@ Sycraft-fu and others that replied,

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. I think that Vanderhoth is right, it's that the violence feels targeted because of the the context it's in (the naked and spreadeagled women on tables and the implications therein vs guards killed cleanly and clothed) that make the women stand out. Same for the prostitutes in GTA.

On the other hand, I was also put off by the cop killing in GTA, so maybe a further examination is due, as you say.

PS Farmville is not a game, it's a time tax on people who like to click the mouse. :P The only worse "game" is Fish Wrangler.

I am a woman and I play Diablo II, Mass Effect, Oblivion, etc. I can tell you that eventually I got tired of seeing the dead women spreadeagled on tables in the Harem level of Diablo II and was alienated by being able to kill female prostitutes in GTA. (Just two examples.) Also, I get tired of no eye candy for me, the eye candy always *is* me. I think you're right; the "needs and preferences of women" thing is a bit disingenuous. My "needs and wants" are fewer rape jokes and less T&A in the games already produced. If you're going to have soft porn in your game (no problem with that), at least balance the gender a bit. Would you play completely through a game that had half naked men and only men that were half naked in it?