Game Theory

The Strategy of Sex Appeal in Dead or Alive (5x18)

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Sex sells...and apparently PWNs! Earlier this year, the community around the Dead or Alive franchise of fighting games put out a "soft ban" on some of the racier costumes available for characters in the game. Dead or Alive is a franchise KNOWN for sexy women in...questionable attire...but in an effort o move away from that label and get people to focus more on the gameplay, sexy costumes were OUT. Except...that may have been the wrong decision as sexy costumes are a CORE gameplay element. Let me explain. ALSO...since I know anything touching on gender issues is always a bit dangerous...let me make it clear that me saying not to ban these costumes is purely from a gameplay perspective. I'm not saying ANYTHING about the overall role of females in this franchise or how they're perceived. I know that's a big issue in today's gaming landscape but it is NOT the intent of this video. What else should I disclaim for my own protection? Oh! I should reiterate, this is all backed by decades of scientific study, so even some of the more controversial findings about gender differences in reaction time are not my opinion, but rather generally-held scientific fact. I think that's everything. I'll still get tons of hate in the comments about these topics anyway, right? *Sigh* Well at least I tried...