetic choice. Sure you may get some unique dialogue/romance options but for the most part it's the exact same playthrough either way.

Is being able to play a specific gender really more important to some people than a rich, detailed storyline with interesting characters?

Modifié par MozartsGhost, 18 octobre 2011 - 04:16 .

[Barbarossa2010]

No problem whatsoever playing a female PC.  Wouldn't stop me, in and of itself, from purchasing any game. A great game is a great game.

I did start a female Warden for DA:O and a FemShep for ME, but each were quickly taken over by my wife, (who is no gamer--but is steadily working on remedying that), who determined I had just about zero knack for hairstyles, makeup, making a pretty face, etc (which we all know is an essential skill of gaming).  We're playing ME2 together as we speak, I do most of the fighting (she hands off the controller as she has little interest in it) and she does everything else, makes the decisions, and enjoys the story.  Funny thing is, the Fem PC has given us yet another outlet in which to "dance."

For me personally, no problem at all with even a female exclusive PC.  Good gameplay is first and foremost.  Probably has more to do with having daughters than any great gifts of character though.

Modifié par Barbarossa2010, 18 octobre 2011 - 04:13 .

[DA_GamerGal]

nightscrawl wrote...

I think it would be more accurate to frame this queston in terms of someone who is new to a franchise or a game company. Longtime Bioware fans will know you will have the option of picking your gender, so I don't think the marketing as far as that is concerned matters much overall. Also, those are the types of fans who see that Bioware is making a new fantasy RPG and will buy it simply because they are loyal to the brand from their own previous experience. Marketing largely has no affect on those people, other than to inform them that a new game exists. However, I might guess that players new to the company, or those who came in on DAO who were swayed by the marketing might be more of a valid target for your question.

You are assuming that every person on these forum boards are a longtime BioWare fan, or have been playing RPGs (or any genre of games) for years. That isn't always the case. And my question was to male gamers in general, not just those that play RPGs or who are fans of BioWare.

But your point is well taken.

[Sylvianus]

krissyjf wrote...

Sylvianus wrote...

You 're right. The question on this board is useless. We know the bioware's games and we buy them for their content. The question is important if asked to the new players, those who didn't  play bioware's game, rpgs, etc.

I found the question interesting, I asked the question to some console players, some friends, and my brothers. Their answer was no. I think if they would only see the marketting with a female protagonist, they wouldn't bother to seek if they can play with a male protagonist, because, they don't know what is a rpg, this style of game must interest them before, in my opinion. So they wouldn't buy it.

I had some positive answers, with humour as well if the female protagonist is sexualized, like Lara croft or the heroine of Bayonetta. And I don't think that's what most female players want.

Me, It wouldn't bother me as well.

I'm sorry, but I don't feel my question was "useless" as you put it. 

There are many male games- even those that are familiar with BioWare games and RPGs in general- that do not feel comfortable playing as a female character.

There are also many people on these forums that are new to RPGs and Bioware games, so I thought by asking my questions I would get a pretty good consensus of what male gamers think about playing as a female protagonist and whether promoting- or not promoting- female protagonist would factor into their decision to buy a game.

I guess I should feel grateful that you found my "useless" question "interesting"....  

Useless on this board ( the hardcore fans, etc ), yes. Interesting outside. That's what I said, let's be accurate.

Why ? Because all the people here would buy the bioware's games for their content whatever the marketting, even if they feel uncomfortable. Why they would be bothered by the marketting ? They know they still can play with a male protagonist ( on the contrary of those who don't know bioware, rpg, etc )and that's what matters. 

They know what they could expect from a bioware's game, whether we see femshep or maleshep, femhawk or malehawk. Besides, their answers in all this topic confirmed my thought.

Now, if the question is, if there is only a female protagonist, okay.

For example, I take me as example. The first time I played a rpg, it was a bioware's game, dragon age origins.

I didn't know what could be a rpg, its content, what I could expect from that. I saw the marketting with a male hero and I was pleased. I tell you the truth, if it was a female, I wouldn't buy the game in the past, because I thought many games with female heroes were "girly" and not at all serious and credible. Let's take for example FF13. Bayonetta, ect.

NOW, I love rpg, generally bioware's games,  I know I can play both male and female heroes, I know I would be pleased with their content,  I know what I could expect. Why the hell I wouldn't buy because of marketting I don't care or even if I feel uncomfortable ? I can still play a male protagonist ? So, I don't think many players here, who knos perfectly Bioware wouldn't buy their next game because of this detail.

Modifié par Sylvianus, 18 octobre 2011 - 04:30 .

[DA_GamerGal]

MozartsGhost wrote...

As someone who has no real interest one way or the other what gender my character is, I'm a little curious as to why some people are saying they would probably not play a game, or at least be more wary of it, if they were forced to play a specific gender. As far as I can see, in most BioWare games gender is a purely aesthetic choice. Sure you may get some unique dialogue/romance options but for the most part it's the exact same playthrough either way.

Is being able to play a specific gender really more important to some people than a rich, detailed storyline with interesting characters?

From what I can tell so far, it is a major concern to some people. More so for people that don't pay RPGs, but it still is a factor in their decision on whether to play the game or not.

[BroBear Berbil]

krissyjf wrote...

But I would say, simply because BioWare gives we female gamers an option to play as a female PC, doesn't mean that the game was developed and written with the female PC in mind. For once, I would like to see BioWare develop/center one of their Dragon Age games around a female character- around a female protagonist- and let the male PC be the option. For once, I would like to see an entire marketing campaign centered around the female protagonist, instead of the male one.

If the sole reasoning for having a marketed female protagonist were to have the game serve as a feminist soapbox I wouldn't get it. I'm not clamoring for a male protagonist in Tomb Raider and that's a game that doesn't give a choice; yet I've played every game in the series and the remakes. I've played tons of female characters over the years, even playing them when a choice is presented between female and male protagonist. I play both, I enjoy both.

I think DA2 did a good job of catering to the female fanbase.

Modifié par OnionXI, 18 octobre 2011 - 04:44 .

[DA_GamerGal]

[

Sylvianus wrote...
Useless on this board ( the hardcore fans, etc ), yes. Interesting outside. That's what I said, let's be accurate.

Why ? Because all the people here would buy the bioware's games for their content whatever the marketting, even if they feel uncomfortable. Why they would be bothered by the marketting ? They know they still can play with a male protagonist ( on the contrary of those who don't know bioware, rpg, etc )and that's what matters. 

They know what they could expect from a bioware's game, whether we see femshep or maleshep, femhawk or malehawk. Besides, their answers in all this topic confirmed my thought.

Now, if the question is, if there is only a female protagonist, okay.

For example, I take me as example. The first time I played a rpg, it was a bioware's game, dragon age origins.

I didn't know what could be a rpg, its content, what I could expect from that. I saw the marketting with a male hero and I was pleased. I tell you the truth, if it was a female, I wouldn't buy the game in the past, because I thought many games with female heroes were "girly" and not at all serious and credible. Let's take for example FF13. Bayonetta, ect.

NOW, I love rpg, generally bioware's games,  I know I can play both male and female heroes, I know I would be pleased with their content,  I know what I could expect. Why the hell I wouldn't buy because of marketting I don't care or even if I feel uncomfortable ? I can still play a male protagonist ? So, I don't think many players here, who knos perfectly Bioware wouldn't buy their next game because of this detail.

Not everyone that frequents these forums are hardcore BioWare fans... they may not even be hardcore fans of RPGs. Besides, my questions were directed at male gamers in general, not necessarily those that are fans of BioWare or even of RPGs.

But you did answer one of my questions.... you would not buy a game that featured only a female protagonists... where the option wasn't given to choose the gender. 

But what if said game was created by BioWare? Would you give it a chance then? Yes, I know BioWare would probably never develop a game that didn't include the option to choose the gender... but what if they did? Would you-as a male gamer that is a fan of Bioware- play the game that only had a female protagonist?

[StealthReborn--]

Doesnt make any difference to me whether or not the protagonist is male or female. I usually create a female character 80% of the time anyway. =)

[Sylvianus]

krissyjf wrote...

[

Sylvianus wrote...
Useless on this board ( the hardcore fans, etc ), yes. Interesting outside. That's what I said, let's be accurate.

Why ? Because all the people here would buy the bioware's games for their content whatever the marketting, even if they feel uncomfortable. Why they would be bothered by the marketting ? They know they still can play with a male protagonist ( on the contrary of those who don't know bioware, rpg, etc )and that's what matters. 

They know what they could expect from a bioware's game, whether we see femshep or maleshep, femhawk or malehawk. Besides, their answers in all this topic confirmed my thought.

Now, if the question is, if there is only a female protagonist, okay.

For example, I take me as example. The first time I played a rpg, it was a bioware's game, dragon age origins.

I didn't know what could be a rpg, its content, what I could expect from that. I saw the marketting with a male hero and I was pleased. I tell you the truth, if it was a female, I wouldn't buy the game in the past, because I thought many games with female heroes were "girly" and not at all serious and credible. Let's take for example FF13. Bayonetta, ect.

NOW, I love rpg, generally bioware's games,  I know I can play both male and female heroes, I know I would be pleased with their content,  I know what I could expect. Why the hell I wouldn't buy because of marketting I don't care or even if I feel uncomfortable ? I can still play a male protagonist ? So, I don't think many players here, who knos perfectly Bioware wouldn't buy their next game because of this detail.

But you did answer one of my questions.... you would not buy a game that featured only a female protagonists... where the option wasn't given to choose the gender. 

But what if said game was created by BioWare? Would you give it a chance then? Yes, I know BioWare would probably never develop a game that didn't include the option to choose the gender... but what if they did? Would you-as a male gamer that is a fan of Bioware- play the game that only had a female protagonist?

And that's where you're wrong. I evolved. In the past, yes I wouldn't buy it, but not today. I learned to love playing with different facets, from different perspectives.  I love my female warden, I love my femshep. I love playing with them as much as my male protagonists. Thanks to the experience from Bioware's game,  It wouldn't bother me now to have only a female protagonist ( If there is the custom character as well )

Why ? Because I know now that their content is serious, credible. For other games, I am less suspicious now, and it would not bother me to explore other games with a female character. But in the same time, I would be cautious, since I don't know how they work. But on the principle it wouldn't bother me at all today.

But if you want me to be honest, I think it would bother many people outside. It depends the kind of game. For a Fps, there is still a long way to convince many male players.

Modifié par Sylvianus, 18 octobre 2011 - 05:08 .

[marshalleck]

Didn't read the whole thread.

Regard OP's original question, it wouldn't make a bit of difference to me. The quality of the writing is what matters to me, not the character's gender.

[DA_GamerGal]

OnionXI wrote...

If the sole reasoning for having a marketed female protagonist were to have the game serve as a feminist soapbox I wouldn't get it. I'm not clamoring for a male protagonist in Tomb Raider and that's a game that doesn't give a choice; yet I've played every game in the series and the remakes. I've played tons of female characters over the years, even playing them when a choice is presented between female and male protagonist. I play both, I enjoy both.

I think DA2 did a good job of catering to the female fanbase.

Most of the games I play, or have ever played, only have male protagonists- and I love playing them.

Would I like developers to create more games that just have a female protagonist? Certainly, as long as they are more along the lines of the new Lara Croft and not like Bayonetta- and the storyline is good.

I also think that DA2 did a good job at representing their female fan-base within the game. But there is always room for improvement.

[Reno_Tarshil]

I mostly play Male characters because thats how I usually play RPG's Had Hawke been marketed as a Girl, I still would have played it. Now Had they marketed her as a girl without the option to play as a Guy, that would have been iffy. Have Nothing against Female Protags, FF13 for instance, I justmuch prefer to have the option to rp as myself in game.

Hope that makes some sense.

[Sylvianus]

iOnlySignIn wrote...

I played Mass Effect specifically BECAUSE it has a female protagonist voiced by Jennifer Hale. So yes, very much yes.

I also like to point out that men who are afraid to do "girlie things" are merely insecure in their masculinity. I for one make no effort to hide my passion for flower arrangement, cooking, and high fashion. I have no interest in barbie dolls though.

Afraid ? Why afraid ? Maybe not interested ? That's not because you disagree with them that it seems so much intelligent to tell " ooooooh they are insecure in their masculinity ".

There are many female players who said on the mass effect and dragon age board they wouldn't buy bioware's game without a female protagonist. Some only play female protagonists.

so : " oooooh They are insecure in their feminity ? "

Modifié par Sylvianus, 18 octobre 2011 - 05:43 .

[MozartsGhost]

It is a little insulting to suggest that the only reason someone doesn't want to do "girly" things is because they are insecure. Perhaps they just don't enjoy doing those things?

[phoenixds24]

Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I've never really felt as if the games were designed around a male protagonist with a female option. I've always thought that either gender was equally viable in DAO, ME series and DA2. In fact, I play a FemHawke more often than not--so much so that in my mind, canon Hawke is a woman.

To me, as far as game design goes, a strong protagonist is a strong protagonist, no matter the gender. One of the best games I ever played was The Longest Journey, with its heroine April Ryan. So, no, having a female hero featured more prominently wouldn't change my opinion--a good story, game, protagonist is good, period.

[netleopard54]

I prefer to play as a male protagonist. couldn't make it through ME as femshep, just felt really weird with the dialog between the male npc's. That said I think you should give Bioware some credit because they have really gone out of there way to promote ME3 with femshep.

In MMO's I never play as female char's and I assume that everyone playing a female char is male, just a good rule of thumb in my book.

That said I have played some games as a female protagonist, the most resent being thunder in final fantasy, and the one before that being heavenly sword. But I can probably count on one hand how many times I have played a game as a female.

[maxernst]

I play both male and female characters. However, I must say that I am leery of RPG's in which I can't select my sex, because it suggests to me that I may be forced to play a highly defined character. While that's not always true (Planescape: Torment allowed you to develop your character's personality in a variety of ways), I gave up on the Witcher in Act 3 when I was asked whether I was pursuing the Salamandra for principal or personal reasons and I couldn't answer because I had no empathy for the character. I was pursuing Salamandra to get through the plot; I had no roleplaying reason.  I am male myself and have no problem playing male characters in general, but I didn't enjoy playing Geralt.

And I don't think that Bioware's games are designed with a male PC in mind at all.  In fact, if you think about DA:O, the romance option that has by far the biggest impact on your game experience is Alistair, who is only available (without mods) to a female PC.  And other than the romances, the sex of the character doesn't make much difference, which is true in the vast majority of RPG's.

Modifié par maxernst, 18 octobre 2011 - 07:22 .

[Wifflebottom]

I'm male and I don't really care, in dragon age and mass effect I have both genders though I have slightly more male characters. In games where the protagonist is a set gender I don't think I'd care if a chick was on the cover. Metroid, Bayonetta, Tomb Raider, FF XIII, etc. all of those games sold pretty well.

[Giltspur]

Don't care if lead is male or female or how it's marketed.   I play males more often in RPG's than females--though play females as well.  My attitude has always been that male writers write both male and female characters and that male gamers for similar reasons can play both male and female characters.

[Siegdrifa]

I didn't read the whole thread so i don't know if it was pointed out.

Few game have exclusive femal protagniste but it wasn't a reason to make them unsuccesfull.

I remember FF6 in 1994, one of the few outstanding RPG serie to have a femal protagoniste, FF6 is for lot of FF fan one of the best ever made.

Also, even if it is not an RPG, Tomb Raider, the first was a sucess and i doubt the majority of players where female.

Now, personnaly, i play most of the time with feminin character when i can choose the sex, but, i have hard difficulty making romance with my feminin characters, they usual end single.
So, an exclusive feminin character don't bother me at all.

But, if i can't choose the sex, or customise the apparence , and if i hate the look of the character, good chance is, i will ignore the game, i just can't play with a forced character that i hate to look at.