Do you actually care what race/sex a main character is?
- Thread starter King of Custard
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Mammoth Jones
Member
Generally I don't mind.
But I will admit it kinda annoys me that the Witchdoctor in Diablo 3 is the only character w/ skin tone that closely resembles my own and I can't customize the appearance of the other classes in my game.
Creating an avatar that is a reflection of the user is fairly common. Hence why most game characters appear human or have heavy anthropomorphic features.
For the most part if the game allows customization of the character's skin I will select a skin tone close to mine (Black). If the game doesn't allow customization then I will just play it and have fun. Hence in Diablo 3 I'm playing a Crusader and loving it.
But I will admit it kinda annoys me that the Witchdoctor in Diablo 3 is the only character w/ skin tone that closely resembles my own and I can't customize the appearance of the other classes in my game.
Creating an avatar that is a reflection of the user is fairly common. Hence why most game characters appear human or have heavy anthropomorphic features.
For the most part if the game allows customization of the character's skin I will select a skin tone close to mine (Black). If the game doesn't allow customization then I will just play it and have fun. Hence in Diablo 3 I'm playing a Crusader and loving it.
Yes, but only in the sense that I like personal and cultural history as a basis for characters in narrative-driven games. It's not that I need a a particular portion of games to have any one group represented, or for games to be "in line with the population"; I just mean that having more variety for protagonist backgrounds to draw on is better, if the writing is done well.
If race or gender simply means the superficial appearance, then no, I don't care. Distinct experiences stemming from ethnicity and gender are the sticking point. Tobias Buckell's "The Cole Protocol" used this subtly but successfully in the Halo book series.
If race or gender simply means the superficial appearance, then no, I don't care. Distinct experiences stemming from ethnicity and gender are the sticking point. Tobias Buckell's "The Cole Protocol" used this subtly but successfully in the Halo book series.
Everyone posting here is 100% human (I think), so it's funny to me that they would be the same people who prefer to play a human hero in a fantasy game. If I work at a grocery store I don't want to play a video game about working at a grocery store. I want a real fantasy so I prefer to play as a non human. No one else feels like this?
I agree with this. Variety keeps things interesting.
Can you explain this to me? When you play a game you don't often get to make the choices in the game. You follow the story and do what it tells you, unless we're talking about Mass Effect. So in a game like that why does it matter if you can relate to the character when you're not making the choices? When I play Mirror's Edge I'm not trying to relate to the character, I'm playing the game. It makes no difference.
coughlanio
Member
If it's a player created character, I always go for male, because that's what I relate to more.
I honestly don't care if the main character in a game is a female.
I honestly don't care if the main character in a game is a female.
Ultimadrago
Member
Indeed. I'd be pleased with a broader palette of major/lead character. I was liking stupei's comment on how the white male perspective is shared so extensively with demographics of all kinds that many miss the mere chance to gain notable exposure to different perspectives and experiences. That said, as you said before, I would want their identities to be more than a simple skin/model difference from the average. The excitement of looking through a new kaleidoscope comes with the expectations that the patterns, colors and structure are different.
Since you inspired me to post, I wanted to ask you a couple of questions relating that particular matter! I enjoy reading your comments on it and am curious.
A. What are your thoughts on the fine line between a unique, functional identity and unabashed stereotyping? I suppose it heavily depends on context, but in general would you find it an issue for developers (or "Have you found it an issue") that work with non-standard main characters to handle properly.
For example, where the developer may see a gay male main attending a gay nightclub as a fair acknowledgement of their character within the demographic, someone playing the game may consider it an insensitive, if not, unnecessary reinforcement of the character's sexuality. In my observation, it'd take more than a sensitivity course to master that level of characterization over the whole market.
B. Again, open to context (and it's not your role to do the developer's job by any means, of course). How best do you find marketing a game that does have a lead or major characters far separated from white heterosexual male? Should it be rightfully spotlighted or does that potentially undermine the impact such a difference has in comparison to the "standard" landscape?
I know neither of these are the newest conversation pieces at all. Heck, many of us have actively critiqued and witnessed them (Good and Ugly) for years now. But I honestly want to read your takes on them!
MidgarBlowedUp
Member
Yeah, to those saying the RPG thing, sometimes I really do like to make a girl character so I can get the sexy outfits. I'm terrible I know, but if I'm playing a guy I don't care about how his outfit looks although I do care about the stats. It just depends on the game and how good the artists were at making the outfits and models.
ArkkAngel007
Member
Nope. Sometimes VA, characterization, execution, and some other things will come into play (Jennifer Hale > Mark Meer, Jill Valentine > Chris Redfield, blank slate RPG=male), but overall I could play whatever the game gave to me so long as it doesn't cross certain lines.
cm osi
Member
Chie Satonaka
Member
I like diversity, so yes.
It's not a dealbreaker, but it's pretty unfortunate that in 2014 there's such a lack of diversity in this medium.
It's not a dealbreaker, but it's pretty unfortunate that in 2014 there's such a lack of diversity in this medium.
Nope, it doesn't bother me the slightest. I think females are under-represented in videogames so the more female characters the better, likewise the more older characters and ethnic minorities the better. Way too many characters are 30-something Caucasian males so something different is always nice.
Although I have to admit that Franklin was by far my least favourite of the three in GTA V. Not because he was black but because he was such a sterotypical gangsta saying the words nigga, motherfucker or shit after every other word. It got old really fast.
Although I have to admit that Franklin was by far my least favourite of the three in GTA V. Not because he was black but because he was such a sterotypical gangsta saying the words nigga, motherfucker or shit after every other word. It got old really fast.
anarckitty
Member
I don't usually care, but it is nice as woman gamer to play a character that is a woman.
Death Metalist
Member
Nope, never did and never will. For fucks sake we have fantastic games that star a blue Hedgehog and a brown Bear with his sidekick a red rooster/breegull.
dark_prinny
Banned
I hate Elfs.
Personally, if given the choice, I will always go for a female. Always.
If given a race choice, I usually love cat girls and that kind of races. It's not like I play with games that offers that though. Shows you what I like.
If it's only a male human well... I'll stay play. However, I'd still like to play as the female helper beside me. Yep.
Oh and I'm male.
If given a race choice, I usually love cat girls and that kind of races. It's not like I play with games that offers that though. Shows you what I like.
If it's only a male human well... I'll stay play. However, I'd still like to play as the female helper beside me. Yep.
Oh and I'm male.
Werewolf Jones
Member
I care if they're well written before this thought even comes into mind at all. But no, I don't.
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
Given the choice, I tend to chose male human characters.
Also avoid fanservice fighters like Skullgirls largely because of their all female cast.
But if the game's main character is female or whatever I'll still play it.
Also avoid fanservice fighters like Skullgirls largely because of their all female cast.
But if the game's main character is female or whatever I'll still play it.
dark_prinny
Banned
Embearded
Member
It won't be a reason to turn down a game or pick another.
When I play RPGs or games that let you build your character, I always try to make him/her fit with their profession. For example, on Divinity, my main character was a two handed male so I made him look like a body builder with kinda dark skin. My second character was a female witch and she had no muscles!
Sometimes I overdo it with the stereotypes...
And I am male, white but dark skinned. Mediterranean I would say...
When I play RPGs or games that let you build your character, I always try to make him/her fit with their profession. For example, on Divinity, my main character was a two handed male so I made him look like a body builder with kinda dark skin. My second character was a female witch and she had no muscles!
Sometimes I overdo it with the stereotypes...
And I am male, white but dark skinned. Mediterranean I would say...
TheSpaceBetween
Member
It is dead last on things I'm concerned about a game. Though I do prefer playing as something other than a young(ish) white male, which I am.
DoktorEvil
Banned
Two problems I have with these statements:
1) Being white, male, and bearded means you have no diverse background?
2) What's your definition of quality, then?
My problem with non humans it's that they often look too silly our have a morphology that is unappealing. It also depends on the setting. I'm more likely to choose non humanoids in sci fi settings. For example, I chose Exo for the Destiny demo.
Diversity is relative. In an industry dominated with white male leads, creating yet another one does not help diversity. Yeah, you can make his background as blown-up as you want, but there are so many white dude in games, from really all walks of life, it wouldn't mean that much.
I very rarely care, because there are very few games where it makes any sort of difference at all.
When playing an online RPG (or other MP games where the I'm playing more as an avatar than a character), I'll often try to create a character that looks somewhat like myself (black, male), however in a single player game with a defined narrative, I'm more likely to leave the character as whatever the default is. So for example in Mass Effect I have a default Shephard. If a character has a design or story that contradicts their appearance, then I'm far more likely to care.. but this rarely happens, mostly due to most characters in games being blank slates... and the few that aren't usually have a decent amount of thought put into how they look. Vanessa's redesign in Virtua Fighter 5, stands out for me as a example of what I don't like to see happen.
I'd also not want to play something like P.N.03 with the main character simply gender-swapped with a male. Give others the option if they'd like that.. but for me? No thanks!
When playing an online RPG (or other MP games where the I'm playing more as an avatar than a character), I'll often try to create a character that looks somewhat like myself (black, male), however in a single player game with a defined narrative, I'm more likely to leave the character as whatever the default is. So for example in Mass Effect I have a default Shephard. If a character has a design or story that contradicts their appearance, then I'm far more likely to care.. but this rarely happens, mostly due to most characters in games being blank slates... and the few that aren't usually have a decent amount of thought put into how they look. Vanessa's redesign in Virtua Fighter 5, stands out for me as a example of what I don't like to see happen.
I'd also not want to play something like P.N.03 with the main character simply gender-swapped with a male. Give others the option if they'd like that.. but for me? No thanks!
figadapaura
Member
I want to play as everyone and everything.
My FFXIV Char.
I thought it would be nice to have an ex.
Male and so white i'm often compared to a corpse.
Xion_Stellar
People should stop referencing data that makes me feel uncomfortable because games get ported to platforms I don't like
I don't care enough to complain about the lack of diversity....
But I prefer to play as a Male character because I'm a male myself,if only Female characters are available (Shane: Half Genie Hero,Tomb Raider,Metroid etc.) I'm OK with that too but the game gets bonus points from me if I can change the skin tone 1 or 2 shades darker than White because I'm not a white Mexican so I like it when the character matches my skin tone.
But I prefer to play as a Male character because I'm a male myself,if only Female characters are available (Shane: Half Genie Hero,Tomb Raider,Metroid etc.) I'm OK with that too but the game gets bonus points from me if I can change the skin tone 1 or 2 shades darker than White because I'm not a white Mexican so I like it when the character matches my skin tone.
Allnamestakenlol
Member
Nope, don't care.
Sgt.Pepper
Banned
Hispanic, male.
Not like I don't care for diversity, but I don't care about the race/sex of main character as long the game is good.
silvermember
Banned
Not to be that guy, but as a black male I really don't have a choice. So I don't care.
If I am playing an MMORPG I usually play mostly female mages since the armor looks better on them. Actually, I never play males since the characterization in most mmorpgs are so terrible it doesn't make much of a difference whether it is male of female. So it might as well go all barbie doll on your character.
If I am playing an MMORPG I usually play mostly female mages since the armor looks better on them. Actually, I never play males since the characterization in most mmorpgs are so terrible it doesn't make much of a difference whether it is male of female. So it might as well go all barbie doll on your character.
Chû Totoro
Member
No, what I care is the work put behind this character is.
There are very few memorable characters, most are just build after stereotypes and look just as any other Hollywood action movie characters. It the same for the whole story and the construction of the game of course. That's what saddens me the most, lack of creativity.
Even if I'm happy that these past few years we had a lot of great games thanks to indies
This.
Also. Half black, half white. Male.
There are very few memorable characters, most are just build after stereotypes and look just as any other Hollywood action movie characters. It the same for the whole story and the construction of the game of course. That's what saddens me the most, lack of creativity.
Even if I'm happy that these past few years we had a lot of great games thanks to indies
This.
Also. Half black, half white. Male.
DoktorEvil
Banned
This thread and the thread showing the demographics of women overtaking men in gaming is interesting. If most men don't care about the characterization and more female players were to go from mobile to console gaming, we could very well have a gen with more female representation.
Sgt.Pepper
Banned
The thing is most games people are talking about are "big" console games that rarely, if ever, appear on mobile.
Plus f2p/casual stigma will make that really hard.
Ninjaholic
Neo Member
Yes I do. But not enough to not play a game if it looks fun. But a cool character regardless of race or gender helps me enjoy my time with a game.
I think it boils down to a basis of understanding. Let's look at GTA:SA again. Most of that game is little more than a parody of early 90's black empowerment films such as "Do the Right Thing", "Boyz in the Hood", "Clockers", "School Daze" etc etc etc, and the first 4 hours don't feel real. They feel like a rap video, and for good reason. It's until that mold is broken and the rest of that world starts to open up that GTA:SA starts to shine because it doesn't feel like an imitation of a very known form of entertainment. Using stereotyping and profiling as means of characterization can be very dangerous, but It can also serve to help characters existing with these confines realize how skewed their views on what they thought they knew truly are. It's why CJ is, almost accidentally, the most interesting GTA character written to date.
Now, that being said, you still have to know what you're talking about. Experience goes a long way to help write a scenario that you might not be terribly familiar with. I would urge everyone who wants to write a scene involving a gay man going to a gay bar to actually GO to a gay bar. The results may surprise you. I remember a few years back, a lesbian roommate of mine took me to the local lesbian bar for a poetry night. I had no idea what to expect, or what kind of people I'd find and I didn't really want to make assumptions, but what I found was that it was just filled with a lot of people, gay, straight, different races and social creeds, just there to have a good time. Now I tell that story to bring up another example, "My exboyfriend the space tyrant". I'll admit, I haven't played much of the game, I probably won't play much more of it, and I don't know the mindset of the people behind it, but if you were to ask me what a game written by a straight man for gay men would entail, it's that. Just mired in heavy, limp wristed, booty-short wearing, stereotypical behavior. It feels like leisure suit larry for gay people. It's not smart about it, it's not witty about it, it's not clever about it, it's just...splayed out there. And in my opinion, it doesn't work.
Alright, so I work in marketing. I think this is the perfect ad for a video game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1AenlOEXao
The protagonist at the end after 20 seconds of pure hyping, could be anything. Black, white, male, female, orc, nord, elf, argonian, etc etc etc. It doesn't matter, everyone is hooked by the time they show up. If your worried that your character isn't strong enough to draw people in, you already have a problem, but if you truly believe that, you make people fall in love with the world and the conflict before they even get to know the character. Everything Nintendo has been doing for the new Xenoblade Chronicles title has been very good and it focuses on no one single person. It's a lot of flash and pomp and space opera and THAT'S what's going to bring people who know nothing about the game to the table.
For the last two years, I've gone to Boston Comic-Con with my niece, a con that is basically a giant dealer's room with not much else going on. And there is always someone trying very hard to push the idea of a new black super hero on the independent scene. And when they're doing their table pitch, inviting us to read the comic and tell our opinions, it's never about the merits of the super hero himself, it's about how he's black, and how he provides a different view from other traditional super heroes, and how his origin story is different because he grew up impoverished or he had to earn his super powers instead of being granted them.
And their books are never very good.
If your pitch is, "THIS WOMAN WILL DO THINGS FOR 8 HOURS BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN AND THAT'S DIFFERENT!" you have already failed. There are ways of making the fact that your character is a woman or poor or black or handicapped important to the plot, to how they deal with other characters and how they deal with the mission they are tasked with. But there has never been anything that's been successful because he, she, it was "___". I think this is something that marvel and DC are starting to come to grips with and are having a lot of growing pains as a result.
You have so much time in your game to show who your protagonist is, to express how they're interesting and why we should care about them. Why we want them to be happy when their sad, to be get mad when they're struck down, to be victorious when they're on the brink of defeat. So leading with monikers that show what their social standing is rarely makes much sense. You can MAKE it important as you create and explain to the player the rules of the world, but having your character be "___" for the sake of being "___" makes so little sense if you're not going to give that "___" meaning.
We're in a very interesting time now. We can do so much with this medium, and while I don't think games that don't spend time on telling you everything about the main character need to go away, I think it's time that games start making us care about the urgency of characters a lot more.
Megaman X4 basically took a very simple premise and turned it into a very (sometimes overly) dramatic scenario, and there's nothing wrong with that. Knowing why X and Zero have to defeat 8 robot masters and eventually fight sigma for the fate of the world is a good thing.
Its not an absolute deal breaker in itself, but I do want variety. It does bother me to see blatant gender and racial hierarchies as well in games. I was watching my brother play Watch Dogs and was disgusted by how many "bad guys" were skewed toward black skin tones.
I am mixed race aka Mexican.
I am mixed race aka Mexican.
Darkstorne
Member
"Do you actually care what race/sex a main character is?"
Race/sex? Nope, not in the slightest. But I do care that they are interesting, engaging characters. My Shepard is a black FemShep and I love her because of the personality created by the writers and voice actress. Vaan on the other hand is one of the most infuriating "main characters" I've ever encountered in a game, despite being a race/sex combo I'm apparently supposed to be drawn to.
I'm a straight white male, 27. It's really interesting reading other people's opinions on this topic. Would love to hear from some more girls on this subject - I know gaming is aimed at my age and gender, so I only trust my gut instinct on this as far as I can throw it.
Race/sex? Nope, not in the slightest. But I do care that they are interesting, engaging characters. My Shepard is a black FemShep and I love her because of the personality created by the writers and voice actress. Vaan on the other hand is one of the most infuriating "main characters" I've ever encountered in a game, despite being a race/sex combo I'm apparently supposed to be drawn to.
I'm a straight white male, 27. It's really interesting reading other people's opinions on this topic. Would love to hear from some more girls on this subject - I know gaming is aimed at my age and gender, so I only trust my gut instinct on this as far as I can throw it.