From anecdotal evidence talking to like-minded women the stigma seems to be about playing games full-stop rather than specific types of games, I am seeing more and more women in the "violent" games I play, even if the argument is true I don't see it being a problem for much longer.
To look at it another way, girls who pursue any out of the ordinary interest are extraordinarily tough - they have to be - we deal with far more generic taunts and pokes about our hobby than most guys do.
This is pretty much what I was thinking. Maybe the girls are out there, but we just don't realize it. I play World of Warcraft, and my wife and at least one other woman are in our guild. I remember several times when a new guy would hear their voice in Vent and be amazed that they were actually female. Naturally, one of my friends felt almost obligated to hit on the other girl. She didn't seem to mind, but I know I'd be irritated if I couldn't go anywhere in an online game without somebody trying to be flirtatious. It's immature and presumptuous, but (sadly) for a lot of these guys, this is their only chance to interact with a woman in a situation where they feel comfortable. The woman can't see how nerdy, ugly, or fat or whatever they are in real life. Furthermore, the stakes are a lot lower. Naturally, since they've had so little social interaction with the opposite sex, they seem immature or crude. Perhaps some of this intentional, but I bet some of them are simply imitating what they've seen on TV or their friends do (or say they should do).
My guess is that this is simply a transition phase. Once there is a critical mass of females on online games, this ridiculousness will ebb if not stop altogether. I know I make a point of never asking a female what she looks like, her relationship status, or any of that stuff. I don't consider it any of my business to know, and it doesn't make any difference whatsoever on the way she plays the game.
Who's to say we don't?
From anecdotal evidence talking to like-minded women the stigma seems to be about playing games full-stop rather than specific types of games, I am seeing more and more women in the "violent" games I play, even if the argument is true I don't see it being a problem for much longer.
To look at it another way, girls who pursue any out of the ordinary interest are extraordinarily tough - they have to be - we deal with far more generic taunts and pokes about our hobby than most guys do.
This is pretty much what I was thinking. Maybe the girls are out there, but we just don't realize it. I play World of Warcraft, and my wife and at least one other woman are in our guild. I remember several times when a new guy would hear their voice in Vent and be amazed that they were actually female. Naturally, one of my friends felt almost obligated to hit on the other girl. She didn't seem to mind, but I know I'd be irritated if I couldn't go anywhere in an online game without somebody trying to be flirtatious. It's immature and presumptuous, but (sadly) for a lot of these guys, this is their only chance to interact with a woman in a situation where they feel comfortable. The woman can't see how nerdy, ugly, or fat or whatever they are in real life. Furthermore, the stakes are a lot lower. Naturally, since they've had so little social interaction with the opposite sex, they seem immature or crude. Perhaps some of this intentional, but I bet some of them are simply imitating what they've seen on TV or their friends do (or say they should do).
My guess is that this is simply a transition phase. Once there is a critical mass of females on online games, this ridiculousness will ebb if not stop altogether. I know I make a point of never asking a female what she looks like, her relationship status, or any of that stuff. I don't consider it any of my business to know, and it doesn't make any difference whatsoever on the way she plays the game.
Matt Barton, Managing Editor
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
Email: matt@armchairarcade.com