Video Games: Not Just for Boys

For eons, games were seen as a male thing. The "Barbies" of males, if one were to make a comparison (actually, I don't know what to compare it with -_-'). This is because all games back in the days seemed to present problems which were resolved with violence, among other reasons. With the sudden influx of games which appeal to anyone (such as Nintendogs) the gaming market has changed quite a bit. More girls, adults (in their 40's or something, say) and even grandparents are discovering the gaming world.

For those out there who aren't adolescent boys, how do you feel as a minority in the gaming world? How did you get into the world of gaming? Why do you enjoy games rather than what you'd usually be associated with (for example, as a girl, singing and dancing... OMG this is SO MUCH GENERALISING... sorry for the sexism -_-') ?

So yeh... discuss.

Actually, girls have been gaming long before recently. I can't speak for the rest of the girls out there, but I do play lots of 'male' games like Duke and Battlefield 2. It's a common misconception that girls only like 'cute' games like Nintendogs. Girls usually aren't very open about their game playing than guys, so people usually think girls don't play games at all. I've been gaming long before the NES came out.

Unfortunately, game companies still think that girls only like Barbie type games or games where you dress up and things, and they're still making that crap. how demeaning!!!

that's my .2 cents.

P.S. I don't feel like I'm in a minority. There's lots of girl gamers out there.

Well, something a I've always disliked about Video games is when everything is directed towards the heterosexual male audience. Violent games and everything. I can tolerate everything up to seeing the women with hardly any clothes on.

I wouldn't mind as much if for in one game they focused on making the guys look sexy and what not (Wrestling doesn't count >_>). But again, slutty women make more sales then slutty men.

At this point it's pretty much a given that people of every age, sex, etc. play video games. Some companies have yet to realise (or at least, give a damn about) that fact, but I doubt any gamer who's NOT an immature 14-year-old guy is going to be surprised at discovering that "ZOMG GIRLS PLAY GAMES TOO!!"

Yeah, you wouldn't know it since the only selling point of a lot of games is "look, we have big-boobed chicks in tight leather bikinis!!" It makes games like, say, World of Warcraft kind of frustrating sometimes. Like when your female character's armour turns into a fucking thong when you put it on. Or when you get the feeling that the programmers spent more time on the night elves' jiggly-boob animation than they did on all those fugly male spirites combined. (It's pretty bad when the male UNDEAD are hotter than all the human and night elf males put together.)

Despite so many game developers' best attempts not to give a damn about anyone but their teenage guy demographic, I rarely feel like a minority. I know perfectly well that plenty of others chicks play games too, even if the game developers have yet to catch up to that fact and acommodate it. And not in the "oh, let's make some games for girls!" way. Guys? We don't need "games for girls." We don't need dumbed-down cutesy crap. We just need to be given some consideration in the games that are already being made. It's really not that hard. Just avoid being exceptionally demeaning to women and, if you're going for fanservice, at least give the chicks something as well. If your game includes female sprites with ridiculously huge boobs and chainmail bikinis, the LEAST you can do is add a few male sprites that are pleasing to the eye.

</rant>

Oh, and for the record, I've been playing video games ever since we got our first computer in my house. I was probably six or seven at the time, and I learned enough DOS commands to install and play games like Quest For Glory, Alleycat, Hoyle card games, Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Monkey Island... All kinds of things. These days I'm into Silent Hill, Thief, Morrowind, various RPGs... A nice mix of all kinds of games.

Damn....Amanda said what I wanted to say, except she did a much better job of it. I feel so inadequate :(

P.S. I grew up with DOS as well, playing the Sierra games and other things before I console games were big. Someone else has actually played Alleycat XD

Originally Posted by chaofan

For those out there who aren't adolescent boys, how do you feel as a minority in the gaming world? How did you get into the world of gaming? Why do you enjoy games rather than what you'd usually be associated with (for example, as a girl, singing and dancing... OMG this is SO MUCH GENERALISING... sorry for the sexism -_-') ?

So yeh... discuss.

It really doesn't bother me at all. I don't even really look at it like that until guys get this shocked look on their faces when I tell them I play video games. I got into the world of gaming mainly through computer games, such as the ones on Commodore 64 and Intellivision. Ever since then, I haven't stopped. Well, since RPGs are my favorite next to fighting games, I enjoy those because I look at them as interactive books (I love reading). But sometimes I combine the generalistic ideas of what a girl does, such as dancing and singing while playing video games.

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've grown accustomed to the stares when entering a game store and realizing that the majority of customers is male. Around my area however, I'm still in the minority since I have yet to meet other female gamers.

I have a question for you female gamers: what kinds of games would you like to be made? What would be the ideal 'game for girls'? It can be one made or a fantasy one.


I'll speak for my girlfriend, since she's a very casual gamer and only recently started. I had her play Animal Crossing and she enjoyed it very much because of the customization that goes on, like decorating your house and the interaction with the townspeople. I should get her the Sims because I know she'll love that. I also got her addicted to Tetris Attack. That right there is pretty self explanatory.

Mmm, I haven't met many female gamers either. But, then again, I can't find a lot of guy gamers with the same tastes as me. It's a bit annoying/embarrassing for me, because I can never find anyone to play with (I can't just walk up to someone and go "Hey! Wanna play Guilty Gear with me?" kinda awkward, y'know?)

I've been gaming ever since my brother got a SNES long time ago (I think my first games were Adventure of Link, Mario Bros 3., Dr. Mario, and Duck Hunt). Since then, I've deviated mostly to RPGs (like Lady Miyomi, I love to read), but I like all sorts of games.

The only thing that's annoying about being a "minority" (especially since I'm a Korean female; none of my asian girlfriends play videogames ;__; ) is that guys gives you strange looks or are surprised when you purchase or talk about videogames. It's not so bad now, but I do get the occassional "You play videogames?! :0!!" remark from both sexes.

Also, it seems as though there's a lot more female gamers on the internet than male gamers. I heard that it was because girls tend to go on forums and blogs more often but, then again, that sounds like a exaggeration.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by guyinrubbersuit

I have a question for you female gamers: what kinds of games would you like to be made? What would be the ideal 'game for girls'? It can be one made or a fantasy one.


I'll speak for my girlfriend, since she's a very casual gamer and only recently started. I had her play Animal Crossing and she enjoyed it very much because of the customization that goes on, like decorating your house and the interaction with the townspeople. I should get her the Sims because I know she'll love that. I also got her addicted to Tetris Attack. That right there is pretty self explanatory.

Well, I like all sorts of games, but I usually look for something with easy-to-learn controls and great story. Violence, gore, and sex doesn't really bother me in a game, but I don't specifically go out to look for those things in my games.

Some of the girl gamers I do know usually enjoy puzzle games and RPGs though, if that helps.

My ideal game would be a rpgs-slash-fighting-slash-horror-genre all into one game (Shadow Hearts was a good start~)

I got into the gaming world because my two older brothers were really into it when I was little and I kinda picked it up from them. I still liked to sing, and play girly stuff with friends although I never owned a barbie and of that I am proud.

Originally Posted by guyinrubbersuit

I have a question for you female gamers: what kinds of games would you like to be made? What would be the ideal 'game for girls'? It can be one made or a fantasy one.

I don't really have a particular "kind of game" in mind. I enjoy the games that are available now just as much as the male gamer, so I wouldn't want to see a game that would have to cater to the female audience, so to speak.

I don't really feel like a minority anymore since I know a good amount of girls who play videogames. The majority of my female friends all own at least one system and they're all updated on the latest releases. I first got into the gaming world when I played Crash Bandicoot on my friend's Playstation in 4th grade. It was an exciting new experience and I got addicted to the point where I purchased my own PS. Afterwards, I started hanging out with the gamers in my school and was introduced to new genres as a result.

The thing that bothers me sometimes is the fact that most guys tend to associate romantic RPGs, DDR, Karaoke Revolution, etc with females. A few of my male friends always give me weird looks or comments when they see me pop in Silent Hill or Resident Evil into my PS2. They probably think I'm a psycho for enjoying drilling bullets into zombies or withstanding the sight of blood and gore. -__-

"Why do you enjoy games rather than what you'd usually be associated with (for example, as a girl, singing and dancing... OMG this is SO MUCH GENERALISING... sorry for the sexism -_-') ?"

Who says you can't enjoy 'girl' stuff and VG at the same time? I guess I'm just open minded.

Oh...and I'm with Rydia. The games that are out today are good enough for me. We already have a wide range of selections.

Ironically, all the girls i'm friends with in school are all gamers. Ranging from Hardcore to periodically, but the majority do play video games.

I don't find it weird at all that girls play video games. Some of my them beat my ass in certain games. But who knows? Maybe one day there will be more gamer girls than guys. <_<

My friend was telling me something about how Asians sometimes will play video games too but I totally think he was making shit up. Does anyone know for sure if that was for real.

Originally Posted by Chaotic

But who knows? Maybe one day there will be more gamer girls than guys. <_<

That'll never happen.

In my school finding girls that like a wide variety of games is a rare find. I was however surprised to find out that my friend Samantha's favorite game is Dead or Alive 4! A relief indeed.

Originally Posted by Acacia

The only thing that's annoying about being a "minority" (especially since I'm a Korean female; none of my asian girlfriends play videogames ;__; ) is that guys gives you strange looks or are surprised when you purchase or talk about videogames. It's not so bad now, but I do get the occassional "You play videogames?! :0!!" remark from both sexes.

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?

As for guyinrubbersuit's question, there isn't a game I would like to be made. Quite frankly, all the games that's out now, or will come out, are good for me. All the games that cater to a female audience are the stupid ones that are demeaning to girls, like that one where you 'dress up' a photo of yourself that you scan in yourself. Sure, there are some games that appeal more to a female audience, like the Sims, but that doesn't mean it's a girl-only genre. I know several males who enjoy the series as well.

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

Originally Posted by xSummonerYUnax

The thing that bothers me sometimes is the fact that most guys tend to associate romantic RPGs, DDR, Karaoke Revolution, etc with females. A few of my male friends always give me weird looks or comments when they see me pop in Silent Hill or Resident Evil into my PS2. They probably think I'm a psycho for enjoying drilling bullets into zombies or withstanding the sight of blood and gore. -__-

I agree 95%.

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