Poll: Confess: How Much Does Sex Appeal Factor Into You Deciding What Games to Buy?

[scorptatious]

Doesn't happen often for me. Although Bayonetta did pique my interest because of sexual appeal, I also bought it because of it's over the top ridiculousness and gameplay.

Games like say, The Guy Game or DOA Beach Volleyball I tend to avoid on the other hand. If I wanted something sexy to look at, I'd go on the internet.

 

[razelas]

"Rarely, if ever" is the no option, specifically the "if ever" part of the phrase (if not rarely, then never). The poll is a sort of continuum, since precisely determining how sex appeal affects consumer behavior is not practical.

That denotes that it enters my decision making in some form of process, when it does not at all. I know that's the closest choice to my position. However, the poll is not accurate because the OP seems to think that it at least has some influence on everyone. Which as you can see from some of the responses in this thread that it does not on a lot of people.

It's like being asked if you like peanuts. I'm allergic to peanuts, rarely if ever isn't correct. It should be never.

Allergies to peanuts is yes/no, sex appeal being factored into what games people decide to buy is not simply yes/no. And many people are stating that sex appeal is not the SOLE reason they have when buying a game, which is an altogether different concept from how much sex appeal affects that decision. It's a rather subtle but important distinction.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Personally, sex appeal and games rarely influence my actual purchasing. I may get distracted by a pair of boobs or butt on a game cover while browsing, but it's more likely to make me think the game is pathetic and just trying to get attention with sex. However, there is evidently a huge market for hentai and erotic games, so I'm going to say that sex does indeed sell games.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

Oops, double posted while trying to agree to forum rules and type a captcha.

 

[Chemical Alia]

Plays no part in my decision. Maybe a slightly negative impact, if the characters look retarded.

 

[Zechnophobe]

I love how generally full of carp this thread is. I bet the guys who do all sorts of market research find threads like these HYSTERICAL. "Hey Joe, here's another one that says he doesn't care about sex appeal. Course, he wouldn't have even clicked on the thumb for the trailer if it didn't have a pretty girl on it. Hilarious."

Oh yeah, every man snaps up anything with a beautiful women on it, they are completely hypnotized by models. No chance that some men are different, all of them are the same.

Your the only one I believe to be talking carp here buddy.

You quoted me right there, and yet you still managed to put words in my mouth. You typed... that while having what I actually wrote in plain view. How does this happen? I am claiming that having attractive people on the cover of your game, or in the images representing it or what not, increases the likelihood that you'll check it out, and therefore also increases the liklihood that you buy it. Even if you don't realize you are doing it.

It's like how you probably remember the cute waitress at the rest more than the average looking one, especially if you didn't talk to either one.

 

[Tibs]

Never has sex appeal even played a part into a buying a game. Hell when games are so forwadly pushing sex appeal that puts me off more than anything.

 

[Mechanix]

It's never influenced my actual purchase of a game. Looking at boobies doesn't make a game fun, if I want to see some boobies, I can on the interwebs.

Sadly though, I will say that if I ever play a game where I have to choose between a male and female, I'll make my second character female. I have a few female WoW characters already.

 

[Nazulu]

I love how generally full of carp this thread is. I bet the guys who do all sorts of market research find threads like these HYSTERICAL. "Hey Joe, here's another one that says he doesn't care about sex appeal. Course, he wouldn't have even clicked on the thumb for the trailer if it didn't have a pretty girl on it. Hilarious."

Oh yeah, every man snaps up anything with a beautiful women on it, they are completely hypnotized by models. No chance that some men are different, all of them are the same.

Your the only one I believe to be talking carp here buddy.

You quoted me right there, and yet you still managed to put words in my mouth. You typed... that while having what I actually wrote in plain view. How does this happen? I am claiming that having attractive people on the cover of your game, or in the images representing it or what not, increases the likelihood that you'll check it out, and therefore also increases the liklihood that you buy it. Even if you don't realize you are doing it.

It's like how you probably remember the cute waitress at the rest more than the average looking one, especially if you didn't talk to either one.

You said it was carp that everyone here isn't affected by sex appeal, and I'm saying that is a load of carp in itself.

Believe me, people realise how sex sells and that it doesn't mean it's a quality product. Actually, some admit it even has a negative impact on the product.

 

[Mechanix]

I love how generally full of carp this thread is. I bet the guys who do all sorts of market research find threads like these HYSTERICAL. "Hey Joe, here's another one that says he doesn't care about sex appeal. Course, he wouldn't have even clicked on the thumb for the trailer if it didn't have a pretty girl on it. Hilarious."

Oh yeah, every man snaps up anything with a beautiful women on it, they are completely hypnotized by models. No chance that some men are different, all of them are the same.

Your the only one I believe to be talking carp here buddy.

You quoted me right there, and yet you still managed to put words in my mouth. You typed... that while having what I actually wrote in plain view. How does this happen? I am claiming that having attractive people on the cover of your game, or in the images representing it or what not, increases the likelihood that you'll check it out, and therefore also increases the liklihood that you buy it. Even if you don't realize you are doing it.

It's like how you probably remember the cute waitress at the rest more than the average looking one, especially if you didn't talk to either one.

Obviously sex appeal grabs men's attention, you can't argue that. But blowing $60 on a game that you probably wouldn't have bought if it didn't have boobs in it is stupid. $60 is a lot of money and if I'm going to spend it, I'll spend it on a game that's fun in other respects. Boobs may make the game more fun for a little bit, but after a while, are you really going to care, or are you just going to want to play the game?

 

[HentMas]

... I bought "Dead Or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volley Ball 2", what does that tell you??

but well, i love sex and sexy things, if they make a game where sex is taken not only as a way of "i love you" (most games where there is sex involved) or as a way of saying "THIS GAME IS EDGY" (Fable 2, similar games) but as something people normally do to have fun and enjoy with other people, i will buy the shit out of that game (i have bought about 5 copies of "Leisure Suit Larry" over the years, its one hell of a fun game, shame the sex is just a gimmick and not actual investment is taken into the story, its one of the good games, shame its too dumb and short), i hate the stigma it creates in society, even more because here in Mexico we are about 50 years behind the United States regarding sexual openness (200 if compared with Europe)

so yeah, when i see sex in a game i try to buy it or at least play it to see how they handle it, best one i´ve seen so far?? Mass Effect 2, but only because i really loved the way they handle it, this is talking of course about "Mainstream" games, because in the branch of sex games most of them are crap, and the others are just "chose your own adventure" books, and even then there are mayor flaws in story that i hate

oh! you didn´t noticed?? my nick name is "Hentai Master" my title? "Master of Hentai", what the hell did you think i was going to say?

 

[hermes]

I rarely do (and the aggressiveness in Bayonetta marketing almost put me off of that game), but I can see your point. I doubt Catherine and No More Heroes would be so hyped without some of the quinkyness of the advertisement.

 

[Zechnophobe]

I love how generally full of carp this thread is. I bet the guys who do all sorts of market research find threads like these HYSTERICAL. "Hey Joe, here's another one that says he doesn't care about sex appeal. Course, he wouldn't have even clicked on the thumb for the trailer if it didn't have a pretty girl on it. Hilarious."

Oh yeah, every man snaps up anything with a beautiful women on it, they are completely hypnotized by models. No chance that some men are different, all of them are the same.

Your the only one I believe to be talking carp here buddy.

You quoted me right there, and yet you still managed to put words in my mouth. You typed... that while having what I actually wrote in plain view. How does this happen? I am claiming that having attractive people on the cover of your game, or in the images representing it or what not, increases the likelihood that you'll check it out, and therefore also increases the liklihood that you buy it. Even if you don't realize you are doing it.

It's like how you probably remember the cute waitress at the rest more than the average looking one, especially if you didn't talk to either one.

Obviously sex appeal grabs men's attention, you can't argue that. But blowing $60 on a game that you probably wouldn't have bought if it didn't have boobs in it is stupid. $60 is a lot of money and if I'm going to spend it, I'll spend it on a game that's fun in other respects. Boobs may make the game more fun for a little bit, but after a while, are you really going to care, or are you just going to want to play the game?

Question was about how sex appeal factors into what we buy. This is how it factors in. Saying that the sex appeal can grab a guys attention, but not factor into whether or not they buy it is silly. Just grabbing of that attention is already a pretty big factor.

 

[Nazulu]

Question was about how sex appeal factors into what we buy. This is how it factors in. Saying that the sex appeal can grab a guys attention, but not factor into whether or not they buy it is silly. Just grabbing of that attention is already a pretty big factor.

It doesn't grab everyones attention, that's what I'm saying.

What do you mean by grabbing someones attention? Any little thing can grab someones attention, but not everyone is effected by sexy pictures like you think.

 

[Weaver]

It actually has the reverse affect on me. If a game's main selling point is sexy characters I'm much more inclined to stay far away from it.

 

[KiraTaureLor]

Maybe you should read the posts again because most people are saying that the sex appeal DOES catch their attention, and yes we all picked up that game ,and studies that a** closer, and then 5 minutes later we turned the box read it and put it back. But if you look at the gaming market, the top selling and classic games are not sex related or dominated in the game play.

sex is a major selling factor in all other industries, but barely a minority in the gaming industry. Controversy on the other hand does sell, like the possibility of sex acts, and choosing non traditional relationships in rpgs.


Off-topic: I like that girl's hairstyle, and shoes but why does she look like a 12 year old? How much did that game sell anyways?

It didn't sell many. I doubt it even paid for it's development although reviews said it had horrible controls and shitty AI so maybe it did cover its cost. A quick google of it shows that sales were abysmally low.

Now, look at the part I bolded above. That means sexual appeal factors in on your purchasing decisions. Sexual appeal almost single-handedly made you consider buying it. The lack of anything else intriguing you is what made you put it back. That is what made me put it back too. No one buys a game based on any one factor alone. Some people like story and claim to not care about graphics. Others say graphics are important to them and story doesn't matter. Both agree gameplay is an important factor. If titties or asses alone can make you pick up a game and check it out it means that sexual appeal is important enough for it to be a factor. I doubt it is the only factor that matters for anyone. But it does play a role in your purchasing decisions.

As for the underlined part, that is sexual appeal; not controversy selling it. If controversy were true then Dead Space 2's commercial for "A game moms hate" was the best add ever and fully justified. Bulletstorm fans should be ecstatic that people are claiming it will "make you a rapist". That means the game will definitely succeed. Controversy makes me look at people and call them stupid and in no way makes me want the game. I don't care about Bulletstorm and now I am stand offish to Dead Space 2.
Telling me Dragon Age has romance options and sex scenes in it makes me want to play it a bit more. It is a factor. The sims having sex doesn't make me want to play it because it offers nothing else that interesting me so I have 3 pros (making my sim have a lot of sex, abusing the sims, building a house) vs. a lot of cons (chores, responsibility, tedium, no way to "beat" it - excuse the pun, etc.)

The poll isn't asking if sex alone is the determining factor. Just if we factor it in. Personally, I think the bottom 2 should be throw away options. Most everybody should be voting in the top 4 choices. But some people are so self righteous they are even asking for the "never" option because I guess "Rarely, if ever" isn't good enough for their pure intentions.

I am just saying I see a big thread of bullshit.

What I'm trying to make you understand is that sex CATCHES attention, it does not make it into the one of the factors.

And NO, the bottom options should not be removed, because it is true, when most of these people go up to the cashier the games they eventually buy have no sex appeal whatsoever.

 

[Savagezion]

What I'm trying to make you understand is that sex CATCHES attention, it does not make it into the one of the factors.

And NO, the bottom options should not be removed, because it is true, when most of these people go up to the cashier the games they eventually buy have no sex appeal whatsoever.

Well, I will say your point is more valid than a lot of other responses in this thread. The problem is that if you picked up the game and looked at the back with any interest in what else the game might provide, it is a factor. If you consider sex appeal a positive for a game to you, then it is a factor. Period. If you would rather have the characters be attractive, love interests be available, or have sex be used as a motivation in the story then sex appeal is a factor for you.

Too many people think this means you jerk off to the game. Just look at some of the answers in this thread. I like having characters be attractive (for the graphics engine). I like having love interests be available - of which I would like to find them sexy in some way or else I would not be interested in them as a love interest. I would like to see sex be used as a motivation because it is in real life and I think it totally fits in with some games. (e.g. RPGs) That is not to say this applies to every type of game out there but when referencing RPGs, adventure games, the route shooters are heading, or really any story driven game in a setting of human-esque beings then it applies.

As for your bottom it applies to sex, not controversy. If you think that having the strong sexual appeal in mass effect is a positive then it counted. If you had NO CLUE that any of that was in it when you bought it, then yeah it was probably on a practically unnoticable level like "generic attraction" to the people on the cover if present. But if you knew that the game explored romantic relationships and considered that a positive, then it is a factor.

I didn't know Mass Effect had a sex scene when I bought it. I knew that you could pick a love interest amongst a few choices and I knew about the dialogue wheel and shooter based combat. Those were the 3 main reasons why I was interested in checking it out. The dialogue wheel sold me more than anything else. I like games with multiple dialogue options. To me, sex scenes in movies and in games - less is more. I don't need to see the details and extended sex scenes actually cheapen it for me. However, that isn't to say I didn't like getting a side boob shot either.

EDIT: Just look at the amount of people that say "Never" and in the same post say that gratuitous displays of a sexual nature influence them NOT to buy. That is sexual appeal factoring in to your purchasing habits right there. It influenced you NOT to buy it.