I used to find it odd to think of playing a woman character in an MMORPG. However that has changed over the years. After playing these games for so long I have had a million characters, Male and Female. I find playing a female character in an MMORPG about as odd as playing Laura Croft in a single player game. At this point in time, I have many Male and Femal characters, and i think of them as exactly that... Characters in a computer game. Nothing more, nothing less. I generally go with what amuses me (Gnome Girl Rogue in WoW constantly cracks me up), I think would be cool (Male (looking) Robot in CoV), or I think would make a fun character to just run around as (Dwarf Male "Grampy" in WoW, Male Troll in old EverQuest, Etc...). Over time, I generally see other people in MMORPGs as "Player Characters" and leave it at that. I never assume the female character in the game is a femal in real life, or that male character is male in real life. At this point, even though I can understand it, I find it more odd that people get so hung up and bent out of shape over other people playing an oppisite sex character in an MMORPG. Especially people who consider themselves "gammers".
btw think you ment "Gamers"
Exactly almost the same as i think about it, i mean this is actualy a really sad conversation talking about playing the opposit sex.
I mean WAKE UP PEOPLE first this website is dedicated towards mmorpg not singleplayer games, the topic could be intrested on a single player games forum but really not a gamesite that is here for all mmoRPG's. When i (many many years ago) started mmorpg games i was also not one of those people that understood why a men should play a woman ingame but as time went on i became aware of what mmorpg really stands for and to play a mmorpg the way mmorpg is ment is the way to play a character regardless if its a man/woman/goblin/witch/raptor, it really doesn't matter cause that the whole concept of mmorpg. This is something i specialy noticed in WOW as many really many people have no idea what a mmorpg stands for in that game as you constant hear people screaming "he' i bet you are not a woman in rl" i mean how sad of gamer can you be to ask such a stupid question in a mmorpg.
Actualy this topic shows that somewhere we have lost sight of the meaning of mmorpg but then again this is just a case of being human and when you look at rl you see that many things really do not mean what they used to mean.
Actualy this topic shows that somewhere we have lost sight of the meaning of mmorpg but then again this is just a case of being human and when you look at rl you see that many things really do not mean what they used to mean.
And I think I'd have to say that you've lost sight of what MMORPGs actually are, or at least, how they are played. There aren't many mmoRPGs around, almost all of them are mmoGs, there's no roleplay. You're right, in a world where people roleplayed in these games, the question of player vs character gender shouldn't be an issue, but in reality, MMOs are a combination of video game and chat room, they aren't roleplaying games.
I don't roleplay in City of Heroes any more, though I used to. I got fed up of getting grief from lousy roleplayers who think that playing a superhero means they can play at being god. Friends of ours are WoW fanatics. They roleplay elsewhere. The roleplay in fields, with latex weapons and are very keen on it, but they don't roleplay in WoW, because roleplay in WoW sucks (according to them). (My experience of a WoW roleplay server tends to support their view, but I can't stand the game anyway, so I pass on their opinion, not mine.)
Roleplayers, who actually play MMOs to roleplay, are not exactly a majority faction in the community. Without an understanding of why playing a member of the opposite sex is a challenge to your roleplay skills, the majority will always think that this subject is worth bringing up. I'm rather encouraged by the high poll percentage who then said it wasn't an issue.
And, for the record, I've met people who thought it was weird I was playing a girl. Then again, it perhaps came as a shock since he was trying to chat me up at the time. Didn't help that the next 'target' his affections turned to not only turned out to be a guy, but a gay one at that (though I don't think that had anything to do with the female avatar). That guy was really having a bad day.
Actualy this topic shows that somewhere we have lost sight of the meaning of mmorpg but then again this is just a case of being human and when you look at rl you see that many things really do not mean what they used to mean.
And I think I'd have to say that you've lost sight of what MMORPGs actually are, or at least, how they are played. There aren't many mmoRPGs around, almost all of them are mmoGs, there's no roleplay. You're right, in a world where people roleplayed in these games, the question of player vs character gender shouldn't be an issue, but in reality, MMOs are a combination of video game and chat room, they aren't roleplaying games.
I don't roleplay in City of Heroes any more, though I used to. I got fed up of getting grief from lousy roleplayers who think that playing a superhero means they can play at being god. Friends of ours are WoW fanatics. They roleplay elsewhere. The roleplay in fields, with latex weapons and are very keen on it, but they don't roleplay in WoW, because roleplay in WoW sucks (according to them). (My experience of a WoW roleplay server tends to support their view, but I can't stand the game anyway, so I pass on their opinion, not mine.)
Roleplayers, who actually play MMOs to roleplay, are not exactly a majority faction in the community. Without an understanding of why playing a member of the opposite sex is a challenge to your roleplay skills, the majority will always think that this subject is worth bringing up. I'm rather encouraged by the high poll percentage who then said it wasn't an issue.
And, for the record, I've met people who thought it was weird I was playing a girl. Then again, it perhaps came as a shock since he was trying to chat me up at the time. Didn't help that the next 'target' his affections turned to not only turned out to be a guy, but a gay one at that (though I don't think that had anything to do with the female avatar). That guy was really having a bad day.
Hmm i think i missed something here ? i complimented your former post and added some personal opinions wich are preciesly the way you took a look at things i was not commenting your post but the topic in general and still you react with this post saying the same thing (using other words) as i have, we must have misunderstood eachother somewhere i quesse
sometimes items are cheaper for female chars thats the only reason for me ever makeing a female char but i know some of you guys like roleplaying girls you freaks.
Misunderstanding is a possibility, but I really don't think that MMOs are anything to do with roleplaying, so the "it's a roleplaying game, playing a member of the opposite sex is roleplaying" argument isn't relevent.
Haha soooo many guys responding to this topic! Probably because the male to female gamer ratio is very off (although us females are gaining on ya, ha!!). This topic is really entertaining, at any rate, so of course I had to put my 2 cents in! IThe point is that no matter what you play or who you play, you're still PLAYING and damn that's entertainment, plain and simple.
I'd actually go with fewer female replies because this issue doesn't really interest that many women. And that's partially because, like you, the only play female characters. Playing the opposite sex seems to be a heavily male thing. (Girls, feel free to tell me I'm wrong.) None of the women roleplayers I know find it desirable or easy to play a guy. My partner only plays females, and says she can't get her head around playing a male.
Men discuss the topic for a variety of reasons, including the infamous "Am I gay because I play female characters?" I'm here (and I don't frequent these boards much) because I find this subject fascinating and have done ever since running a NWN Social server for a couple of years.
However, you're so right about that last bit. Who cares what you play as long as it's fun and you don't hurt anyone else!
I like to play female toons becuase I think they look nicer, and since I'l be seeing this toon for hours and hours, I would rather look at a female than a male. Most people that play mmorpgs are male and play male characters. talk about a sausage fest. Plus I like the idea of an incredible female toon carving her way through monster hordes.
For me its pretty simple. For marketing reasons... The Females always Look better then that males.. Also.. If Im about to start a game that I will be spending hours and days looking at my Chars backside... It better be a woman`s backside! I dunno what all those guys who spend hours and hours looking at their male Char`s rear are thinking.. but it probably isnt "Kosher" :P
1) Female Chars look better
2) Its more pleasant to stare at Female chars for long periods of time than males (for me)
Originally posted by Czarr_Rom For me its pretty simple. For marketing reasons... The Females always Look better then that males.. Also.. If Im about to start a game that I will be spending hours and days looking at my Chars backside... It better be a woman`s backside!
That comic has sooo much to answer for.
Oh, and if you think female characters always look better, you've never seen female elves in NWN2.
When I first ran into males playing females (in Lineage 1) I thought it was weird, but over the years I've grown to accept it and have even tried it myself (COV). But in general I stick to male characters just to avoid confused people (both men and women) hitting on me in game.
Nothing stranger than having a female character send your female character a private tell saying that "you look positively yummy, and I could eat you up" I mean...what's the come back for that if you're a guy? Was a very strange experience so I think I'll play male leads in my games...
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
My warriors/barbarians/melee mean stuff are usually male (stereotypical (sp) I know ! But whatever) while full support/some casters/etc are female.
In conclusion, most offensive characters I use are male (the majority of what I play) while most defensive/supportive stuff is female.
Only exception was on WoW, my hunter was female because I always hated the retarded way male hunter shot with their bow and how their ear was "flacid" and kept moving while he ran. ;O
Ah, but you weren't replying to my post, Thorny. Misunderstanding is a possibility, but I really don't think that MMOs are anything to do with roleplaying, so the "it's a roleplaying game, playing a member of the opposite sex is roleplaying" argument isn't relevent.
Completly true MMO have nothing to do with roleplaying that the whole problem that these games as they are not seen as MMO's but as MMORPG's by many people, atleast you see it kinda the way it is
I've been thinking about how I like to play female characters sometimes, but prefer people don't ask me about myself - it's not that I want to fool anyone, but I do like when people don't know, and think I could be anything. Maybe a little boy, maybe an old woman, who knows, who cares. I like to keep my real info seperate from my character, and in-game interactions. I'm a bit of a roleplayer, and IMHO, my character's female, and that should be the end of it.
Do people consider that dishonest?
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
The first kind of player sees their avatar as an extension of themself. That type of player may find it odd to pick a gender not their own because it's not like "them" (somehow forgetting that none of us are gnomes, orcs, elves, etc. in rl either).
i guess this sums me up very well im a guy and as such i play as guys i have grown up in the world of final fantasy where the man takes charge a.k.a cloud strife, squall lionheart they are my hero's i play as male char cus thats how i invison my self in game im the one with the big swords and the person that holds the world on his shoulders not saying a girl can't do the same its just when i play i wanna see me and if i play as a girl i only see a girl in tight armor that has big boobs i wanna see the absolute hero my alter ego my self with supa cool armor but i also know why guys play a girl chars for one the perks a nice body every body loveing them only bad thing is that most guys are pigs and try to hit on them as much as possible only time i get mad is when a guy plays as a girl char but takes advantage of guys to much i mean asking for assistance is ok but asking for uber items and having ppl grovle at your feet is just messed up my ex friend did this to ppl i stoped hangin out with him for that reason cus i ll help you if your a girl avatar but im only passing out nice items to ya if you are actually a girl cus i don't like getting played
My choice of gender in a game is usually female for the following reasons:
It is a character in a game not an alter ego, i am not not that person.
It is not real, I am not pretending to be a woman only controlling a female heroine 'actor" in a game world.
Female characters are much more pleasing to look at on the screen for hours on end.
The "Kill Bill" effect, I think of Uma Thurman with a katana in her hand, does it get any better than that? The movie wouldn't have had the same effect if the hero was a man.
Most of my chars are female. If I have to watch the rear end of a char running for hours on end, it might as well be a cute elf. I don't RP as a girl, but most players assume I'm a girl, judging by the inordinate amount of free armor and help I get. LOL.
"Yeah, I was an original Star Wars: Galaxies player. Addict would be more accurate. What would you call 18 hours a day after launch for three months solid?" SOE: "Why did you leave us?" "I signed on for a MMOR.P.G. Not another frickin' MMOF.P.S. you arseholes!"
its not even a question of gender for me. I always(never have chosen female) am the same gender as myself, a male. I don't know why but I could never get into my character if he/she was not the same sex as me. Somehow if my char is a giant lizardman, I can get into character haha, but if it was a female human...it would just feel wrong. Also, I do think people should have a choice at what gender they would like to be, dosn't bother me. Its just when they act and try to fool others that its there true gender, it can become sort of disturbing. Even if they are roleplaying a female, it still seems wierd haha, but atleast its done in good taste.
When I started playing MMOs, I played all male characters, because, well, I'm a man. As I went along, though, I started playing females, partly because they have cuter tushes and look better in their armor, partly just to be something different from regular everyday life. To me, it doesn't really make a difference if the person playing that cute elf is a man IRL; she's still cute *hehehe* Of course, I know that she MIGHT be a guy IRL, so I don't go hitting on her or anything, and if anyone starts hitting on one of my gals, I set them straight quick.
As a gay male playing a female character keeps me from having to explain to others my entire life story when I mention my boyfriend and they ask why I have a boyfriend and play a male avatar. It is easier and less drama for me and I am able to have more fun within the game.
Now if someone should ask what gender I am I out right will tell them so I don't play the opposite gender in order to scam others.
Originally posted by phajerx As a gay male playing a female character keeps me from having to explain to others my entire life story when I mention my boyfriend and they ask why I have a boyfriend and play a male avatar. It is easier and less drama for me and I am able to have more fun within the game.
Hah, so you're the worst nightmare of those types who insist on flirting with female avatars, and cry about how people should be forced to play thier own gender? Bad enough, when the female avatar turns out to be a guy who just likes watching his own character's polygon butt, but to accidentally be flirting with a gay man? oh no!
Now if someone should ask what gender I am I out right will tell them so I don't play the opposite gender in order to scam others.
Aw, now I'm disappointed. Doesn't that make for the same drama you try to avoid in the first place?
I knew this one female player who didn't like answering that question, because the people who asked would get even more annoying if she admitted to being female IRL. She'd just say things like, "Wouldn't you like to know." Me, I could never say that. Sounds too girly
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
Now if someone should ask what gender I am I out right will tell them so I don't play the opposite gender in order to scam others.
Aw, now I'm disappointed. Doesn't that make for the same drama you try to avoid in the first place?
I knew this one female player who didn't like answering that question, because the people who asked would get even more annoying if she admitted to being female IRL. She'd just say things like, "Wouldn't you like to know." Me, I could never say that. Sounds too girly
Actually no the drama is a lot less when you can just say, "hey not interested, I have someone in reality to keep me warm at night." That is if they even try to do the hitting on the female avatar deal which I have been relieved to avoid somehow.
I've tried both , in fact my first online rp character was female- because I figured it'd be easier to get help from other players that way (and was quite correct as many know.) When one of the other male characters kept making advances , I finally got uncomfortable enough with that to reroll a male and delete that one. That experiance definately made me realize what the females constantly get to put up with, and I still keep it in mind. Currently I have a few female characters that I rolled up just to try something new as far as roleplaying, some for the differant looks as well, and some just to have something completely differant than most anyone else (Like my female troll paladin for example). I have characters that fit all three types, and play them that way. I like the challange of roleplaying my characters to a point no one can tell the differance in game. If things get to the point where the question gets asked about my personal life I've had more than one get shocked to discover I'm a father of two young adults and been happily married ovr 20 years, but many take it in stride and become friends anyways. If it bothers others I've yet to hear about it, and have many friends that are both male and female that also play both sexes for various reasons. No problem with others doing likewise here!
Comments
btw think you ment "Gamers"
Exactly almost the same as i think about it, i mean this is actualy a really sad conversation talking about playing the opposit sex.
I mean WAKE UP PEOPLE first this website is dedicated towards mmorpg not singleplayer games, the topic could be intrested on a single player games forum but really not a gamesite that is here for all mmoRPG's. When i (many many years ago) started mmorpg games i was also not one of those people that understood why a men should play a woman ingame but as time went on i became aware of what mmorpg really stands for and to play a mmorpg the way mmorpg is ment is the way to play a character regardless if its a man/woman/goblin/witch/raptor, it really doesn't matter cause that the whole concept of mmorpg. This is something i specialy noticed in WOW as many really many people have no idea what a mmorpg stands for in that game as you constant hear people screaming "he' i bet you are not a woman in rl" i mean how sad of gamer can you be to ask such a stupid question in a mmorpg.
Actualy this topic shows that somewhere we have lost sight of the meaning of mmorpg but then again this is just a case of being human and when you look at rl you see that many things really do not mean what they used to mean.
And I think I'd have to say that you've lost sight of what MMORPGs actually are, or at least, how they are played. There aren't many mmoRPGs around, almost all of them are mmoGs, there's no roleplay. You're right, in a world where people roleplayed in these games, the question of player vs character gender shouldn't be an issue, but in reality, MMOs are a combination of video game and chat room, they aren't roleplaying games.
I don't roleplay in City of Heroes any more, though I used to. I got fed up of getting grief from lousy roleplayers who think that playing a superhero means they can play at being god. Friends of ours are WoW fanatics. They roleplay elsewhere. The roleplay in fields, with latex weapons and are very keen on it, but they don't roleplay in WoW, because roleplay in WoW sucks (according to them). (My experience of a WoW roleplay server tends to support their view, but I can't stand the game anyway, so I pass on their opinion, not mine.)
Roleplayers, who actually play MMOs to roleplay, are not exactly a majority faction in the community. Without an understanding of why playing a member of the opposite sex is a challenge to your roleplay skills, the majority will always think that this subject is worth bringing up. I'm rather encouraged by the high poll percentage who then said it wasn't an issue.
And, for the record, I've met people who thought it was weird I was playing a girl. Then again, it perhaps came as a shock since he was trying to chat me up at the time. Didn't help that the next 'target' his affections turned to not only turned out to be a guy, but a gay one at that (though I don't think that had anything to do with the female avatar). That guy was really having a bad day.
And I think I'd have to say that you've lost sight of what MMORPGs actually are, or at least, how they are played. There aren't many mmoRPGs around, almost all of them are mmoGs, there's no roleplay. You're right, in a world where people roleplayed in these games, the question of player vs character gender shouldn't be an issue, but in reality, MMOs are a combination of video game and chat room, they aren't roleplaying games.
I don't roleplay in City of Heroes any more, though I used to. I got fed up of getting grief from lousy roleplayers who think that playing a superhero means they can play at being god. Friends of ours are WoW fanatics. They roleplay elsewhere. The roleplay in fields, with latex weapons and are very keen on it, but they don't roleplay in WoW, because roleplay in WoW sucks (according to them). (My experience of a WoW roleplay server tends to support their view, but I can't stand the game anyway, so I pass on their opinion, not mine.)
Roleplayers, who actually play MMOs to roleplay, are not exactly a majority faction in the community. Without an understanding of why playing a member of the opposite sex is a challenge to your roleplay skills, the majority will always think that this subject is worth bringing up. I'm rather encouraged by the high poll percentage who then said it wasn't an issue.
And, for the record, I've met people who thought it was weird I was playing a girl. Then again, it perhaps came as a shock since he was trying to chat me up at the time. Didn't help that the next 'target' his affections turned to not only turned out to be a guy, but a gay one at that (though I don't think that had anything to do with the female avatar). That guy was really having a bad day.
Hmm i think i missed something here ? i complimented your former post and added some personal opinions wich are preciesly the way you took a look at things i was not commenting your post but the topic in general and still you react with this post saying the same thing (using other words) as i have, we must have misunderstood eachother somewhere i quesse
Ah, but you weren't replying to my post, Thorny.
Misunderstanding is a possibility, but I really don't think that MMOs are anything to do with roleplaying, so the "it's a roleplaying game, playing a member of the opposite sex is roleplaying" argument isn't relevent.
I'd actually go with fewer female replies because this issue doesn't really interest that many women. And that's partially because, like you, the only play female characters. Playing the opposite sex seems to be a heavily male thing. (Girls, feel free to tell me I'm wrong.) None of the women roleplayers I know find it desirable or easy to play a guy. My partner only plays females, and says she can't get her head around playing a male.
Men discuss the topic for a variety of reasons, including the infamous "Am I gay because I play female characters?" I'm here (and I don't frequent these boards much) because I find this subject fascinating and have done ever since running a NWN Social server for a couple of years.
However, you're so right about that last bit. Who cares what you play as long as it's fun and you don't hurt anyone else!
Im a Guy.
For me its pretty simple. For marketing reasons... The Females always Look better then that males.. Also.. If Im about to start a game that I will be spending hours and days looking at my Chars backside... It better be a woman`s backside! I dunno what all those guys who spend hours and hours looking at their male Char`s rear are thinking.. but it probably isnt "Kosher" :P
1) Female Chars look better
2) Its more pleasant to stare at Female chars for long periods of time than males (for me)
That comic has sooo much to answer for.
Oh, and if you think female characters always look better, you've never seen female elves in NWN2.
When I first ran into males playing females (in Lineage 1) I thought it was weird, but over the years I've grown to accept it and have even tried it myself (COV). But in general I stick to male characters just to avoid confused people (both men and women) hitting on me in game.
Nothing stranger than having a female character send your female character a private tell saying that "you look positively yummy, and I could eat you up" I mean...what's the come back for that if you're a guy? Was a very strange experience so I think I'll play male leads in my games...
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Lol, the opposite sex endless debate !
Personally I play female for SOME classes.
My warriors/barbarians/melee mean stuff are usually male (stereotypical (sp) I know ! But whatever) while full support/some casters/etc are female.
In conclusion, most offensive characters I use are male (the majority of what I play) while most defensive/supportive stuff is female.
Only exception was on WoW, my hunter was female because I always hated the retarded way male hunter shot with their bow and how their ear was "flacid" and kept moving while he ran. ;O
I've been thinking about how I like to play female characters sometimes, but prefer people don't ask me about myself - it's not that I want to fool anyone, but I do like when people don't know, and think I could be anything. Maybe a little boy, maybe an old woman, who knows, who cares. I like to keep my real info seperate from my character, and in-game interactions. I'm a bit of a roleplayer, and IMHO, my character's female, and that should be the end of it.
Do people consider that dishonest?
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
My choice of gender in a game is usually female for the following reasons:
It is a character in a game not an alter ego, i am not not that person.
It is not real, I am not pretending to be a woman only controlling a female heroine 'actor" in a game world.
Female characters are much more pleasing to look at on the screen for hours on end.
The "Kill Bill" effect, I think of Uma Thurman with a katana in her hand, does it get any better than that? The movie wouldn't have had the same effect if the hero was a man.
Most of my chars are female. If I have to watch the rear end of a char running for hours on end, it might as well be a cute elf. I don't RP as a girl, but most players assume I'm a girl, judging by the inordinate amount of free armor and help I get. LOL.
Thoroughly enjoyed this article. V ery well done!
"Yeah, I was an original Star Wars: Galaxies player. Addict would be more accurate. What would you call 18 hours a day after launch for three months solid?"
SOE: "Why did you leave us?"
"I signed on for a MMOR.P.G. Not another frickin' MMOF.P.S. you arseholes!"
When I started playing MMOs, I played all male characters, because, well, I'm a man. As I went along, though, I started playing females, partly because they have cuter tushes and look better in their armor, partly just to be something different from regular everyday life. To me, it doesn't really make a difference if the person playing that cute elf is a man IRL; she's still cute *hehehe* Of course, I know that she MIGHT be a guy IRL, so I don't go hitting on her or anything, and if anyone starts hitting on one of my gals, I set them straight quick.
*shrug* I don't know where that puts me...
Now if someone should ask what gender I am I out right will tell them so I don't play the opposite gender in order to scam others.
Hah, so you're the worst nightmare of those types who insist on flirting with female avatars, and cry about how people should be forced to play thier own gender? Bad enough, when the female avatar turns out to be a guy who just likes watching his own character's polygon butt, but to accidentally be flirting with a gay man? oh no!
Aw, now I'm disappointed. Doesn't that make for the same drama you try to avoid in the first place?
I knew this one female player who didn't like answering that question, because the people who asked would get even more annoying if she admitted to being female IRL. She'd just say things like, "Wouldn't you like to know." Me, I could never say that. Sounds too girly
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
Aw, now I'm disappointed. Doesn't that make for the same drama you try to avoid in the first place?
I knew this one female player who didn't like answering that question, because the people who asked would get even more annoying if she admitted to being female IRL. She'd just say things like, "Wouldn't you like to know." Me, I could never say that. Sounds too girly
Actually no the drama is a lot less when you can just say, "hey not interested, I have someone in reality to keep me warm at night." That is if they even try to do the hitting on the female avatar deal which I have been relieved to avoid somehow.
I've tried both , in fact my first online rp character was female- because I figured it'd be easier to get help from other players that way (and was quite correct as many know.) When one of the other male characters kept making advances , I finally got uncomfortable enough with that to reroll a male and delete that one. That experiance definately made me realize what the females constantly get to put up with, and I still keep it in mind. Currently I have a few female characters that I rolled up just to try something new as far as roleplaying, some for the differant looks as well, and some just to have something completely differant than most anyone else (Like my female troll paladin for example). I have characters that fit all three types, and play them that way. I like the challange of roleplaying my characters to a point no one can tell the differance in game. If things get to the point where the question gets asked about my personal life I've had more than one get shocked to discover I'm a father of two young adults and been happily married ovr 20 years, but many take it in stride and become friends anyways. If it bothers others I've yet to hear about it, and have many friends that are both male and female that also play both sexes for various reasons. No problem with others doing likewise here!