Big Boobs = Bad Character?

[MrHide-Patten]

Just wanted to get the Escapists communities feedback on this issue. Generally whenever a female character pops up, if her figure bears any sort of semblance to Jessica Rabbits, the character is dismissed as eye candy or a shallow marketing gimmick. This isn't without reason however, because if there usually is a character like this, sexuality is the only 'appealing' trait the character is given.

But purely my concern is; would you dislike Alex Vance (HL2) if she was original larger in the chest area?
Does a character with big tits (or just being unreasonably attractive) instantly devalue them as a character?

EDIT: Im basing my views here on some of the ideas put forth by the 'What Women really want from Female Characters' Podcast. My take away was; sex appeal isn't the bad thing, its making it the only thing to like about the character that is bad.

Also what if the big boobs where meant as part of a gag, it's pandering but we're not acting like its not (Conkers Bad Fur Day, etc)?

 

[Elate]

Yes, because for the most part it is unrealistic and is blatantly trying to cater to sexual desires, which I don't know about most gamers, but I find that kind of insulting. I want a good story, not to be led along by pixel tits.

A game character needs flaws, a character being "perfectly" beautiful ruins immersion somewhat for me at least.

 

[Loner Jo Jo]

No, big boobs do not inherently mean bad characterization. That's like saying all women in real life with giant knockers are sex kittens.

However, the thing is that sort of overt physical sex appeal usually signals lack of characterization. I'm having a hard time thinking of an example to contradict that thought. I guess Lulu from FFX came close, but even then, her sex appeal was played up big time. Hell, her victory pose, if memory serves, is her bending over so you can see straight into her cleavage.

I disagree with Elate though. I feel that there are very few "ugly" characters in games, and even then, they are usually used for comedic effect or as the villain. Even male characters are often Adonis-es. I mean, yes, it would be nice to see an average looking character, but who wants to pretend to be average while playing a game when they can just be average in real life?

 

[TakeyB0y2]

Spoiler

This is Io Nitta from Devil Survivor 2. She's a playable character who I find remarkably useful in combat, both as a magic and physical attacker. Outside combat she is... Extremely likeable I find. She acts like an actual human being and has a well-rounded non-shallow personality. She's confident, capable and light-hearted (without overdoing it too) and yet is still shy and isn't afraid to display fear and uncertainty. Also, this may sound a little silly on my part, but one of her speech habits is to say "mmhmm" when agreeing with something; it reminds me of one of my friends and made her all that more endearing to me.

She just happens to be all that and gainaxing, and I wouldn't call it pandering either. She's definitely not a bad character at all. But that's just my opinions and she's only one character.

EDIT: Because I kinda skipped your other question. D'oh.

But purely my concern is; would you dislike Alex Vance (HL2) if she was original larger in the chest area?

That depends. If she just happened to be larger breasted but the game was otherwise unchanged, no. If she was larger breasted and the game focused more on her breasts for pervy reasons but she otherwise remained the same, I would still like her as a character, but be kinda mad at Valve for downplaying the best traits of a great character for something shallow.

 

[Vault101]

Just wanted to get the Escapists communities feedback on this issue. Generally whenever a female character pops up, if her figure bears any sort of semblance to Jessica Rabbits, the character is dismissed as eye candy or a shallow marketing gimmick. This isn't without reason however, because if there usually is a character like this, sexuality is the only 'appealing' trait the character is given.

But purely my concern is; would you dislike Alex Vance (HL2) if she was original larger in the chest area?
Does a character with big tits (or just being unreasonably attractive) instantly devalue them as a character?

I wouldnt dislike alyx vance..

I WOULD however roll my eyes and sigh itnernally thinking "they just cant help themselves can they?"

a lady with big boobs doesnt maker a bad charachter...but it is pandering, people say "c'mon sex sells! and its fiction! everyone is perfect in fiction!" BUT this depends on what yout trying to get acorss

like Bayonetta?...uughh..ok thats par for the coarse

half life 2? no..its not needed..its shamless pandering and it DOES hurt the charachter is a way

 

[Screamarie]

Most of the time, yes, big boobs are very quick signs of "I have NO brain, I won't add ANYTHING to this story but LOOK! I'll bounce for you! Teehee." but I would like to point out that there ARE some characters in more serious stories that have big boobs for a reason.

I can't think of a great example...well ANY example in a game, but I always like to think of Faye Valentine at times like these. She's pure sex. She uses that. But I can't remember a single time where I felt like she was a slut or that somehow her having a large chest detracted from her character. Yes, there was some pandering, I know, but Faye's character and story went so much deeper than that, her body and especially her breasts actually played into who she was.

It takes a delicate touch to get it right, but a woman can be overly sexual for a reason other than pandering.

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

You know Valve actually did a fair amount of testing with Alyx's appearance and what people found more appealing as a strong female character. Needles to say the big breasts were a no go.

My opinion on it is really that everything in a fictional character's appearance should be as it is for a reason, if a woman has big breasts or is just very attractive in some way then it needs to be acknowledged by the writing of the story in some way. It doesn't matter what way that is as long as it is intentional and meaningful.

 

[Wuffykins]

Oddly enough, I can't say I'd given this much thought as a whole as I usually don't notice it. Mind you, I'm not going for the classy "I only pay attention from the neck up" mention here, I just mean that if I notice there's a female character with a near comical extension to her lung capacity, then chances are my rant about her male counterpart being a manly mountain of oversized muscles has long since passed, usually because he's just as bad (if not worse) a character as well.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Just wanted to get the Escapists communities feedback on this issue. Generally whenever a female character pops up, if her figure bears any sort of semblance to Jessica Rabbits, the character is dismissed as eye candy or a shallow marketing gimmick. This isn't without reason however, because if there usually is a character like this, sexuality is the only 'appealing' trait the character is given.

But purely my concern is; would you dislike Alex Vance (HL2) if she was original larger in the chest area?
Does a character with big tits (or just being unreasonably attractive) instantly devalue them as a character?

It's an example of follow the Leader. Jessica Rabbit WAS a well developed character, designed to be a femme fatale with hidden depths. However, the emulators don't see that her character was good, and only focus on the physical aspect of her popularity, aka tits.

A person with big tits can still be a strong character, but the majority of the time, personality is placed second to sex appeal.

 

[AngleWyrm]

Just wanted to get the Escapists communities feedback on this issue.

Hey man, just admit you like small boobs. Don't try to justify it.

Lara Croft had huge boobs, and I was totally into it.

 

[smithy_2045]

Although drawing a physically attractive female character is often a crutch used by lazy developers in lieu of building an actual character, beauty/big tits/nice ass does not necessarily mean they're a bad character.

 

[The Lunatic]

It doesn't always mean it's the case.

But, if the developers tread into the territory, you have to imagine that little thought was put into the rest of the character.

 

[MrHide-Patten]

Just wanted to get the Escapists communities feedback on this issue.

Hey man, just admit you like small boobs. Don't try to justify it.

Lara Croft had huge boobs, and I was totally into it.

This is the part where I start laughing hysterically. http://fav.me/d2rv683

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Big breasts don't make a character bad.

I mean, look at sheena form Tales of Symphonia. She's a REALLY interesting character, and she also happens to be pretty big up top (at least, according to the party members. I never really noticed her breast size really. I was more interested in the her personality and the fact that she's a summoner-ninja. I kid you not. She's a ninja with summons.)

Big breasts only make a character bad if that's ALL they have. If that's their sole defining trait, then yes, they are shallow.

 

[roushutsu]

No, I'd say being well-endowed does not automatically devalue a female character. Off the top of my head, the best example I can think of is Tifa from Final Fantasy VII. She's a loving, nurturing, and strong woman, and while she clearly has large breasts, it was her actions that ultimately defined her character.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

That might not always be the case, as a character can have big breasts and still be an interesting character...