What kind of males appeal the female demographic?

[Thandran]

If this topic has already been discussed than I would like to apologize.

I understand that amidst the many topics discussing 'sexism' in video games I may have chosen a bad time to ask this ... but I will just have to deal with the flames.

It has come to my attention when I read through posts discussing 'sexism' that due to the dominant male consumer base all (most) characters in games are made to appeal men.

Female characters are a no brainer ... but when some posters list male characters that could appeal to females it is usually shot down with an argument that even they are made to appeal the male demographic.

Which makes sense.

What I would like to ask if someone could clear two terms I've found quite frequently used and didn't have the time yet to research them properly: the alpha and beta male.

I've read that most males in games are depicted as alpha males, which to my understanding are big burly men, with big guns, deep voice and a gift for leadership i.e. lead the world, underdogs against overwhelming odds to victory.

That would be characters like Marcus Fenix, Master Chief, Doomguy, Duke Nukem, Kratos, Nathan Drake ... ?

What are the supposed beta males? Are they like the opposite of alpha males? Or LIKE alpha males but with some characteristics that makes them different? When beta males are brought up usually characters from JRPGS are named (Vaan, Tidus, Hope, Sephiroth, protagonist from Catherine ?).

So I'd like to ask you Escapists to please give me a more clear picture about this and also ask our better halves what kind of male characters in video games, and if you could specify an example, appeal to you?

T'is a question I find most interesting.

Captcha: think twice ... before posting captcha? I understand the risks ... and I'll take them.

 

[Ruzinus]

Alpha just means first and beta just means second, they're letters. It's usually used to describe animal packs - The alpha wolf leads the pack.

Alpha and beta and... you're not quite barking up the right tree.

What does apply is a set of topics on this very forum that shouldn't be too far back about what women find attractive. Go find them.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

As far as I'm aware, Alpha Males ares usually the "pack leader" if you will. Dominant and aggressive. Beta Males, I haven't got much experience with that term, but it seems to me like it describes more submissive and passive males. I could be wrong, though.

I suppose the kind of male character that would appeal to me sort of depends on the game in which that character exists. Although, I'm a guy so my opinion on the matter probably doesn't mean much. :x There are probably as many girls as there are guys that want to see over-sexualized characters of the opposite gender. But also other that probably just want to see a normal person.

 

[Kahunaburger]

On a tangentially-related note, the whole Alpha/Beta thing never fails to crack be up because it's basically generalizing old wolf behavior theories we now know are incorrect to mammals that aren't wolves.

On a related note, lots of threads on the subject. Suffice to say Marcus Fenix tends to not come up very often.

 

[Thandran]

Alpha just means first and beta just means second, they're letters. It's usually used to describe animal packs - The alpha wolf leads the pack.

Alpha and beta and... you're not quite barking up the right tree.

What does apply is a set of topics on this very forum that shouldn't be too far back about what women find attractive. Go find them.

I did search ... probably wasn't enough thorough. I'll go look again. Thanks.

As far as I'm aware, Alpha Males ares usually the "pack leader" if you will. Dominant and aggressive. Beta Males, I haven't got much experience with that term, but it seems to me like it describes more submissive and passive males. I could be wrong, though.

I suppose the kind of male character that would appeal to me sort of depends on the game in which that character exists. Although, I'm a guy so my opinion on the matter probably doesn't mean much. :x There are probably as many girls as there are guys that want to see over-sexualized characters of the opposite gender. But also other that probably just want to see a normal person.

I would like to see an over - sexualized character that appeals to females.

Johnny Depp wearing only pants and jumping on Goombas?

 

[Phasmal]

Its not Marcus Fenix's personality that puts me off (though theres not much to speak of there), it's the fact he looks like a fridge made of meat.
Not. Sexy.

Fenris- Sexy.


Also, don't think of it in terms of alpha and beta, thats just some creepy shit pick-up-artists tell themselves. Women aren't wolves.

 

[Lilani]

Female here, and first off there are two kinds of "appeal"--sexual and romantic. Sex appeal is pretty much all about style. How he looks, what he wears, and how he behaves. The "alpha-male" archetype is probably the most commonly desired trait, but it can vary a lot person to person, and that term is probably oversimplifying things by a lot. Some women want to be on top, you know? Oh, and cleanliness. Most women like a clean man, not a smelly, greasy one. But again, that's just most.

Romantic appeal is more about substance. You want to know why so many girls just love Edward Cullen? Because he is solely devoted to Bella. No matter how much she strays from him and lets him down, he's always there to catch her. He needs her, and though it takes her longer to figure it out, she needs him. That is what romantic appeal comes down to--the desire to need and be needed. Of course he's also hot, but fidelity and devotion are also very, very attractive.

 

[Vegosiux]

Johnny Depp wearing only pants and jumping on Goombas?

Oh curse you, now I have the image of that stuck in my head.

As for "what women like" doesn't really concern me as much as "what this particular woman likes". Now that's where it gets serious.

 

[Phasmal]

The kind with thick penises and squarish rugged faces with stubble during ovulation.

Once pregnant, someone else who exhibits traits that ensure the child gets care, such as money or loyalty.

Haha, you do such a funny impression of a sexist! As if what ladies like in men is all about their wombs and future babies.
I love the bit about how we have two stages- ovulation and pregnancy!
Good thing you were being sarcastic.

 

[spartandude]

while im not a girl i still feel qualified enough to answer this (yes i like a bit of cock every now and then aswell)

so any sexy male characters.... well only a couple

Alistair from DragonAge

Ezio from Assassin's Creed

and to an extent Ioverth from the Witcher 2

thats it really. if we were to compare that to the amount of sexy females...

Fenris- Sexy.

Fenris? really? ok sure his voice is really sexy (and so is the voice actor for that matter) but the actual character is not only an ass but looks like a child.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Ladies love confidence, if a male character is confident he automatically has scored quite a few points.

 

[Phasmal]

Fenris- Sexy.

Fenris? really? ok sure his voice is really sexy (and so is the voice actor for that matter) but the actual character is not only an ass but looks like a child.

I agree on the voice but...

A child?

Spoiler: Um, no?

Doesn't look anything like a child to me.
Yeah, he is grumpy though, but I kinda liked that about him. He went well with my Hawke, who was a goody-two-shoes.
I preferred him to Anders who you kiss twice and he wants to move in with you- Fenris felt more like a real person.

 

[Phasmal]

:3

Genetic behavioral instincts don't define a person, but you can't deny they exist just because they're uncomfortable.
If it makes you less bitter, know that men have ridiculous behaviours also.

Have a great day!

Cause this was about how ladies want game characters babies and then they're gonna leave them?

I thought it was more about what women find attractive. I've never seen most game character's penises. Also, Marcus Fenix is square-jawed to the max, and nooobody is lining up to bonk him.

Oh, you.

 

[spartandude]

Fenris- Sexy.

Fenris? really? ok sure his voice is really sexy (and so is the voice actor for that matter) but the actual character is not only an ass but looks like a child.

I agree on the voice but...

A child?

Spoiler: Um, no?

Doesn't look anything like a child to me.
Yeah, he is grumpy though, but I kinda liked that about him. He went well with my Hawke, who was a goody-two-shoes.
I preferred him to Anders who you kiss twice and he wants to move in with you- Fenris felt more like a real person.

by the maker they fucked Anders up in DA2! i loved him in Awakening all they had to do was keep him like that but make him a romance option. instead they made him a somewhat bearable Edward Cullen, and i cant really comment on the Fenris relationship becuase tbh i couldnt bring myself to complete even one playthrough of the train wreck which was that game

 

[Brendan Stepladder]

Alpha just means first and beta just means second, they're letters. It's usually used to describe animal packs - The alpha wolf leads the pack.

Alpha and beta and... you're not quite barking up the right tree.

What does apply is a set of topics on this very forum that shouldn't be too far back about what women find attractive. Go find them.

I did search ... probably wasn't enough thorough. I'll go look again. Thanks.

As far as I'm aware, Alpha Males ares usually the "pack leader" if you will. Dominant and aggressive. Beta Males, I haven't got much experience with that term, but it seems to me like it describes more submissive and passive males. I could be wrong, though.

I suppose the kind of male character that would appeal to me sort of depends on the game in which that character exists. Although, I'm a guy so my opinion on the matter probably doesn't mean much. :x There are probably as many girls as there are guys that want to see over-sexualized characters of the opposite gender. But also other that probably just want to see a normal person.

I would like to see an over - sexualized character that appeals to females.

Johnny Depp wearing only pants and jumping on Goombas?

I smell his next movie! Tim Burton, are you getting this?