Gamer girl the irony

[Invictus]

I'm an avid gamer on various platforms. As an FtM I can somewhat speak about the perception and treatment many female gamers receive in the gaming community (pre-pubescent boys take a ton of abuse as well). I used to often get told vulgar things ranging from mildly offensive to seriously offensive, I have received a large amount of junk pictures as well. Why males think gaming is a solely male hobby is beyond me. There's even people who complain about female characters in a video game. My negative feedback on many consoles comes from guys who were uber vulgar and then got their butts whooped during gameplay.

As a man now I apologize for the behaviour of all those ignorant brats who have no respect for the female gamers.

If any of you are interested in gaming together shoot me a line.

[Lesley_Roberta]

I think persons that are TG likely get to see gaming a whoooooooole lot more clearly than most

MTF being able to see how 'thrilling' it is to be the only girl present in too many cases, and FTM coming to realizing that being male means a lot of faceplam moments when you realize what you will be accused of having done even if you haven't thanks to all the males that actually ARE guilty of it.

I suppose a lot of the myth is thanks to a lot of females realizing it is better to lie about being male in too many cases. Hence the old gag saying, there are no women in gaming, on guys and guys that say they are women. Sometimes it is just better to pretend to be one of them.

[Murbella]

^^^

"Girls don't play World of Warcraft..."
*waves* I sure do play WoW, and a few other major MMO's

Hehe, I met my wife while playing WoW... At the time I still had no conscious clue that I had gender issues, but I was a very passable girl in game.  For the first 2 years of us knowing each other I was female as far as she was concerned.  7 years ago, she ended up moving to the same city as me (for unrelated reasons) and I was compelled to come out to her as male.  Little did I know I would be coming out to her as female several years after that...

As for choice in games, Personally I do tend to lean away from traditional masculine games and more towards complex strategy or role playing.  I couldn't care less about when the next Call of Duty/Halo/Gears of war type game comes out.  My favorite is how Ben Croshaw of Zero Punctuation describes them as all "spunkgargleweewee."  For shooters though I can't wait until Valve finally starts putting visible work into Half Life again, as that series will always stand as the game by which I judge all others.  It Half Life 2 was wonderful as well in that it features a strong female lead.

As for the subject of discrimination of women in gaming communities... http://fatuglyorslutty.com/ is a wonderful website devoted to bringing to light some of the horrid things that people can do while interacting with others behind the curtain of internet anonymity.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19

[Danielle Emmalee]

Saw this ad on the side of the page on YouTube. 

[TaoRaven]

Huh. A lot of my female friends are hardcore gamers, and so am I.

I have known many women to completely dominate in FPS games over the years. In fact, many of them compete on a semi-professional level, and are often seen kicking tail at events such as Quakecon.

Don't discount the Sister on the Trigger

[Aina]

Back in the day in Everquest it was a general rule that all characters should be considered Male regardless - and this was before voice chat. Yet alot people use to hit on my wood elf bard, I never really said I was female but I never corrected people either.

Now a days it isn't uncommon to see girls playing games even some that are consider very boyish. Voice chat makes it easier to see that, and honestly If it wasn't for games and voice chats I wonder if I'd still be ignorant of being transgendered.

It was the big reason I started practicing a female voice, so I could "pass" as female online since most will start judging you if you don't join in and thus lead me here to post my voice to get feedback in one of the few places that I knew I wouldn't be judged harshly, and then Its when i started to learn...

I think I got off topic -ponders-

[Lesley_Roberta]

Saw this ad on the side of the page on YouTube. 

Heheheheheh according to the ads shilling Wartune on Facebook it is a game finally made for women

Which in the end is just a good example of how the internet is just as good at tabloid bull->-bleeped-<- as the magazines at the check out.

[JaneNicole2013]

I have to chime in on this. First, what kind of wargames are you talking about Lesley? Are you talking about video games only, or are you talking about the old hex-and-counter games? If the latter, I am an avid gamer myself and have quite an Avalon Hill collection--although my collection pales in comparison to that of others. I am Bambino64 on BGG by the way if you're on that site. I also used to play Advanced Squad Leader. I enjoy those games, but don't have much time for the rules, set up and such and have turned to Steam and some Euro games (Fantasy Flight has some great games) for my gaming fix, as well as some of GMT's card driven wargames. I am actually involved with a gamer girl now and we have fun together, and playing some COD will always be a great stress reliever for me.

As for Magic, my son was into it about a year ago and we played. I liked it, but he's moved on to other things--namely Minecraft (he's 14).

Jane

[eli77]

MMO player demographics have always been pretty evenly distributed across The Two Genders (consult any poll you want, the figures are pretty firmly in the 45-50% range for female gamers). It's a stereotype that has no basis in reality, and is entirely rooted in the "bro" culture that gamers have established over the past few decades for themselves... one that happens to be terribly misogynistic. I, for one, can't wait for it to go away. 

Um... no. http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/001365.php

Back in 2005, 84% of WoW players were male. Yes, that has changed over time. The figures are now closer to 60% dudes. But back when I played, females were few and far between. I was one of only 2 girls in the top raiding guild on my server for a good year during burning crusade.

The environment reflected that imbalance in fairly horrible ways. Like inappropriate comments regarding my sex life from my guild leader. Fun times.

[TaoRaven]

Um... no. http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/001365.php

Back in 2005, 84% of WoW players were male. Yes, that has changed over time. The figures are now closer to 60% dudes. But back when I played, females were few and far between. I was one of only 2 girls in the top raiding guild on my server for a good year during burning crusade.

The environment reflected that imbalance in fairly horrible ways. Like inappropriate comments regarding my sex life from my guild leader. Fun times.

Just to chime in on this subject....

I believe that WoW's early numbers reflected the predominantly male composition of pre-WoW Battle.net....IE the Warcraft and Diablo players.

In OTHER MMORPGS of the time, such as Everquest, Anarchy Online, Star Wars Galaxies, etc the numbers seemed quite a bit more balanced.

Eventually of course WoW attracted more female gamers and the population mix normalized.

Sorry....LOOOOONG time MMORPG player and one of the very first members of MMORPG.com (account since deleted in protest of the troll-fest that it has become)....and this kind of thing has always interested me.

[eli77]

Just to chime in on this subject....

I believe that WoW's early numbers reflected the predominantly male composition of pre-WoW Battle.net....IE the Warcraft and Diablo players.

In OTHER MMORPGS of the time, such as Everquest, Anarchy Online, Star Wars Galaxies, etc the numbers seemed quite a bit more balanced.

Eventually of course WoW attracted more female gamers and the population mix normalized.

Sorry....LOOOOONG time MMORPG player and one of the very first members of MMORPG.com (account since deleted in protest of the troll-fest that it has become)....and this kind of thing has always interested me.

I suppose that could be true. But we are talking about a time, before the influx of free-to-plays, when WoW had over half of the total MMORPG players in the Western World. So even if the other MMORPGs of the time were somewhat more evenly distributed (and I'd want to see more than anecdotal evidence to support that), the field as a whole was still unbalanced by the 5 1/4 to 1 ratio that WoW enjoyed.

Hell, when I was a little kid in the 90s, the trope of girls not playing video games was fer real, fer real. It's a myth now that girls aren't gamers, but it surely didn't used to be. And that's a big part of why the gamer culture is so, frankly, vile. Sorry, but it really is. It's like a frat house grown massively out of control. The level of casual misogyny and homophobia can be breathtaking.

I never got into that stuff. That whole multiplayer/online gaming thing. From everything I've heard it just takes the trollfest that is so much of the net and smears it all over the game you are playing.

Screw that stuff. I don't need to deal with some stupid, bratty schmuck giving me static while I am trying to play a game.

Seems pretty pointless to me.

Because, cleverly, WoW provided a lot of tools to isolate yourself from those kinds of people. I got lucky and ended up with a group of friends who were basically all raiding girl gamers, like me, and a few of their partners and some queer boys. Outside of the raiding hours, that's who I spent my time with. And that social aspect is what makes the games so addictive, past the point that you even like the game much anymore.

Not to mention it allowed me to be myself, even if only in a limited form, before I worked up the nerve to transition.

[Sephirah]

Having played a few MMO's over the years, it seems to me that sometimes the misogynistic attitudes are there only to serve as a way to show off. The people who supposedly have them, more often than not, they don't actually think that way. It's just something to troll the global chat channels with, and a misguided attempt to appear "cool", or "entertaining" (which is often more a way of saying "I want attention - look at me!"). Talk to them without an audience and they are often very different people.

Another thing that strikes me, is that it's only maybe 5-10% of people who are genuinely "just that messed up" in their attitudes, but unfortunately they're also the ones that are most vocal. Taking the venomous spewings of the same usual suspects on a game server... well, that isn't a reflection on the majority of thought. The only thing that really teaches you is that smart people know to keep their mouth shut and out of the global chat channels. Leave the bridge for the trolls to live under and just ignore it.

Having played something like TERA - part fashion shoot, part MMO, all superficial... I know that many of the female gamers never broadcast the fact due to the same few immature trolls that frequent it. It's not so much girl gamers not being there, but more them being smart enough to keep away from the people who enjoy measuring e-peen and seeking attention.

[Lesley_Roberta]

I have to chime in on this. First, what kind of wargames are you talking about Lesley? Are you talking about video games only, or are you talking about the old hex-and-counter games? If the latter, I am an avid gamer myself and have quite an Avalon Hill collection--although my collection pales in comparison to that of others. I am Bambino64 on BGG by the way if you're on that site. I also used to play Advanced Squad Leader. I enjoy those games, but don't have much time for the rules, set up and such and have turned to Steam and some Euro games (Fantasy Flight has some great games) for my gaming fix, as well as some of GMT's card driven wargames. I am actually involved with a gamer girl now and we have fun together, and playing some COD will always be a great stress reliever for me.

As for Magic, my son was into it about a year ago and we played. I liked it, but he's moved on to other things--namely Minecraft (he's 14).

Jane

We likely have similar pasts.

I recall well my first encounter with Steel Panthers. I was of the opinion 'yeah right, a computer wargame being any good. that's hilarious'. But it turned out some wargames are indeed good although in too many cases, the design makes solo hotseat not an option, and often that will kill a game for me, as the AI scene for wargaming is such that Terminator and Matrix will NOT be happening any time soon.

I have ASL and refuse to let go of it. I'd rather have it on a shelf not being played than a computer wargame installed and not being played

I have actually thought of going and rebuying some of my old board game classics.

I have been to BGG often enough, but I have not participated in the past.

I have had a VERY well established name in wargaming, actually, I would not be hurt if you had never heard of me, but would not be shocked if you had I am not overly interested in that past though, too many miserable and over all socially challenged rotten old men in the mix hehe.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

I am in the game design field and let me just say!!
I know a girl who makes the most brutal violent amazingly fun games ever!!
She taught half the guys I know what a gamer girl can do.

Trust me gaming has nothing to do with gender, everyone can like games if they just open their socially controlled minds

btw anyone dumb enough to tell online players real things may as well just add them on facebook. That being said if you meet nice honest people then nice

[Keaira]

I love the Halo games, especially Halo: Reach because fir the first time in the series, your body could also reflect that you were female, not just your dying screams. I dont make a mad dash for the rocket launcher or anything of mass destruction. I prefer precision. always a headshot with the Grunts so that it rains confetti on the battle field. Or Team SWAT, where there's no sheilds, no buffs, no protection. Just a good old fashioned gunfight.

And I enjoy Tomb Raider. All of them! I've been a huge Tomb Raider fan from the very start.
I also play Star Trek Online. I am a huge Trekker you know. But these are just a few in my list of games I love. I'm ALWAYS up for a game of Mario Kart, Goldeneye, Mass Effect, Splinter Cell, Resident Evil....

So yea, I'm a Gamer Girl. my wife is too. She is the Guild Master of one of the longest-running guilds on Moonrunner.

[JaneNicole2013]

I have ASL and refuse to let go of it. I'd rather have it on a shelf not being played than a computer wargame installed and not being played

I have actually thought of going and rebuying some of my old board game classics.

I have had a VERY well established name in wargaming, actually, I would not be hurt if you had never heard of me, but would not be shocked if you had I am not overly interested in that past though, too many miserable and over all socially challenged rotten old men in the mix hehe.

ASL is hard to let go of. I sold my gear (a suitcase full) a few years back when I needed some money but I've since re-entered the hobby (and it is a hobby in and by itself). It's a great game. I love (and hate) the complexity. Like I tell people, it's the only game I know of that not only can you suffer from a broken machine gun, but you can break it while trying to fix it. My ex asked me one time how a game went and when I was in the middle of telling her about my misfortunes, she said, "I was only asking to be nice" (in a nice way of course).

A few years back a friend of mine and I answered an ad on craigslist for a game collection. We bought about 40 games from the 60s and 70s. Games that have gone pretty much unplayed due to lack of time, although I did take a duplicate of D-Day and make some nice wall art from it.

Ever attend Avaloncon? I went in 93, 95, and 96. Good times.

You do have my curiosity peaked about your identity, but I understand if you don't want to share it. Feel free to message me or track me down on boardgamegeek.com.

[Steffo]

I've been in love with video games since I watched my older brother play his Commodore 64 when I was little. I have a tetris tattoo, and I make video game sampled hip hop music. You COULD call me a gamer girl, but I always feel like it's a generic misnomer. With that said:

I really enjoy a lot of the newer indie games out on the market.

Castle Crashers, Binding of Isaac, Spelunky, Super Meat Boy, Rogue Legacy, these are all insanely hard, but they pose a good challenge, even if you only need to play for 10 minutes at a time.

[Lesley_Roberta]

Alas I have never attended any game events.

The wife last year went with our son to a Starcraft based event in Toronto. Not my thing to pay top dollar just to watch other people game for 3 days in crowded conditions But I also won't pay to watch sports either.

It looks like they are going to a second one this year.

Me, the ONLY events I have ever attended with 3 events of AnimeNorth in Toronto, but it was an event of multiple interests ie manga, anime, purchasing, watching, cosplay as well as just a sort of 3 day holiday. I went to two with son back when he was still a young teen. I'm hoping to go next year for the first time in a few years.

I recall one instance mentioned on forums, where an ASL event was at a location the same day another event was playing. It was a funny contrast. Either 100 overweight old men pushing counters or something akin to a Victoria's Secret event. I couldn't picture choosing the old men

Most of what I know of non wargaming though, is by being a witness not a participant. And having several intensely active gamer friends who are also younger males and single as well, tends to give me plenty enough exposure. That and having a typical gamer teenager in my home. So much of gaming is something I know of, but have never actually really experienced directly for much. Not sure why I bought GW2 for instance. Looks great, but I feel like a fish out of water playing it. Just can't wrap my head around the practice of playing an MMO for hours every single day.

I am definitely what they call a 'casual' gamer when it isn't something about WW2 and a boring looking board gamish style wargame.

[LilDevilOfPrada]

Any gamer girl here own a Warhammer army?? I am the proud owner of a eldar army Come now gamer girls cant only exist in the digital?? I am sure I aint the only one with over 3000 magic cards right?? Hahah yea thats me bragging bwahah

[JaneNicole2013]

Any gamer girl here own a Warhammer army?? I am the proud owner of a eldar army Come now gamer girls cant only exist in the digital?? I am sure I aint the only one with over 3000 magic cards right?? Hahah yea thats me bragging bwahah

Warhammer is one game I've always been afraid to get into. I've seen a lot of people spend a lot of time and money on armies and I just didn't think I could make that kind of commitment. Had I pursued that hobby, however, I would have gone with the Tau.