Are MMOs too Over-Sexualized?

[Morreion]

The Daily Grind: Are MMOs too over-sexualized?

It's a well-known adage that sex sells, and like it or hate it, attractive characters and skimpy outfits have been a part of MMORPGs for quite some time now. From World of Warcraft's seductive succubus to Age of Conan's topless extravaganza to Star Trek Online's character creation "breast slider," game studios tend to play the sex card first and frequently to pull in customers. This is why, for example, male armor tends to always be practical (if oddly flamboyant) while female armor isn't even big enough to protect one's dignity, never mind one's internal organs.

One could see this phenomenon as a reflection of the wider culture surrounding gaming, but yeah, some games take it too far

Check out the link- evidently the topic sprang from the Massively staff watching a TERA video demo

[Regolyth]

I don't think it has anything to do with MMOs. I think that the "sexualized" nature, as the article puts it, is due to the content that MMOs are created from: the fantasy world.

[Loendal]

Ya, women in fantasy images have been fighting slavering beasts with fangs, claws, venom and all sorts of horribly drooly bits wearing nothing but a furry bikini for years!

Makes sense to me! (not!)

[dotty]

That was one of my favorite things about DAoC, actually. The game was great on its own, and had very minimal (if any) flaunting of females. Well, at least the playable ones...

[elethea]

Agrees with Dotty. I remember actually refusing to play a free to play game, Dungeon Runners ( I think), when at character creation I discovered that every female there came with a set of stockings and suspenders to go with their metal bikini, with no option not to wear them.