Main Character: Male or Female?

[Felix]

Based on the statements of a few users, as well as my own experiences, I thought this would make for an interesting poll. What character gender to people prefer to play as in video games? Do guys like playing as guys or playing as girls? Do girls like playing as guys or as girls? Does it even matter?

Personally, when I have the choice in a game, I will usually pick a girl character. I couldn't tell you why, really. It's just what I prefer. Though I really don't mind playing as a male, especially if he's a really cool character, like Link or Master Chief.

What about the rest of you? Male or female? Or do you care?

[KeybladeWarrior]

I prefer the male due to the fact that it is embarrassing for me to play a female character. ^__^;;

[Bobtheduck]

Don't care... Don't even care if they're cool... James on SH2 isn't cool. Raiden's certainly not cool ("Did you say 'nerd'") It does bug me if they don't have decent stories, though. In many games, anyhow.

In most fighting games, I prefer women. They're usually faster, and that's what I like the best in Fighting games. In Mortal Kombat II, I actually prefer Baraka, but my backup is mileena.

Other than that, I have no preference. It's always interesting to play as a female, though.

[uc pseudonym]

Absolutely no general preference. For certain genres I prefer males over females, but that's only because for those I would generally suspect a female lead character would be there for sex appeal alone. But barring outside factors such as that, a character is made good or bad based on factors other than gender.

[ADXC]

I prefer a male character most of the time. But I do sometimes play as a female if they are a really cool character or sometimes in fighting games. Like in SSBM, I like Zelda and Peach as female characters go. Man when Peach busts out that parasol she not only flies, but does some serious damage in the process.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Female 8D Especially in online games.

I also pretend to be a girl. Sometimes I get hit on and get free items. XD

Happened a lot in FlyFF. That and equipment was cheaper for a female.

[Cognitive Gear]

It doesn't matter. As long as they are interesting, and fun to play as.

[Radical Dreamer]

Female 8D Especially in online games.

I also pretend to be a girl. Sometimes I get hit on and get free items. XD

Happened a lot in FlyFF. That and equipment was cheaper for a female.

You didn't name yourself "Rachel Higuchi", did you? XDD

Anyways, it doesn't really matter a whole lot to me. Most of the games I've played have male leads, but the ones that didn't were just as good. And sometimes, the female characters are somewhat more awesome. (points to avatar) XD

[Tarnish]

For some weird reason, I heavily prefer female characters. Probably because a lot of my favorite games have 'em.

I wants me my April, Cate and Lara!

[everdred12a]

It really depends more on the situation... there have been some totally awesome male characters in games, and equally awesome females. I mean, like, RE has Albert Wesker... and Parasite Eve has Aya Brea. But if it comes down to making original characters, I have a tendency to go with the female characters ;p

[jon_jinn]

for me, i would prefer playing as a male lead character. i feel that i can get more into the game if the character i'm playing as is the same gender as me. also, like UC said, a good deal of female characters these days are put in the game merely for sex appeal.

[Link Antilles]

I'm going to be another one to say that it doesn't really matter. However, I do have to add that I'm really tired of those ambiguous looking characters. *cough*Vaan*cough* If he's going to look like a girl, just make the character a girl.

On that note, I'd also like to see more female characters who look normal. -For example, Alyx Vance from Half-Life 2. It's just getting ridiculous in some games, like Rachel in Ninja Gaiden.

[Fish and Chips]

No preference, provided the person in question is suited for the lead part. And like Link, I prefer normal, "Modest" attire.

[Alexander]

It doesn't matter to me who I play as. But if I have a choice I prefer girls.

Possibly because we have so many male character roles that I like a different view point whenever I can obtain it.

[Raiden no Kishi]

I don't care, but voted "Male" because most video game heroines are pathetic. "Ooh, look, cleavage and guns!"

Okay, "Oooh! Cleavage and swords" too.

.rai//

[Tenshi no Ai]

Female for the most part. If I don't have a choice (like in 90% of games) yeah it's not werid to play a guy because if it's an RPG it goes along with a story and all... On MMO, girls once again. Lots of guys on Warcraft play girls because in some cases, well yeah dranaei girls DO look alot better than the big beafy guys :/ Even me, a girl playing a female char, people say 'dude' and often think I AM a guy since it's so common^^ For a girl to play a guy on that... yeah not often :/ I'd find it odd and somewhat embarrassing, since none of the male appearances look too amazing... Heck, I made a char for every race/gender on Ally and the males are just... so not appealing^^ Female dwarves are something else though (and non existent on LotRO! Ha!) Female horse though is something else, hardly see any of THOSE around... cept I wish I was a Blood Elf because the girls look awsome with they shades of hair and whatnot^^ Heck both the girls and guys have an anime hair look about them...

So yes, if I can, girls :p

[Debitt]

Male -- In console games, it's usually because, well, I tend to prefer the designs of the male characters, usually because they're more...modest. In MMOs and the like, I play guy characters because I got sick of getting hit on while I had a female character.

[Tenshi no Ai]

In MMOs and the like, I play guy characters because I got sick of getting hit on while I had a female character.

How sad for people to hit on animations :/ Doesn't matter where you go, online you can somehow manage to get a rude comment from someone like that :/ Only Noobs have done that to me, really :/

[uc pseudonym]

That and equipment was cheaper for a female.

The corollary to my indifference is that if it is a game where you can choose I will always go with whichever gender gives an advantage I prefer.

[Tommy]

That and equipment was cheaper for a female.

But, Accessories...
It may be cheaper, but..

[termyt]

When given an option, I play mostly female characters. To be brutally honest, it has most to do with sex appeal. First off, I am attracted to "strong" women. I was raised by my mother while my step-father at the time was very hands-off. I think that has something to do with it. I usually tell people that if I am going to spend most of my time looking at one character, then that character should be easiest on the eyes.

But I digress.

In MMO's, most of my characters are female. My experience leads me to believe the vast majority of male characters are played by males and female characters are mostly male, too. I generally always assume the player is male until OoC statements indicate otherwise.

I was asked once if I wanted to become the girl friend of a (supposedly) 15 year old player. Which brings up an interesting quandary. How far can you go while "playing in character"? I do not believe I am under any obligation to tell anyone anything about (real) myself in an MMO. However, after I had joined a guild and played with the same players for a couple of months, I felt it important to make sure they knew I was male. The kid who want to be my BF, though? I resolved that by telling him I was 34.

What would Fraud say about me revealing my true age instead of my true gender to resolve that?

[AsianBlossom]

It all depends for me. If I'm playing a game that stars a male character (like a Mario game for example) I really don't have a choice. But I don't complain because when it comes to Mario and the gang, it's all good. I also enjoy playing as Sonic in games because he's been a favorite character of mine since I was five. O_o Yeah, long time, I know.

It's kind of iffy when it comes to games that have choices. When we play Mario Party or some racing game, it could go either way. I'll usually pick between Yoshi and Peach for the Party games, and my usual team for Mario Kart: Double Dash!! is Yoshi/Luigi on the Green Fire. And in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Fox is my usual because I'm good as him. (It's probably going to be the same for Brawl...unless Sonic's in the mix)

And in terms of RPG games like Pokemon, I'll definitely pick the girl because that's what I am. Simple as that, especially if the character is supposed to be representing me and not some concrete character.

[Azier the Swordsman]

It doesn't matter to me much, in the exception of games like Pokemon which give you the choice of a faceless male of female player, in which case I'll go with the male. =)

[uc pseudonym]

I usually tell people that if I am going to spend most of my time looking at one character, then that character should be easiest on the eyes.

Interesting. Personally, I rarely find myself looking at the main character but rather around them]What would Fraud say about me revealing my true age instead of my true gender to resolve that?[/quote]
I'd imagine Freud would be all over that. But unless you spent much time thinking about how to answer, I'll go with "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

[jayquam]

For me, it kinda depends on the type of game. For some reason, I usually better at fighting games when I use a female (have no idea why). But most of the time,if its a good character, i'll use it, no matter what.

[Felix]

I was asked once if I wanted to become the girl friend of a (supposedly) 15 year old player. Which brings up an interesting quandary. How far can you go while "playing in character"? I do not believe I am under any obligation to tell anyone anything about (real) myself in an MMO. However, after I had joined a guild and played with the same players for a couple of months, I felt it important to make sure they knew I was male. The kid who want to be my BF, though? I resolved that by telling him I was 34.

That's actually a fairly common MMO situation. If you milk it enough, though, you can probably get some good free loot out of it before you... ya know... tell them you're a dude.

Myself, without even thinking about it, I just assume that female characters are played by females. Though I know most aren't.

I usually better at fighting games when I use a female (have no idea why).

I'd say because they're quicker and smaller, and little fast characters nearly always kick butt.

[Puguni]

Thinking about it now, I usually play guys in console games and girls MMO a lot. Like Mario. I choose Mario a lot.

But then sometimes, I just choose the ugliest character.

[Kenshin17]

Depends.

For RPGs:

I usually pic girls. Why? Because i am a guy in real life so why role play what I already am? Also the females are nicer to watch for hours on end.

This is my general rule for RPGs but its not absolute, every so often I do like to play a cool guy character.

For Shooters:

Guys mostly, unless the girl is cool. The Master Chief is the apex of awesomeness in shooter heros. Generally when it comes to shooters I like armour. I chose male characters in Shooters who have cool armour, ie, the Master Chief. I do ocasionally play a shooter as a female though, but generally I prefer the armoured (or robotic) males in shooters that let me chose.

However, if a game is good, I can play either. So I am voting either, but it really is based on the game, my mood, and how good the girls look or how cool the armour is. XD

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Gordon Freeman is the apex of awesomeness in shooter heros. Generally when it comes to shooters I like armour. I chose male characters in Shooters who have cool armour, ie, Gordon Freeman. I do ocasionally play a shooter as a female though, but generally I prefer the armoured (or robotic) males in shooters that let me chose.

Fixed. =p

[Bap]

I like playing guy characters. xD; In MMOs and all that I very rarely use female characters. >_>; The first time I tried to make a girl character, I had such a hard time choosing how I wanted them to look like. ;_; I think I was a bit panicked by the change of pace. xP