Since the first day of Eurogamer Expo 2012, there has been one thing that seems to be catching everyone’s attention. Is it the latest Call of Duty? or maybe Hitman? No. It has been booth babes.
For those who don’t know, booth babes are usually scantily clad women, who parade around the show trying to draw attention to something (be it a game or a company).
I was appalled at one particular small trend at Eurogamer. Only three companies made use of them, of them two had both done the same thing. Stuck a QR code on the arse of a pair of skin tight hot pants and got their booth babes wearing them with little else. In one case, there was a QR code on one cheek and the message “Play for Cash”) on the other.
My objection was not about the objectification of women. To me it looked like they knew exactly what they were doing (I may be wrong). It was the image that this kind of practice gives the games industry.
The games industry is trying very hard to shed the “geeky boys in dark bedrooms” image. It is trying to encourage anyone and everyone to join in. Equality is what we want. The best people for the job, doing the job. Men or women. This kind of thing doesn’t help. At best, it makes the industry feel dirty, at worst it may well be putting off women from being involved – women who may well be the best person for the job in the industry.
The atmosphere at Eurogamer was fantastic, it felt family friendly and exciting. The booth babes just felt out of place and not needed. Surrounding people and getting their photos taken, wandering aimlessly whilst texting – they just didn’t seem to fit in at all.
I am really happy that Eurogamer have responded (www.eurogamer.net/forum/thread/242422) and are banning them next year.
The industry has a long way to go. The images used of women in games is often questionable. That will take a great deal of time to sort out. This is simple though. Ban the babes, make the events feel less seedy and help the image of women in the industry.