When playing an Interactive Fiction game (which I don't do very often...) I make an assumption as to my character's gender. I want, or rather need, to know whether my character is male or female. Yet after reading a blog entry by Chris, does it really matter either way?
As Chris stated, many characters in IF games are usually male, implying that most players are men. Which is probably true. Writers create characters for their audience and the audience happens to be men. Also, many IF authors are men who feel more comfortable writing about something they know about (because they sure don't know anything about women...ha), which makes sense. Although I would like to see more female characters in IF, I understand that males are the prominent gender.
In the IF games I have tried, rarely is the gender specified. A few, on occasion, have been but for the most part gender is merely implied. Yet I can usually tell what gender the character is through the way he or she acts. Some mannerisms are more common to men than women, so it gives it away. Also, the thoughts that the character has can also determine the gender. Example? In a game, if the character pulls out a gun and yells "AARRGH", I assume it is a man.
While genders are usually not stated in IF games, it would be helpful if they were. I, personally, like to know if I am playing a male or female. Really, it doesn't matter either way, I just like to know. I like to create the picture of the game in my mind, including what "I" look like. Knowing I am male or female probably won't cause me not to play a game, unless I am looking to play a certain gender.
For me, I guess gender in IF is a big deal. It doesn't matter which one I play, as long as the game is fun. But please, just tell me!
Posted by VanessaKolberg at November 29, 2004 09:47 PM