Forum Post(s) of the Day: Patch 2.1 changes females?
by David Bowers 
May 27th 2007 at 1:00PM
First of these alleged changes came to light when somehow some people got it in their minds that the... um... well... that uh... their... um... human and other Azerothian females wouldn't have to buy such large bras if they made a trip to the department store, because the two relevant glands had been reduced in size.
Well, this time it was Death and Taxes to the rescue! Xaviera took up the supposed change with dedication, comparing "old" and "new" screenshots with the utmost precision, and proved for all to see that in fact NO change had taken place! As Xaviera says at the end of her conclusive argument, "you can sleep safely, take it easy."
Stay tuned for more female avatar-change headline news and expert analysis after the jump.
In other news, the female draenei just arrived on Azeroth seem to be swaying a bit more as they stand, and lifting one hoof higher than the other as they jump! This outrage has caused a petition demanding that their standing idle animation, jump, (and a couple other things) be changed back. One signer to the petition claimed that the new animations were "unnatural." But another replied, speaking of previously unmentioned changes, "Shutup, I have hoofprints now." Also... seeing as how the petition only has 6 replies at the time of this writing, perhaps the general populace of draenei females haven't noticed the changes to their standing sway motions yet.
Nonetheless, these changes (or... non-changes) and the attention they got (or... didn't get), raise a number of interesting questions: Do both Azerothian genders convey the same degree of "kick-buttocks" attitude? or do the females look decidedly more gentle and nurturing, and/or "pretty?" on their way to a prom perhaps? Do you think a major difference between the sexes is appropriate, or does it reinforce outdated gender stereotypes?
From my own point of view, the females of Azeroth are generally the only really sympathetic characters in the game, visually speaking. The vast majority of males just look ready to chop heads and maybe grunt various manly noises, whereas the females look ready to chop heads one minute and have a fun chat the next. The only problem is that they also look too ready to take all their clothes off, sometimes, depending on the gear they just happen to be wearing, (or... not wearing). Still, with a bit of care, you can choose an appearance and an outfit for any character, male or female, and still look dignified, full of self-respect.
Finally, one last question for your discussing pleasure: if you could change the male or female avatars in one way or another, how would you do so? I know for my part, I really can't bring myself to play any of the original horde males very much because of their horrible posture. I agree some of them look very intimidating and cool, but it makes my back hurt just looking at them. I'd like to at least have the option of an orc that can stand up straight.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Humor
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bart May 27th 2007 1:10PM
What do you mean no change has taken place? The female on the right is Thong-less. At least I'm guessing thats a thong or G string the one on the left has on.
Lori May 27th 2007 1:29PM
@1. The one on the left is wearing waist armor to protect her midrift. lol
IMO, the Azeroth females should put a bit more effort into their walk. Since I spend hours and hours watching my butt, it should move a lot better.
Watching male Taurens makes me itchy. At least they don't scratch their crotch and butt.
Scalin May 27th 2007 2:01PM
The only thing I'd want to chance would be Horde and their shoeless feet. If an 8foot tall cow can squeeze into a pair of metal booties, I want them to show up. Same with trolls and their abnormal footwearing habits.
Along those lines we come to the undead. Sure, they may be deathly and decaying, but why is their clothing? Why do spines show through armor? Wouldn't it be easy, I don't know, to put something on to cover it up? And shoulders? And toes! Let's be glad they are already dead, else their toesies would surely get cold, even moreso when trapsing around Winterspring.
The Horde aren't Hobbits. Give us shoes*.
*Orcs and BE's need not apply.
Satryghen May 27th 2007 2:48PM
The biggest thing I've noticed that I would change is the male human faces, pretty much everyone of them looks like they got hit by the ugly stick, all flat noses and grimacey faces.
I would also like to see more "messy" hair styles for the female avatars, I mean these women roll out of bed and kill things all day, I don't think they really have time to perfectly style their hair. My female alts tend to go for the messy ponytail look.
tiamazzo May 27th 2007 4:40PM
My hair. After making my toon, I saw another toon, same class/race/gender with hair I would have rather had.
WTB Haircut Vendor.
Archaic May 27th 2007 4:52PM
There's certainly been changes of some sort. One of my guildies gained a set of earrings on their Blood Elf after the patch, large ones, that simply weren't present on the model before that.
Noroth May 27th 2007 7:17PM
Personally, I'm still of the group that liked the male Blood Elves in alpha/early beta, back when they were skinny and actually looked like the addicts they are (as well as the only Warrior-less race). But I realize this is a very old debate and won't really dig into it. %gt;%lt;
Elo May 27th 2007 7:51PM
If I look at my two favorite races: Orcs and Humans there are two things that annoy me.
First, the human males. I hate that hip thing when idle. They will shift their hip to one side. Nobody does that except drag queens.
Second, the orcs. They are perfect but for the hunch . I don't understand the decision to make them hunchbacks. In any of the previous games and Blizzard cinematics, the orcs always had a straight back with their chins high. The way they run makes them look as if they are about to fall down face first.
So, I would get rid of the hip wiggling with the humans and straighten up the Orc's back so that they can stand tall like they were meant to.
kraoro May 27th 2007 9:56PM
On the subject of cosmetic changes, I really, really wish they would change Sylvannas so that she no longer does that STUPID Night Elf bounce as her idle animation.
Tridus May 28th 2007 7:49AM
I wish there were a choice in body type. There's nothing worse then trying to play a frail old Human male Mage when he looks like he's going to go to a bodybuilding competition.
The female avatars are better, the problem there lies with armor. Memo to Blizzard: you can't tank in a plate bikini.