Booth babes a major part of E3 buzz
It's interesting that the crack down on scantily clad Booth Babes is getting as much E3 buzz as the PlayStation 3 pricing structure and Nintendo's motion-sensing Wii controller.
We'll resist analyzing what this phenomenon might mean about priorities in the gaming world (or even our society at large), and instead look at what bloggers have to say on the Booth Babe matter.
Some say the Entertainment Software Association's mandate to show less skin on the show floor is perfectly appropriate, and perhaps a sign of a maturing gaming industry. They said it's good PR for an industry that's often blamed of all of the world's moral shortcomings.
Others used the issue to express their longtime resentment toward the babes, who they say are demeaning to both men and women and unnecessary in the sale of video games
Others still, however, took offense to the association's ban, and were rooting on Booth Babe protestors, some of whom waved placards that read "Booth Babe Protest: I'm Rated E For Everyone" and "Bikinis > Bullets."
Blog community response:
"Tons of booth babes. Got some pics. None with me though. My booth babe at home is much more what I want then those girls. They were still nice eyecandy for the weary attendees walking around and drooling over the games there"
--Christopher on Christopher on MySpace
"I'm sure that this is a sign of the video-game industry maturing and beginning to recognize that focusing on the physical attributes only of women is demeaning to both men and women."
--postmodernbarney
"I've always found the whole idea of booth babes to be rather stupid and insulting. They are equally prevalent at car shows, and it's annoying. The thought that I'm going to be more interested in a product because some attractive woman is associated it on the shallowest of bases is dumb."
--Dwight Silverman on TechBlog
"Now let me be clear: I've always thought the idea of needing some bimbette standing around looking chilly in order to attract people (ie, men--ie, stupid men) to your wares is just sad. Add to the sadness the fact that these modeling agency drop-outs would much rather be auditioning for some RealityTV show than standing around getting their pictures taken with the winner of the Gary Gygax Award for Most Improved Acne, and you complete the picture. However..."Banning" them is just one step closer to sadness... Soldier on, brave warriors."
--Neon Nazgul
"Considering that they always openly admit that they know nothing about video games, I think booth babes should be sent home. Probably won't ever happen, but it's pretty insulting (to them and to nerds) that their entire purpose is to draw people in with skin."
--billygoten