
This trope goes all the way back to the very beginning of commercial video games: The promotional flyer for 1971's Computer Space features the arcade cabinet being presented by by a lady in a lacy, partially translucent dress ◊. Has nothing to do with characters who were Dummied Out. See also Wolverine Publicity.įor ladies who do appear in the game, go to Third-Person Seductress. Contrast Sir Not-Appearing-in-This-Trailer, as movies tend to have the exact opposite problem. This trope is a recurring feature of Clickbait Gags, specifically when mocking the trend to put attractive women in YouTube thumbnails. The name is a reference to "Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Film" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Once he sees what the game is about and decides whether or not to buy it, her job is done.Ī rather blatant subtrope of Sexy Packaging and Covers Always Lie. She is there only to attract the Male Gaze, due to the assumption that most gamers are (heterosexual) men.
It can be seen as especially odd if the game features several significant female characters who could have been used instead, but it doesn't really matter who the girl is.
The practice of putting sexy women on the box art and in advertisements for video games without her actually appearing in the game, or only appearing in a very minor, forgettable role that doesn't warrant such front-and-center visibility.