I admit I am a geek. I enjoy video games, photography, internet forums, and some would even say that the career I am trying to get into is geeky (historian/history teacher). So, now that it is established that I am a geek I would like to address a particular issue: women and gaming. Honestly, it is something that I do spend soem time thinking about. Most of my female friends shun video games. They think it is a weakness to chose the endeavor of gaming, as they label it as a waste of time. I have often wondered why they think you are a “loser” if you choose to include video games in your free time. I ran across a youtube video featured on Veronica Belmont’s website that gives insight on why females often feel the way they do about video games. I would like to share this video to those who are interested.
This isn’t to say that women don’t play games. I often play with a particular team on Left 4 Dead 2 where one team member is female. The four of us make a fantastic team, and it has been the best team that I have ever been a part of on any online multiplayer experience. Meanwhile I have a friend, whose wife indulges in gaming from time to time. I do think the amount of female gamers are already rising. I agree with Floyd and Alexander, that it might have to do with the prospect of trying out a console game after enjoying browser based games such as Zuma or Bejewled.
I also have one criticism of the argument presented by Floyd and Alexander. Although I do agree how women may be turned away from games by the exaggerated features on many female characters, but aren’t the male characters the same? Lets take two male heroes from video games – Master Chief from Halo and Marcus Fenix from Gears of War. Do males generally look like that? Overly buff bad asses who have absolutely no fear? I think it’s fair to say that both male and female characters are overly exaggerated. Of course that doesn’t defeat the mindset that both male and female gamers give to the respective characters.
Men don’t mind to indulge themselves in playing the characters that are fearless. It exaggerates the best qualities in male warriors that are necessary for the games. The females are exaggerated for their looks and it of course objectifies women and that is why female gamers probably don’t like the games. Either the characters need to be developed more to suit the female gamers without ruining it for the men. Maybe the characters need to be less like Lara Croft, and more like Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy Advent Children or Rebecca Chambers of Resident Evil Zero.
In my concluding remarks, I must say that having more female gamers would be a fantastic thing to have in the gaming community. Men wouldn’t be put down for their hobby, and it could lead to better relationships. I don’t think any reasonable guy gamers would object to playing with their significant others if they really put their heart into it. Otherwise, things like this could happen, and that is just a deal breaker all around.
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