Cross Dress – World of Warcraft

What is Cross Dressing? Why do people cross-dress? Try asking a thousand people, you’ll probably get a thousand different answers. There are no certain reasons why people enjoy cross dressing. (Vern L. Bullough, Bonnie Bullough “Cross Dressing” 1993, p382)
Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with the opposite gender within a particular society. The usage of the term, the types of cross-dressing both in modern times and throughout history, an analysis of the behaviour, and historical examples are discussed in the article below. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-dressing.)

One of the most common reasons for people to cross dress in psychological terms is because certain males or females have lower dosage of male or female hormones. This generally effects the growth of both male and females, hence encouraging cross dressers to cross-dress. However, cross dressing does not only occur in a daily environment. It also occurs online. Research shows that a numerous percentage of internet users involve themselves in virtual cross dressing. (http://www.tgtimes.co.uk/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5)

Online cross dressing occurs in many different programs, and many different platforms on the web; for example, chat rooms, Messengers, forum boards, discussion boards, online games and many more. It is no small fact that a lot of game players cross dress virtually. Why do gamers cross dress? Is it because they suffer the same biological medical problem? From research conducted and personal online experience, there appears to be no conclusive answer that indicates this is true. Gaming is done in a virtual environment where the gamer through visual means experiences satisfaction and accomplishments mentally rather than physically. Further research articles indicate that a person’s sexual preference or sexuality is independent of their mental gender identity. Crossdressing is simply the outward expression by such a person of this essential gender identity and Crossdressing is thus no less real or compelling for this person than the expression by the average male and female of their masculinity and femininity. (http://www.gendercentre.org.au/cross_dressing_information.htm )
Cross dressing begins when a gamer is prompted from a game to select a gender. The player has two choices, male or female, and the chance that a gamer will choose to play as a female is marginally higher.( http://www.worldofwar.net/forums/showthread.php?t=387787&page=2)



World of Warcraft is an online role-playing game, huge in depth and scope, the perfect example of a virtual world. Cross dressing occurs in these virtual worlds for a variety of reasons:
• Firstly, playing a female character has more advantages then playing as a male character. This is explained when an active merchant is selling an item to a female; they are more likely to lower the price, than if a male character was purchasing.
• Secondly, female characters are well protected in a virtual world such as World of Warcraft. If a female is being hunted, male characters involve themselves into “rescuing” the female player.
• Thirdly, female characters have better appearances then males. Amongst all the possible races that can be chosen between male and female, females are more commonly physically attractive. Female characters also have better fighting styles; they are more swift and graceful when fighting.
• Fourth, female characters have better and unique items then males. The aim of playing in a virtual world is to achieve a godlike status, which is why gamers play frequently. They aim to protect and enhance themselves more strongly and on a higher level – being a female has more advantage in this instance, because of the high item ratio and options available to female characters.
• Fifth, female characters are easier to socialize with in comparison to the males. While communicating in World of Warcraft, most of the questions generated from female characters are more likely to be answered by an active player. When a male character tries to communicate by asking questions, it is less likely to be responded.
• Lastly, the ratio of female characters are stronger then males in an online game such as World of Warcraft. Female characters have a higher ratio of skills, which is very important because having more skills as a character, determines who is stronger. The more skills cast, the more powerful the character is. Also, while battling, the female characters are skinnier and smaller in appearance, making it harder to select and engage on.
(http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html;jsessionid=4FC2A5E91F21DB6A49C56245484E50F5?topicId=4821922981&sid=1 )

In conclusion, people who involve themselves in online cross dressing do not do so because they suffer a biological hormone imbalance and do it more as an expression. From research female characters have more subtle benefits than their male counterparts and this is reflected by gamers’ selection.
I personally agree that playing a female character has more advantage compared to a male character. While I was playing World of Warcraft, my first character was a male character. When I first played the game it was extremely confusing, I tried asking other active players for advice, however none of the players around ever responded. This is when I recreated another hero which is a female character. While I was in town, where most of the active players gather, I asked for guidance and its amazing how many players respond.
Personally when I play games, appearances are my first preference rather than power. But its interesting where towards the end, you discover that female heroes are stronger than males.
It is interesting how a gender role, such as the male in a virtual world, tries to support the female due to the basic notions of masculinity behaviour.