Transgender gamers?

[GyroCaptain]

1: Yes, RPGs and MMOs primarily, not merely to have something nice to look at but also for the "whee, different!" factor. Also, a good RPG requires it for seeing the whole game. Similar to the motives for playing as Dwarves/Halflings/Orcs in fantasy and aliens in science fiction. (Male Rodian and Bothan, female Ithorian, Twi'lek in Star Wars Galaxies, female chaotic evil dwarf in Baldur's gate, etc.)

2: Does this include games debasing women? If a game would have me playing as the opposite gender for the wrong reasons, generally cheap titillation, then I usually avoid it.

3: Hell yes! Frank West must have his Megaman duds! Also applies to downloaded reskins for Kameo, because that game needed more variety. I admit to some nonsense in Fable as well.

4: Can't say I have.

5: Them peeps is nasty, yo.

 

[Thaliur]

OK, this might get boring, maybe the survey wasn't exactly made for me...

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

Yes, for different reasons:
Morrowind: character attributes that are better suited for a mage.
Guild Wars: Female Necromancer. The reason? I wanted to play a necromancer and saw the male ones.
Neverwinter Nights: To see the additional/changed conversation options
World of Warcraft: Female Human. Same reason like the GW necromancer , extremely ugly males
several fighting games (Street Fighter, Samurai Showdown...), because the female characters were swifter than the male ones, occasionally had pretty funny special attacks (Remember Cham Cham? Although Nicotine was great too ) and most of them didn't look as weird as nearly equivalent male characters
I don't think there were more yet, of course excluding games with a default female character (in that case I'd have to list Beyond Good And Evil too. By the way, this game taught me that even great games can have damn annoying and frustrating bossfights. Not because they are difficult, just because they are... something I don't know the English word for)

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?

I haven't seen one yet. Basically I try to stay male in RPGs and pretty much any other games unless there is a good reason to play a female character instead (see above)

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.

Not yet. Actually I think I never played any game in which this was possible

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female. If yes give reasons for doing so.

Weird. People make games like that? I guess it would be Japanese then...
In other words: No.

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics.

No

 

[Watershed]

Interesting topic... different anyway

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

Yes, as someone said above, in fighting games mainly. The female characters are usually quicker but less powerful, which I prefer. Usually Taki in soul calibur or Asuka in Tekken. I do play as male characters as well.

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?
Games where it doesn't make a difference. For example, in Pokemon Diamond you can choose to be a male or female trainer. Choosing a different gender to my own would be pointless (In my opinion) as it makes no difference to the game itself.

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.
Erm... closest I've come to that is in San Andreas, where you need to buy clothes for your character, but I didn't do it often and only when necessary.

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female. If yes give reasons for doing so.
No

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics
Nope

Hope that helps

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

On that note, I do have a tendency to play male characters, and in some cases, for the same reason many men on this thread pick females: something nice to look at.

It's interesting that you say this. I was having this discussion with an extremely straight friend about gay men playing female characters. He was pretty sure that a lot of gay guys played female avatars. I thought about it for a second and laughed. All the gay guys I have ever known were about as interested in the female anatomy as I am with sixteenth century Bavarian wall hangings.

 

[[HD]Rob Inglis]

I am man (me English good speak lolz)
1. I have, but that was when I was 13 and had identity issues. I'm completely fine now, meaning I realized I'm not gay (I had worried about that cause I didn't like women at that point, being age 13 I should have realized that I was still a tiny kid).
2. Not anymore, cause it's fun to pretend to be someone you can better relate with, ie: bassass main character guy.
3. Yeah, I unlocked armor and stuff to give my guy this giant suit, making him look like a behemoth.
4. No, I don't believe in that kind thing. Not saying I'm zealous against it, it's just not my thing.
5. No, sounds kinda creepy to me.

 

[Shamtee]

1. Manly stick with my own gender - female, they always seem to look better and have the stats that suits my game play style.

2. *shrugs* cant think of any

3. Dead or alive extreme volleyball 2 - its a girl game really XD

4. If I get sent them I play them, and I used to get sent them :/

5. Not for money, to be let out of a blasted room. Its a long story...

 

[KuraKumo]

Straight female answering here.

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

Most of the time. Most games I play have the main character as a male, but even when I'm given the choice to choose I usually end up sticking to playing males. Whether just because I'm used to it, or I don't much like the female for either being to cute-sy or looks like a whore. Plus on a side note I love to draw and make up little characters as a result. Mostly end up drawing male furries (as I am a bit furry myself), so when I can pick the gender and name I tend to think of characters I draw. And lastly when playing online with other people (at least from what I've seen while playing) most guys are nicer to someone whose playing a female for that reason alone which annoys me.

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?

No, I usually stick with playing guys. There were a couple of times in pokemon I picked the girl because I was bored.

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.

Not that I can remember off hand, but I probably did just so I can get everything in a game.

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female. If yes give reasons for doing so.

Mm.. played SH2, but no not anything besides that. My stomach usually gets upset.

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics.

Well, in my case it wouldn't really much be a guise as I am one. But no. I don't do cybersex.

 

[Yan-Yan]

I'm 24, Male, and Bisexual, so factor that into the answers as best as you want.

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? Absolutely. City of Heroes is the big one that I'll be drawing on for most of my answers, and in that game, the males run and jump... weird. The females aren't much better they're less of an eye sore. Plus, it just amuses me to see a 4 ft girl paste the giant 8 ft robot. That's not to say I won't pick a male character. They're both equal amounts of eye candy!

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? I can't really say. Most games that give a choice usually make a difference, so I'll pick what ever option gives me the edge in what ever I pick to do. Pokemon Pearl has been one where as far as I could tell there was no difference, and I picked the boy (if only because of that hat. I mean, look at it! It's silly!) So, so far, there's really no game I wouldn't play the female.

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics. City of Heroes again. There are a hand full of costume pieces you can buy, find, make, or collect fiddly bits to earn. And I've spent quite a bit of time on multiple characters collecting all the fiddly bits. And now Pokemon Pearl is doing this 'Contests' thing, which I find mildly irritating as I seem to suck at it, so I haven't gone out and collected the little bits.

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female? Hmm, was the Female the Sub or the Dom in either case? I suppose either way I would play the game, as I have general ignorance of what the game holds until I run into it face first. But really, how would one squeeze Rape or S&M into a video game? Lots of baby powder and fishing wire? (edit: oh right, hentai games... I was thinking something like Mass Effect, where it's there, but not the main point of the game. Silly me)

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Nope, though there were a couple of opportunities in CoH, and a LOT in WoW.

 

[Kogepan]

All the gay guys I have ever known were about as interested in the female anatomy as I am with sixteenth century Bavarian wall hangings.

That's funny, because all the gays I've known, while definitely not interested in females below the waist, are completely fascinated by breasts and think they're amusing and fun. XD

 

[nightmare_gorilla]

oh, i do feel i should add to my post that when we design the character and do pick women, 90% of the time they come out looking like pirate hookers. fishnets and high heeled leather boots, not proud of it neither am i ashamed i just figured it might have an effect on your research there.

 

[Yan-Yan]

All the gay guys I have ever known were about as interested in the female anatomy as I am with sixteenth century Bavarian wall hangings.

That's funny, because all the gays I've known, while definitely not interested in females below the waist, are completely fascinated by breasts and think they're amusing and fun. XD

Where I come from, we call that 'bisexual'.

oh, i do feel i should add to my post that when we design the character and do pick women, 90% of the time they come out looking like pirate hookers. fishnets and high heeled leather boots, not proud of it neither am i ashamed i just figured it might have an effect on your research there.

Arr, me matey, it be 20 doubloons for the night! Yarrr.

 

[Cousin_IT]

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female. If yes give reasons for doing so.

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics.

1. Yes; in games where chosing a gender has no effect on gameplay other than aesthetic, I sometimes try characters of both genders. Not only occasionally though as I always find the end result when choosing a female character often is busty & scantily clad which tbh I dont like playing the role of.

2. Most singleplayer games. With few exceptions, as said above I find female characters are often busty & flash the flesh liberally. I dont much care for playing that role. In games like Tekken its not a big deal but RPGs & the like I dont like really like it.

3. No, though when ambulation comes to EVE-Online I probably will. My characters gonna become a clothshorse

4. I didnt know there were games like that

5. Nope

 

[mshcherbatskaya]

I am woman, born female (I throw that in because I have known quite a few women and men who were not born as such), and identify as queer.

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

---In games where I am given a choice, I will generally play through at least once as each gender. In RPGs with romance options, I will also play out opposite-sex and same-sex story-lines. If there are good/evil options, I am more likely to play out the evil option with a male character, not because I think men are evil but because I identify with them less so it doesn't bug me as much.


2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?

---I can't think of any. Even if the male character had a fighting style that did not suit me, I'd play it anyway for the learning experience.

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.

---I did a fair amount of fiddling with tattoos in Fable, but then, I like tattoos. Since I was not given the option of playing a female character in Fable (to which I say WTF, Molyneux?) I put my guy in a dress and ponytail and ran around like that until s/he got too scarred up from having no armor.

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female. If yes give reasons for doing so.

---I have not, since the hentai games I'm interested in (yaoi and yuri) aren't available in English. I should probably note that rape is pretty much a given in yaoi in any media. Oh, those wacky Japanese. If there were Western hentai games available with S&M content, I would play as female if given the choice of dominant or submissive roles. And then I'd probably play both. (See Question 1.) I find rape utterly disinteresting as a sexual fantasy, but have no negative judgement on people who like it, because I can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Actual rape, of course, is completely different.


5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics.

---Nope. I would consider it, but I have a basic language ability requirement which has never been met by anyone who tried to get me to cyber them. You must be ->this literate<- to ride this ride.

 

[mshcherbatskaya]

...all the gays I've known, while definitely not interested in females below the waist, are completely fascinated by breasts and think they're amusing and fun. XD

Which they are. I've known straight women to show the same interest, oddly enough.

 

[rodowe]

Bisexual male switch (2 years bdsm experience).

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?


3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.


4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female. If yes give reasons for doing so.

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics.

I usually prefer female avatars.

Most males in games tend to be overly muscular for my tastes. The females tend to be anorexic, so not much better. At least there are the clothing options.

But at least I can act like how I feel like in online games as a female avatar without being asked if I'm gay by strangers >.> I can *huggles*, or encourage people, or flirt, or offer assitance, or dress up, and no one looks at me twice.

If I do this on a male avatar on most mmo's, I get hassled *sigh*.

As well, I would like to "be pretty", but live in an area where "metrosexual" is still a dirty word. Therefore I can't safely act how I feel. Online games are a fairly safe place where I can relax my guard, and "let my hair down" (if I had any *cry*)

2. None come to mind.



3. Quite often.

In single player games, particularly survival horror, I like unlocking the extra costumes because I both like "playing dress up", and a different outfit can change the "feel" or atmosphere of a game. For example, take Resident Evil: dressing up as a cop, I tend play as a cop (rescue the survivors, help others a prime directive). If dressed as a soldier, I tend to play "Kill them all", keep a killcount score, etc.

It adds replay value.

In mmo's, I absolutely love getting costumes. In World of Warcraft for example, I spend quite alot of time trying on outfits in the Dressing Room, buying "grey" items from NPC vendors because they look good, getting all the seasonal outfits, friends would buy outfits for me, and stuff like that.

4. Does such a game exist?

I've played a few Hentai games, and while there are some that have some nice love stories, most aren't all that good. As well, they are mostly all male leads, so don't qualify.

About the only one I can think of that would fit the description would have been "Rule of Rose", but really that only has as much to do with BDSM as thinking stabbing someone with a knife is a rape reference (phallic object forced into a body). IE, way, way, way overanalyzing things, akin to thinking hard rock lyrics are actively recruiting satanists.

(It seemed to me to be more about how children forming their own societies can be extremely cruel to each other, ala Lord of the Flies).

But that would be the only game that comes close to my knowledge.

Would I play a game featuring these? Depends. I've done BDSM, and I enjoy it. As well, I'm always interested in learning more. So a game featuring it would be attractive, if only for more information.

For rape, meh. I've role played that several times with my ex-boyfriend (both as top and bottom), and it was enjoyable, if difficult logistically. But as far as watching it on the TV or playing on a video game, it's not really that attractive.

Then again, I'm also the type of person that likes the whips and chains but squirms at "torture porn" like S.A.W., or even expressions of misery like on Amaestad.

lol double standard? Me?


5. Once I did a cybersex "for money" role play session like that with my ex-girlfriend, over WoW. I could go into specifics, but this is a PG-13 board, and I'm probably pushing the envelope quite enough >.<

As far as favors, no, not really. Sometimes I'll "flirt" in warcraft over trade or general. When I'm bored, I'll let slip some innuendo into trade channel and watch the discussion. Sometimes people will flirt back. However, if I get a whisper from someone I tell them I'm male before anything happens further, and they usually just laugh and move on.

I tend not to do that anymore, as I never had anyone "bite", but some people are still vocally homophobic after learning who's flirting. That hurts... It's safer than real life, but it's not completely safe.

edit for format

 

[TomNook]

1.All the time, I'm already a guy, the whole reason I play games is to escape the monotony of my life. So playing a girl kinda shakes things up.

2.Most of the time I'll play the character who in my eyes is better.

3.No, I'm one of those pricks that likes to go straight through the story line.

4.No

5.No

 

[chicgeekchick]

Actually came out of lurkdom and registered to answer this. I'm a 24-years-old female straight gamer.

1. Have you ever played a character not of your gender when given a choice in the matter? If yes, please give specifics about your reasons for doing so.

Normally, I try to play girls that sort of look like me. One of the MMORPGs I own is Guild Wars, and I now have all-female avatars. That said, the female elementalist in the original game looked like a whore, and I deleted her in favor of a male guy, who bored me, then another guy, with the Factions chapter, which I eventually deleted too. While handsome and pretty to look at, I thought they looked too girly. It has to do with each character class, though, all elementalists look girly-girly, male or female. The rangers, female or male, are my favorites, mostly because they dress realistically. However, I already have a maxed-out female ranger, and Guild Wars is so long it discourages me from having class duplicates.

2. Are there games in which you wouldn't choose to play a character of the opposite gender? If yes, which games and why?

Well, I generally play mid-range characters in fighting games. Usually, big guys are the slowest, so I don't think I'd play them.

3. Have you ever spent time unlocking game clothing articles to make your character look different when you didn't have to?(i.e. go out of your way) Give specifics.

Upgrading the armor in Guild Wars is practically a necessity, and I enjoyed it. When Eye of the North came out, however, I freely admit I grinded my ranger for hours just to get the dwarf armor, purely out of vanity. And I have hours ahead of me if I ever want to get the Asuran eyeglasses. As I said, the main reason for deleting the ele was her awful clothes. It would've taken me a long time to buy her decent armor, so I just deleted and started over.

I also unlocked Leon's mobster suit in RE4, because it looked cool. In Sword of the New World, I bought my team (two females, one male) new hats and will probably buy more as I go along. I love playing dress up.

4. Have you ever played a game featuring; Rape or S&M, where the main character was female.

No. Heard of such games; one of them was researched here at The Escapist. Not my thing.

5. Have you ever had "cybersex" for money, or to gain favor under the guise of a woman? Again give specifics.

No. I've had people treat me nice at Guild Wars when I'm a priestess (but not anyone else). Oh, but I did read about a woman that traded RL sex favors for a WoW mount. I guess you could call that prostitution, but I think she saw it more like a date with benefits.

 

[[HD]Rob Inglis]

...all the gays I've known, while definitely not interested in females below the waist, are completely fascinated by breasts and think they're amusing and fun. XD

Which they are. I've known straight women to show the same interest, oddly enough.

What's not to like about breasts? I don't mean this in a dimeaning way, I just can't see why anyone would like them (of course this is a partisan response to this question).

 

[emokid72]

1. Yes, in D&D, just because our party didn't have a female in it when my previous character died, and I felt like making a farce

2.I don't know, I am open up to play different characters for the flavor, though I wouldn't in most video games by choice.

3.I never really go for any unlockables in any game for any reason, though Guild Wars would be the exception simply because I don't like having completely multi-coloured clothes. Games like that just need that little detail for a more trained looked.

4. Not really, that or I was completely ignorant about the situation, though I don't condone of rape. Sex in general however is more accepted in anything than mindless violence. Just hard to tastefully put into a game.

5.Haven't and I doubt I will, never let money get that controlling that I need to go that far to make a few bucks.