Girls Don't Play Games
Friday, April 25, 2008
It's a bit of a different culture now, but back when I was in college the general belief was that girls didn't play video games, especially not violent video games. Even when I was first on the Internet there was the suspicion that the "girl" in the chat session wasn't really a girl, no matter what the discussion was about. Once in IRC I mentioned that I played Doom and all hell broke loose about how I couldn't be a girl. One guy was really upset with me for faking the persona of a woman. His whole reason that I couldn't be a girl - "Girls don't play shooters."
I've always played video games, as far back as I can remember. We first had consoles and later a lovely Tandy PC Clone. And finally I had my own progression of PCs and consoles after college. And it's not just video games that have grabbed my attention over the years but board games and card games too.
Perhaps it's genetic. My father's never been a big fan of games. He also, heretic that he is in that sense, never liked sports. My brothers got involved in sports on their own, playing in school and later as spectators. My mom though, is a bigger fanatic than I am when it comes to games. I dare not introduce her to MMOs. She'll already stay up all night playing adventure, arcade, and puzzle games. I used to try to pry her away from the computer when she visited, but now I just leave her be. I know eventually she'll surface and we'll spend time together. It's her escape and that's part of what a vacation is about.
Most of the games I like fall into the god games, economic, strategy, and role-playing categories. For a while I gave up on shooters. Recently though I became addicted to Team Fortress 2. I'm not good at it, but it's still a lot of fun.
When I created my Steam account originally for registration of The Ship I didn't really think about online play. Most of my online game play is with a group of people I know, not strangers. So Ordinary Girl wasn't out of line. But it wasn't until I started playing Team Fortress 2 I realized that my name identifies me clearly as female.
I don't use the in-game chat. Matt and the other people we play with use Teamspeak to strategize separately. But every so often I hear someone comment on my name. I wonder if I'm just "that terrible female player." Fortunately the games are fast-paced enough that I doubt most people pay that much attention or really care.
Friday, April 25, 2008 at 4:49:00 PM CDT
I think it's cool that you are a gamer, OG. You have to admit, there are a hell of a lot more guys doing it - particularly the violent games.
My kids friends all used to think it was great that I played video games when the kids were growing up (and even later). I don't consider myself an ex-gamer, but I have had about 2 years since I played God of War and the last Tomb Raider game that came out.
Friday, April 25, 2008 at 6:13:00 PM CDT
In my experience those girl gamers are usually pretty damn kick-ass good players too.
Gamer and Atheist - uber cool
Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 4:17:00 AM CDT
Bzzt. Sorry. Maybe you didn't get the memo, but girls are not allowed on the Internet. The Internet is serious business.
I will be expecting screen shots of your account cancellations via email tomorrow, at the latest.
And contrary to the fools that left gushing comments about your gaming, I did not think it was cool that you were a gamer when you would annihilate my Gondor legions with smelly, ill-equipped Rohan donkey buffoons, using 3rd party hacks to cheat.
Deny it all you want: you cheated. You're a girl, and that was the only way you could compete with us men.
I'm not bitter about my BFME defeats, you understand. Because you cheated and used hacks. I think you and Matt hacked my machine, so you could cheat better.
Maybe MoD was in on it too...
Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 9:38:00 AM CDT
She cheats in Dawn of War too, not all the time, but on a semi-regular basis. I've seen it. I guess it's just when the mood suits her. Whenever the Sister's of Battle or Eldar outscore the Imperial Guard, while controlled by a GIRL no less, that is the only explanation.
I even once saw her use megahax in EQ, when on a rare occasion I was in her and Matt's group, and she saved everyone with some super cheat code healz.
Why, personally, I've seen her cheat at Culcept, Command and Conquer 3, World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, this one train board game that I can't remember the name of, Guitar Hero 2, even Def Jam Vendetta for PS3! She'd probably cheat at On Da Mic, but I won't let her play it. Her scoundreling knows no bounds.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 10:12:00 AM CDT
Aha! So the MoD is still in HK. At least he didn't drop off the face of the earth.
Seriously though it's that Mysterious Har guy that cheats. No one could withstand an assault on his base like he does. And those Dreadnaughts are totally cracked uber-buffed.
V, a girl ran over you with a horse. Yeah, take it!
Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 10:43:00 AM CDT
Yeah, I come home Monday. I know this isn't the place to discuss it, but it'll sound cool. I got your R4 card yesterday. Not bad price, only 300. We can settle up if I can get it through customs without a hitch. Shouldn't be much of a problem, but I might have to "hide" it.