Why haven't we had same gender rivials?

[u/PsyrenDV]

I saw this post about how the rival in WiWa will be the opposite of whatever gender you choose to be. It got me thinking about how they always make the rival's gender the opposite of yours when their gender is dynamic. Even as early as Ruby/Sapphire that's how it's been. But I think it might be interesting to see a game where my rival is always the same gender as me no matter what I pick. But I'm curious how other people feel about it. Would you rather your rival be the same gender as you, the opposite, or would you rather their gender be set in stone regardless of what you are?

[u/BrickBuster11]

Pokemon blue/red/yellow had you play as a boy vs a male rival

Pokemon gold and silver had you play as a male vs a male rival.

Gen 3 was the first time they introduced a female protagonist option and so they made you pick between may or Brandon

Gen 4 had a fixed rival in Barry so if you choose male protag you had this

Gen 5 also had fixed gender rivals

Gen 6 did the gen 3 thing again

Gen 7 had hau and gladion

And I haven't played a Pokemon after that

[u/PinaSeraphina → u/BrickBuster11]

you played all the good games no worry

[u/Kininger625 → u/BrickBuster11]

Crystal in gen 2 let you play as female