I play a female almost all the time because IMO they almost always look better, but I think I like the males better in gw2. Norn and Charr males just look like complete badasses, so I'm pretty sure those are my choices.
The order might change, but those will be my first three.
However, I can see myself eventually playing male Asura and Charr. There isn't much gender dimorphism between the males and females of those races, so I don't feel as compelled to default to female for either one.
I will also say I am actually happy with the males of the other three races. Playing around with the character creation to collect CC screen shots, I was impressed with the looks available for both genders across all five races. There is one almost reptilian Sylvari male look that I thought could be tweaked into a wicked characrer. I like the Norm male faces, though I'm not big on the super massive body types. There are also a lot of good looks to be created for the human males.
One thing that may limit my use of some male choices, though, is the way that bigger characters feel like they are plodding along. It may be necassary in a game with normalized run speed, but I find it annoying. No matter how much I like the Norn or Charr Males, if the shortest possibe still feel like they are walking through mud, I may not be able to play them.
Male playing male only. No problem with males playing females. Just don't get angry when I refer to you as a female to maintain my immersion.
I think thats only natural, after all its a roleplaying game.
Now a days, you have to assume that 75% of female characters are played by males. I still relate to people in game based on the presented gender, but this entire trend, I think, actually makes for a more female player friendly environment. When 75% of all female characters are played by guys, I have to think it cuts way down on sexual harrassment and inappropriate overtures.
I think it's also an eye opener for some male players who play female characters. I know from many years of MMO experience that most players are much less likely to accept a female character as an "on the fly" leader of a PuG. It can even be an issue with in a guild, unless someone is pretty sure you are actually a guy. When I have played Male characters, the difference has been night and day.
Given how many males are willing and happy to play female characters vs. how few female gamers like to play male characters, I sometimes wonder why it can be so difficult to find single player RPGs and Action games with Female protagonists, or at least a female character option!
I noticed most girl gamers don't like to play with male characters. Why? It looks like guys are more open to try the opposite gender or a neutral character. By neutral, I mean Asura and Charr, sometimes it's hard to guess the gender. Guys are also more open to try non-humanoid (animal-like) characters like Charr. I wonder why, lol.
i think that part of the reason, is that girls, normally like to create characters, that somehow become a little representation of themselves in the virtual world.
But I looooove collecting all those pretty armor sets!
/girlmodeoff
On a more serious note, I'm female irl and play female characters in game for the reason you mentioned, or something similar at least. The character I'm playing is not me, but is someone that I have to be able to relate to, sort of understand. I can't play male characters because it just doesn't feel right for some reason, I can't really relate to them to the point it's a gamebreaker for me. I never play any male gender-locked classes for this very reason.
Male Charr Warrior and Female human Elementalist, other than that gender isn't really much of an issue. Often casters will be female, up close and personal types male, but nothing is carved in stone.
When I first started playing mmos where you could do a decent job of character customization, I mainly did stunningly beautiful females, but I eventually learned that can be counter productive, for getting constant unwanted sexist come ons, to intimidating others to be too shy to engage you in conversation.
Since then I have used mostly average male avatars simply because in the long run it means less distractions and more of the gameplay I am there for.
I even experimented with making purposely short and fat avatars just for the fun of it. I found people react very negatively to that. There are now studies out there that show fat ugly avatars do get discriminated against, from outright hostility, to shunning, etc.
never played a male character, even in gender locked class games.. probably never will.
no idea why, i just don't like the way males look.
i'm just glad many others do the same these days. i got tired of explaining to dudes back in the meridian 59/ultima online days how i truly really was a guy and i wasn't just pretending so they wouldn't hit on me.
Normally im always playing Female chars because i dont want to look at some muscular butt while im playing
But in GW2 characters done really really nice and i think for the first time in a long time i tried Male to play (mostly because of armor looks) wasnt bad but still Females are my choice Only Asura and Sylvani can be Males as their for sure have much more fun customization options and look a bit better for my taste. Norn Human races i will avoid Only after i will do all other stories. Charr female looks better also. Not much difference but customisation of face horns better
Guess I'm on of those rare guys who find it odd to play a female characters in MMos oh well...
also can see your point but nothg ODD here as a guy a believe it better to watch female on a screen than male and i dont even care if my nick also sounds like it is female. Only ppl in guild must know who you are. Random dudes if they want and its better for them can pretend its Female in and out of the game Its a game every1 can choose their own reality
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I tend to make casters female and melee male. Ranged, like a hunter, I could go either way.
I play a female almost all the time because IMO they almost always look better, but I think I like the males better in gw2. Norn and Charr males just look like complete badasses, so I'm pretty sure those are my choices.
twitch.tv/boonmackle
Same. I find robe wearing males to look a tad creepy, and platemail boobs just seem awkward.
Leather looks good on anyone :P haha.
My first three characters will be:
1. Human Female Elementalist
2. Norn Female Ranger
3. Sylvari Female Warrior
The order might change, but those will be my first three.
However, I can see myself eventually playing male Asura and Charr. There isn't much gender dimorphism between the males and females of those races, so I don't feel as compelled to default to female for either one.
I will also say I am actually happy with the males of the other three races. Playing around with the character creation to collect CC screen shots, I was impressed with the looks available for both genders across all five races. There is one almost reptilian Sylvari male look that I thought could be tweaked into a wicked characrer. I like the Norm male faces, though I'm not big on the super massive body types. There are also a lot of good looks to be created for the human males.
One thing that may limit my use of some male choices, though, is the way that bigger characters feel like they are plodding along. It may be necassary in a game with normalized run speed, but I find it annoying. No matter how much I like the Norn or Charr Males, if the shortest possibe still feel like they are walking through mud, I may not be able to play them.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
Now a days, you have to assume that 75% of female characters are played by males. I still relate to people in game based on the presented gender, but this entire trend, I think, actually makes for a more female player friendly environment. When 75% of all female characters are played by guys, I have to think it cuts way down on sexual harrassment and inappropriate overtures.
I think it's also an eye opener for some male players who play female characters. I know from many years of MMO experience that most players are much less likely to accept a female character as an "on the fly" leader of a PuG. It can even be an issue with in a guild, unless someone is pretty sure you are actually a guy. When I have played Male characters, the difference has been night and day.
Given how many males are willing and happy to play female characters vs. how few female gamers like to play male characters, I sometimes wonder why it can be so difficult to find single player RPGs and Action games with Female protagonists, or at least a female character option!
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
I normally make male characters BUT lately ive being creating female characters.
Ill be completely honest, i do it to flirt with naive little kids and ask them for their money.
I know it sounds evil but im doing it for their own good, at least they learned a valuable lessson......yea lets go with that.
I'm just greedy
But I looooove collecting all those pretty armor sets!
/girlmodeoff
On a more serious note, I'm female irl and play female characters in game for the reason you mentioned, or something similar at least. The character I'm playing is not me, but is someone that I have to be able to relate to, sort of understand. I can't play male characters because it just doesn't feel right for some reason, I can't really relate to them to the point it's a gamebreaker for me. I never play any male gender-locked classes for this very reason.
female sylvari ^^
Male Charr Warrior and Female human Elementalist, other than that gender isn't really much of an issue. Often casters will be female, up close and personal types male, but nothing is carved in stone.
Male Norn. Vikings ftw!
When I first started playing mmos where you could do a decent job of character customization, I mainly did stunningly beautiful females, but I eventually learned that can be counter productive, for getting constant unwanted sexist come ons, to intimidating others to be too shy to engage you in conversation.
Since then I have used mostly average male avatars simply because in the long run it means less distractions and more of the gameplay I am there for.
I even experimented with making purposely short and fat avatars just for the fun of it. I found people react very negatively to that. There are now studies out there that show fat ugly avatars do get discriminated against, from outright hostility, to shunning, etc.
Guess I'm on of those rare guys who find it odd to play a female characters in MMos oh well...
MMORPG = Many Men Online Role Playing Girls. LOL
i pick based off the char name if it sounds male it is male if it sound female it is female
i'm a male.
never played a male character, even in gender locked class games.. probably never will.
no idea why, i just don't like the way males look.
i'm just glad many others do the same these days. i got tired of explaining to dudes back in the meridian 59/ultima online days how i truly really was a guy and i wasn't just pretending so they wouldn't hit on me.
Myself as well. A female character will be considered female to me. If thats the role you have chosen I will play along.
I always play male characters in games where I will be part of a greater community. Though I like using female characters in fighting games....
To each there own and hope all have fun with whatever kind of character they choose.
92.4% of all votes male
0% for females that only play male, but 12.5% for males that play female only
this would make for a very interesting survey if we could get say 10k votes.
I'm always mixing it up depending on the race, class and looks we are provided with.
My Sylvari will be female, my Asura will be a male, my Charr will be a male and my human will be a female as example. ^_^
Undecided about Norn and if I'm even gonna play one at all.
Normally im always playing Female chars because i dont want to look at some muscular butt while im playing
But in GW2 characters done really really nice and i think for the first time in a long time i tried Male to play (mostly because of armor looks) wasnt bad but still Females are my choice Only Asura and Sylvani can be Males as their for sure have much more fun customization options and look a bit better for my taste. Norn Human races i will avoid Only after i will do all other stories. Charr female looks better also. Not much difference but customisation of face horns better
also can see your point but nothg ODD here
as a guy a believe it better to watch female on a screen than male 
and i dont even care if my nick also sounds like it is female. Only ppl in guild must know who you are. Random dudes if they want and its better for them can pretend its Female in and out of the game 
Its a game every1 can choose their own reality 
Sylvari, Norn & Human, i'll play sexy females :-D Charr & Asura only male, not much sex appeal over that :-D
I'll do both, like I do in all my games that allow it.
I am female and play only female chars. Never would consider making a male char in an MMO.
Female ~
Plan on playing Female Humang, Male Asura, Female Sylvari as my starters ~
i pick gender based on race. some of the male body types are too fem for me, so i just make the girls.