Even though I'm a red-blooded male who has never once tried on mother's heels or my girlfriend's underthings, ten times out of ten, I'm going with the female avatar in a video game—if given the chance.

Why? Simple really. If I'm going to look at a character for ten to forty hours (or a hundred, as I did in Phantasy Star Online), it had better be something I'm fond of looking at. (It's not that uncommon for me to have spent 2 or more hours designing my perfect fake female. I'm picky!)

On the other hand, some friends of mine like to exploit the horny teens and lonely adults who will hit on anything with polygonal breasts. These friends always took advantage of the gender mystery, using their girly avatars to con armor, weapons and favors from men who go ga-ga over the possibility of finding an underwear model/WoW addict who prefers pot bellies.

This week's issue of the Escapist has a swell tale of author Bruce Sterling Woodcock's journey from sexy MUD cybering to learning about the online social interaction between men and men—when one of those men is a virtual woman. Also includes a warning about how sneaky e-ladies might see their veil lifted by changes in technology.

In the meantime, any other gender switchers out there? Michael "Yumi" McWhertor

Confessions of an MMOG Cross-Dresser [The Escapist]

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