I’m excited for this game. I really am. It has things you can do and mechanics in it unlike any other mmorpg that I personally at least have witnessed (such as [x], and that’s just a few). And I’m not going to gloss over the fact that I have seen female armor in it that literally covers the avatar from head to toe. (see link again, for example) It also has a mechanic that allows for the conversion of stats from one armor to another, allowing you to keep a look without sacrificing stats.
But I’m also not going to gloss over the fact that I’m pretty sure that costs you, though there’s a slight chance I’m wrong. Or that nonprotective ridiculous and ridiculously gratuitous “armors” are ever present in this game anyway. (Something I shouldn’t be surprised about, seeing as how the makers of Rift had a hand in this game.) Or that they have the oddest shoot-self-in-foot ad campaign for a game that turns around and has more than one (which, sadly, is saying something for mmo’s these days) sensible armor for females, or turns around and has a trailer like this that helps showcase that they can make females who aren’t pulling you out of the story with incongruous scanty dressing.
But the biggest offense about the armor pictured above? Aside from the fact that it arguably bingo’s? Arguably twice at miniumum? Probably definitively if we could look at a 360 model?
That’s right. If you want to support the soon-to-be-f2p-when-released game by giving them at least a hundred of your dollars, and you happen to want a female bodied toon, then bad news if you want one that’s sensibly armored. Your “I supported this game before it was even officially released!” banner will be an infamous overglorified bikini armor. Stones and Glass Phoenix that you don’t use nearly as often bedamned.
I just…
I’m sending them an email over my discontent. Likely it will fall on deaf ears, but maybe the sound of my money going back into my pocket as well will help…
Now I understand that the MMORPG market is a highly lucrative, but also incredibly competitive one – but seriously guys – alienating women by making all their costumes softcore porn material is not going to help you!
Particularly when your MMORPG can be summed up as “basically like most other MMOs”.
Pretty much all their material seems to highlight the massive disparities between male and female character’s attire, but the one that struck me most was on the PVP was “world changing”:
Is there some massive war being fought over the morality of women wearing pants into battle? Is there some great institution which outlaws worthwhile armor and pants for women in this strange world?
I love how the female version has no face plate, just in case there was any confusion about the gender beneath the armor – we have to see those full lips.
On the topic of people defending bikini armor by saying that they’re distracting,
Does anyone really think about boobs when they’re in a place where their balls could be chopped off? Just asking, since I’m female and all.
I highly doubt it, but let’s ask the cishet male mod. So, wincenworks?
~Ozzie
As a man who is attracted to women (which I think is the larger part of the issue), I would say the answer is: No.
I can say that with great certainty because I have:
Attended numerous Dr Sketchy’s and similar art events where sexy models pose in very sexy outfits, and artists (many of them men) concentrate and draw them in short periods of time – somehow overcoming the distraction
Been to at least one high speed car race where there were numerous cases of women flashing their breasts to the crowd and the racers – and not a single accident or near miss as a result
Seen acrobats and aerial performer groups in titillating outfits perform stunts without getting distracted and injuring themselves
Talked to multiple bouncers who have assured me that even when there is a performer doing a full blown strip show, it’s not that hard to keep your attention on your job
Helped out a women’s self defence course (I was the fencing dummy) which covered a lot of techniques and tricks – not one of which involved using sexual traits for distraction.
It turns out, amazingly, that straight men as a group are capable of focus and basic self control when necessary! Shocking I know!
Since there are apparently men who want to contradict this claim, making this argument with all seriousness – I’ve included five points to highlight just how stupid this claim is – beneath the cut.
-wincenworks
1. You never see straight male gamers complaining about the sexy female opponents in fighting games
Now, given AoC is a game with a lot of Player vs Player action, and one with plenty of female enemies is questionable attire – one would think that the predominantly male player base would have celebrated when Funcom reduced bust sizes. Nope, they rioted and demanded the big boobs come back!
I have never seen any noteworthy review, play guide or walkthrough warn that a particular opponent would be difficult due to THE DREADED DISTRACTION FACTOR. I have never seen anyone indicate that a female character is too powerful due to the distraction factor – even in games like Soul Calibur, Dead or Alive or Tekken where players need intense focus so they can make decisions instantly while fighting jiggling beauties in improbable costumes. Not one.
2. If distraction bonus actually applied, sexy armor mods would be self sabotage
Not only do audiences not complain about “distraction factor” getting in their way – they actively sabotage themselves. Visit NexusMods, search for “armor”: Even without enabling “adult content”, I guarantee you that you will come across multiple mods that are pitched entirely on their sex appeal.
Why oh why would any player sabotage themselves like this? If the sight of a perfect butt is so overwhelming it leads to a fatal mistakes, why would anyone set themselves up to be thwarted over and over?
3. Zero historical precedent
I hear the cries already, “But those are just video games – it’s different in real life!”. However, if history is to be believed – there is clearly no basis behind this.
Spartans were quite accepting of homosexuality and the fiercest warriors in Ancient Greece – apparently their soldiers were never distracted by one another. Amazons were feared due to stories that they sacrificed a breast in order to shoot their bows better, not stories of hypnotic cleavage.
4. Nobody is that good looking
How would you even know if the people you’re fighting are going to be into you? Despite the constant pressure by modern society to force heterosexuality and a singular beauty standard – there are many people who’s tastes differ radically.
There are people who are primarily attracted by a particular build or physical trait. There are people who are not attracted to popular aesthetics at all.. There are people who are not attracted to women. There are people who are not really swayed by physical appearances and there are people who not attracted to anyone.
Even if you have a body that is attractive to 90% of your opponents, that still means one in ten opponents is going to be completely unhindered and have a massive advantage since your tactics hinge on this “distraction factor”.
5. Fights are messy and it only takes one mistake
Okay, you’re fighting away in a group against another group, hypno-boobs swaying seductively at all who approach from the front – someone stabs you from the side: Game over.
The guy who’s just not into you (see above) attacks from the front, blocking the view for another of his buddies: Game over.
It’s dark and so they can’t see your hypno-boobs: Game over.
Incoming burning oil, a magic fireball, incoming projectiles, rabid wolves and all manner of fantasy monsters are completely indifferent to hypno-boobs.
In summary: “It’d defend them by distracting the enemy…” is perhaps the worst possible defence anyone can bring to the table, ever. There is only one appropriate response to someone making this as a serious claim:
