Author Topic: Romance-in-gaming article  (Read 35553 times)

Offline jcompton

  • Niche Exploiter
  • Administrator
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 7246
Romance-in-gaming article
« on: May 22, 2004, 12:13:58 AM »
Ziff-Davis's exclusivity period for my romance-in-gaming article has expired, so I've republished it on the PPG site.

"Fewer Smackdowns, More Cuddling."
Cespenar says, "Kelsey and friends be at the Pocket Plane? Ohhh yesssss!" http://www.pocketplane.net

Eral

  • Guest
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2004, 11:23:47 PM »
Bioware says there's only 10% of women playing? Are they sure there aren't more of us? Catch 22! There is an allegedly pathetically low number of women  interested in PC gaming-could it be (possibly because there are a pathetically low number of interesting non-tits-and-bums shoot-em-ups on the market) so they won't make games that are not boring tits-and-bums shoot-em-ups.
This we-need-to-make-a-squillion-dollars mentality needs to be trampled down and overthrown. Not all the games on the market are outrageously successful, but they're there. Look at games like Divine Divinity. Did it make gigabillions?(I have no idea.) But there's a sequel already.(So I assume it made some money.)
What is wrong with Bioware? BG1 and 2 were some of there most successful games, but they're dead, apparently, and the best they can do is NWN- not designed for the fans of said BG1 and 2.(The less said about that total betrayal of a loyal fan base by people who are beyond epithet, the better.)
There is only one solution. All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.
I'm sure that some of the 10% of women gamers (who may possibly be all represented on this site)will be happy to offer advice on how it is done.
   

Offline Ghreyfain

  • PPG
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 4705
  • Gender: Male
    • Pocket Plane Group
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2004, 02:03:40 AM »
(who may possibly be all represented on this site)

Heheh, now that was both flattering AND funny!
Earn Money Sleeping.

Domi

  • Guest
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2004, 09:22:01 AM »
Bioware says there's only 10% of women playing? Are they sure there aren't more of us? Catch 22! There is an allegedly pathetically low number of women  interested in PC gaming-could it be (possibly because there are a pathetically low number of interesting non-tits-and-bums shoot-em-ups on the market) so they won't make games that are not boring tits-and-bums shoot-em-ups.    

I have a small insight in *why* exactly they are so mistaken.

Sad sad story: Domi really wanted to get ToB when it was released, since I was about to blow xp cap. So Domi went to the CompuCenter store in downtown Calgary and asked when ToB arrives. There were some delay, so Domi visited the store at least twice, before v. helpful emplyee suggested that Domi will be put on the list and the store would call Domi. So they recorded Domi's RL name (which is not quite so unisex as her alias) and in a couple of days Domi got a call on her answering machine. It started with:

Dear Mister....

Offline Cybersquirt

  • Socialist Evil-Doer
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 816
  • Gender: Female
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2004, 09:41:55 AM »
lol, Domi.  I'd have to chalk that one up to laziness.  Gaming industry leader(s) ignoring stats, otoh, is ..disappointing to say the least.

Quote
Sex sells, but in the main, the gaming industry has steered clear of the cuddlier aspects of sex and gone straight for the jiggle. "The jiggle has proved to sell much better," says Billy Pidgeon, senior analyst with Zelos Group. "But unsurprisingly, it's the new, original things that break out of the pack and become hit games."

Exsqeeze me?  Is it just me or does he contradict himself?  Is a "hit game" not the better seller?

I guess that's where the 10% comes in  ::)  (If they knew how offensive that shit is, they'd realize why it flops their game after the initial month of sales.

Who or what is the Zelos Group, anyway?
Stupid is as stupid does.

Offline jester

  • Here be dragons...
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 2416
  • If you fail, fail gloriously.
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2004, 12:57:45 PM »
All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.

I have ordered more games in drag than anyone else on this board. I might be at least 3 of the 10% of female players myself. :D  I think the gamer stats come from the FPS side of gaming. Myst and everything involving anything else than mere slaughter must have completely different statisics.
People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

Why spend all your day surfing for porn?




Balance in all things
I haven't had this much fun since... the last time.

Offline icelus

  • Global Moderator
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 3173
  • Gender: Male
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2004, 01:01:04 PM »
You frighten me sometimes, Jester.  :P
<Moongaze> Luckily BWL has a very understanding and friendly admin.

Offline jcompton

  • Niche Exploiter
  • Administrator
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 7246
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2004, 01:02:23 PM »
Quote
Sex sells, but in the main, the gaming industry has steered clear of the cuddlier aspects of sex and gone straight for the jiggle. "The jiggle has proved to sell much better," says Billy Pidgeon, senior analyst with Zelos Group. "But unsurprisingly, it's the new, original things that break out of the pack and become hit games."

Exsqeeze me?  Is it just me or does he contradict himself?  Is a "hit game" not the better seller?

What he's saying, in essence, is:

Take no chances and you'll sell 500,000 copies.
Take a chance, and you might sell 5,000,000 copies... or 500.

Quote
Who or what is the Zelos Group, anyway?

A relatively new analyst firm. Pidgeon has industry experience as well, I seem to recall he worked for Acclaim and one or two other game cos. I'm not at home, so I don't have my notes here.
Cespenar says, "Kelsey and friends be at the Pocket Plane? Ohhh yesssss!" http://www.pocketplane.net

Offline discharger12

  • Truth?
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 625
  • Gender: Male
  • k
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2004, 06:59:56 PM »
I'm not at home, so I don't have my notes here.

Notes?

Offline neriana

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 585
  • Gender: Female
    • Darien NPC for BG2
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2004, 07:24:53 PM »
I'm not at home, so I don't have my notes here.

Notes?

Strangly enough, people take notes when they conduct interviews and do research for articles.
The color of infinity inside an empty glass.

Offline Lord Doomhammer

  • Overlord of Fools
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 113
  • Gender: Male
  • bruce Willis is an ugly, ugly man
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2004, 10:04:31 PM »
Quote
There is only one solution. All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.

One question, will I need a dress?
So full of hate!

"I.. have.. come.. to.. em.. ploy.. you.. in.. my.. fac.. tory.. in.. starns.. bury."

Also answers to 'Lord Schicksalhammer'

Offline Regullus

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 526
  • Gender: Female
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2004, 10:25:08 PM »
Quote
There is only one solution. All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.

One question, will I need a dress?


  Yes and preferably garters too.

Offline neriana

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 585
  • Gender: Female
    • Darien NPC for BG2
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2004, 11:54:08 PM »
Yeah because that's what women wear in 2004.  ::)
The color of infinity inside an empty glass.

Offline jester

  • Here be dragons...
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 2416
  • If you fail, fail gloriously.
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2004, 01:53:41 AM »
You frighten me sometimes, Jester.  :P
I haven't changed my PPG picture yet to reflect that. Wait till you see the outfit until you are really scared. :D
People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

Why spend all your day surfing for porn?




Balance in all things
I haven't had this much fun since... the last time.

Offline Mongoose87

  • Brain Specialist
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 426
  • Gender: Male
  • Not dead, yet
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2004, 04:30:55 PM »
Oh oh

Offline KIrving

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 159
  • Gender: Female
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2004, 09:22:33 PM »
So is Bioware's 10 percent, representative of the worldwide market, just the US market or a random survey taken around their office water cooler?!

Nice article, BTW, Jason. :)  Somehow though, I think the industry wishes to remain blinkered.

Yeah because that's what women wear in 2004.  ::)
;D
Look at the stars.
Listen to the rain.
Walk backwards.
Talk to a rock.

Offline jcompton

  • Niche Exploiter
  • Administrator
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 7246
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #16 on: May 27, 2004, 10:22:23 PM »
So is Bioware's 10 percent, representative of the worldwide market, just the US market or a random survey taken around their office water cooler?!

Good Canadians that they are I can't imagine it was measuring the US market alone. :)

He generally characterized it as their internal numbers. Not sure exactly where they got them from.
Cespenar says, "Kelsey and friends be at the Pocket Plane? Ohhh yesssss!" http://www.pocketplane.net

Offline Cybersquirt

  • Socialist Evil-Doer
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 816
  • Gender: Female
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #17 on: May 28, 2004, 07:31:55 AM »
I'm beginning to think that "10%" is what is ascribed to groups they wish to ignore.  >:(
Stupid is as stupid does.

Domi

  • Guest
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2004, 02:23:46 PM »
You may be right.  ;) Plus I wonder how do they count couples who buy the game?

Eral

  • Guest
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2004, 06:44:08 PM »
Quote
There is only one solution. All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.

One question, will I need a dress?

See what I mean about advice being needed?
All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.

I have ordered more games in drag than anyone else on this board. I might be at least 3 of the 10% of female players myself. :D 
Though Jester is confident his disguise has never been seen through,I admit to some doubts on this score.  ::) I would need to see some posts by Jesterette to be convinced. I will then change my post name to DoubtingThomas, which will take me a lot longer to type.

Offline jester

  • Here be dragons...
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 2416
  • If you fail, fail gloriously.
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #20 on: May 28, 2004, 06:54:16 PM »
A see through dress. You little perv. :p

I have to play females everyday to romance Edwin and Kelsey and Sola. :) Is there a male/female component to roleplaying BG2??
People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

Why spend all your day surfing for porn?




Balance in all things
I haven't had this much fun since... the last time.

Eral

  • Guest
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #21 on: May 28, 2004, 07:05:52 PM »
A see through dress will defeat the whole purpose of disguise.

And really, Kelsey and Sola will believe anything you tell them . They think I am a strong and fearless fighter. Of course, I have never encountered any mice in Athkatla.

Offline melora

  • The Quiet Storm
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 539
  • Gender: Female
  • I don't need your attitude, i have one of my own !
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #22 on: May 29, 2004, 07:20:58 AM »
Quote
There is only one solution. All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.

One question, will I need a dress?


  Yes and preferably garters too.
Garters?????  i'm 51 years old and i've NEVER owned garters!!!  (yeah , yeah, im 51 and i still play computer games)  i refuse to grow up LOL
Somebody had to be me; it might as well be me.<br />-Charles Barkley

Offline melora

  • The Quiet Storm
  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 539
  • Gender: Female
  • I don't need your attitude, i have one of my own !
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2004, 07:25:55 AM »
btw, great article
Somebody had to be me; it might as well be me.<br />-Charles Barkley

Offline Regullus

  • Planewalker
  • *****
  • Posts: 526
  • Gender: Female
Re: Romance-in-gaming article
« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2004, 11:17:05 PM »
Quote
Quote
There is only one solution. All male CPRG players will have to start pretending to be female. This is going to be a problem for people like Jester and possibly Greyfain, to name but a few, but a sacrifice is called for, for the greater good of gaming.
One question, will I need a dress?
  Yes and preferably garters too.
Garters?????  i'm 51 years old and i've NEVER owned garters!!!  (yeah , yeah, im 51 and i still play computer games)  i refuse to grow up LOL

  The question asked by Lord Doomhammer was whether or not he should don a dress in order to fool the gaming industry into believing that more than 10% of players were woman.  I think we would all agree that in 2004, a woman is not defined by a socially proscribed manner of dressing.  It is an old fashioned idea that a woman would be defined by a certain type of clothing. My response of garters, was to indicate an extremely old fashioned notion of dressing, I was thinking of WWII and probably in the '50s.  While you were born in the '50s, it would have been, obviously, inappropriate to dress a toddler in garters. Perhaps I should have added a smillie (limited though they are) to my post. In short, I was joking.
 :)
Yeah because that's what women wear in 2004.  ::)

  If I offended anyone by my teasing "garter" remark, well, I apologize. Obviously, a poor and ill received joke.

 PS: If I missed Melora's teasing, call me tired.  As for Melora being 51 and playing computer games? Hey, nothing wrong with that.  :)

PPS:  BTW, I am female.