Video Games: Not Just for Boys

Originally Posted by RockgamerXIII

I've never really looked at female gamers differently. I've been playing games with my sister since I first started playing games, and we've always played the same type of games. Because of this, I've just figured that most girls who play games play the same ones that guys play.

But then again, who are those Barbie games made for?

Little girls under the delusion thinking that any girl themed game is actually good. Most of the time they're not and generally have no point to them.

There aren't alot of guy themed games out there since most of the genres appeal to us anyway. <_<

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Rydia

It certainly sets the stage for some interesting conversations whenever I happen to pay for a game-related item, and the cashier is male. There have been more than a handful of instances when the cashier incorrectly assumed that what I was buying was actually for a male relative or a boyfriend.

I get this all the time and it's annoying as hell. I've had the cashiers actually ask me if I was getting it for my brother or boyfriend. I've been given the "why are you here" look many times, which makes no sense. Again, I really don't understand what's the big deal. So, to ease the tension (only when I feel like), I'll talk to them about Doom and Quake just so I can see the shocked looks on their faces.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Chaotic

There aren't alot of guy themed games out there since most of the genres appeal to us anyway. <_<

The Guy Game is the only one I could think of. Though I guess that might appeal to lesbians also (even though it shouldn't appeal to anyone).

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Darkcomet72

I agree 95%.

Only 95% because you will be very hard pressed finding ANY girl who plays arcade shootemups.

For the record, I love Time Crisis and House of the Dead ;__;

Originally Posted by Freelance Wolf

I see this mentioned a lot in message boards. I am thinking it's strictly a US thing, for I've NEVER once been given strange looks or remarks from any males when I've played or purchased a game. Perhaps there are more girl gamers in Canada?

Well, it isn't so bad now. When I go to game stores or talk about games (in public) a few years ago, I would get lots of funny looks, and even comments about it. Nowadays though, it's not as bad. Dunno; it seems there's more girl gamers (either that, or the market recognizes us as group now...?)

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Acacia

For the record, I love Time Crisis and House of the Dead ;__;

Those are Light Gunners, not shootemups. I mean like.... this



What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Megalith

Girls who play games are about as normal as girls who read comic books.

So in other words, we're fairly "normal" (whatever that means) and would only be considered otherwise by immature 10-year-old boys and pathetic guys who have lived sad, sheltered lives.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Darkcomet72

Those are Light Gunners, not shootemups. I mean like.... this

:0;;

(I guess those are kinda fun. Although I don't have the patience to play those games XD;; )

Another thing I don't understand is why people tend to associate dancing/singing games with girls. In my area, games like DDR and Karaoke Revolution are played mainly by guys. Is it different for other regions?

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I like to break the mold. Not only am I a female gamer, but I play pen and paper rpgs, collectible card games, and read comics. Yes, I am a geek. Oh, and a mom to boot. 14 year old boys minds may now explode when ready.

As for games that I like, i'd like to think a little bit of everything. I mostly play rpgs, but I love platformers as well as horror. I'm learning to love FPS, though only on consoles so far. The only type of game I can't stand is sports. I find sports boring to watch, so why play them? Besides, if I was inclined, i'd rather play the sport instead on on a tv screen.

I was a casual gamer since I was small. My parents bought my brother an Atari, and I used to watch him play all his games as well as play myself when he wasn't using it. My parents refused to buy us any other systems though I begged them, so I stayed casual by playing at friends' houses from time to time. It took graduating high school and moving in with my fiance for me to feel like a true gamer. We now own quite a few systems and hope to own more in the future.

I think games will always be a great passion in my life. I have a daughter now. I plan on introducing her to games, and if i'm lucky, she may share my enjoyment in them.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Yeah, okay.

See, if a girl plays The Suffering, then I'd be extremely pleased. Other than that, I see no potential problems whatsoever.

Not like I care anyway. Both genders can have a go at it.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Most girls I know that play games only like classics, like Mario or Zelda.
And the others play "childish" agmes like The Sims. (Ok, you may like it but you have to agree that it's not a MACHO game such as God of War or Ninja Gaiden)

And those girls that don't play games get all angry when my friends and I gather to play games or even if we talk about it. Go figure ...

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Only like 10% of the male population plays arcade shooters to begin with, no wonder no girls do either.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Chaotic

I said MAYBE. Never said it would happen.

"Maybe" implies it might happen. It WILL NEVER happen.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Lady Miyomi

I get this all the time and it's annoying as hell. I've had the cashiers actually ask me if I was getting it for my brother or boyfriend. I've been given the "why are you here" look many times, which makes no sense. Again, I really don't understand what's the big deal. So, to ease the tension (only when I feel like), I'll talk to them about Doom and Quake just so I can see the shocked looks on their faces.

I sometimes start conversation about a game if there isn't a line in the store. When I went into Gamestop to ask about the Advent Children movie, I actually spoke with a male cashier who didn't seem surprised about my questions. Of course, he was the only one who spoke with me on an equal level.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

My mother still plays Ms. Pacman occasionally.

I find that most of my family won't touch gaming, but they'll watch. This is pretty annoying(although, I'm not going to let on that it is) as being watched while playing a game really puts me off.

That applies not only to family, but people who watch me in the arcades(and a prime reason as to why I've started playing arcade games at home, in the privacy - etc.), basically anybody who watches me. I'm terrible at gaming when I'm over at a mates house, simply due to the fact that he's watching me, and he always sticks me with an xbox controller.

FELIPE NO

Do you reckon the next generation (for portables, this generation) of consoles will likely help this perception that games are a guys thing only? What with the games I've seen comng out for PS3 and Xbox360 so far... Hmm...

On another note, slightly off-topic, this was a few months ago. A Current Affair program over here in Australia had a story about people not going to work because of games. Two people they interviewed were girls... But BOY were they like blokes ('scuse the pun). It's got me thinking... Are there any girls who doesn't have a "nerdy" or "geeky" type past who play games (DDR etc. doesn't count)? Or girls who don't act like guys?

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Quote:

Do you reckon the next generation (for portables, this generation) of consoles will likely help this perception that games are a guys thing only? What with the games I've seen comng out for PS3 and Xbox360 so far... Hmm...

Why do you think Nintendo sells so well?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I have been playing since the days of Pac-man, but good ol DOS game where awsome too! I loved Kings Quest and Police Quest games!

There's nowhere I can't reach.

To be truthful, I honestly think that it's not much harder to find Girls that play games as much as you do, than it is to find Guys who do so.

Originally Posted by FallDragon

Only like 10% of the male population plays arcade shooters to begin with, no wonder no girls do either.

More like 1%

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Well, do girls usually incorporate the topic of games into their daily conversations? I know some friends who talk Warcraft 24/7 (annoying -_-').

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Originally Posted by chaofan

Well, do girls usually incorporate the topic of games into their daily conversations? I know some friends who talk Warcraft 24/7 (annoying -_-').

It depends, I suppose. Females can talk about games when around males or other females who are gamers. I can't say that I've met a girl who spoke about games obsessively though.

I was speaking idiomatically.

There's little difference between a person with a vagina and a person with a penis playing games. Why wouldn't girls play games? It's just another form of media. Girls watch TV, girls read books, girls listen to music, as do males. I fail to see what the big excitement about women playing games is. If you like to play games, regardless of age, gender or nationality, good for you. I can't say I care.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by BigHairyFeet

I would have to disagree on a certain level, Overkill. Most guys play videogames cause violence is cool. I don't see many girls playing videogames, because as as far as I know, many girls arn't as testosterone laden as guys (thank god). In my experience, even the few girls I know who play videogames don't even like to talk about the more squeamish aspects of the games. It seems that girls want to indulge in the same fantasies guys do (ie. killing stuff, winning the championship, etc), but they don't want everyone else to know, while guys don't care who knows.

That's an overgeneralization. I hardly play any particularly violent video games. Games like F.E.A.R., Doom, Halo, Mahunt, True Crime, etc. don't appeal to me. I don't play video games because "violence is cool" because, to be blunt, it's not cool.

People in general play video games because they're interested in them. It's just not really possible to play video games or even sports if you don't express some interest in it. Just because girls don't play violent video games (as far as you know, anyway) doesn't mean they don't play them at all.

FELIPE NO

Meh, I know another girl gamer who doesn't care about gory violence in games. I didn't bat an eye in Soldier of Fortune, which is one very bloody game. As long as the game is good, I don't mind some over the top violence. It's the gameplay that counts, right?

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Terminus

Yeah, okay.

See, if a girl plays The Suffering, then I'd be extremely pleased. Other than that, I see no potential problems whatsoever.

Not like I care anyway. Both genders can have a go at it.

Well my gf plays games like
Fatal Frame
The Suffering
Resident Evil
Silent Hill...

Girls I think have more variety then us guys actually...see my gf has a wierd selection of games...

-Resident Evil 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and Code Veronica
-Silent Hill 2
-The Suffering 1 + 2
-Fatal Frame 2 + 3
-Pikmin 1 + 2
-My Street (PS2 Game which was actually pretty fun)
-Amplitude
-Mario Sunshine
-Mario Soccer, and Tennis
and some other games, I don't remember all of them...

As for me I play lots of DDR/ITG, and mostly first person and horror, action, rpg games...Wierd...She won't touch any final Fantasy game but quick to kill ghost...i don't get it actually...lol

Then again...thats the way the mind works ^_^

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by BigHairyFeet

I would have to disagree on a certain level, Overkill. Most guys play videogames cause violence is cool. I don't see many girls playing videogames, because as as far as I know, many girls arn't as testosterone laden as guys (thank god). In my experience, even the few girls I know who play videogames don't even like to talk about the more squeamish aspects of the games. It seems that girls want to indulge in the same fantasies guys do (ie. killing stuff, winning the championship, etc), but they don't want everyone else to know, while guys don't care who knows.

Very much an over-generalisation, there. In a couple of ways.

For one thing, I don't know where you're getting this idea that video games are an inherantly violent medium. Despite what the news media and people like Jack Thompson want you to believe, they're not. Saying that girls don't play games because they're not big on violence is just silly, for the simple fact that the vast majority of games aren't any more or less violent than any given movie, book, comic, etc. G.T.A. is no more representative of the "average video game" than Sin City is representative of the "average movie".

As for girls not wanting to talk about violence... Well, all I can say is that you must not know very many gaming girls. Maybe some of them are shy about talking about violence. But most of the female games I know like a mix of everything, and are perfectly happy to chat about violent aspects of games in addition to everything else. Most of them can squee over a cute RPG bishounen in one breath and discuss bloody, gory Silent Hill deaths in the next. Heck, my fifteen-year-old cousin is just as comfortable chatting about Harvest Moon as she is talking about her latest playthrough of Resident Evil 4.

Maybe female gamers are just more well-rounded in their tastes than all those testosterone-enslaved male gamers you mentioned. As long as we're over-generalising and stereotyping, it might as well go both ways.

There's nowhere I can't reach.