@Smokescreened84 @pound-u @SporkFireXPS There's no rule, no. Most people assume you're being bigoted when you say you will only exclusively play as a female character, even if a male character is well written, understand? But as you've just said, I'm sure you have valid personal reasons for solely being able to play as a female, and hence, you just want more options.
But if you'll allow me to say something that may or may not be ignorant. A character you play as in a video game doesn't have to be your avatar, or represent you. Characters are just people, and it can be fun to play as or watch characters in a game or movie. You don't have to identify with a character's gender to go along for the ride with them, and a character's gender doesn't have to say ANYTHING about you. You identify as a female? You're a woman, that's it, period. A character in a video game does not have to be an extension of you or your identity. Trying to identify with a character that happens to be male is not the same as trying to identify as a male in your personal life. Anyway, good luck, peace
@Smokescreened84 @macca366 That's true! Its not like male leads are better characters.
In RPG-esque games where customisation is integral, its expected that you can choose your gender and so forth. However, in more linear, hand-crafted, narrative focused games, I would tend to prefer they craft a fully fleshed out character that is static, for the benefit of writing. Whether they're male or female, personally, I don't care.
Yeah, male 'soldier'-like stereotypes are probably overdone because it seems accepted and safe. Though, they're often bland and uninteresting. I really don't find any extra enjoyment or relatable immersion in the gruff steroid dude bros of Gears than you do in female characters in skimpy outfits. The latest male protagonist I liked is probably Isaac Clarke in DS2, because he just seems like an average dude.
It was rumoured a long long time ago to be a 'FPS MMO'. I, for one, actually like the idea, but only because its coming from Bungie. They use the phrase 'always connected' here though, which seems like a lighter term. My only concerns with something like an MMO are quality campaigns and set-pieces (like how Spartan Ops for Halo 4 is bland as hell). Other than that I like the sci-fi art I've seen, and the mystery behind the giant white alien sphere ship that is protecting Earth for unknown reasons.
Two female protagonists I loved were Jade from Beyond Good and Evil and Zoe from Dreamfall: The Longest Journey. I guess generally in games I don't mind playing as a guy because I can relate more; for obvious reasons.
Playing as a female in a chunky bloody power fantasy like Gears does seems counter-intuitive, is that sexist? I don't know. It could make for an intense, involving story though. In the Gears lore, a lot of women were taken to 'farms' (rape) to make more soldiers and repopulate. A female lead in the universe could make for a mature story.
Re-branding a franchise with a female lead, or going to the effort to make a 'pick your gender' option in every game seems like a stretch to 'pander' to a growing female audience that may or may not diminish sales. However, a couple of my most treasured game experiences (BG&E and D:LJ) had female protagonists, at the onset. I think that protagonists are usually male because (I assume) most of the people behind the game are male, and it feels natural to represent your own gender. But, I digress.. I don't care what gender the protagonist is, as long as its a well-written character in a good game!
Only thing I like about collector's editions are the nicer containers they come in, like the rusty tin case the Bioshock one came in was great. The only physical things I like are something that seems to tie into the game or universe somehow, like journals of an in-universe character that adds to the lore. But generally those aren't worth having, I just read it on the internet.
It was a part of the normal game, but the physical thing that can with a game I loved (And actually USED!) the most was the map that came with Morrowind. Loved picking a strange looking place on the map and venturing out into danger on a mission to make it there and check it out. The physical map had all the detail, pretty much everything; but the in-game map was black, and only lit up where you had been. So using the physical map in tandem with in-game information was both helpful and immersive
I like the ergonomics of the 360 controller much better, its strange for me to hold a playstation controller again.
However, I don't quite get all the negativity towards this prototype! It essentially looks the same, with the added functionality of a touchscreen (doesn't look like its in the way, in my opinion it could only add to possibilities, not take away from the start/select button thats usually there), and my guess could be that the illuminated light on the top could be the Move integrated into the controller? How is that not cool? Looks like a sleek integration of a couple of cool new features to play with to me. And way less invasive and demanding than setting up a kinect or making a gamepad a dedicated touchscreen tablet. That's just me though!
All in all I would rather they start from scratch, though. Dreamcast got it right with the little screen in the controller already, imo, plus the ergonomics were similar to the 360 (which I personally prefer)
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