Why play a human when other races are available?

brihtwulf

I've always wondered this.  Since you're a human in real life, what is the draw of playing one in an MMO when there are other races available?  I find it interesting the number of humans you see in games like WoW, GW2, and now in Elder Scrolls Online.  I usually stay away from them for something more interesting (though in defense of ESO, there are several "human" races so it's harder to stick with the more unusual ones).

Is it because of the racial benefits of the game?  Or perhaps you don't like the look of the other fantasy races?

Anyway, I'm curious.  So, tell me what your reasons are for playing (or not playing) a human character in a game that has other races.

Trestero

I personally tend to prefer the look, which I think is part of it for a good number of people(Visually speaking, it's something you're used to - "normal," you could say). I also prefer how humans tend to be more balanced in terms of what they can do, since I'm one of those ADD nutjobs with an attention span of 11 seconds who throws resources into every gameplay aspect possible, even when they're polar opposites and cancel each other out.

Myrdynn

ESO is the first game I have ever played a human race, when given the options to play others.  I usually prefer Lizard/Ogre/Orc/Ugly races, but the Breton was enticing for my build I wanted to try.

ESO is also the first game I have ever played any type of ELF cause the Dark Elves can just be made to look so badass, I love the way my DK looks

I also never would play a gnome, halfling, or other midget race

 

Adamantine

Because taste.

Human is most popular race. Thats just reality.

Cant argue with taste. Sorry.

Adamantine

Originally posted by Myrdynn

ESO is the first game I have ever played a human race, when given the options to play others.  I usually prefer Lizard/Ogre/Orc/Ugly races, but the Breton was enticing for my build I wanted to try.

Just for the record - Bretons are basically Halfelves.

Helleri

I don't see the appeal in playing a human. I see the potential benefit. As has been said, they usually are the hack of all trades race. For those who need a more forgiving class (where you don't have to wait till mid level or until you have enough money to re-spec and correct any massive mistakes you made in order to make your build effective) and want to feel out the game. It's a go-to-race. But, personally I see being a human in a game as boring.

 

They probably put it in there because a lot of MMORPG are based -at least loosely- off a fiction that has humans. Or imitating a game that is. Beyond that i think developers just try to make the uninteresting race work well enough to sometimes be worth it.

-aLpHa-

I like being a Human, i have no interest being another race if i am presented the choice.

Maquiame

Originally posted by brihtwulf

I've always wondered this.  Since you're a human in real life, what is the draw of playing one in an MMO when there are other races available?  I find it interesting the number of humans you see in games like WoW, GW2, and now in Elder Scrolls Online.  I usually stay away from them for something more interesting (though in defense of ESO, there are several "human" races so it's harder to stick with the more unusual ones).

Is it because of the racial benefits of the game?  Or perhaps you don't like the look of the other fantasy races?

Anyway, I'm curious.  So, tell me what your reasons are for playing (or not playing) a human character in a game that has other races.

I'm a black guy, I'm a black guy who roleplays pretty cool badass black guys. 

 

So I make badass black guy humans because most of the time the black guy in movies, games, etc sucks

 

And I enjoy breaking that stereotype by playing a cool badass black guy that does not suck

AlBQuirky

---

Originally posted by brihtwulf
I've always wondered this.  Since you're a human in real life, what is the draw of playing one in an MMO when there are other races available?  I find it interesting the number of humans you see in games like WoW, GW2, and now in Elder Scrolls Online.  I usually stay away from them for something more interesting (though in defense of ESO, there are several "human" races so it's harder to stick with the more unusual ones).Is it because of the racial benefits of the game?  Or perhaps you don't like the look of the other fantasy races?Anyway, I'm curious.  So, tell me what your reasons are for playing (or not playing) a human character in a game that has other races.

---

I will play humans in MMOs. Not always, but maybe the most played race for me.

It depends on the game world and lore. I usually connect better with human avatars. I usually avoid "beast races" as I just do not connect with them. Racial abilities rarely (though may) factor into my decisions. I'm also not a fan of short races. Their perspective bugs me immensely.

If there is a nature loving race, I am on it That is the first factor for me. Then looks and choices in avatar design come into play.

I also play mainly male characters, as I connect best with them. I will pay a female avatar sometimes, but not often. I really do not like getting "hit on" by prepubescent kiddies while I try to play the game.

I guess when I create a character, I am not seeking different, but rather what I can connect to.

apocoluster

I the perv who plays lady avi's. Ill playnwhatmever has the hottest toon. I don't play the "ugly" races

Quirhid

I'm surprised to be the first one to say this: Because of stats/abilities. (Yeah, suck it roleplayers!)

I don't have a preference in visual outlook of my character. If I want to try out a warrior and dwarves make the best warriors, I roll out a dwarf.

dave6660

Unless the stats are really beneficial, I avoid human races too.  Give me the most bizarre or unusual looking race.

Horusra

I match my races to what I preconceived a class to mostlikely be.

Jabas

i usually avoid humans and elfs in any game, unless i dont like the others then i will stick with humans.

Most of the times stats are not that diferente, but if it is, i chose the race based on stats according to my plans.

Not talking about eso because i dont play it.

hyllstarter

Play what ever you want. If human is what you like do it. Its your game.

Flyte27

I've mentioned this before, but races (traditionally) in D&D generally stuck to various habits and ideas. 

Elves were very nature oriented and are thought of as the most intelligent race.  They are very in control of their emotions and look down on a lot of other races.  Especially the dwarves who react more on instinct.

Dwarves usually like living underground and mining for various different minerals to craft things.  They generally stick to themselves, but occasionally live with humans.  They are usually thought to be ruled by their love of shiny things and more base emotions.

Halflings are a bit up for debate.  In D&D they generally are thought of as thieves.  In Lord of the Rings they are thought of as a peaceful folk who keep to themselves. 

Humans encompass a wide variety of different thoughts, ideas, sizes, and shapes.  They can be anything the other races can be and are the best race at adapting and surviving.  They also procreate faster then all the other races.

I guess if you want to play a human in a fantasy type setting you have a desire to play something that is not as restricted or locked down by most races archtypes.

I know most people look at races in today's game as just another human that looks slightly different.  That is probably why this question is being asked.

I believe races were originally created to represent different variations of humans.  Each race was the embodiment of a different though process in terms of how to live.

Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins are the most base and animalistic (brutish) side of humans.

Characters like Sauron in Lord of the Rings represent a more intelligent evil side to humans.

VikingGamer

Of course some people are all about min/maxing the racial benefits and will play what ever will give them the most for the role they choose.

Many people play character as an extension of themselves. Some will see the is an opportunity to create an idealized image of themselves. This will often lead to playing a human, because that is what they most closely identify with.

Or will identify with a non-human race in some other way. Perhaps they will identify or want to identify with the honorable warriors or the playful silly small race or the noble and sagelike race.

Other people will see it as an opportunity to become something they are not. They might choose the evil race just to see how bad they can be. Or they may play the opposite gender to again, be what they are not.

 

Then in a whole other catagory there are players, like myself, who don't see the characters as extensions of self but rather as entities of their own. Pure characters as if from a story. Here it is more likely for someone to create a character that is consistent in several aspects. The class, race, gender, appearance, name, background story are all chosen together to create a whole picture. I almost always create large male tanks that are usually a nordic or barbarian race. And smallish female healers that are either human or elfin.

 

The important thing to remember is that people have all kinds of different reasons for doing what they do

Jothmein

I almost always pick human because they usually are a 'baseline' race without any major positives or negatives.

brihtwulf

I find all the varied responses interesting.  Of course, everyone has different reasons for what they do.  I just always wondered what the various reasons people have for playing a human are.  I always found it thought-provoking that humans seemed to be the prevalent characters in most MMO's I've played, despite other options existing.

So, you get opinions from people based on everything from appearance, to stats, to lore.

Kyleran

My characters are basically representations of how I wish to present myself in the game world, so frequently they mimic me in terms of age, builds etc, so they might have gray hair, not be the largest, most muscular, and rarely female. (just can't get into character then)

So when playing ESO, couldn't play cats or lizards, both have tails, I don't have a tail.  (not much into fur either)

So I went with Dunmar, mostly because I read somewhere they were a good racial choice for the DK I was interested in building, with strong magic attacks in fire and resistances to the same.  (otherwise I might have gone high elf)

Nords, Bretons, even Imperials were not much of an interest to me, but had the stats worked out I would have considered them.

 

 

Aeonblades

Because Humans are destined to rule the galaxy. Preferably with an iron fist.

 

I can't identify with a dog man (charr). I can't identify with a lizard man either (argonian).

 

I don't begrudge people choosing non human races at all, it just isn't for me. If I'm creating a character, I want it to reflect me, and I'm not a dog or a lizard.

Sovrath

Maybe people don't need to "be something different" and don't like the additional "flavors" that are added with new races?

nariusseldon

Because i like the looks of humans?

Because not everything in video games need to be different from real life?

Because it is fun?

Loke666

Why not?

I am not a stealthy thief or huge warrior IRL.

What race I play usually depends on which I like the style best of and how the gear look on them, together with animations and in some games, the story. I usually make 5 alts or so with all different races and classes (I try to select combos that makes sense to me usually) Then I pick the character I prefer to play as main. Human or not is not really a big concern to me.

DAS1337

Originally posted by brihtwulf

I've always wondered this.  Since you're a human in real life, what is the draw of playing one in an MMO when there are other races available?  I find it interesting the number of humans you see in games like WoW, GW2, and now in Elder Scrolls Online.  I usually stay away from them for something more interesting (though in defense of ESO, there are several "human" races so it's harder to stick with the more unusual ones).

Is it because of the racial benefits of the game?  Or perhaps you don't like the look of the other fantasy races?

Anyway, I'm curious.  So, tell me what your reasons are for playing (or not playing) a human character in a game that has other races.

Took all but one second for the answer to pop up in my head.  Familiarity.  Should have been easy for you to figure out.

 

Some of the races are just ugly.  I for instance, hate cat races of any kind.  It makes me think of asian MMO's, and then I think of how screwed up the Asian culture is (IMO), and it is a complete turnoff for me.  Also, any race that looks like an underaged child, because they usually are dressed very scantily, and that's also off-putting.  I don't mind wolf races, or even the Argonian in ES games, but I don't tend to play them primarily.  I played a troll in WoW primarily.  I liked the cow race as well, didn't play it much.  I think I just tend to lean towards races that look strong. 

Cephus404

I virtually always play humans, it's extremely rare when I will pick anything else.