While doing my ritual post-convention googling, I stumbled across several "cosplay" galleries. Now these galleries, usually entitled Ladies of Comic-Con or Sexy Costumes, mostly contain pictures of booth babes. I know they are booth babes because they're usually holding signs promoting their product or brand, or are not even in any "real" costume.
 |
| "Cosplay" Source |
 |
| Those are PJs from your booth, NOT a costume. (Source) |
I personally think they are ridiculous. I understand the whole concept of sex sells and the stereotypes that go along with gaming and other nerdy hobbies, but seriously, what year is this? They make me feel uncomfortable. Why can't booths promote their brand without scantily clad women? I'd even settle if there were half naked guys promoting stuff too, but I have yet to ever see a guy booth babe.
As much as I have a hatred of booth babes, I understand their presence at conventions and I can resist from punching them (most of the time). What I can't understand is how on earth they are featured on cosplay galleries! They didn't make their costume, they didn't choose it, they didn't do anything at all. These booth babes are being featured when other cosplayers, people who actually made their costumes or at least put in effort to be dressed up, aren't getting any recognition. It is so frustrating to me.
 |
| Uh, nice..costume? (Source) |
Till then,
LadySnip3r
For REAL cosplay, please see post below.
PS. What are your thoughts on Booth babes? Love em or hate em?
6 comments:
I understand you're disgust with the credit these women are being given for their 'cosplays'. And I agree with you, they should not be getting credit for this, what they are wearing is basically a uniform given to them by the company who hired them.
However, there is, in a way of saying, hope for these girls. One thing you said were that some of the booth babes looked like they didn't even want to be there. Here are the girls (and guys) who do:
http://charismaplus2.com/
If you are interested in checking it out, this is the website for a modeling company that provides 'booth babes' for companies. These people are special from the average model. They are required to have video game experience and they actually want to be at the conventions.
I don't expect this to completely change your opinions on booth babes, but I hope at least it will make your opinion a little lighter on them. (or the qualified ones at least)
Thanks for sharing that website HavokRose. I checked it out and I agree with you, they definitely encourage gaming experience. However, looking at the application page, it's mostly focused on pictures and a video. They're still looking first for "models", and then gamers.
I mentioned that they usually don't look like they're enjoying the convention just out my personal experience. I've been to only two conventions and this has been true for every booth babe I've seen. I'm sure they are some sweet ones who absolutely love games, I just haven't seen them yet.
Oh boy, here we go...
Okay, understand that I'm approaching this from a photographer's perspective. It is *hard* out there for models, I understand that. I really do. Considerably more so for "freelance" ones not tied to an agency. If they're able to get actual paying work where they don't have to resort to taking off articles of clothing, more power to them.
With that said I find it impossible to fault the booth babes *themselves*. It's a job for them, and they're doing it the best they can, some admittedly far better than others. The system, however, is fair game.
My gripe with the entire "booth babe" system comes from the fact that, like SOO MANY other things in nerd culture, people think that they need to pander to us, specifically the males, by resulting to the lowest common denominator of "sex sells". Seriously, it's embarrassing. It's demeaning to *us*, it's demeaning to the models and it's sure as hell demeaning to the companies. Everyone goes down a notch.
Guys, if you're promoting, say, Soul Calibur 5, you don't need to stitch a model into three pieces of latex that she can barely fit into and parade her around your booth as Ivy (characters like THAT are a rant for another day). We're at a CONVENTION. We don't need to be drawn in. If we're already at a place like Comic-Con or PAX and we're fans of Soul Calibur, guess what, we're already *looking* for your booth. And that the very least for those who weren't interested the massive banners you're sure to have do the work just fine.
*sighs* It's just so unnecessary. All of it.
~V
Well said Vanguard. I couldn't agree more.
The system is flawed and the only way to fix it is to first draw attention to it. Hopefully, one day the gaming industry will release it's 2011 and that both men AND women game and purchase games. Sex may sell, but it doesn't have to be mandatory at conventions.
Hahaha I liked your comment on the characters, I'll definitely be doing a piece on women in video games and how they're portrayed - don't you worry. The little feminist in me will have a field day :P
If I might be so bold, this sounds like a perfect thing to discuss over, say, Skype and record for the site...
I like the way you think :P
I'm working on the Assassionista podcast - could be a great kick off to discuss a controversial topic such as this.
Post a Comment