Buh-Bye Booth Babes?

Racy statement: We knew we weren’t saved from sexism and the stereotypical male ideals when we started playing video games. Honest statement: That, while still an important issue, is not likely to change and is frankly fun to argue. For most of us, anyhow. However, those are merely computer rendered images and false personas of game characters. Nothing is average about them, their chest size not straying from this and thus not a ruining consistency. Then there is the case that could be the proverbial icing on the cake, while still remaining an important tradition in the way of marketing video games at conventions.

Booth babes.

I do not mean the cute girls tossed into tiny, Tekken 1, 2, 3, 4 and Tag costumes, complete with appropriately colored wigs and appropriately adequate cup size. That serves a purpose (bordering on fan service, in good taste), promoting characterizations present in a video game, even if while attracting drooling video game otaku. Booth babes - the types crammed into short denim shorts (nearly qualifying as denim panties) and tight, white T-shirts with company logos emblazoned across the chest (oh-so-carefully placed, too) and the bronze hue that only California summers or the tanning salon could possibly produce - that have absolutely nothing to do with the company, much less the games produced, beyond staking out the booth and calling for (stereotypically) deprived and male prospective consumers.

All complicated description aside, there are aesthetically two types of booth babes - the ones who put the effort into dressing as a character from a game produced by the company who employed them, and those who didn’t even (have to) bother. Both serve the same purpose, ultimately, which is to attract the attention of males who might be interested in the product. To promote the product.

I swear, though, that if I take the time out of my busy convention of gaming, gaming and more gaming to convey interest in the company’s product, I had better be able to ask anyone who is not being swarmed by fans at that booth a question - and receive an intelligent answer. Bat, bat, bat does not qualify. In all fairness, I am sure many booth babes are well-versed in product knowledge and can answer any question posed to them about the game. However, I have the sneaking suspicion most are only asked a simple ‘who are you supposed to be?’ (if they took the time to dress up) or ‘can i get your picture?’ (if they just look pretty). Perhaps this is not the fault of the babe, but rather of knowing every facet of a game and not being asked anything of any substance a few too many years in a row. Growing jaded and bitter, as it were, because they took the time and didn’t actually need to.

Granted, I have never been a booth babe. By sheer observation, then, there are two types of booth babes (intellectually): the ones who know the important stuff, and the ones who don’t. Broken down, that is it. Same purpose, handled differently.

Perhaps it is an art. As individually handled as is painting or writing. Regardless, it is a tradition. Much to the dismay of many feminists, while I do not endorse such blatant use of the female anatomy to sell a product that should be marketed equally to both genders, I do not feel as strongly about abolishing the position of ‘booth babe’ from video game producers at conventions. I’ve always been a little unconventional, even with my take on feminism.

After all, didn’t becoming a booth babe require a sentient choice? And isn’t that the most feminist thing to do, to choose? Even if the choice is unpopular (with the girls) and a great (fan)service to the boys.

LoL... You crack me up Faery.

Booth babes are great things. If you're some nerdy gamer that happens to work for a mag or somehow secure an E3 pass... You're going to be damn happy that there's hot chicks on the side of your video games. It's something that doesn't go hand in hand in real life, so when those nerds see those chicks they get all excited and want to check out the product.

Or maybe they just want to stare at the girl... Either way it doesn't hurt to have some hot chick anywhere in life. So I say yay to the babes.

Female anatomy sells alot of stuff, to both men and women for different reasons. Men want to have them, women want to be them. So I think using sexy girls to sell stuff is always going to work, for both genders. Would I mind seeing some guy stuff in there? definetly not, but I think right now its something thats not going to happen anytime in the near future, at least in gaming.

Mmm...male booth babes.

Too bad THAT'LL never happen. *sigh*

But feminism is about equality - and the feminists should fight for male booth babes, not eliminating booth babes!

Yay!

This is the perfect word for this topic, coolies, good one Ninja.
For me, I don't mind with booth babes. Since Im a guy, I love it XD.
Its ok for me, they just want to increase their selling rate and get more profit.

Hey Male booth babes, lol. Good Idea, but... There's nothing really interesting in man anatomy XD.

booth babes are there for enjoyment to the man(boy)who has just had to wait 4 hrs to get into e3etc.if you your standing up like i was this gives you consideralbe relief to see some scantly ladies dressed up.something to remember the show.and anywayif you get payed to stand around and smile while wearing not much clothes would'nt you do it?

I'm going to assume the majority of the people in E3 are male. And since the minority is female, you'll probably scare away potential costumers with male booth babes (assuming they're not gay).

And as for the female booth babes, who in their right mind would want to get rid of that?

That pretty much sums it up. Even women don't want to look at scantilly-clad men. The anatomy of men just isn't made for admiration. We're shaped retarded. Our anatomy sucks.

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Hmm u pose an interesting point. Although yeah I'd guess that it is kinda degrading for the ladies ("Not only am I dressing up in a skimpy outfit, but I'm dressed up in a skimpy VIDEO GAME outfit! Can life get worse?!?!?" ) No seriously, as you said it is there dscision therefore there ain't nuthing wrong with it I guess.

Male Booths:


Although nice 4 u ladies Male booths definitly ain gonna work. and as someone said thers nothing that special about male anatomy anyway (that can be censored that is) :whoa:


Peace out. "Dissappear into the Darkness"
-Ryu Hayabusa

Isn't that called Cosplay? Dressing up as video game characters or such? It's almost like anime convention girls dress up in stupid video game costumes and make fools out of them selves...

But since, the majority of people going to E3 are males then I wouldn't suggest making male booth babes or whatever...I mean what guy wants to see another guys muscles...unless like RPGsage there gay... and I have a good bet that most aren't.

Either way, I'm never been to any type of those E3 and anime convetions thingies so I guess I wouldn't know much anyway

Booth babes are awesome. Any male gamer...any male would buy a product or listen about a product to see a hot chick in short shorts and with big... well... Anyway, booth babes are great!

Okay...it's official (look at member title}

I agree. There should be more.

You'll never get male booth babes... Ever. Thank god for that.

I say bring on the busty and lovely women that crowd each booth... One day I hope to go to E3, get really trashed, and land me a booth babe.

Hey, it could happen.

MC WORRRRRRLLLLLLD.

I thought this was a very good topic to touch upon. I have constantly been plagued by booth babes in the (car) magazines I read. I only saw them as degrading to the female intellect. I was watching some show one day and a man was interviewing one of the booth babes. I was quite surprised to find out that she knew almost everything there was to know about the specific car she was modeling. I'm not sure though if her knowledge was genuine or merely memorized and rehearsed. I do agree that these booth babes appeal to both sexes, but is it in a good way. Don't these women give false hopes to both sides - a look that is rarely achieved without proffessional makeup (and implants). If people get too use to these ideals, it will only lead to disappointment for both sides. And, also, if these booth babes are constantly portrayed as ignorant, that sets a biased opinion for all beautiful women. I think that if we did have booth hunks, it would not only be fairer for the geeky females, but would help to give understanding to males. If booth babes can attract business from both sexes, couldn't booth hunks.

I noticed in many of the other posts that booth hunks will never happen becuase it is male dominated. This is only because adverising like this discouragea females. Most of them are too busy trying to achieve this artificial look becuase of this. I mean cars would definately seem male dominated, but i've been to many shows and there were almost as many girls as there were guys. If any of the marketing crews would be just a tad bit daring, they would be surprised at how many female customers they would attract.

hey now. I wear short denim shorts and tight white shirts. So I think I would be a great addition to a video game
I could be an orginal booth moron.

Wow, this is the 1st time I see you told us the truth, lol. J/K

Booth babes

They're not just sexy enough to make you stalk them , but they're also smart. Maybe even smart enough to make me looks like an Idiot. LMAO
Not all pretty girls can get this position though. This is not just about showing their hot hot thing. Understand ?
I would love to see them always exist there, keep me accompany with their games explanation, Oh you never know where the fun is, lol.

For Male Booth babes, I guess they sucks if there is. I will close my eyes and go away.