Playing characters of the opposite gender

[Hella_Tellah]

...Penny Dreadful, the Mistress of Pulp Fiction(s).

That's awesome!

 

[Prisoner6]

I have no problems with players creating characters of "opposite" gender, or for any sort of gender - such as asexual or non-sexual, in the case of, say, robots or some fantasy race that doesn't have a clear gender.

As for myself, I wouldn't play such a PC because I dont' think I could stay "in character" week after week after week.

Having said that, I have played a character who described himself as "a great lover of women ... and pretty good lover of men" and fancied himself as the world's greatest lover.

 

[kolikeos]

It would not matter to me if someone played a different gendered PC and I have never played in a game where it was an issue. In fact, one of the players (female) in the games I DM always plays male PCs.
At one point there was a player (male) who played a sluty female PC, I suppose that's one of the reasons he does not play with us anymore.

 

[Mallus]

Having said that, I have played a character who described himself as "a great lover of women ... and pretty good lover of men" and fancied himself as the world's greatest lover.

And he was a terrific character. More importantly, he was proof that almost any character concept can work when they're played well, even one that's jokey/deliberately comedic.

 

[Umbran]

I see accusations of "intolerant" and "homophobe" being tossed around already. Even if it is accurate, it will help nothing. If it is inaccurate, it is insulting. Since no good is going to come out of it, please just don't.

 

[Kzach]

One of my players is annoyed/just doesn't understand why anyone would WANT to. He even goes so far as to question why anyone would do so for a computer game, where you have the option.

For computer games, I generally make female characters primarily because that's what I'm staring at for hours on end and I may as well like what I'm staring at

For RL games, I don't get why anyone would want to unless they were transgendered. An RL RPG is where you envision yourself as the character. You are ROLE playing. Unless there's some impotent desire to see yourself as the opposite gender, then I don't see why anyone would roleplay as such.

 

[Rechan]

An RL RPG is where you envision yourself as the character. You are ROLE playing. Unless there's some impotent desire to see yourself as the opposite gender, then I don't see why anyone would roleplay as such.

I don't know; do I personally desire to be a murderer that kicks in the door and slaughters people?

Or do I desire to see myself as a devotee to a god?

Roleplaying a character doesn't have to be a freudian representation of what you desire yourself to be in your truest form, y'know. It can just be a fun exploration into something else. Something not you. In fact, I prefer to be things totally unlike myself, because I am myself all the damn time.

I for instance love playing monstrous entities; tri-keen, kobolds, etc (because I'm human all the time, and why be human-like?). Doesn't mean I want to be a monster in my heart of hearts. I don't see myself as a monster.

Coming from a background in acting, I wouldn't say playing a character says anything about my view of myself.

 

[SkidAce]

Interesting thoughts.

My first DM asked me to create a female warrior as my first character. He said "A warrior is simple to play, and a female character will make it so you THINK about the personalitiy of your character, not just play yourself.."

Sounded reasonable to me. And so 23 years ago another role player was created.

And re: the poster above...ROLE playing is not just putting yourself in the role...as if you were there in the fantasy world...it can also be assuming a role different from your normal self. I.E. I am not a sneaky rogue "end justifies the means" person....but I play a pretty good one. Another concept I am fond of is the country girl with a spear...chosen by her diety to spread the word. (a paladin without heavy armor or noble upbringing) Boy were those snooty paladins in the city suprised when she showed up with the "true power"..hehe.

So my characters (table top and MMO) tend to be about 75% male and 25% female...merely for the concept of the character I come up with, thats the ratio I tend to see.

and I am a adult male by the way...

 

[Leatherhead]

Why? I'm not trying to open a can of worms, but there is more to the aesthetics of human (or, in this case, humanoid) anatomy in art than sexuality. Historically speaking, women are more popular than men as art subjects, in part because of traditional views of idealized gender roles ("soft" subjects are aesthetically pleasing, while "hard" subjects are not). According to enculturated-lens theory, the "idealized" male form (and the one used in most MMO's for male characters) is one of action and a sort of brutishness, and almost grotesque musculature. And yet, these are the sorts of characteristics that are not considered aesthetically pleasing to the vast majority of either men or women.

It has almost nothing to do with "getting one's jollies."

Perhaps I should have said "irrationally enrages me"
As to why, I was a Raider. You don't even get to see your characters butt if you are "doing it right."

But anyway, most MMOs use the Greek or an Anime ideal male form for humans, and sometimes elves. Anything else is trying to fit an art style (WoW caricatures, CoH/V) or intentionally ugly, except for the games that would look bad no matter what model they used.

 

[Piratecat]

I don't care if anyone plays the opposite gender, but if you're just going to use it as an outlet for your frustrated sexual urges, take a hike.

That's a nice, concise description.

I'm happy to have folks play cross-gender PCs, and I play them myself. No one minds or cares.