Why do guys like playing female characters in games?

[N1x0n's B4ck]

I've noticed a good amount of guys, not all, but a lot, who only like to play females in games. I used to be this way, but grew out of it, and now I don't care either way.

A good example of this is my good friend Ethan who I play Dead by Daylight with. He only plays female characters, and often likes to buy cosmetics for them to make them look more "pretty."

It's kind of odd, because you'd think since they're a guy, they'd want to play as a guy. I'd think being a girl would make them feel less tough or something, but no, that's often not the case.

So... can someone explain to me why guys often like to be female characters in games, if they have that option? I don't get it.

[BRM62C]

I'm attracted to women, and especially their backside, which is usually the default position of the camera when playing video games. It just makes the game a tad more appealing to play as someone you're attracted to.

[N1x0n's B4ck]

Originally posted by chopprXQ:

I'm attracted to women, and especially their backside, which is usually the default position of the camera when playing video games. It just makes the game a tad more appealing to play as someone you're attracted to.

What if it's in first person?? HMMMM??

[DarkCrystalMethod]

I play as a guy who gets the girl... which is why its called fantasy... (*sniff*)

[Haruspex]

There have been studies on this very topic, like this survey[quanticfoundry.com] by Quantic Foundry.

Turns out 1 in 3 men prefer to play as a female character when given the option, and among men who prefer to play as females, they tend to skew older.

A few reasons researchers have proposed as to why:

• Society is harsher on men who transgress gender norms than women who do so. Thus, men are more likely to explore gender identity in safer digital environments where they are anonymous.
  
• Men playing female characters (typically designed for the male gaze) is another way for men to objectify and control women’s bodies.
  
• Female avatars are treated better than male avatars in online games and more likely to get “freebies” and invited to groups.
  
• Female avatars are psychologically perceived to be weaker and less skilled and this can give a player a psychological edge against opponents.

[BRM62C]

Originally posted by N1x0n's B4ck:

Originally posted by chopprXQ:

I'm attracted to women, and especially their backside, which is usually the default position of the camera when playing video games. It just makes the game a tad more appealing to play as someone you're attracted to.

What if it's in first person?? HMMMM??

Female hands are attractive too, that's why in Dishonored 2 i play as Emily rather than Corvo.

[MinionJoe]

I'd like to answer, but I'm not sure if any answer I would give violates the Steam's Community Guidelines or not.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Originally posted by MinionJoe:

I'd like to answer, but I'm not sure if any answer I would give violates the Steam's Community Guidelines or not.

First time in OT, stranger?
Just let it go... (yes, get that song stuck in your mind)
Anyway, if there's a problem you'll hopefully only get a warning.
Good luck.

[Phirestar]

More (and sometimes better) customization options.

The female variants of armor can also look better, in many cases. And no, I'm not talking about those kinds of games, I mean "the same armor, but more slender / feminine in design".

[ricethecool]

Booba

[A&A]

In most of femele characters you can notice something wierd... Very wierd... That your eyes also will notice. Yes there is the reason why.

Well, dont really care about gender of chatacters, l care for the gameplay

[N1x0n's B4ck]

Originally posted by 8bitbeard:

There have been studies on this very topic, like this survey[quanticfoundry.com] by Quantic Foundry.

Turns out 1 in 3 men prefer to play as a female character when given the option, and among men who prefer to play as females, they tend to skew older.

A few reasons researchers have proposed as to why:

• Society is harsher on men who transgress gender norms than women who do so. Thus, men are more likely to explore gender identity in safer digital environments where they are anonymous.
  
• Men playing female characters (typically designed for the male gaze) is another way for men to objectify and control women’s bodies.
  
• Female avatars are treated better than male avatars in online games and more likely to get “freebies” and invited to groups.
  
• Female avatars are psychologically perceived to be weaker and less skilled and this can give a player a psychological edge against opponents.

Number 1 and 2 are both weird...

[Haruspex]

Originally posted by N1x0n's B4ck:

Number 1 and 2 are both weird...

Agreed.

I might add I regularly (but not always) play as female characters in RPGs. I tend to be a roleplayer, meaning I really like to immerse myself and get into the mind of the characters I play, and for some characters playing as a female just makes sense.

Does this mean I'm "experimenting with gender identity in a safer digital environment?" Uh, no. I am securely male. When I turn off the game I am myself again. I am no more experimenting with gender identity playing that game than I am reading a book with a female protagonist.

[Zekiran]

As a woman, I play many many male characters.

Oh yeah that's because there are far fewer games with female leads.

However, I do *prefer* to play male characters, particularly if they're voiced well. If I had to choose between a few talented female voices, and say, Stephen Russell (dishonored, fallout) I'd take the male character in a moment. I think it's been said that a lot of times female voices and dialog are often 'better' or more interesting somehow but... I have never found that to be true, listening as a woman.

[kbm phantom.♡]

1. They take up less space on the screen women are smaller and men are much bulkier so sometimes you may not see whats in front
2. I like butt

[BanOphobia My Struggle]

I like females asses, but it is more than that really. I am always me in IRL so I don't need to me in a computer game. So I can play as far from me as possible when I have the choice (which seems to be mostly RPG types).