Poll: No Girls Allowed (I might actually be okay with that, unless the game sucks)

[Blind Sight]

That's even more sexist then Mass Effect's "Only Lesbian, No Gays" rule.

Seriously, what is this, the fifties?

Technically it's a 'no lesbian, no gays' rule, as Bioware has pointed out that the only 'female' character you can actually have sex with as a girl, Liara in the first one, is actually part of an asexual species, it makes sense in canon at least. Also, Bioware allowed for homosexual interaction in Dragon Age: Origins, so it's not like they're stereotyping or anything. It's pretty clear it's a business decision, as Mass Effect's primary market is mostly younger men, who sometimes have an issue with 'the gays'. I can understand the decision, I mean, it is an RPG, but Shepherd is still somewhat of a pre-determined character. It wouldn't make sense, market-wise, to create multiple homosexual relationships available, along with dialogue options, only to have it cut into your profit margin, not to mention the harassment by FOX News for being a game that 'is trying to turn our children gay.'

 

[Outright Villainy]

Also, I wasn't blaming them for the trend - but more saying that if even a developer that is pretty roundly recognised as generally one that puts the effort in can't even manage, then A: what does that say about us as a community, and B: I'm less surprised when less talented developers don't manage it.

Speaking of awesome female characters one of whom you were talking about specifically if not by name... have you read part 2 of the l4d comic? Haaarsh.

Perhpas blame wasn't the right word, I just meant Valve aren't as guilty as nearly any other developer.

And I didn't know the second one was out yet! Must check that now...

Edit. Harsh indeed. This comic is a lot more downbeat than I'd have thought.
Still awesome though...

 

[hurfdurp]

If I can make the man look *fabulous*, then that's alright.

 

[Eldarion]

I don't think it would be too much of a problem. Everybody knows that the first thing to go in a real disaster or apocalypse scenario is women's rights, so all the guys start restraining their women. This is why there are no women soldiers in the world, anywhere. (And before you say otherwise, women in today's military only get non-combat roles)

First of all, the men would start restraining "their woman"? Thats so backwards and sexiest I don't even know how to respond nicely.

Second, women in todays military only get non combat roles? HAHAHAHHAHAHAH are you deluded? The definition of "non combat roles" has changed so dramatically over the years that there are a lot more women out on the front lines getting shot at and returning fire then you would think.

Seriously, "no women soldiers in the world anywhere." were are you getting this? Look up Canada for starters.

 

[Unrulyhandbag]

How did that happen?
Project lead: "Our games USP will be having massively customisable characters"
designer : "But we'll need to ship it on multiple disks and take six months making character clothing to cover all the bases"
PL:"Bugger.. erm any ideas how to solve that?"
D:"well we could trim the options down a lot or (jokingly) just dump a whole sex"
PL:"cool dump the women no-one would want to play as one in a combat game anyway"

I'd say that's the wrong decision just on the ground of which is easier to defend.

Not having as many options with character customising is something hardly any one would notice and if they did they'd just say "wouldn't it be nice if we had more clothing options" and you could reply "hey we ran out of time!", "the storage space was an issue!" or even "lo, we have provided unto you a DLC pack that will grant you an extra 70 pieces of kit per sex for a mere $5".

Missing half of the perceived options before you even start looking at parts is a fairly glaring issue. Saying that options and sex stand as a dichotomy makes you look lazy or sexist. The old silhouettes argument (legitimate in a stylised game) makes no sense as the game is going to allow you to change that anyway and

why do guys have this weird thing about lesbians ?

No idea, I personally find same sex.. um.. sex a major turn-off. It's fine if it's your thing but I don't find it interesting.