When you're at a geek convention, what attracts you to a particular booth? Is it familiarity with what's being shown? Is it the free stuff? What about the ladies giving away the free stuff? Whether you call them promotional models or "booth babes," these women (and they are almost always women), are a constant source of controversy at major gaming events.
The ever-growing debate surrounding gender concerns in gaming has led to a critique of marketing practices that use sex to sell games and tech. Proponents say that sex sells, and they're just playing to their (mostly straight guy) consumer base. Critics argue that a reliance on booth babes alienates women who are both consumers and industry employees. Games writer Kate Cox commented on the phenomenon last year in an article for Kotaku: "...a booth that wants to attract my attention by waving the promise of women at me is, in fact, saying loud and clear that they don't want my attention at all."
See also:
- E3's Best in Show: The Cosplay Edition
- E3 2013: Five Takeaways From Yesterday's Gaming Press Conferences
We spoke with a woman who numbered among a shrinking population of booth babes at E3 to see what she thought about the way the industry was moving. Michelle (pictured above, far left) was representing the Hansel & Gretel movie's DVD/Blu-Ray release. That's right. A movie, not a game.
While she doesn't play video games herself, Michelle said, she enjoys a good round of Apples to Apples now and then. Michelle had only received a positive reaction from E3 attendees, but she is aware of a growing backlash towards promo models. Even so, she doesn't let it faze her too much.
"I wouldn't judge anyone based on their profession, so I would expect the same," she said. And she doesn't seem to think the booth babe phenomenon is going away anytime soon: "There's a reason that we're hired...It works."
In a bit of social commentary, the IndieCade booth, which showcased independent creators, offered a different approach: booth bros! Myles Nye from Wise Guys Events created a large, physical game called E3GoMania, in which players answer trivia questions relating to video game history. Players get to move pieces forward on a game board (a mat). The goal is to be the first to reach the other side. Here's the kicker--the "pieces" are actual men in skintight clothes and literally objectified.
