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?