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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Should gender change be allowed in-game?
by Dan O'Halloran 
Aug 17th 2007 at 8:00AM
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Players have called for the ability to switch races, switch factions and even switch back to a pre-expansion classic server, but it's the first time I've heard this request. Cryogenics of the Azjol-Nerub server would like to switch the gender of his toon.Other posters supporting his request listed a few reasons for wanting this: they don't like the animations of their toon; they created the character as the opposite sex of themselves and the novelty has worn off; they want to be the opposite sex in the game for some perceived advantage.
Since this is a change that doesn't affect game mechanics, should Blizzard implement this ability? Isn't it no different than changing the outfit or hairstyle of your toon? Or does tinkering with a cornerstone of human identity make this a bad idea? Tell us what you think. And leave out any derogatory or insulting remarks. Those will get immediately deleted.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Sylythn Aug 17th 2007 10:21AM
If you ask me - it's mostly insecure guys who rolled female toons and don't want to be found out when VOIP gets releases that are asking for this. :)
Personally, I look forward to freaking out PUGs when my sexy blood elf girl ends up with the voice of a guy.
Don Aug 17th 2007 9:47AM
Changing a toons name is tough too. It takes three months and fifty dollars (moving your toon to a server that already has that name, waiting the 90 days, moving it back.) (Um the server does not have that name of toon, create one.)
Wish there was a faster less expensive way to change your name.
Azbaty Aug 17th 2007 9:49AM
Ok, so now your female toon is a male. Now your big buff NightElf is gonna be running around with the name "Betty". I don't think blizz will allow name changes, altho A work around could be a server transfer. I doubt Blizz would touch a can of worms this big.
Julio Cesar Aug 17th 2007 9:53AM
What about changing name??? :P
Serro Aug 17th 2007 9:58AM
Honestly,I wouldn't like it as a feature only because its to un-real. I dont mind the idea of potions temporarily making you the opposite gender but as a permanent feature, no no.
Ahoni Aug 17th 2007 10:01AM
No. Just no. This is a game where you get to choose the appearance and gender of the character you play. If you don't like the way your character looks,
ITS YOUR OWN DAMNED FAULT! Live with it or reroll.
Paw Aug 17th 2007 10:11AM
No. Hair is one thing, but this is asking too much. If you want a gender change, re-roll. It adds to the population in Azeroth thus aiding in correcting the problem of too few experienced players running the mid-level quests (assuming you're talking of regenderizing a 61+ toon).
Hair, facial hair, tatoos, jewelry, etc, all should be able to be changed by visiting the appropriate vendor. I don't think gender, race or faction should ever be anything but permanent.
Angael Aug 17th 2007 10:13AM
I have no problems with it, in RL changing gender costs and arm and a leg. So do the same in WoW.
If someone wants to change their gender make them pay
10K G for it.. end of story. No changing back and forth weekly.
Juneau Aug 17th 2007 10:19AM
I would love this change. I posted a very similar thread a few days back on the EU Forums, I just hate the look of my male Nelf druid.
slayerboy Aug 17th 2007 10:21AM
this is just insane......WHY do we want blizz to waste time on this when they can put their devs to much better tasks.
Even the hair thing is a stretch...ok so maybe ya'll are 70 and bored....I can understand that.
but c'mon...blizz needs to spend more time nerfing lowbie instances so that it's easier to run through them now that when WotLK comes out Azeroth the lowbie areas are going to be even more unpopulated than they are now.
Epiny Aug 17th 2007 11:10AM
Sure but make it like Transferring servers. Cost some $ and only once every 3 months. Would be nice to allow race changes too.
Paw Aug 17th 2007 10:53AM
@Sylythn
I agree with your assessment. 7 of my 10 toons are female. As a r/l male, I would prefer to have the back side of a female to look at if I am going to be playing a toon for endless hours. Plus it throws people off who stereotype women/girls, as less-able to game, when they come at you half-assedly engaging in PvP --teehee--. I just take advantage of that erroneous assumption.
idburns Aug 17th 2007 10:59AM
I've asked multiple times to change the sex of my warrior from female to male. Haven't been allowed yet. This character was my main for 2 years but now that I changed mains it's not that big a deal. If the option is ever available I would do it though.
Mike Aug 17th 2007 11:11AM
You should have to get new armor if you change genders. After all, your old stuff would hardly fit you anymore...
dekulink Aug 17th 2007 11:21AM
I don't think this should happen; Hairstyles are as far as Blizzard should go.
Character creation is an important part of making a character, so put THOUGHT into it so you'll always like it.
Omnimax Aug 17th 2007 11:26AM
I'd welcome a change like this; just make it somewhat expensive, make it require a short quest, and make sure it can only be repeated once every 2-3 months per character.
I can't wait to log on to my friend's account and gender-flip his characters! Haw haw haw!
twh Aug 17th 2007 12:11PM
If I had the option, I would.
I mean, a year and a half of watching Man Cleavage can get monotonous. I think I've earned the right for some Hot Tush. :p
b00 Aug 17th 2007 12:18PM
I doubt it'll ever happen but I wouldn't mind if blizz implemented gender change.
I like my female warlock but I would like to change my female pally to a male. Cloth usually looks better on female characters and plate just looks better on male characters.
kevin Aug 22nd 2007 5:15PM
I would like to potentially be able to change race.
I rolled an orc warlock a long time ago before BC and would rather have a BE. Its not the 1-70 grind that is really that bad, its more the current crafted equipment + exalted factions that I would not want to grind again.
Zechs Aug 17th 2007 12:28PM
People, you sound like abused children.
"Please Blizzard, don't hit me! I didn't mean to ask too much, like anything at all actually! I will be a nice mute subscriber from now on!"
Get a grip on your last traces of dignity, don't accept being stomped by a corporation which makes you beg and then be shameful for it.