Does it make a difference if you play a female/male character in a game? Do you prefer one or the other?
I ask this because too often do I see males being the main character of a game and wanted to know if I made a game where you played a female, would that be a turn off to male players? I actually wouldn't mind. It's something different. Every game that I played with a female character (Tomb Raider for example) was fun.
When given the choice I choose male because I can fit the role/mindset better and become more engaged.
Without a choice? I'd have to go with what Rez said.I usually play male characters when I game, but I didn't mind Portal at all. It's not demoralizing unless the game is overall feminine, in which case I probably wouldn't be playing it.
Listen to Rez though. Don't worry about what other people think. Make the game the way you want. It might not make sense at first, but eventually, and if it's good, they'll grow to like it. I could pitch a recent example I looked at. For the creator of Touhou, he actually started just making the games because he liked them himself, and gradually he got a huge fanbase. And, might I point out, 99% of the cast is female.It's really no surprise I'd mention Touhou, especially since as an indie developer, I naturally want to know the secrets of his success.I play as male characters for the most part. But in fighting games, it's kind of hard to ignore boob physics.
Gears of War 3, Dead Space and Left 4 Dead are good examples of wimminz being awesome, and not sex additions.My newest project is called Valkyrie and has several types of classes (warrior, mage, marksman, etc…) to choose from. All are females, due to Valkyries being the Angel/Goddess type of character. Haven't developed a plot yet. Just getting artwork and ideas done. I like seeing the female figure in combat attire. I feel the mainstream makes war strictly a masculine event.
<Will never play an Adult Swim game…but then again I'm about to turn 20. Guess I don't count anymore.