They all start out the same. You will need to create a character to play with. The various MMO's do have many similarities at this point. You choose a species, or race and class and in some cases a profession for your character. In one area, the MMO's are ahead of the console games in feminism. Every one that I have played has given me the opportunity to play with a female character, or "avatar". Generally statistics have concluded that in addition to monopolizing the remote control for the TV, the males in a household will also dominate the game console that is connected to the TV as well. Hence women in many cases will gravitate to the household PC and play MMO's or casual games there.

The female characters could not be more diverse from one game to the next. From the drab, indistinct graphics of yesteryear that were used in the disappointing Dungeons and Dragons Online that contrast with the sublimely detailed and diaphanously dressed delicate female characters in Guild Wars, the females are vastly different creatures. In World of Warcraft the female characters are dowdy hearty types that look cartoonish. The footwear, hands and costumes are pixelated and muddy. Even the females are huge and burly. In other games such as the notorious Lineage 2, the female dark elf begins the game wearing belts and garters that I have compared to "attire" seen in adult films. The choice is a matter of taste. If you feel as though you are interested in having a character that you can dress up and enjoy costuming then games like Guild Wars and Lineage 2 might be of interest.

Dark Age of Camelot	Dungeons and Dragons Online	Dungeon Runners
Guild Wars Elementalist	Guild Wars Ritualist	World of Warcraft

Certainly the gameplay is the most important consideration even above the graphics. Once you have chosen from the selections for hair color, skin color, face, and vital statistics then you are ready to play. The development of the strengths of this character is the essence of all of these types of games.

In some games the female characters seem like they have a target painted on them. Whether you are a guy playing as a female avatar, or a female behind the virtual form, harassment in online games seems to be unavoidable. The human female magic user in WoW (World of Warcraft) is weak and difficult to "level up" or get her stronger by fighting monsters. My character was constantly attacked by other players. Regardless of the fact that the game supposedly does not permit other players to kill your character. Mean people can still find a way to make your life miserable. If you want to play a game and you are not interested in dueling with other people, you fight in the environment that is filled with creatures and castles to explore. That is called PvE. If your main interest is to battle against other players in a gladiatorial fashion, that's called PvP.

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