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Your Virtual Girlfriend May Actually Be a Man
Your Virtual Girlfriend May Actually Be a Man
A recent study conducted by GameFriends.com revealed some interesting statistics around gender selection in online games.
Delaware,
DE,
United States of America
(prbd.net)
28/08/2010
"A recent study conducted by GameFriends.com revealed some interesting statistics around gender selection in online games. "
USA - Aug 28, 2010 - A recent study conducted by GameFriends.com revealed some interesting statistics around gender selection in online games. GameFriends.com is a video games social community website for gamers. They have a large population of members which have active subscriptions to online games, specifically Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG). The private study was used to determine how common virtual gender reversal is and how it made people feel once the truth was revealed. The study interviewed and polled members participating in games such as World of Warcraft and EverQuest 2.
On average, these players have approximately 5 characters per account which are above level 10. Out of this, male players have an average of 1.75 female characters above level 10, while female players have only an average of 0.54 male characters above level 10. Furthermore, the male players with these female characters report actively using them an average of 42% of the time. Conversely, female players using male characters report using them an average of about 16% of the time. The study found that the use of an opposite gender character is not as prevalent as the player’s main character. Males are still much more likely to do so though at 18%, whereas females averaged in at 4.2%.
The study polled the participants for open responses as to why they chose an opposite gender character in the first place. The majority response (35%) of all players surveyed reported that they did so purely for role-playing entertainment. The next highest response (32%) indicated their choice was due to the visual appearance of the character. Other, less prevalent responses include, “tricking players to get what I want.”, and “gender exploration”.
Participants were finally interviewed regarding their reaction to discovering a good friend in game was actually the opposite gender of what they have been masquerading as all along. There was significant disparity between males and females given this scenario. Female players were found to be much more bothered by gender reversal than the male players were(73%). Moreover, it was discovered that male to female gender reversal was considerably more upsetting than female to male gender reversal.
Finally the study interviewed the players to see what they discovered from playing a character of the opposite sex. Male players commonly referred to the bonds they formed with other female characters; citing that the female/female bonds were significantly stronger than any male/male bonds they formed in game. Female players most commonly referenced that they were taken much more seriously as a male character. However, they also found that getting help from other male character was much more difficult playing as a male character themselves. “Sometimes it’s just easier to get men to help you as a girl”, one female participant responded.
For more information, visit: http://GameFriends.com - the Social Community for Gamers.
About
GameFriends.com
2711 Centerville Rd., Ste 120
Wilmington,Delaware,
DE 19808, USA
Email: contact@gamefriends.com
Phone: 706-225-9394
Website: http://GameFriends.com
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