Comments on: Do Girls Like Video Games? http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:59:32 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Taishou http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4025 Taishou Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:41:41 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4025 Real Girl gamers play COD 4. :P Real Girl gamers play COD 4. :P

]]> By: ladym00s http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4022 ladym00s Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:06:26 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4022 All of these women commenting here about how offended they are by this article are missing the point. Obviously there are "hardcore" female gamers. That wasn't really the question. You cannot deny there is a huge rift between male and female gamers though, both in number and in gameplay. Some of these quotes (especially the one about being told the button config and expected to just know how to play from there) really resonated with me. I have played with my brother and my boyfriend, and while my boyfriend is much more patient with me, my brother gets upset when I can't immediately run around and shoot things five minutes after being handed a controller. I think the issue stems from the fact that if you took a male who had never played games in his life, he would be in the same situation as the hypothetic females in this article. The difference is that in real life, males are more likely to end up playing video games as children, thus growing up inundated with how to play games and the typical set up of a game. And lastly, please don't overlook the fact that our brain chemistries are different. Any woman who ignores this fact is in extreme denial. Not that women are only attracted to pink games about cooking and puppies (that's just as lame as saying men only want to kill things and hate puzzle solving), but our brains do function in different ways. Things as simple as the way we approach problem solving. When games are made specifically for the male brain (and usually by the male brain), it is an entirely different experience for a female to jump into the game and figure out the dynamic. Like I said before, if you've played for years, you have this figured out by now. But for someone who has never played, this can be really intimidating and demoralizing. Especially if you are playing with your guy friends, who (presumedly) have been playing for decades. When you are the only one in a group who can't get platforming down (my biggest issue), it tends to make you feel stupid, rather than "well, they have had a lot more practice than I have, so I just need to keep trying". so women, stop complaining about the sexism in this article. It was talking about a specific situation of women attempting to play games with the men in their lives. I seriously doubt the author believes that no women anyone in the world play video games on a "hardcore" level. All of these women commenting here about how offended they are by this article are missing the point. Obviously there are “hardcore” female gamers. That wasn’t really the question. You cannot deny there is a huge rift between male and female gamers though, both in number and in gameplay. Some of these quotes (especially the one about being told the button config and expected to just know how to play from there) really resonated with me. I have played with my brother and my boyfriend, and while my boyfriend is much more patient with me, my brother gets upset when I can’t immediately run around and shoot things five minutes after being handed a controller.
I think the issue stems from the fact that if you took a male who had never played games in his life, he would be in the same situation as the hypothetic females in this article. The difference is that in real life, males are more likely to end up playing video games as children, thus growing up inundated with how to play games and the typical set up of a game.
And lastly, please don’t overlook the fact that our brain chemistries are different. Any woman who ignores this fact is in extreme denial. Not that women are only attracted to pink games about cooking and puppies (that’s just as lame as saying men only want to kill things and hate puzzle solving), but our brains do function in different ways. Things as simple as the way we approach problem solving. When games are made specifically for the male brain (and usually by the male brain), it is an entirely different experience for a female to jump into the game and figure out the dynamic. Like I said before, if you’ve played for years, you have this figured out by now. But for someone who has never played, this can be really intimidating and demoralizing. Especially if you are playing with your guy friends, who (presumedly) have been playing for decades. When you are the only one in a group who can’t get platforming down (my biggest issue), it tends to make you feel stupid, rather than “well, they have had a lot more practice than I have, so I just need to keep trying”.

so women, stop complaining about the sexism in this article. It was talking about a specific situation of women attempting to play games with the men in their lives. I seriously doubt the author believes that no women anyone in the world play video games on a “hardcore” level.

]]> By: Kht30 http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4019 Kht30 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:21:25 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4019 Lets see, I'm a girl and I game, I'm 18 years old so my gaming history doesn't go back many years. First console was the NES, which was more the family console which, I shared and gamed on with 3 of my 5 SISTERS. I have not one brother, not many close male cousins and my dad does not game. Yet I game day in day out to the core. I probably got extremely serious with the PS1 as it was the first I owned that was MINE. Since I've gone through every Nintendo handheld, the PS2 and now the PSP, PS3 and the XBOX 360. As with much things in my life, I've taught myself everything I know about games. I play games from Uncharted, Gears, Halo, Killzone, LBP, inFamous, GTA, Crackdown, Mario, Saints Row, A whole bunch of sports games, and the list goes on and on. I've brought 5 games in this month alone and it's not even finished yet. When I'm not at college or elsewhere, I can gaurentee you'd find me online on one, if not both of my consoles. I plain and simply love to game. My point is that there is such thing as a hardcore gamer within a female. One of the posts above spoke of how the real ones have a name you wouldnt suspect to be a female, and rarely have their mics on. This is me. I've always been against the whole 'Miss' 'Ms' and 'Lady' names, but in the same breath, I don't see why we should hide almost in fear due to some males being unable to control their feelings. Some of you need to get over it and also need to get an understanding that we are not your console eye-candy. Voice chats and video chats are NOT our only purposes! Lets see, I’m a girl and I game, I’m 18 years old so my gaming history doesn’t go back many years. First console was the NES, which was more the family console which, I shared and gamed on with 3 of my 5 SISTERS. I have not one brother, not many close male cousins and my dad does not game. Yet I game day in day out to the core. I probably got extremely serious with the PS1 as it was the first I owned that was MINE. Since I’ve gone through every Nintendo handheld, the PS2 and now the PSP, PS3 and the XBOX 360. As with much things in my life, I’ve taught myself everything I know about games. I play games from Uncharted, Gears, Halo, Killzone, LBP, inFamous, GTA, Crackdown, Mario, Saints Row, A whole bunch of sports games, and the list goes on and on. I’ve brought 5 games in this month alone and it’s not even finished yet. When I’m not at college or elsewhere, I can gaurentee you’d find me online on one, if not both of my consoles. I plain and simply love to game.
My point is that there is such thing as a hardcore gamer within a female. One of the posts above spoke of how the real ones have a name you wouldnt suspect to be a female, and rarely have their mics on. This is me. I’ve always been against the whole ‘Miss’ ‘Ms’ and ‘Lady’ names, but in the same breath, I don’t see why we should hide almost in fear due to some males being unable to control their feelings. Some of you need to get over it and also need to get an understanding that we are not your console eye-candy. Voice chats and video chats are NOT our only purposes!

]]> By: lierinwait http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4018 lierinwait Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:50:21 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4018 A good start to not isolating women would be to not start your article with a picture of female ass hanging out of a mini-skirt. That sort of sums up the whole attitude of the industry -- "We want more women to play but we don't want to give up games about ultra-masculine space marines with sultry double-D female sidekicks/villainesses/damsels in distress." Maybe the two desires aren't compatible. A good start to not isolating women would be to not start your article with a picture of female ass hanging out of a mini-skirt. That sort of sums up the whole attitude of the industry — “We want more women to play but we don’t want to give up games about ultra-masculine space marines with sultry double-D female sidekicks/villainesses/damsels in distress.” Maybe the two desires aren’t compatible.

]]> By: MechAngel http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4017 MechAngel Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:40:43 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4017 I think you've hit the nail on the head. I would consider myself something of a "moderate" gamer, (if there is such a term.) I adore gaming, but I'm just not that into the FPS or sports genres. I could spend all day rep grinding and and instance-running on World of Warcraft, but I wouldn't play Madden on pain of death. I think female players often crave puzzles and storylines in their games, and we can be very critical of those in which character development and plot seem to be lacking. (At least, from our point of view.) I know for me, personally, art direction is another major contributing factor when it comes to whether or not I like a game. We're a fickle bunch, and it's going to take developers awhile to feel out what works with us and what doesn't. In the meantime, the most important factor in getting a girl into gaming is having friends or a significant other who can be a mentor. Guys--if you're trying to get your girl into your hobby, just remember that for someone who has never really played before, engaging in video games for the first time is kind of like trying to wade through Dostoevsky with the reading skills of a kindergartener. Have PATIENCe and keep it FUN! :D I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. I would consider myself something of a “moderate” gamer, (if there is such a term.) I adore gaming, but I’m just not that into the FPS or sports genres. I could spend all day rep grinding and and instance-running on World of Warcraft, but I wouldn’t play Madden on pain of death. I think female players often crave puzzles and storylines in their games, and we can be very critical of those in which character development and plot seem to be lacking. (At least, from our point of view.) I know for me, personally, art direction is another major contributing factor when it comes to whether or not I like a game. We’re a fickle bunch, and it’s going to take developers awhile to feel out what works with us and what doesn’t. In the meantime, the most important factor in getting a girl into gaming is having friends or a significant other who can be a mentor. Guys–if you’re trying to get your girl into your hobby, just remember that for someone who has never really played before, engaging in video games for the first time is kind of like trying to wade through Dostoevsky with the reading skills of a kindergartener. Have PATIENCe and keep it FUN! :D

]]> By: Anonymous http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4016 Anonymous Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:35:21 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4016 I can personally say that I find this articles rather humorous. I can see your point on most of it, but I agree with many of the comments that you won't find the girls playing games because most of them don't want to be found. Nothing is worse than when I am sitting on Left 4 Dead and only say "hunter on me" and suddenly the whole conversation changes to the fact that there is a girl on the mic. I would rather die than go on Vent while playing WoW or Aion for these exact reasons. The conversation usually consists of borderline sexual harassment comments or assumptions that I am not going to be a competent player. It gets old, and just easier to hide. I am sure many girls would agree that we are there to play games, just like the rest of you boys, we don't need ridiculous attention on us when we are trying to have fun like the rest of you. We are all over, you just don't know it! There are many MANY girl gamers out there but there are also many more girls out there that do not. Sadly, you have a higher chance of not really meeting one and I feel horrible that you are probably yelled at all the time for the amount of time that you spend playing games, but a guy that is an avid football fan gets nagged by their wife that does not like sports. You find this with any hobby. it is just a sad part of being in a relationship/married, haha. I can personally say that I find this articles rather humorous. I can see your point on most of it, but I agree with many of the comments that you won’t find the girls playing games because most of them don’t want to be found. Nothing is worse than when I am sitting on Left 4 Dead and only say “hunter on me” and suddenly the whole conversation changes to the fact that there is a girl on the mic. I would rather die than go on Vent while playing WoW or Aion for these exact reasons. The conversation usually consists of borderline sexual harassment comments or assumptions that I am not going to be a competent player. It gets old, and just easier to hide. I am sure many girls would agree that we are there to play games, just like the rest of you boys, we don’t need ridiculous attention on us when we are trying to have fun like the rest of you. We are all over, you just don’t know it!

There are many MANY girl gamers out there but there are also many more girls out there that do not. Sadly, you have a higher chance of not really meeting one and I feel horrible that you are probably yelled at all the time for the amount of time that you spend playing games, but a guy that is an avid football fan gets nagged by their wife that does not like sports. You find this with any hobby. it is just a sad part of being in a relationship/married, haha.

]]> By: Anon http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4013 Anon Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:10:36 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4013 As a woman, one of my very favorite things to do was to play Halo Live. I used to be pretty good so when I would win I would switch my mic on and reveal my gender. The reactions were worth all the practice I had logged in. I also grew up with NES, Super NES, Sega, etc. I still play the old games but I have moved onto games like Warcraft. I still keep to my roots though. I got the triforce tattooed on my ankle in honor of my favorite game. :D As a woman, one of my very favorite things to do was to play Halo Live. I used to be pretty good so when I would win I would switch my mic on and reveal my gender. The reactions were worth all the practice I had logged in. I also grew up with NES, Super NES, Sega, etc. I still play the old games but I have moved onto games like Warcraft. I still keep to my roots though. I got the triforce tattooed on my ankle in honor of my favorite game. :D

]]> By: yaz http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4012 yaz Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:50:11 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4012 My fav games? Call of Duty, 4, 5 and hopefully soon 6. I loved Gears of War 1 & 2. Loved all the Halos. Love the Rainbow Six series. I love playing online (Nazi Zombies in COD5?!?!). We're not hiding under a rock, and if you give me an RPG I'd probably ask if you thought I was 10. (I'm 26 btw) The thing is... I avoid talking to anybody online. Why? Because 95% of people there either revert back to being 13 year old homophobic douchebags or are just douchebags. I don't mind hearing swearing, and most people there don't care. Its the attitude people have when they play. I am not interested in the pissing match that usually goes on there. Simply put: grow up, and we'll start speaking up. My fav games? Call of Duty, 4, 5 and hopefully soon 6. I loved Gears of War 1 & 2. Loved all the Halos. Love the Rainbow Six series. I love playing online (Nazi Zombies in COD5?!?!).

We’re not hiding under a rock, and if you give me an RPG I’d probably ask if you thought I was 10. (I’m 26 btw)

The thing is… I avoid talking to anybody online. Why? Because 95% of people there either revert back to being 13 year old homophobic douchebags or are just douchebags.

I don’t mind hearing swearing, and most people there don’t care. Its the attitude people have when they play. I am not interested in the pissing match that usually goes on there.

Simply put: grow up, and we’ll start speaking up.

]]> By: Anonymous http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4011 Anonymous Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:46:32 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4011 My husband and I are hardcore gamers. I work at GameStop, and our dating consisted of avid gaming on our PS3. Now that we're married I don't have to get upset that he plays games so much, because he's got to beat me to the system in the first place if he wants to play so badly. Gaming doesn't need to be fashionable for me to enjoy it. Give me a good story line, great game play, and a popular online shooter ANY day than anything. I don't need a pretty Aly&AJ guitar to appreciate RockBand or GuitarHero, and I definitely don't need to be thought of as someone who takes gaming lightly. Name any game, and I've more than likely have played it. I think the gaming industry needs to realize that there are more avid female gamers than not. I'll always be a hardcore gamer, and I hope my husband will be the same! Now, onto Demon's Souls I go and some MAG later. :) My husband and I are hardcore gamers. I work at GameStop, and our dating consisted of avid gaming on our PS3. Now that we’re married I don’t have to get upset that he plays games so much, because he’s got to beat me to the system in the first place if he wants to play so badly.
Gaming doesn’t need to be fashionable for me to enjoy it. Give me a good story line, great game play, and a popular online shooter ANY day than anything. I don’t need a pretty Aly&AJ guitar to appreciate RockBand or GuitarHero, and I definitely don’t need to be thought of as someone who takes gaming lightly.
Name any game, and I’ve more than likely have played it. I think the gaming industry needs to realize that there are more avid female gamers than not.
I’ll always be a hardcore gamer, and I hope my husband will be the same!

Now, onto Demon’s Souls I go and some MAG later. :)

]]> By: Gameinatrix http://kokugamer.com/2009/10/20/do-girls-like-video-games/#comment-4007 Gameinatrix Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:13:00 +0000 http://kokugamer.com/?p=6870#comment-4007 Wow...just...wow. I am reading this article and the comments and it's like...wait for I say this comparison I'll preface it with the fact that I'm an extremist, but..reading this was like..if I could travel back in time to watch the beginning of the civil rights movement or even the reading of the Willie Lynch letters (google it). The last post here that says stop referring to adults as girls is right (on the flip side some of us women like being referred to as girl by our men, it makes us feel young and pretty, but I digress) The ideas you have here and the responses are the primary reasons why you CAN'T find female gamers. Your thinking is just..backward. Here is a newsflash for you..some women just DON'T LIKE GAMES. I know..shocking isn't it? Just as you would not be caught dead at a fashion show, even if your girl begged you to go, you're not into it. So might your women not be interested in your hobby. Quit dubbing women as casual gamers and two, just hardcore is not defined by what you play, it's your LOVE for what you play. I'm rather tired of that too. A lot of you think you're hardcore because you play COD or Halo. No you love your GENRE of gaming you can say you're a hard core COD or HALO gamer but stop generalizing it by saying it's hardcore because it's a shooter. Further more there are millions of us women gamers around. Just because you don't know where to look doesn't mean we don't exist. And if you want a girlfriend/wife that games, either find her one she likes, accept that she doesn't like them and get over it, OR find a woman who games. It's not that hard and live in gaming wedded bliss, but PLEASE do stop writing articles like this that just serves to perpetuate the sterotypes that plague us femme gamers. We're just plain tired of it..care to take to the console and hash this out? I know 5k FEMALE gamers that would gladly take you on..in your "hardcore" game and turn around and kick your ass at Bejeweled as well. Come into the future people. - A VERY Irritated Gameinatrix Wow…just…wow. I am reading this article and the comments and it’s like…wait for I say this comparison I’ll preface it with the fact that I’m an extremist, but..reading this was like..if I could travel back in time to watch the beginning of the civil rights movement or even the reading of the Willie Lynch letters (google it). The last post here that says stop referring to adults as girls is right (on the flip side some of us women like being referred to as girl by our men, it makes us feel young and pretty, but I digress) The ideas you have here and the responses are the primary reasons why you CAN’T find female gamers. Your thinking is just..backward. Here is a newsflash for you..some women just DON’T LIKE GAMES. I know..shocking isn’t it? Just as you would not be caught dead at a fashion show, even if your girl begged you to go, you’re not into it. So might your women not be interested in your hobby.

Quit dubbing women as casual gamers and two, just hardcore is not defined by what you play, it’s your LOVE for what you play. I’m rather tired of that too. A lot of you think you’re hardcore because you play COD or Halo. No you love your GENRE of gaming you can say you’re a hard core COD or HALO gamer but stop generalizing it by saying it’s hardcore because it’s a shooter. Further more there are millions of us women gamers around. Just because you don’t know where to look doesn’t mean we don’t exist. And if you want a girlfriend/wife that games, either find her one she likes, accept that she doesn’t like them and get over it, OR find a woman who games. It’s not that hard and live in gaming wedded bliss, but PLEASE do stop writing articles like this that just serves to perpetuate the sterotypes that plague us femme gamers. We’re just plain tired of it..care to take to the console and hash this out? I know 5k FEMALE gamers that would gladly take you on..in your “hardcore” game and turn around and kick your ass at Bejeweled as well. Come into the future people.

- A VERY Irritated Gameinatrix

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