Breasts in Video Games

August 15, 2007 · Filed Under General, Musings, Videos, Gaming

Alrighty…let’s tackle a sensitive issue here.

First, why are female breasts over-hyped in video games? Can Lara Croft really be adept at swinging and doing acrobatics with those C Cups? Can full plate armor really protect you when you show those mouth-watering cleavages? Do you love Dead or Alive for the gameplay or is it something else?

These and other “mysteries” will slowly be unraveled in this post/study. I will attempt to tackle, catalog and share with you facts and insight about the science (and possibly the logic) behind the design and conscious (or subconscous) desicions of game designers on breasts in relation to games.

First, an in-depth video study/documentary from gametrailers.com

More about mammary glands after the jump…

BREAST PHYSICS

Eversince man stepped out of text games (like Zork) and MUDS, graphics were the quintessential element that defined the appeal of video games. Of course, with men and boyz as the primary market, female characters are often used to lure the users to try out the games. Just like comics (Jim Lee was phenomenal for a new approach at female characters and boob size), the games and the physics behind boobs slowly caught on.

In an article at clubskill.com, they write: “Like the beginning of console gaming, breast physics in games were born in. From what it is believed, bouncing breasts really got their true start in Anime. Anime shows (especially ‘Ecchi’-themed ones like Love Hina) have had a seemingly strong obsession with breast movement and it stemmed quickly into gaming. The first ever gaming girl to have bouncing breast is the famous Mai Shiranui who first showed off her very animated self in the original Fatal Fury fighting game. After that it was a matter of time before other games started copying this form of gravity. A large fraction of 2D fighting games started to integrate bouncing at this time, but as technology went 3D, so did the physics. Thus Dead or Alive was born.”

The article further catalogs the development and evolution of physics engines from what were insanely HUGE breasts to more “realistic ones”

Meanwhile, Gaming Today in a similar study pointed out their thoughts about breast physics.

They write: “There are many questions about this field of study but simply put the unified theory of breast physics states that if you have a female video game character with large.. shall we say assets.. they will have the most expressively modeled motion prediction and reaction of all the parts of the human form - including hair or facial features. Breast physics infiltrates every known genre of games - sports games, fighting games, RPGs, and even simulations . The biggest concern though as someone who enjoys eye candy as much as the next man is: Does this unrealistic portrayal of human anatomy set unrealistic expectations for young male gamers when they actually encounter the real thing?”

Now that IS a valid question. If you ask me, I will answer “NO”. Rarely do I see a “set” as perfect as those in the pixelized world. Only actresses and models can share in that caliber. But that’s another story.

The point is: these things are modeled and designed because they can helluva do it. What’s to stop a designer to define “perfection” when it comes to the female anatomy? I mean, let’s face it, in an imaginary world, one can get away with a lot… and I mean a LOT.

That probably answers why chain mail or full plate still offers the same rate of armor for females even if it only covers a small portion.

What about you? What are your thoughts or comments on the subject matter?

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Comments

21 Responses to “Breasts in Video Games”

Breasts in Video Games (A Study) - “Anyone Can Blog” | Pinoy Bloggers Society (PBS) - PinoyBlogoSphere.com on August 15th, 2007 12:59 am

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fatman on August 15th, 2007 1:22 pm

Uhhhh….. what was it again? I think I was hypnotized or something.
valfogg on August 15th, 2007 5:19 pm

i still remember the flasher fatality of b. orchid in the game killer instinct

also in one of our d&d games, flashing breasts also count as a “stunning strike”.

good examples of breasts in combat i say…
Blackwolf on August 15th, 2007 10:00 pm

beedeebeedeebeedeebeedeebeedeebeedee….
links for 2007-08-15 « PinoyBlurker @ PinoyBlogoSphere.com on August 15th, 2007 11:18 pm

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links for 2007-08-15 « PinoyBlogoSphere.com | PhilippineBlogoSphere.com on August 15th, 2007 11:19 pm

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Caroline on August 16th, 2007 1:59 pm

I guess this is because majority of the gaming population is male. I’m female but I don’t mind a lot of breasts in a game, but it does make you wonder how those scantily armored femmes can survive a mob of monsters.
GM T on August 17th, 2007 12:15 am

hehehe.

Nice insight from you Caroline.

Thanks for the comment and for dropping by!

GM T
Joe User on August 25th, 2007 11:27 am

I’m undecided. Umm….I need more pics!
Cesar on August 30th, 2007 10:35 am

In my Opinion ,it really depends on the perception of each person. Some might be offended ,others might not. If you want your game to sell more doing a realistic presentation of female characters are just “icing” to the “cake” which is the game itself. If games like Lara Croft are played because of the intense gameplay it brings to the players.

If a certain game sucked even with all the girls are naked it would still become a flop. I admit this kind of designs would invite male gamer to plat the game yet in the long run its the game itself matters.
Gamer Babe: Pam | gmtristan.com on September 7th, 2007 2:32 pm

[…] year. I sometimes host events and voice commercials. Would you believe that I voiced an AVP for a breast enlargement program? I’ve also been a talent for a recording company for some videokes. Have you seen the […]
Video: Tekken Girls Get Real | gmtristan.com on October 15th, 2007 2:00 pm

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DOA Bikini Contest in Japan is Hot! | gmtristan.com on November 18th, 2007 10:03 am

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Mr.Pinoy on December 5th, 2007 11:03 pm

For met he best videogame character with big boobs is Mai of King of Fighters. Man she’s so hot!
[ video ] DOA Extreme 2 Sexy Babe Marketing | gmtristan.com on December 28th, 2007 10:01 am

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Guinness Book of World Records - Gamers Edition | gmtristan.com on January 11th, 2008 8:11 am

[…] for example, there’s Tomb Raider. It seems that our good friend Lara’s not only good in pioneering boobs in gaming. While Myst is the “least violent video […]
Emily on June 11th, 2008 11:45 am

Well… I’m a girl and I actually really enjoy the bouncing breasts, in the sense that they amuse me and its just fun to watch those little details thrown in. Its right up there with some characters having huge feet, I think its cute.

… but maybe I’m just weird. >>
MadeOfSolidifiedMSG on August 18th, 2008 2:52 pm

there should be an option to turn those overdone physics engines off, so that people who are insulted by such things can still play the game, but the game still attracts attention.
GM T on August 18th, 2008 3:41 pm

What? Physics and gravity can do wonders to the mammary glands! Cheers!
sylv3rblade on August 18th, 2008 5:59 pm

hint hint!
Soul Calibur 4 XD