by Matt Bird

Created on: May 03, 2009

MMORPGs give men the chance to explore transvestism in ways they'll never even dare attempt in real life.

Well, okay, maybe that's a bit extreme. In a way it is true, though: men like to play female characters in MMORPGs, and more often than you might think. That comely lass you're exploring Azeroth with at the moment may well be lacking certain anatomical features on the other side of the screen. Why do they do it?

I should probably say 'Why do we do it?', actually, since I've tried cross-dressing out before. Yes, I've played a female character once or twice. I did it out of pure curiosity: "How will people react differently to me now that I'm a girl?" The difference was quite surprising, at least initially. I got a lot more attention as a female than I ever would as a male, with guys strolling up and greeting me, trying to get me in their party and offering free items and money for no reason other than I now had a pair of boobs strapped to my digital avatar.

And I'd imagine that aspect holds the most appeal for guys. Female characters just plain get treated better than males in MMORPGs. Sure, there's the occasional scumbag who makes overt sexual advances, but most guys are fairly humble in their approach and won't ask for anything in return other than a chance to talk. As a female MMORPG players can generally advance much more quickly in their given game, what with surprise presents and offers to help level. Playing a girl is a strategic decision, and considering how long it takes to progress in most MMORPGs I can't say I blame guys for taking a shortcut.

Yet the material boons can't be the only reason males want to play dress-up. For some it's the mere improved accessibility to social situations. MMORPGs are valued by many as a great way to interact with others around the world and dispel the loneliness of sitting at a computer. However, not everybody who sits down at a computer is instantly capable of effective communication, and male characters who lack stellar oratory prowess may be dismissed as a potential friend far more quickly than a female with the same problems. New social doors open up that would never have existed for a guy. This is especially applicable for males who dig their own gender yet are too embarrassed to flirt with the same sex in real life.

But not every male who creates a female character hides their true gender. Some will openly tell you they're a guy, which can create some hilariously awkward moments. Why do these fellas play women?

In this case I think it's the aesthetic that draws them in more than anything. Let's face it, it's not always that pleasing to have to watch some muscle-bound idiot run around on-screen all day, regardless of how strong he is. The female characters in MMORPGs are generally quite pleasing to the eye, and at the very least provide variation to players who have overdosed on male characters. It's a hormonal decision, one I suppose I can get behind.

This isn't to say, of course, that every female you run across is actually a man. Far from it. The number of girls playing MMORPGs has skyrocketed in the past few years, and there's no reason to think the numbers will dwindle. But always be wary, guys, when making flirtatious advances: you never quite know who's on the other side of the conversation.

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