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Spouse Aggro #76
Wed, 20 May 2009 13:45:00 GMT [download/play]

Spouse Aggro #76

"Brisket, MMO's, avatars and YOU"

MMmmmmMMmm, here's what we ordered, and here's the BOOB CRAB!

So, we decided to go have some BBQ for dinner. Beau is seriously considering becoming a vegetarian. Seriously...but AFTER this meal. Some beef, some beers, and some good MMO chatter. We are discussing avatars and how that might give a clue to who is behind the avatar. We use Shut Up We're Talking (a great VW podcast) as a jumping point.

Then, this crazy young girl comes up and makes us a crab. A boob crab. She was very nice, and I felt bad that I had no cash for a tip. Then I felt bad because I indicated that her crab looked like it had boobs. Then one of his legs popped. I liked it. The part where we go "yayyyy" reminds me of A Christmas Story, the scene in the Chinese restaurant at the end. You know the part...the guy chops off the ducks head and the family goes "YAYYYY!"

The sound of the crickets and stuff was from Beau playing Vanguard. I love background sounds...ambience. Send in your games' sounds and we'll pop it in a break!

Who likes music? DUH...me. This weeks song is by one of my current sad song fav's: A Fine Frenzy. The song is called "Near to You."

Send emails to spouseaggro at yahoo dot com.

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Twitter name: spouseaggro

Skype name: beauturkey

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Episode 76 Discussion Thread

'Avatars and you' by CindyL

Submitted on 2009-05-20 17:34:04 CST
Cool topic, have to say I always pick a game avatar that depicts who I am in RL all the time. It's not so much that I try to say anything about the avatar but I pick the models and details that identify me in RL. Sometimes it's really obvious when I make a human, she's always going to be a brunette who's a bit short (if you can pick height) and petite. I can't play a character model that I view as bulky which is why WoW's characters never appealed until the blood elves came along.

About other people's opinion of the avatar I play I really don't care. If the look makes me happy then yay, if playing a male for whatever reason makes me happy then that's all that matters. Sometimes it's fun to be in someone else's shoes opposite gender or not. Guy reations towards my babelicious toons, again don't care. It's not much different from guy's reaction to pretty girls in RL, you tune them out. :D Wait, I think that may be a good point, people naturally react to avatars in game somewhat to how they would react to the same type of person in RL if they were to exist. You know what I mean? Sadly people judge based on looks almost always at first view so while the practice may be less then it was a few years ago online, that's probably why people do it in game as well.

About the Easter event in WoW. First Easter is a fertility festival from ancient times, (from Europe), bunnies, eggs and now chocolate are all fertility and sensual symbols. Never mind the playboy thing, bunnies were a symbol of let's get it on for a lot longer then Hugh Heftner's been around.... I think if anyone get's upset over this little joke from Blizzard they need to look at what they think of sexuality and why this upsets them so. As for what will our children think, come on! My daughter saw my bunny ears on my elf and pretty much squealed in delight: that's sooo cute!! Does she need to know or understand the joke beyond that? No she doesn't.

FFXI is hard and long but it's a very well made game. I get discouraged from playing it because the game requires at one point that you 'raid' dungeons in order to gain access to certain areas to explore, which pisses me off. But other then that it's always fun to go back in. For solo play you need to take certain steps for the best enjoyment, the game is different then most mmos because you don't just log in and play and figure it out, you have to research the best way to do things. It's more strategic in a sense, and it's getting pretty old, it's mechanics really shows it's age in some areas.
I have to agree most of the community is elitist, though not everyone is.

'diner recording' by jtravers
Submitted on 2009-05-20 19:04:10 CST
Loving the feel of the show. Good choice. Keep it up :)

'Thanks for the comments guys! ' by Beauturkey

Submitted on 2009-05-21 01:09:37 CST
Yeh bunnies have been gettin' it on for centuries! :) Still, I think Blizz knew what image they were going for.

FFXI...sigh. I really like that game, that's the problem. I log in and want to do some cool stuff, and literally I can't talk to anyone. The other night I tried for an hour to say hi to people, and after about 10 people not responding (even tells) I figured either they didn't understand english or had better things to do.

Too bad, there's something epic about that game, but you probably would have to have player for the last few years to get to it. I'm un-subbing for the last time now.

Thanks again!

Beau

'FFXI' by CindyL

Submitted on 2009-05-21 02:12:01 CST
I'd say that's too bad Beau but since I'm not playing either.... Can't wait until E3 Square Enix is supposed to be announcing their new MMO, I hope it's good stuff.

'\o/' by FarSpace

Submitted on 2009-05-22 19:35:14 CST
Lots cool interesting people like the waiter, he had a good English accent and the crab balloon making lady was fun.

One fun thing with me is when I want to play a bad character like in KotOR, I had more fun making it be a female character.

Are those same people offended about the bunnies ears on female characters upset because you could not put them on male characters? Now that might make sense although I personally am not offended one way or the others, just lucky I guess.

I would guess that the sexier the female avatar is the more likely it is a man behind it, because most all the avatars I saw ladies make in person they made them normal looking or not smutty looking.

From what I saw women make nicer looking female avatars.

For me my male avatars need to try and look appealing and the color choices can not be to flamboyant like a bowl of flowers, 2 or 3 main colors is good, and more then that and it just looks a mess.

'I usually go for pretty bland..' by Beauturkey

Submitted on 2009-05-22 22:57:49 CST
..you know, average looking avatars. Even my superheroes usually don't have 5 sets of anttanae (spelling?) and stuff.

There's just something I like about being a normal guy in a video game. Probably more of my attempts to appear outside of the norm, which can be the norm for many people! lol

Beau

'The show format is hawt!' by shuttler

Submitted on 2009-05-24 07:29:01 CST
seriously I think it adds to the show having background noise, and its a more frank off the cuff discussion.

LOVE IT!

as for toons. If I am playing an urban style game like say Matrix or something my toon will look like me. If its fantasy I make humans normally but make them how i see my characters bio in my head. As for heroes well whatever comesup at the time normally based on what I have been reading.

I wish one of the Super Hero games would add a proper secret identity system so I could have a everyday joe kinda look adn my hero.

'Bunny Ears' by Pufnstuf
Submitted on 2009-05-26 13:33:59 CST
Nice show as usual... Only funny thing is I can tell you are not Californians by what you order (brisker and fried Chicken LOL)

My issue with bunny ears is it only went on female toons. even in a avator world people can allude to sexism. If buuny ears could go on any avatar not just female then it is no issue. By targeting a specific group, it is prejudice even though pixelated.

Would you be shocked it you could 'enslave; dark skinned toons only? Although it is a 'playworld' behind these avatars are real people with real perspections and prejudies.

Remember wow is still the only game where people can call things 'so gay' in general chat, so I do think a little sensitivity is appropriate.

By the way, my favorite avatar are the fat hobbits of Shire. Nice seeing someone shorter and fatter and a mean stabber!

Please do another double date at a restaurant!

'We're always looking for Double Daters..' by Beauturkey

Submitted on 2009-05-26 14:50:15 CST
..I think Leala has some picked, and we have a few in mind, too.

Meeting in person is the hard part, but we might know of a couple that could come our way.

Beau