(4) As a female in the gaming industry, what is your biggest pet peeve?
That certain games count more than others. It drives me nuts when the largely male fanbases of blockbuster shooters like Gears of War dismiss entire genres because they're not considered hardcore enough. A good game is a good game is a good game, whether you're blowing things up with an RPG launcher or dressing up animals. There's enough room for everyone -- so quit disparaging certain games as "girlie" and appreciate that everyone has his or her own individual tastes. The more people there are playing games, the better it is for all of us.
Maybe that there's an assumption that there is a difference between males and females when it comes to gaming or ability to work in this business -- it's always purely been about getting a job done, doing it well, and knowing your shit. Nothing more, nothing less. Male or female? Doesn't matter.
My biggest pet peeve is the question, why do you seperate yourself/community as "female gamers" when you should be trying to eliminate the divide. I think it is really important to find people that you identify with and enjoy talking to. I don't see it as seperating but more creating an enviroment for women to feel comfortable being themselves. Why is any interest group ever created then?
The preponderance of XXL swag t-shirts. [Ed.'s note: I AGREE.]
Actually, my biggest pet peeve is to receive special focus as "a female in the gaming industry!" While I think that women may at times have unique perspectives informed by their gender, largely, I aim for the work I do to be gender-neutral and all-inclusive, and I'd like to see games lean that way too -- rather than aiming specifically to cater to women.
When I take a meeting with PR people who don't know me and they always assume the male in the room is in charge. Also -- developers of more 'hardcore' shooting games always sound shocked when I've played their game. Get over it already!
This can be an appallingly sexist subculture. I'm not sure people realize how badly they can and do come off. I don't consider myself terribly 'sensitive,' but my jaw drops every time some 'gendered' issue comes up and there's commentary from certain quarters. I don't have to deal with it in my day to day professional life - why should I in my other professional life and hobby?
My biggest pet peeve is that the wonderful women that work in the industry rarely get the attention or kudos that they deserve. When there is a woman on the team that is put in the spotlight then gamers comment on her level of attractiveness instead of on the quality of her work. I also greatly dislike Gametrailers/Spike TV's Girls of Gaming series.
For better or for worse, women in the industry stand out. Sometimes a woman in the room can be treated like a unicorn or a leper but for the most part, I feel we are seen as equals to our male counterparts. I will say, however, that "booth babes" do not impress me. I am surprised to see that scantily-clad models (though regulated -- but to what extent?) will be returning to the revamped E3. It just seems odd to have booth babes present at a public show that's meant to be all-inclusive. And do booth babes really lure that many more people to their wares? I think male gamers deserve more credit and female gamers deserve more respect than that.
My biggest pet peeve is "Girl Games." Not the concept, but the execution. A majority have been licensed products featuring tween-idols thrown on top of crappy game mechanics. Girls (and thus, parents) have been getting ripped off. I was appalled to play through a bunch of girl titles last year to find that they had no quality control. It's getting better as the market is recognized and I think we'll eventually see games that are both girl-oriented AND good, even if they are virtual pet simulators, dancing competitions, and horse riding games... it doesn't mean they automatically have to be mindless garbage in a pretty pink package.
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Reader Comments (5)
All I have to say is that its KICK ASS that girls are getting more of a voice in gaming! I know you guys have been out their and finally you are getting more and more credit. You encourage other girls to come out and start some more hard core gaming! I am an old school gamer myself (N64 and back), but i am getting more into the newer stuff. Keep your voices heard girls!! I work for a website called GameZombie and we would love your input... http://www.gamezombie.tv/ ... keep it up girls!!
That's interesting, nmsillak, because I'm a female gamer who plays male characters far more than female ones. In MMOs and RPGs I typically create male characters before even considering a female one. (Heck, even my screen name is named after one of my male characters) Though Lara Croft is my favorite female action-adventure character, I adore Prince of Persia (well, before his recent re-design) and Altair much more. As far as MMOs and RPGs go... My male and female friends, as well as my mom and brother, tend to create characters of both genders. I think my mom is the only one who does not regularly play as a character of the opposite gender. The rest of us are almost always playing characters of the opposite sex. I don't think it's weird or creepy at all.
Well I think there are a LOT more of us than one thinks. I personally just smirk to myself when I am sitting within a group of guys who are talking about their games etc. And how girls don't play (ie. WoW) and I sit there and think to myself, ya... and it was probably ME that just whooped your butt last ***ht in the Badlands. Girls just don't have the need to brag as much, we get more satisfaction out of knowing we are WAY stronger and menacing than one might think. Well that is my philosophy and reasoning anyway. haha Maybe someone could answer this one though. WHY oh WHY do so many men feel the urge and need to make female Characters? It is kind of creepy!! I don't make male ones, and don't know any girls who do!
Not everyone wants to play games where your reason for play is to kill. Try ClubPonyPals.com. Free to play, addictive, cute art and aimed at kids -- and their moms.
Good to see that normal looking women (and not stick figures) are into gaming. We need more of them.