Role Playing Games Offer Instant Makeovers for Older Women

I asked one of my Wizard 101 friends not long ago, if my new robe made my butt look fat. He gave me an LOL and asked if I was kidding. Of course, I was. Sort of. Part of the fun for woman in playing an online game is the ability to make your avatar look as gorgeous and as gracefully powerful as possible. Do you know anyone, if given the chance, who would put saddle bags and cellulite on their character?

Wizard 101 is a very popular online game that has a player base that spans great age differences. My youngest son started playing at the age of four and many, like myself, are older players. In my early forties, I find the game to be quite enjoyable, entertaining and, I must say, addicting. Wizard 101 seemed to be a game for younger children; their commercials aired on popular cartoon channels. Speaking with other players in the game, at fan site forums and through social networking sites, like Facebook has made it quite clear that there is a very loyal and enthusiastic following of older gamers.

Many MMORPG's offer sexy character choices for women. The cliché of the female game character as a scantily clad, sword bearing vixen continues to show up in virtually every new game release I see. Wizard 101 has much more modest female forms that show no skin and no cleavage. In fact, most characters starting out have the appearance of prepubescent teenagers without the benefit of curves or muscles of any sort. As you grow in rank and power, you still have no curves or muscles to speak of. Male characters don't even have the option of facial hair in the game. It ends up being all about the gear.

When you sign up for a membership at Wizard 101, you get some basic choices of hairstyle, hair color, eye shape and color and skin tone. Very basic stuff here, not a lot of room for creativity. Your character name is even determined by choosing from available components, no choice to make up your own name. And we are all humans in the game, so we are all pretty much alike except for how we gear up.

All new wizards start off with basic gear that has little or no stats and almost no decoration or ornamentation whatsoever. Your biggest decision starting out with your gear is a choice of color. Now I am no fashionista in real life, but trust me when I say your gear starting out is u-g-l-y. Chunky shoes, plain robes and hat and a wand that not even Ron Weasley would covet. If nothing else, this gave me great reason to quest until I dropped and increase in levels so I could get some better looking clothes.

As you advance in levels in Wizard 101, you are capable of wearing new gear. Each set seems to get a bit more attractive and elaborate; and expensive, unless you are winning gear. The best gear is dropped by higher level bosses, but you can find some better stuff for sale in the Wizard 101 bazaar or the crown shop. The makers of Wizard 101 reserve some of the best clothing and wands to be purchased by crowns only. In game gold is won and spent freely among the young wizards, or older as the case may be. Crowns are purchased for real money and are like premium currency in the game. Being older and having more disposable income than most of the younger players, I get to purchase crowns quite regularly and buy some of the really fun stuff that comes with some status in just owning it.

There is nothing quite like being able to sport the latest holiday gear like what comes out at Halloween. Witchy Halloween robes, a pumpkin staff and a black cat pet really gets you in the mood and makes you the envy of everyone who can't get it themselves.

Looking great in the game comes with it's hazards, though I have never really understood what drives some of these players. Do they not realize that my avatar is a fantasy representation of my game character and I probably don't look anything like it? The pink hair is lovely, but not something I do personally. There will probably never be an in game wedding for me, though plenty gamers have asked me to "be their girl". I have enough commitments in the real world, I am not about to tie myself down to another gamer in Wizard 101. Besides, my husband plays too and I don't think he would like it very much. So, I guess I can conclude that my wizard looks hot enough for people to want to date me in the game. Even though I'd rather not; I'm glad they aren't asking me to be their "Mom".

Resources
Wizard 101 Website