: I don't see how characters being more realistic would push people/gamers
: away? Just because you aren't interested in having a lesbian super soldier
: or whatever doesn't mean that other people wouldn't. We need relate-able
: characters. Personalities in most games are either nonexistent or over
: done, the trick is finding a happy middle ground.

More realistic characters isn't the problem. Having something constently shoved in the gamer's face is. I, personally, have issue with a character being straight or not (since you brought it up). But i wouldn't want that charater's sexural prefernce thwon in my face all the time either. You're a ladies'man and you looooove the ladues. I get it. And I don't care to be reminded of it all the time. Same goes for religion, heritage, etc. And can just be too much sometimes.

: : The male lead has become VERY generic over the years. Large, handsome,
: fit,

: I don't want to play a game as a child or a generic male or female. I want to
: play as a unique character who can evolve and develop, not just physically
: change or age.

Neither do I. But just because a character isn't attractive or is a child, that doesn't automatically make him/her generic and boring. Look at Phyconauts. There's nothing boring (nor physically attreactive) about that character. Not in my opinion, anyway.