If the statement refers to being a women then I would have to say that in the real world, not really. If a women gets into the gaming industry or any male dominated industry, she better know what she's doing and she needs to stand out and work 10x harder among men. That or just look hot, unfortunately that's just how it works. In the gaming world, a "feminine" female avatar can get anything no matter who controls it >_> and I honestly think that the saying "Sex Sells" applies in all forms.

eave

Wow. Though a somewhat roundabout way of making that point, that's probably one of the most cogent comments I've seen on Kotaku. Nicely done.

Ikthog

"Feminine" (as far as I know) only functions as an adjective.
A better aticle title would have been, "Is Being Feminine an Advantage" or even better "Is Being Female and Advantage."

kokuou

Fast forward out of High School and most guys have shed off their nerd/geek status buy bulking up, changing their clothes, hanging around different crowds and just hiding their nerdiness/geekiness completely. Women after High School changed their appearance, lost weight, became outgoing and also hid their nerdiness/geekiness. The part that always stands out is when you put out some beer and pull out a console. Guys fight for the first opportunity (sports games especially) while the girls would get this look of horror on their face. Even girls who "occasionally" game will never admit to strangers and will only admit to it when prodded over and over by their friends. The typical response is "I don't want to be associated with those people." That response right there is why gaming is a male domination industry.

To be a woman in the games industry is something. They had to push through a lot of ridicule that others have thrown at them, especially by other women. They even have to put up with being the only woman at LAN parties/Comic-Cons/Anime-Cons and such and put up with being stared at by 90% of men that attend them. God help them if they were good-looking. I have known a couple of closet girl geeks that dressed down on purpose just so they wouldn't be stared at.

This Bud Light goes out to all of you real ladies of geekdom.

p.s. This explains why there are so much jubblies in games today. It's a fantasy for nerd/geek gamers who will never have the opportunity of being with a woman that looks like that (outside a money transaction), so don't take it personal. When more girl/women gamers start to get involved then games will start having guys with actual packages to substitute for the guys they will never have the opportunity to be with.

Tepoz

Unfortunately, you are right. Gaming has become all clique-ish and looking at how cool you are and better you are than the next gamer due to all these numbers. Personally, everyone should do it for the fun of the game, the unbelievable obstacle that lay forth ahead of yourself and it's artistic effects on you (whatever it may be), not your rank or status.

If you ask me I think part of the reason why it has become clique-ish is with all the jock types that are getting into it, but that is another story.

But when it comes to gender, I think people should reserve the right to accept or not accept who they don't want to. If a group of male gamers doesn't want a female gamer playing with or against them, then hey, that is their right. Part of diversity is accepting one anothers differences, and I think that includes our personal preferences and sense of prejudice against one another. If they don't want to go hippy-dippy and all hold hands they shouldn't be forced to but I think they should be more respectful about it and not harass the female players out of pure curtiousy.

Besides if you did, you may be met with resistance as there are a lot of people very resistent to changing their views so you may be in some ways wasting your breath by trying. Same goes for the content and development of games.

But don't think all of this speaks for me, because I'm actually rather, I keep on wanting to say neutral on the topic of gender and don't care if you .

I'm just speaking for what I think others there should do. I don't think that men should harass or come on to women in online games or any gaming circles as it's rude and at the same time I don't think that women garner themselves any special treatment like men going easy on them, giving them in game items, or hell even allowing too many women gamers to constantly highlight their sex because it can seperate yourself more than bring you together.

I personally wouldn't want to play online with a women who might say "Does it make you feel bad to be beaten by a girl?" in a mocking tone or some shit like that (as would anyone with some sense) because I would tell her to "f*** off" and convince others not to play against her for having a poor sense of sportmanship. Same goes for men too with whatever they do. Don't rub your gender up in my face because I don't tolerate that, otherwise we won't have a problem and can even be friends.

/rant

MasterOfPuppets

Nothing embarasses me more than to go to EB or any other games store and just drink in the TRUTH of the social demographic i'm basically part of. It's a dark hole of neglected youth and social angst i tell you. *shudder*

Girl "gamers" i know enjoy the actual playing but can't be arsed to deal with the scene. This is probably why MMORPGs have more female players than other genres imho. You don't buy into GAMING as much as you buy into A GAME. And you don't have to stare uncomfortable men in the face when paying for it, yet you still get a social aspect.

Actually come to think of it, digital distribution and online multiplayer for all should be the perfect gender equalizer for all games.

It's like music scenes really. I've thrown a few club events, and without fail, if you ever allow your patrons to become comfortable, you've lost all recruitment. You have what we call "sofa cliques". You know the type, you enter the venue, and there's like 6 guys sitting around a table talking. Commonly, you'll have several. One in the sofa, one at the bar, one standing in the corner. Instantly, that door is shut for you socially. You come in the door, you immediatly feel discarded.

No matter how rad the music is, if the people into that music are dicks, you're not going to want to partake.

The solution? Keep throwing curveballs. Every party i've thrown since i picked this up have been multiple demographic events. Electro/Reggae/Industrial. Breakcore/ambient/hiphop. Hiphop/jungle/schranz. If you break up preconceptions like that, keeping people on their toes and never letting the attendance coagulate, you get an equally confused and confounded audience every time, and they find unity in their confusion. Many, confused and happy > few, knowledgable and content.

If anything, the term "gamer" has fucked us up. We have a "language" now. We have "terms". It makes gaming look like buying into a social group, and it really isn't. It should be about pushing the buttons to solve problems, and coming out of it with a smile on your face. Not coming out of it with "cred".

Fuck gamerscores. Fuck kudos. Gamerscores and achievements = sofa clique generators.

Sunjammer

If we had access to broadband and played on Live (we're 360 owners) I doubt it would matter either since no one would know personal details unless I mentioned them. I don't think I'd use the gamer tag ImaLadyover55.

I do know that my friends who know I am interested in video games find it rather odd. My peers didn't usually play video games as young adults so this is unfamiliar stuff to them. And my friends' kids are either awed or slightly creeped out. Younger guys seem to think older women should scream and faint at the sight of virtual blood. (Which women my age whether they play video games or not find hilarious.) Interestingly enough, I don't know of any younger female gamers among my friends' kids. What happened in the 1980s to the female younger set?

Maybe that's the real question. Why aren't there more female gamers in the 25-35 age group?

Chilly Hollow

[you know im kidding......plz dont ban me]

laesperanzapaz

Not that I've done that or anything. :o

Andrew831

badramen

When it comes to actually playing games online though I find it's better not to "proudly proclaim" that I'm female. This is mostly due to teenagers who tend to get a bit rambunctious when they find out you're female.

I haven't seen any real perks about being the gender I am, but perhaps that's because I'm not looking for a free meal ticket.

In a perfect world it shouldn't matter what's underneath your clothes, sadly we don't live there.

NintendoGal

jackal888

Desi

aestheticity

In fact, I only really remember one that worked at one of the Gamestops here for awhile that really seemed like she might play the games, as opposed to being dragged in there by her boyfriend.

For the most part, my neighborhood was all males in my youth, so there wasn't any female competition to ever get used to. So for me, women who actually are into games are some sort of enigma that only exist in some far away land. Only to be read about in Internet land.

Ampillion = That Man.

and obviously, when they do do the shopping, too small a percentage of them pick up games...

so obviously, the game market evolved into selling to male customers...

sigh..

Ultrasinc

Men at first often simply "write off" women as unfit for the field. They must in addition to having skill, they must break out of the female stereotypes that prevent her from getting respect. Once that hurdle has been passed, then things become too easy. People will automatically celebrate you simply because you're a girl in a masculine field, causing her to lack authenticity. In addition people will try to "help". But then the inevitable detractors will claim she is socially climbing to the top, rather than with skill, or accuse you of milking your gender for fame.

Applies to any male dominated field, whether bombing trainyards or making games, I suppose.

onikuwagata

I have always been sadden that one of my biggest passions (videogames) seemed to clash with my other passion (women) and I have fought really hard to change the minds of my male friends about how they treat women who play games.

I hate that bias. And not only the "Wow, youre a girl and play videogameS?" bias, I also hated the bias of "Youre a real girl and are playing World of Warcraft? Here have 100 G and some epics stuff I dont use anymore" bias, wish is just as bad, as if women aren't able toplay as good (often better) then male players.

Im happy that Nintendo is aiming their games at everyone, I dont have a single girlfriend thats indifferent to the DS or the Wii (even my mother plays Wii Sports!) wich was about time, really, I was getting sick of videogames that were aimed at the "young male audience" by completly disregarding (and even offending) women as players.

I just hope the industry matures enought so that some day, women are no longer a minority, and can enjoy videogames as any other form of art, like books or movies.

v ^_^

Shiryu

I haven't had too many problems, but I think I'm always treated as novel. Recently, I was one of the designer/artists in a game developer's club at my school, the only girl. We didn't get anything done, but we learned a lot. I think at first they weren't taking me seriously, but as I demonstrated my knowledge and personality that changed. Unfortunately, I had to pretty much quit in order to focus on my grades, and the club fell apart. Go figure.

There's another gaming club at my school, and they have a Smash Bros team. One of the best players is a Marth player and a girl, and she soundly, quietly, kicks everyone's butt off the stage. I find this satisfying; I'm an okay player, but it's nice to see someone who's really representin'.

And Gears is bleeping awesome. I've never been into "girly" games, but if I ever become a developer, I'd like to make an adventure game with the awesomest freaking horse-back riding mechanics EVER.

MaiAriSquee

Hopefully we'll still be seeing your writing on The Game Chair from time to time? :-)

Cheers!

Brinstar

(JOKING... calm down)

Taking a look at these sites just makes me think about the Womens Institute...

OllieCostello

The funny thing about my arrogant and selfish personality is that many women I interact with are caught off guard by it. They seem accustomed to guys being constantly nervous around them and doing favors to please them.

One memorable situation was this project I contributed to awhile back. There was a basket full of doughnuts on site and by mid-afternoon it was eaten down to one lonely, alluring, strawberry-frosted ambrosia.

A young lady across from me (one of only two in our group) was obviously going for that last doughnut, but I took it anyway. I didn't care. I was hungry and I wanted it.

The following banter ensued:

[HER]: "That wasn't a nice thing to do."
[ME]: "My stomach isn't concerned with what's nice and what's not."
[HER]: "Can we at least share it?"
[ME]: "No."
[HER]: "Why not?"
[ME]: "I'm hungry."
[HER]: "You're not hungry; you're just an asshole."
[ME]: "I resent that. I'm not 'just an asshole'; I'm a hungry asshole."
[HER]: "Alright, whatever, but you know this kind of behavior won't help your chances with me."
[ME]: "I'm actually doing you a favor by eating this doughnut myself. You're fat enough already."
[HER]: "What? I'm not fat! Fuck you."
[ME]: "Fine. I hurt your feelings. I'm sorry. Let me rephrase what I said: You have a secret admirer, and his name is Gravity."
[HER]: "You're too much."

We had a few good laughs as the conversation went on and I get along well with her to this day. I was relaxed and comfortable with myself around her, just like I am with everyone else. When you're casual and don't make a big deal out of the fact that some of your colleagues are female, it helps everyone feel at ease, enabling the whole group to focus on the work and cooperate effectively.

It baffles me why so many men spontaneously transform into quivering mounds of uncertainty in the presence of estrogen. It really isn't a big deal.

Ivan M.

DaveKap

PJ Moreno

Like others said, I play games that I feel like playing or interesting to me.

Chikebo

And how. Lara was so yummy!

Honestly, I think that nowadays, it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. As long as you love games, and are having a good time, there aren't too many dudes who're gonna have a problem with that. Remember Hackers? Crash soooo beat Acid Burn. Did he feel bad? Nope. He let her have it like she was a man, baby. With that said, any hot lookin' chicks wanna play a game I like to call, 'Sex'?

rlh445

No you're right, my last girlfriend played the sort of stuff I like, and even expanded my interests with games like Karaoke Revolution, which i had never tried before. I would definitely dig a girl who played some of the same classics I grew up with too.

A lot of my friends who happen to be female have played NES when they were kids, but there was still the stigma that "that was for boys," and so most of them have grown up thinking like that.

TheRockingDead

Desi

l31RD

I totally agree with that. I've worked in the video game industry for 8 months and that has been my exact experience. It's really such an uphill battle...

I have to add I'm also offended by the general assumption that, as a girl, I only play games that involve ponies and mini-games and such. I grew up on a steady diet of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, metal music and comics; I like to shoot and kill things in Lost Planet as much as I like to play Cooking Mama.

I guess women game writers are expected to write for women gamers because as many females as there are that play games, there are so few involved in making them and writing about them... So with that, welcome Maggie. And good luck.

evildeadtoo

No, not really. They are out there. It depends on what age group you fall into. The women my age grew up either owning a NES or they had a brother that did. Everyone owned a NES back then. Maybe I just have a group of friend (guys and girls) that all like to play video games. That's more likely the case.

Adam In Texas

When games like Zelda, or Metroid, or even Mario are on the screen, the girls just sit back and watch the men play.

Actually, the default video that plays when you go to the official Super Paper Mario site shows both a boy and a girl playing. Curiously, however, the shots in which the girl holds the controller are only shown in conjunction with Princess Peach on screen as the playable character. If Mario or Bowser are the ones in action, then the cutaway shot to the children always shows the controller in the boy's hands. It's sort of disgusting. Why should Nintendo be reinforcing such tripe?

nobody

TheRockingDead

Seriously, outside of Morgan Webb and Blair Butler, who actually know what they're talking about and are very good at presenting it, I can't think of a single female host on G4 who didn't get the job based almost entirely on their looks.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if this was common across the industry. Sad, but not that unexpected.

Wraithfighter

Not all females are treated like it's a normal thing to see women in online gaming servers. So while you are treating people the same, it's still _so_ weird for some people.

It's easy to get attention as a woman, but sometimes it's a little tougher to be taken seriously.

Nice article Maggie! I think the reason why people want you to speak for womankind is because you write rather well. Plus, there isn't nearly as many women as there are of men in professional industry positions in relation to video games.

Keep up the awesome!

TheresaP

And her band's awesome D:

Dark-Pen

Dark-Pen

And yes, being a female gamer is most definitely an advantage, if of course one can easily shake off mental trauma. Greasy faced cellar-dwellers in game stores looking bored and trying to be superior - "Running an errand are we?" "Um, no, this is for me...", then he blushes, sweats, stutters "Ohhh ummmm... have a discount..... PLEASE MARRY ME!!"
And of course in MMOs, I can't count the amount of times I've been given epic gear for a promise of a webcam strip show. Of course it never happens, but they've usually exploded at that point anyway. It is however distressing that females are always treated as weak in teams, constantly being asked "Do you need help? ^^" by over eager guild mates. This is why PvP servers are such fun >: )

Anthropomancer

Honestly, I wouldn't mind me treated like a guy. We're in mostly male territory. I don't care if they acknowledge me or not.

Wuffles

It's not that simple. Take any game industry convention, and you will undoubtedly find scantly clad women, who more than likely don't know a PS3 from a NES, handing out flyers and trying to draw a crowd to whichever booth or company paid them to be there.

But can anyone ever remember seeing, or even hearing about, male models doing the same thing?

The industry screams equality, while pushing out mainly testoteron centered games and advertising largely to the male audiance.

When they do pay attention to the female fans, we are treated like a Special Ed class. The simple happy-happy-smile-the-world-is-a-wonderful-place games are just about the only games advertaised towards us as a market.

I love Nintendo, but even they are guilty of it. Next time a Wii commercial comes on, pay attention to who is playing what games. There may be females in the room, but if they ever touch the control it's to play Wii Sports, Wii Play, or Wario Ware. When games like Zelda, or Metroid, or even Mario are on the screen, the girls just sit back and watch the men play.

Girls gamers are being treated very much like a father/daughter relationship after a devorce. We've always been around, but suddenly the industry is forced to pay attention to us and have no idea how to respond.

EmeraldDragon

MechaTama31

My grammar is horrible but someone explain this to me:

"Is Feminine an Advantage?"

That sentence is making my head spin. Is feminine a noun or is a word missing or something?

Adam In Texas

Magwidgeon

popdem

as for the downside of being a gamer and a girl....the fact that i can't seem to find any other girls to play games with. *sniff* seriously, I'm sick of being the only person in my group who owns a console.

Layla

BigChiefSmokem

i treat them as equals...maybe i should start treating them like women.

anglon

NotoriousJnX

shaunomacx

Personally, girls shouldn't make such a big deal about "being different". Every gaming event I went to I'm alienated usually cause I'm female. It sucks. I want to close the gap between us not widen it!

Nice to have you on board. :)

Wuffles

Scuba Steve

Welcome, you've already starded good from just showing your good taste heheheh. XD

Lider

Maybe in the gaming context girls or women act differently than in other, typically male dominated context.

Possibly, in those other contexts, people are more mature. I don't remember ever seeing obscene latex action figures with ginormous breasts based on prominent women in military history, but if there is a girl in a video game, someone in Japan is already working on the mold.

Either way, you've made my brain hurt.

Welcome!

doubtful

Big_Jock

Erec

kodec