Leading Female Characters?

Whenever I am given the option to choose between playing as a male or a female character in any type of game I always choose the female. It doesn't matter what type of game it is, if I am given a choice, I pick the female. Not to sure why, maybe it's because I'm a guy and I'm slightly perverted, or maybe it's because it's something new and fresh.

Sooooooo anywho, I was thinking what ever happened to having female leads? To name a few there is Jade from Beyond Good and Evil, Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider series,Aya Brea from Parasite Eve, Joanna from Perfect Dark, Konoko from Oni, and the girls of Oneechanbara VorteX.

Am I the only one who has noticed this lack in leading females? Maybe it's that game developers feel that if it is a male lead it will appeal to the average gamer more. That could be the case, but then who knows. With great risk comes high reward... right? So why not give it a shot. Nothing like a good game with a sexy female lead. Anyone else feel this way if not similar?

~Panda

and why are female leads(or any) not ugly. for example, marcus is an ugly SOB.
let's see some ugly chicks dammit!therapyhiccup

Well Metroid was a fantastic hit and you played a woman in that .........although you didnt no your character was a female till she took her suit off:?newmanmaster

Ahh yes, I somehow forgot about Samus. That's what no sleep does to ya. Also not to sure if anyones played it, but Odin Sphere is a great game with leading female characters.

@ Rapy, no ugly chicks! Lol

~Panda

what about perfect dark it has a female for a lead character2ndWonder

He did mention Joanna but you forgot about Yuna from FFX-2 in my eyes she's pretty hot. I'm not complainig also alicia from Bullet Witch.

what about perfect dark it has a female for a lead character2ndWonder

Indeed it does :3 (as said somewhere in that first post). I just feel like there needs to be more current gen (next gen) games with female leads. Silly developers.

~Panda

Yeh, they do it based on stereotypes. I read about it somewhere. For instance, some horror based games (and a lot of films) will have a woman as the main charaacter, as the stereotypical image is that woman are weker than men, thus enhancing the level of horror.SpigleyMcCheese

Ahhh that is very true, they do mainly have women as the lead role in horror flicks. Well, I don't know about these "stereotypes people", but I sure do love a chick with guns who can kick ass. Like that gal from those Resident Evil movies and what not.

~Panda

[QUOTE="SpigleyMcCheese"]Yeh, they do it based on stereotypes. I read about it somewhere. For instance, some horror based games (and a lot of films) will have a woman as the main charaacter, as the stereotypical image is that woman are weker than men, thus enhancing the level of horror.azupanda

Ahhh that is very true, they do mainly have women as the lead role in horror flicks. Well, I don't know about these "stereotypes people", but I sure do love a chick with guns who can kick ass. Like that gal from those Resident Evil movies and what not.

~Panda

you should watch the film called...'the descent', mmmhmmm, if you havent already

[QUOTE="azupanda"]

[QUOTE="SpigleyMcCheese"]Yeh, they do it based on stereotypes. I read about it somewhere. For instance, some horror based games (and a lot of films) will have a woman as the main charaacter, as the stereotypical image is that woman are weker than men, thus enhancing the level of horror.therapyhiccup

Ahhh that is very true, they do mainly have women as the lead role in horror flicks. Well, I don't know about these "stereotypes people", but I sure do love a chick with guns who can kick ass. Like that gal from those Resident Evil movies and what not.

~Panda

you should watch the film called...'the descent', mmmhmmm, if you havent already

Good film, but they were pot-holers really as oppose to all out ass kickin diva's like Millia Jovovich was in ResidentEvil.

There is a lack, and I hafta say I do the same thing.  My character in Oblivion is female (well, actually that was partially a stat choice.  females in Oblivion have a slightly lower strength and a slightly higher intel, and I play mage).  When Fable 2 hits I might do the same thing.  I do it for exactly the same reason you mention; there aren't enough games with a female lead, so whenever a choice is presented it lets us even the lead character gender playing field.

Only time I don't do that is in MMOs or other multiplayer games.  That can get a little weird for me.

Kameo of course.

And the girls of DOA.

I believe the main reason for a lack of female leads is there is a design flaw in the Unreal engine. No jiggle physics. Quite the oversight I would say.

I too always play as a female if there is a choice. while on the topic of this though, how could you forget Kameo? We are in a 360 forum after all...AzelKosMos

Ahhh yes. Maybe it's cuz Kameo was bad ^_________^

Oh how i remember Parasite Eve. That game was quite fun. It was underrated IMO.deltaboarder18

FINNNALY! I love you. In a non-homosexual way.

And the girls of DOA.DeepCoalMiner

Well, it's expected to have female characters in fighting games. Especially attractive ones.

Well Final Fantasy XIII has a lead female characterSamlambJam

~Panda

i think the problem with using Female characters in games is the lack of the female character development throughout a story. It's easier to throw in a macho dude blowing up stuff...rather than a girl. There are always questions "wow a girl..how'd she get involved? ...wow what is she doing in this situation?...wow a girl?! " I think gamers want a female's role more played out fluently...because females are considered "fragile" in most cases.

i think the problem with using Female characters in games is the lack of the female character development throughout a story. It's easier to throw in a macho dude blowing up stuff...rather than a girl. There are always questions "wow a girl..how'd she get involved? ...wow what is she doing in this situation?...wow a girl?! " I think gamers want a female's role more played out fluently...because females are considered "fragile" in most cases.

gokuofheaven

Well if that's the case the game will result in a better storyline. One that a gamer will grow attached to. That way if something happened to the character you will feel happy, sad, worried, etc. In Odin Sphere I grew attached to the characters and had those feelings. Not only does the game look stunning, but it has an amazing story. I had to keep playing to find out what will happen next. As we all know graphics don't make the game (though some say it does), in my opinion the story makes the game.

~Panda

A man is more realistic in a game like RSV, Gears, GRAW or any FPS... a male character is more credible in a bad ass role ! How many real life SWAT or Navy SEALsmembers are woman a few probably but the ratio man/woman?

A man is more realistic in a game like RSV, Gears, GRAW or any FPS... a male character is more credible in a bad ass role ! How many real life SWAT or Navy SEALsmembers are woman a few probably but the ratio man/woman?

AllSystemsRocks

Though it may seem hard to believe because there are many of them, not all games are war games. There are plenty other games out there that are wayyyy better. Anyone can come up with a war game with a bummy story. Game developers have just gotten lazy. If they put in a female character that means they have to create a story.

~Panda

[QUOTE="AllSystemsRocks"]

A man is more realistic in a game like RSV, Gears, GRAW or any FPS... a male character is more credible in a bad ass role ! How many real life SWAT or Navy SEALsmembers are woman a few probably but the ratio man/woman?

azupanda

Though it may seem hard to believe because there are many of them, not all games are war games. There are plenty other games out there that are wayyyy better. Anyone can come up with a war game with a bummy story. Game developers have just gotten lazy. If they put in a female character that means they have to create a story.

~Panda

Some people like war games. Just like how some people would prefer real girls to anime girls.

Wow your a guy?

anyways

I cant play lead female characters in Video Games, usually because i dont want to see them get hurt or i'll get too distracted with every portion of their body.

Bloodrayne was an exception though, good game, horrible movie.

Jade from Beyond Good and Evil was awesome. She was a down to earth type of girl which made it that much more memorable.

Anywho, I usually play as male because I can relate to that. Also, the woman in games where you can choose between male and female, the female is usually weaker and/or their qualities are not what I look for when I play.

the female is usually weaker and/or their qualities are not what I look for when I play.

thegame27_basic

Ahhh yes, the female is usualy build around speed while the male characters are all about strength. I'm more of a speed type of player myself. Maybe another reason why I like playing as female characters.

I guess it just comes down to personal preference rather then "what you can relate to". No one can really relate to a guy killing aliens that come out of the ground (Gears of War) or a guy shooting monsters in the snow (Lost Planet). I mean you can relate to him because he's a guy and we all want to be the badass that saves the world, day, or girl.

Another reason that popped into my head is the fact that most people aren't used to the fact of a female doing something a male could do. Or they just don't want to think it. I read a lot of manga and watch a lot of anime so I see a lot of kick ass females. Maybe that's why I feel there should be more games with females kicking some butt. I'm used to it and not afraid of the fact that it is possible. Or the fact that the game won't be a success because of it.

Sure there are a handful you can name, but I still think there should be more. There will never be a balanced amount of male leads and female leads, but why not make more?

Maybe some people feel that a female can never save the world? Who knows. But look at Samus, no one really knew she was a girl until her helmet was removed. We were all cool with it and Samus is a badass series. If game developers are afraid that the game won't sell beacuse of a female lead, why not disguise her? XD

I'm not tryign to be sexist against males (seeing as I am one) it's just that it gets old playing as a male character day in and day out. How about a change. All games are getting far to similar these days so I think it be nice.

Wow your a guy?

icedfacekilla57

Yes. Would you like me to be something else?

~Panda

I personally think all games should give you the option to play either sex like the Mass Effect series, or Dragon Age.

It solves the problem of letting everyone play the sex of their choosing without changing the basic story.