The problem of Booth- Babes

Are male gamers being exploited?

"Booth-Babes". Problem or good marketing?

"Booth-babe" is the term for the attractive ladies employed to help push merchandise or promote a new game or product. Most gamers probably don't mind, given that an estimate 60% of the gaming community is male. At PAX , one of the largest gaming conventions in the world, they believe that "booth-babes" are against the 'spirit of the convention' and I agree. When attending a gaming convention I would rather chat to a developer who can tell me about their product than a pretty lady who has memorised an advertising spiel.

                Where is the line however? What if the pretty scantily clad lady can tell me about the game and is employed by the publishing company to represent a particular character? Enter the ever lovely Jessica Nigri, semi- professional cosplayer, interviewer and face of Juliet Starling from Lollipop Chainsaw at conventions around the globe. At this year's PAX Jessica was asked to 'cover-up or leave' the convention floor when cosplaying as Juliet Starling. She consented and covered up. I can see two clear sides to this story. On the one hand with a neckline stopping at her pelvis I can understand how it is seen to be against the 'spirit of the convention'. On the other hand she isn't just a model who is hired to smile at people, look pretty and a repeat sales pitch ad nausea  She knows about and plays the games that she is hired to represent, she is a keen cosplayer and advocate for general gaming culture. So can she be considered a "booth-babe" if she is not just hired because she is a babe? If she is promoting the game and, particularly in the case of Lollipop Chainsaw, shares a striking likeness to the character she is physical representing?

                I suppose this case throws into light deeper issues in gaming culture. Despite the growing numbers of female gamers the industry is clearly still a very male-centric environment. From Lara Croft to Gill Valentine we are inundated with sexy female heroines who never seem to dress appropriately for the adventures we take them on. Are we simply being providing with what we actually want to play? Or are we, as gamers, still subject to the stereotypes that we are uncomfortable around attractive girls and fantasies about just being able to talk to them? Should, and will, these policies change or evolve? Will cosplayers be affected next or will there be loop holes for exhibitors to exploit? Ultimately the question is as a gaming community are we above the overtly sexual nature of marketing? Or are we doomed to be subject to the stereotypes set in place for us?  

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Jp of TheStormscast