If you’ve ever been to a convention or trade show, or even just seen some of our previous event coverage, you probably have seen some booth babes. It’s not uncommon for retailers to use sex appeal to raise public interest in their products. However, after Penny Arcade Expo fans voiced their opinion on the subject in a recent community poll, the organizers of PAX have enacted stricter rules for booth babes.

According to the poll results, in which 6,313 people participated, only 20% of respondents were against a ban, with 60% in favor of the ban and another 20% being indifferent. The new restrictions being put into effect will require booth babes to be knowledgeable in whatever product they are promoting, as well as banning anything that would be considered “partial nudity”. However, the partial nudity rule is waved for cosplayers, assuming, of course, that the cosplayer’s outfit is true to character, meaning no over-sexualization of characters that are otherwise not known for wearing skimpy characters.

Now, while there are definitely those people that are going to be outraged at the idea of not seeing more of girls like these at PAX, fans have made it clear that they prefer have fun and learn more about games without the gimmick of a sexy woman. It’s great to see that the PAX organizers care about what their fans think to base these policies on the community’s thoughts. So, if you go to conventions mainly to ogle women, PAX might be one you want to skip.

[via Ars Technica]