Would it be weird to make a BxG game for girls?

[shwippie]

I've been lurking the BxG vs. GxB thread a while, and I'm more confused than before
The answers to my last question made me realize that doing a BxG, GxG, BxB, GxB combined game would probably be irrational.
So I thought, logically, I should do a GxB game, as my interests/art/writing are rather girly. But...for some reason, a game focusing on female love interests feels like it would be more fun for me to do. Yet, and I could be totally wrong, I think guys in general wouldn't go for (it being girly...not to be offensive, I would be thrilled if guys did play it).

So, would it be weird to make a BxG game for girls? Would anyone play that? D: (arghh what I really want is for anyone to be able to play and not be turned off T^T)

[ebi brain]

I would totally totally play it (i actually sometimes think how fun it would be to play such a game)! Especially with your adorable art in it.

Also, there are always going to be people who will be turned off by something( like how some people HATE cupcakes :0), so I wouldn't worry too much about pleasing everyone.

The only thing that'd turn me off would be if the chaseable girls consisted of big boobed air heads only.... But I doubt that's what you had in mind;)

I'd say, go for it!

[shwippie]

ebi - omggg that's a dream come true *o* lol I have some strange attachment to flatness. There was a complaint about that so I keep thinking "gotta have at least one big boob character ><" haha
edit: and no air heads XD at least not as obtainable characters

[Aleema]

This kinda confuses me. A game for girls about dating girls? If you're a heterosexual woman, wouldn't you want there to be more than one man, rather than more than one woman? Of course, everyone is different and things are not black/white. I know there was a "which do you prefer playing, GxB or BxG" thread, and the number of women who voted BxG was a bit surprising, though their justification was usually "because they're done better," which really means nothing relevant. Just that the favor in the market was BxG, not that that's an actual sexual preference they prefer.

At first, I thought you meant you could choose your protagonists from a list of guys (with different personalities), which sounded cool. Also, I think you underestimate what men are interested in. I'm sure there are plenty of people of the male persuasion that don't require hardcore H scenes to like a game ...

Reading a romance through the man's eyes is very exciting by itself, and is typically what romance novels do anyway; switching from one POV to the other. And a lot of times I curse myself for writing in first person or third person limited because there are so many male POVs I want to show, too ... But traditional BxG? I think there's a reason there's so much GxB around here lately ... women are tired of it, because that used to be the only option to us for a long, long time.

That said, this is just my opinion. Please make a game YOU want to play. Make what feels right to YOU. Find your audience after you're happy with what you've made, because it most definitely is out there, even if it's not responding to this thread.

[Camille]

Please make a game YOU want to play. Make what feels right to YOU. Find your audience after you're happy with what you've made, because it most definitely is out there, even if it's not responding to this thread.

She took the words right out of my mouth--err, fingers? Don't worry so much about your audience. I mean, this is just a hobby, right? What's the use in making things that will only please other people if you yourself don't enjoy it?

[Greeny]

I think girls would probably make better BxG games anyways.

[Fawn]

Please do! Actually, that's what I'm making right now (Though, mine is 18+). It's a lot more fun to draw cute girls than bishies that all look the same... *cough*
There are plenty of us girls who like BxG games And GxG games too, if you'd really like to go all out with the girls! (That would be adorable too)

@Aleema : There's been studies that show that even heterosexual women can be attracted to the same sex (Here's an article about it: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 075252.htm) I know this to be true of myself, I am heterosexual but I enjoy playing as a guy going after pretty girls. I have "loved" girls before, not as much as I have loved men, but in a similar romantic way- I wouldn't go as far as to get physical with them (besides hugs, greeting kisses and sometimes cuddles), but they do make me feel warm and fuzzy inside because of their beauty and cute personalities. Women are super attractive, it's natural to be interested in them no matter your gender.

Another reason some girls like BxG more is the style difference. Compare these ops:

An Otome game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jESzUGK3 ... re=related (Somewhat gritty and adventurous)

A Bishoujo game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8A-wMHP ... re=related (Cutesy, tons of fluffy adorable girls in cute costumes with a very feminine pop-song)

Not saying either is better or worse, just the style is very different (though there are lots of Otome ops that are fluffy and bishoujo ops that aren't fluffy at all). A girly girl who likes cute fluffy things like myself would obviously vouch for the bishoujo game. I am a bit biased because that's what I've always liked, and the same thing goes for someone who likes otome games.

Just my view on it Not saying I'm right.

[Aleema]

@Aleema : There's been studies that show that even heterosexual women can be attracted to the same sex (Here's an article about it: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 075252.htm)

And there are men attracted to other men ... It can go all kinds of way. Also, if you read the article, it says the women were aroused by erotica, and then they used that to assume all kinds of things, but it seems that their primary testing basis is porn. If you turned on porn, even if it was just a solo woman, yes, I'd be aroused, even if it wasn't my thing. It's the taboo/idea of what you're seeing, not the physical desire to make love to the woman you're seeing. It's the reference to sex that gets you thinking "sex is nice." To me, anyway. So really, this has nothing to do with women having cute personalities or being kissable. Porn/erotica is going to arouse you. This is not news. So, really, your line about women being attractive no matter the gender is the wrong assumption. Though, you're allowed to personally think that ...

Growing up as a woman, it's remarkable easy to not be attracted to them. You have boobs so they're not mysterious, the vajayjay gives you hell once a month so it's not exactly a desirable area, and you compete with other women on daily basis so when you see someone prettier, you're usually just jealous and want to BE her. Of course, that's just me. I'm sure men could explain why they don't find other men attractive. Just 'cause.

Like I said before, the preferences towards BxG or GxB like that (based on their openings, for example) seems to be less about sexual preference and more about what the current market offers. I don't exactly find that a logical decision, just what you HAVE been playing, not what you prefer. Unless you simply prefer things you're used to.

[shwippie]

Aleema- I think I misunderstand a lot, which is why I have to ask these questions XD I don't know what guys or girls actually like to play, even after reading a bit in the forums (I guess I'd need to know some players personally?). The part about being a heterosexual woman I totally understand for real life, but for games, it somehow goes over my head? I think it's because my personal taste is to not care about the genders as long as the game is well done. But that reminder certainly gets my head out of the clouds lol. I also understand that there is plenty of BxG already out there, but I don't think what I had in mind is similar? Ahh I'm just thinking out loud...Your comments are a huge help, though.

Camille- That's true, and ultimately that's what I'll do, or I won't be able to finish such a large project. Anticipating being able to play it is what keeps me going I appreciate reminders of that, though <3 Still, when I'm wavering on issues that could go either way, this helps me decide. I don't want to get halfway through and find I did something horribly wrong x.x

Greeny- Really?! That's interesting...I think girls should be able to do it just as well and vice versa when it comes to GxB ^^

Fawn- Yesss I was thinking of the style difference, too. I like both styles but am swayed by sparkly >>; ~awesome, I'll be following your progress on your game

Ahh another thing about attraction to the same gender or not...I kind of look at it more like a manga or anime. I can root for the main characters to be together, even if I'm a girl and the MC is a boy. I kind of "watch" from a detached point of view, if that makes any sense?

[Fawn]

@ Aleema : What I was trying to get at is that there are girls like myself who are attracted to women mentally but not physically; and that BxG games have that cute fluffiness that attracts girls more often than not. I brought up the study because that's another reason girls would like BxG, since women are often aroused by both sexes when it comes to erotica (which, many games have).

You're looking at the physical aspects of attractiveness, not the mental ones. Physically I find men more attractive, but as I mentioned before I'm attracted to girls on mental level. Good BxG games focus on that aspect of the girl and show her personality through her looks and cute actions, it's very appealing. GxB games have this too but there's usually only 1 or 2 "cutesy" boys-

and personally if I want something cutesy I rather go all out and have a girl (or a trap is fine too. Nothing wrong with a cute boy in a dress.)

@ Kosetsu: That's another aspect of it, the fact that it doesn't matter as long as the game's good. If you can connect to the character, it doesn't matter what gender they are.

[Arcanum]

Wow, it's difficult to rationalize why I don't like BxG games as much as I like other types…

I think it's a combination of not identifying with the main character with not liking the usual romances.

Being female, I like - and identify - with a female mindset. I've been surprised, playing a few BxG games, specially in the first person, with what guys can come up with. The… train of thought (?) it's different. It' very different from playing a RPG or a FPS because you're completely immersed in the mind of the character, and I usually go "but I wouldn't think like that!" and that sorts of ruins the experience for me.

And because I'm a girl, I can stand (and I even like) those cliche boyfriends you pick in GxB games (because honestly, I've had dreams about dating "the prince", or "the athlete" or the "hot teacher" myself), but I can't stand the standard girlfriends. Since, yknow, I'm female, dating "the childhood (female) friend" or "the little sister" is… dull and annoying, since they aren't dreams I had myself (although I've dated a girl a few years back). And of course,I like to think of my gender as a little more complex than that (poor bishounen, they're but a mere tool for my fantasies!)… So… yeah, no stereotyped females for me.

I won't pass a BxG game made for girls, of course, but I'll eye it with suspicion before I really confirm I like it XD It's common to stick with what you already know you enjoy, and avoid what you haven't usually liked, so that's why I stalk the GxB topics like crazy.

[papillon]

People are weird.

Anything people do is weird.

Anything you do or like, other people will also do or like, and other people will also not do and dislike, and other people will think is the most bizarre thing imaginable.

[Fawn]

@ Papillon Eeexactly.

The world's so big anyhow, who cares what you do, there's not much chance you'll become world famous... You gotta just have fun with your life and stay out of trouble ;P

[Aleema]

@ Aleema : What I was trying to get at is that there are girls like myself who are attracted to women mentally but not physically

Well, the article studied physical attraction, so it's really not helping your case (just FYI if you whip it out again for something else). Your physical vs mental is a new argument, but I'll bite since I find psychology fascinating.

If we go on the stereotype that men are one way, and women are another, then women would seek out men because they a different personality/attitude/physical qualities than themselves. Likewise, men seek out women because they are the "opposite". In essence they make a good ... team? I guess. They compliment each other. Again, if you assume men are XYZ and women are ABC. While often the case, it's also often not the case. But often, people that are very much alike don't get along. Two stubborn people = disaster, if you've never seen it. So, purely on a personality (not gender) basis, it seems to me that if you're attracted to an ABC type of partner, it's because you're XYZ. A quiet man + a controlling girl seems to turn gender roles on their head, but it's really just the same stereotypical hetero pairing. Opposite attract. Or pehaps it's just more easy to find the differences in two people if they're compared together, rather than separately?

Where was I going with this eerily off-topic rambling? Oh, yes, how someone from ABC could be attracted to ABC. Crushes sometimes seem irrational, since they form so quickly, but I can't remember where I read this, but they're easily explained as the sudden infatuation with the person because you want to be like them. You admire a trait in them, from humor to beauty. It may be that female on female crushes (from supposed hetero females) are more likely idolization than actual romantic affairs. I'm just hypothesizing. I don't have any degrees in this stuff.

But if we run with this anyway, if you're attracted to some quality, then you may actually lack it or wish you were better at it. Maybe you wish you were more feminine, cutesy? Because if you really were 100% the epitome of cute, why would you crave it? Though, I consider myself a masculine woman and I'm still very straight, so ... People are weird.

Edit: DAMN IT! Papillon said it before me! xD

[DaFool]

Nope, it won't be weird.

I'm personally making my third GxB game for guys. It's my anima that does the story-telling in first or third person. I'm straight guy but I can admire other men who can serve as some form of role model. Those are the kinds of guys I want to put as potential romantic interests, rather than useless bishounen I can't relate to whatsoever.

By placing the "Other" (usually the opposite gender) as the main character, you as an author are able to be more objective, less likely to lock onto stereotypes since you'll always be thinking, "is this character realistically relateable?"

And congratulations, you're one step closer to exploring the diversity that is Japanese media, where you can have seinen stories with female protagonists who aren't gun-toting buxom Lara Crofts, and josei stories starring 30 year old man raising children... where girls prefer shounen manga because of the guys (and they're sick of the useless heroines in shoujo manga) and guys prefer shoujo manga (well, some). Classifications don't matter at all.