Why dosen't the Giant Bomb community use real profile pictures?

Hey duders, this is something that has always been a GB thing, but I haven't started to notice it until recently. Almost every GB user I see uses an alternate profile picture rather than a picture of themselves. There's nothing wrong with this of course, but the sheer ratio of it in GB is interesting. Is it because all of the staff and mods use random pics? I'm interested to see other people's thoughts.

Does this even count as General Discussion? I don't know.

I really am a sentient plushy teacup.

Because most people don't want to post pictures of themselves on websites...unless its facebook or something where it's only your friends.

My profile pic is totally me tho...totally.

I use a picture of myself. I figured that since I jumped on the site early enough to get my actual name as my username, I might as well go whole hog and put my face up as well.

I AM SAD AND ALSO A ROBOT.

BEEP BOOP

I have never really thought about using a picture of myself. I'm so used to the one I currently have that I doubt I'll ever change it.

I think this is how it is on any internet forum pretty much, at least any forum I have been to.

Because we're an ugly bunch of bastards.

Yeah, I think it's the norm to not use a pic of yourself. I'm surprised you feel otherwise. I feel like, including myself, there's a decent number here who do use their own face.

My profile pic is the same image I've been using here and on other websites for nearly a decade now. It's just tradition at this point.

Also, I'd be mortified if someone recognized me from my pic. I might have to start up a real conversation. This is a playground. Let me enjoy my anonymity.

It's 'cause I'm ugly.

And I don't want any potential employers finding out what my dumbass does on the internet.

Cause its not Facebook.

I use my virtual Xbox 360 avatar version of myself, does that count?

what for? this isn't facebook.

I don't have pictures of myself on the Internet. Not even on Facebook. I'm not gonna start here.

Actually, I don't think I even have a picture of myself in real life. I never liked having my face on a picture.

Edit: Also, of course, I'm Batman.

Because the risk of potential bad stuff outweighs the benefit of what good stuff might happen from doing so.

Also that's boring.

And Dinosaurs!

A GB thing? Do you even internet?

@Slag said:

Because the risk of potential bad stuff outweighs the benefit of what good stuff might happen from doing so.

Also that's boring.

And Dinosaurs!

You're right, it's boring and dinosaurs are cooler.

Because that is boring. You can put anything there, why settle on yourself? I like seeing what people choose to represent themselves.

Mushroom clouds are much preferable to my ugly mug, believe me.

Because we are ugly

I don't think it's a GB thing, more of a Internet thing.

I pimp rides

Most people do not use their own faces as avatars or profile pics or whatever on any forum I've ever been on.

EDIT: Unless you count Facebook as a forum, but that's a thing for you and your friends.

I don't want to pull double-duty as my own avatar.

I'm not comfortable showing my face.

But I am Kane! I'm taking a break from the whole world domination game to chill in forums and stuff. Didn't you see the end of C&C 4? I went on vacation!

It's because almost everybody on GiantBomb is a cute girl, and doesn't want to get molested.

I like to use my own picture, puts a face to the name, which is always nice, i don't feel i need to hide myself from you guys haha

Because I don't like myself, and Plague Dogs is fucked.

I totally forgot that was my profile pic.

Becauuuuuuuse I'm totally Holo ~!

I do.

Meep?

@Seppli said:

It's because almost everybody on GiantBomb is a cute girl, and doesn't want to get molested.

says the supple bottomed apple.

@AndrewB said:

Becauuuuuuuse I'm totally Holo ~!

......................

............................................

Where do you live again?

I am Cakka Carrot Cake! A real super sand legend!

@Slag said:

Because the risk of potential bad stuff outweighs the benefit of what good stuff might happen from doing so.

Also that's boring.

And Dinosaurs!

I don't think there are any good or bad things really. A serial killer isn't going to track you down based on 1000 pixels worth of your face. Much easier ways for me to fin.. us to... for them to find you!

Well, I only go to two other forums: The Escapist (deal with it) and my TF2 clan's forum. Pretty much no one uses their own picture there either. I thought about putting myself on my Escapist account once, but it just seemed kind of vain.

What are you talking about? This is totally a picture of me. Don't be crazy.

@Brendan said:

I use a picture of myself. I figured that since I jumped on the site early enough to get my actual name as my username, I might as well go whole hog and put my face up as well.

Wow, that's really you? I totally hate you now.

Self esteem in this thread is at an all time low.

Because I am ugly as sin.

Because this isn't facebook, we're here to discuss gaming related stuff, not make friends, it shouldn't matter what we look like. Also, Capt. Price looks like Mario, thats great.

Because that would be boring!

Pretty sure there is a forum thread somewhere with people posting their real picture.

I just think that it is a site about video games where avatars and alternate personalities rule supreme. Stands to reason people would have random shit as their profile picture.

Also, in a weird way, I find I am suspicious of people that put their real picture up. Its probably not fair, it jutssmakes me wonder why they do it - why do you want everyone to see your face?

Obviously my avatar is of myself.

I can't speak for other parts of the world but where I live we have this thing called a pretty license. Each year you have to go get your prettiness tested and if you are a class five pretty or higher it's against the law to post real photos of yourself as your prettiness just makes other people feel bad about themselves. I'm a class 8 so for someone of my ranking it would be a death penalty to break said law. It's ok to do so in PM's, but not on any kind of public forums like posting in a thread or using an avatar. It's tough being pretty, but it's my cross to bear.

I've been using Prinny Kurtis since I had the option of using an image so I guess it's been around 10 years? My real picture can be found in that picture thread and it was a full body pic.

Because 'Cool Budgie'.

I feel like my avatar is more representative of my typical mental state than any picture of myself ever would be.