Connie Thompson of Geek’s Dream Girl recently posted Dude Rolls Like a Lady: Cross-Gender Play in RPGs, an excellent article examining the idea from all angles. Why don’t we do it more? Is cross-gender roleplay a “DM thing” only? She covers a lot of great angles on the topic, and it inspired a lot of great discussion and ideas from readers, from cross-gender play to character sexuality to character creation and more.
Here is my take on it from my years of D&D play throughout the editions since Basic (as both a DM and player):
‘I like playing female characters occasionally as a guy just to mix things up, for the sake of variety. For me, for the playgroup, for the roleplay, for the story. It’s something different, so new experiences, challenges and laughs you may not have otherwise experienced tend to come your way.
Plus, with years and years of DM’ing experience, I’m use to RPing female NPCs – I do it all the time, it’s part of the gig as DM. So I guess as a DM, your comfort level in going cross-gender for when you play is probably higher. It’s like anything though – practice and experience makes it easier and more comfortable.
Actors and actresses go cross-gender rarely too. And more often, against their typical typecast or personal beliefs and values. Look at Robin Williams. He’s played a woman and played a psychotic villain too. And he’s a brilliant Hollywood actor and comedian.’
There’s plenty of other Hollywood examples, too. A couple that come to mind: Boondock Saints and Shakespeare in Love. You’ll find a lot of star power in those who also went cross-gender. Connie commented that she hadn’t considered this classic precedent of cross-gender play by Hollywood’s finest, and went on to say – “Makes us gamers seem like a very progressive bunch, doesn’t it?”
So next time you’re creating and roleplaying your PCs or NPCs, put some extra effort into making them believable, regardless of gender. Flex those creative muscles and vocal chords. Like actors, go for broke! The variety of play – for both you and everyone – will feel like a fresh breeze, trust me.
Who cares anyway, like Connie talked about? Guys, girls, whatever – in my opinion, we’re all minions! Remember you’re among friends and D&D and RPGs are a cooperative storytelling activity. If award-winning Hollywood actors can do it in front of an entire crew of dozens and hundreds of people for an eventual audience of millions, I’m pretty damn sure you can pull it off in front of a handful of friends. And you might just have – and create – a lot of fun doing it!
Kilsek