Sony Online Entertainment is launching a competition to discover a real-life version of Antonia Bayle, the buxom heroinne from forthcoming MMORPG sequel EverQuest II. Starting on May 17, women who feel they look like the archetypal fantasy realm fox (you know the sort of thing, long dark hair, full lips, heaving bosom, jewel-encrusted bikini...) must send their photo to the special site so that slavering hordes of lascivious fanboys can vote on their favourite Bayle-alikes. The five finalists will then be flown to Las Vegas to complete in a glitzy beauty pageant.
(slight pause while nausea passes)
Obviously combatting the stereotypes of online RPG gamers as lonely men fixated on impossibly idealised female characters isn't a key priority here. Neither is finding an interesting and innovative method of connecting with the sizeable minority of female MMORPG fans.
While I'm on this subject, it has been confirmed today that Baywatch star Angelica Bridges will be present at E3 to stand around looking awkward near Singles 2: Triple Trouble. Just the latest vague celebrity endorsement to liven up an event that would otherwise be forced to rely on the merits of the games themselves. Shudder the thought.
Hooray for the videogame industry! It rocks!
Via CNET
