News Women in Gaming

[Chief]

Let's have more of a balanced and less shrill discussion around women in gaming.

This was an interesting article I read today:

The stereotype of a "gamer" -- mostly young, mostly nerdy and most definitely male -- has never been further from the truth. In the United States, twice as many adult women play video games as do boys, according to the Entertainment Software Association, the industry's top trade group. Male gamers between ages 10 and 25 represent a sliver of the market, only 15 percent, according to Newzoo, a games research firm.

Yet America's 190 million gamers, 48 percent of whom are women, still play in a harsh frontier. About 70 percent of female gamers said they played as male characters online in hopes of sidestepping sexual harassment, according to a study cited by "Hate Crimes in Cyberspace" author and law professor Danielle Keats Citron.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/31qFI...rprising-facts-lost-in-the-mess-of-gamergate/ (And I see you can't easily pop out of the Stumbleupon frame anymore)

 

[pantskyle]

Wow, didn't realise the ratio was that high for female gamers Chief.

When playing online games where you can choose a gender I used to ask myself why guys would choose to play as a female, turns out they are likely girls.

 

[Bender_]

"harsh frontier"

 

[GoldenHodge]

Wow, didn't realise the ratio was that high for female gamers Chief.

When playing online games where you can choose a gender I used to ask myself why guys would choose to play as a female, turns out they are likely girls.

There are quite a few men who choose to play as Female Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series because they believe her to be a better character than the male counterpart. Games have come a long way and are improving in terms of diversity, still has a bit to go and that's fair enough if people want to bring that up but people have to stop thinking video games are the root of all evil while ignoring other media forms and general society where such bigotry is present (a minority but still present unfortunately).

 

[DemonJim]

Wow, didn't realise the ratio was that high for female gamers Chief.

When playing online games where you can choose a gender I used to ask myself why guys would choose to play as a female, turns out they are likely girls.

They also include Mobile phone games pants... which is a ridiculous statistic to put into this.
Especially referencing this when talking about gamergate and such...

 

[pantskyle]

They also include Mobile phone games pants... which is a ridiculous statistic to put into this.
Especially referencing this when talking about gamergate and such...

A high level of female gamers on mobile games does not surprise me one bit.

 

[DemonJim]

A high level of female gamers on mobile games does not surprise me one bit.

I would like to see the study where they break down these gamers into these different fields and stop generalizing the gamerz.

To me Mobile games aren't gaming... they are just a way to waste time on the train.

 

[Chief]

I would like to see the study where they break down these gamers into these different fields and stop generalizing the gamerz.

To me Mobile games aren't gaming... they are just a way to waste time on the train.

But desktop games can also be a way to waste time waiting for the plumber to arrive.

“The girl who plays 'Minecraft,' expressed in hours per day or dollars per month, they're just as 'hardcore' as the next guy over who plays 'Counter-Strike,'" said Joost van Dreunen, the chief executive of SuperData Research, a games-market intelligence firm.

About half way down you find a chart with male/female breakdown for a number of games/franchises.

What do you see as games that only "gamers" play?

 

[Quivorir]

Wow, didn't realise the ratio was that high for female gamers Chief.

When playing online games where you can choose a gender I used to ask myself why guys would choose to play as a female, turns out they are likely girls.

If your happy look at a guys butt all day that's fine.

 

[pantskyle]

If your happy look at a guys butt all day that's fine.

 

[AngryRanga]

The stereotype of a "gamer" -- mostly young, mostly nerdy and most definitely male -- has never been further from the truth. In the United States, twice as many adult women play video games as do boys, according to the Entertainment Software Association, the industry's top trade group. Male gamers between ages 10 and 25 represent a sliver of the market, only 15 percent, according to Newzoo, a games research firm.

Yet America's 190 million gamers, 48 percent of whom are women, still play in a harsh frontier. About 70 percent of female gamers said they played as male characters online in hopes of sidestepping sexual harassment, according to a study cited by "Hate Crimes in Cyberspace" author and law professor Danielle Keats Citron.

These statistics aren't really worthwhile. I'm interested to learn about the actual percentage of female 'gamers', not female participants in micro-transaction ridden drivel.

 

[Chief]

These statistics aren't really worthwhile. I'm interested to learn about the actual percentage of female 'gamers', not female participants in micro-transaction ridden drivel.

As I've asked DemonJim, what constitutes a "game" and what is a "gamer"?

Do you have to pay $20-$50 a throw for DLC for it to be valid, as opposed to paying $20-$50 over a few months buying stuff in a mobile game?

 

[AngryRanga]

As I've asked DemonJim, what constitutes a "game" and what is a "gamer"?

Do you have to pay $20-$50 a throw for DLC for it to be valid, as opposed to paying $20-$50 over a few months buying stuff in a mobile game?

A gamer is someone who plays games.

It comes to personal opinion to me. I consider anything on consoles and the majority of games on PC to be 'games'. I would consider something like Angry Birds and Candy Crush to fit in as 'Games'. Mobile games (Kim Kardashians mobile game spring to mind) that are just social experiments that see how long they can string along a user into buying micro-transactions while providing absolutely no actual content don't count as 'games' to me.

I would like to see a study about the amount of females playing console/PC games, just because that's what I'm interested and I really don't care who is playing mobile games.

 

[Probitas_]

99% of the games I play on mobile are way more complex than anything that came out for the first few generations of console. Don't see why anyone wouldn't class people who play them as gamers.

 

[TooUglyForFugly]

We are comparing Atari games to today's games? With straight faces?

 

[Probitas_]

Why does it matter? What's unreasonable about what I said? They're games aren't they.

 

[Hate]

Wow, didn't realise the ratio was that high for female gamers Chief.

When playing online games where you can choose a gender I used to ask myself why guys would choose to play as a female, turns out they are likely girls.

I play as a female character on Call of Duty: Ghosts. The main reason being that the character is smaller in size giving me an advantage. Well, at least that is what I and others in the CG community were lead to believe. I would change the gender on my character now if it isn't true but I'm too lazy to do that, and with the armor and clothing you can hardly tell.

I won't get into the discussion of what constitutes a girl gamer as I do agree with it being a personal opinion, so having a discussion where people will just bang on about their opinion over and over is pointless for mine.

Girls who stream what game they are playing are hell funny, also very smart. Majority of these girl 'gamers' use their assets in order to make a s**t ton of money - take Jessie Rogers for example, ex pornstar turned streamer. Now she may enjoy games and have knowledge but man is it funny how all her videos she has her **** out. Proprs to the girls that are taking money from the pockets of absolute idiots.

 

[Chief]

I play as a female character on Call of Duty: Ghosts. The main reason being that the character is smaller in size giving me an advantage. Well, at least that is what I and others in the CG community were lead to believe. I would change the gender on my character now if it isn't true but I'm too lazy to do that, and with the armor and clothing you can hardly tell.

I won't get into the discussion of what constitutes a girl gamer as I do agree with it being a personal opinion, so having a discussion where people will just bang on about their opinion over and over is pointless for mine.

Girls who stream what game they are playing are hell funny, also very smart. Majority of these girl 'gamers' use their assets in order to make a s**t ton of money - take Jessie Rogers for example, ex pornstar turned streamer. Now she may enjoy games and have knowledge but man is it funny how all her videos she has her **** out. Proprs to the girls that are taking money from the pockets of absolute idiots.

One of the top World of Tanks players is a nice looking girl who has lots of paid subscribers.

She is the constant target of kids accusing her of not actually playing, but just being a front for a male player.

This despite the fact she plays live in the big LAN games and tournaments. Must be some guy in the floor boards with the real keyboard and mouse playing for her

I think a lot hinges on the view of what is a "proper" game and who is allowed to be a good player.

It is interesting that

A gamer is someone who plays games.

Thats fine.

I consider anything on consoles and the majority of games on PC to be 'games'. I would consider something like Angry Birds and Candy Crush to fit in as 'Games'.

Did you mean "wouldn't"? Angry Birds is a mobile game first and foremost.

Mobile games (Kim Kardashians mobile game spring to mind) that are just social experiments that see how long they can string along a user into buying micro-transactions while providing absolutely no actual content don't count as 'games' to me.

I would like to see a study about the amount of females playing console/PC games, just because that's what I'm interested and I really don't care who is playing mobile games.

And if Kim Kardashians game goes to console?

Are micro-transactions less valid than DLC as part of a game?

Just trying to work out why Angry Birds and Candy Crush are games while Kardashian is not. All three are mobile. All three have micro-transactions.

 

[Hate]

One of the top World of Tanks players is a nice looking girl who has lots of paid subscribers.

She is the constant target of kids accusing her of not actually playing, but just being a front for a male player.

This despite the fact she plays live in the big LAN games and tournaments. Must be some guy in the floor boards with the real keyboard and mouse playing for her

I think a lot hinges on the view of what is a "proper" game and who is allowed to be a good player.

I only really pay attention to the gaming world that revolves around Call of Duty, I just play other games for fun. There is a girl called sssniperwolf who plays CoD (other games too) and uploads the videos to YouTube. For as long as I can remember there has always been drama around her gameplay videos being created by her boyfriend, but she uploads them and talks over them with her face came over the top of it, and I think that is the issue around a lot of girls who do the YouTube gig.

Streaming is a bit different thought as you can make it more believable, but most of the time the girl is a s**t player but again, guys don't really pay attention as they have their eyes watching some else..

Someone got mentioned in the Advanced Warfare thread yesterday - xMinks - who is ok looking, not my taste but ok. She for me is someone who has knowledge of CoD and has competed at LAN events. People like her who attend LAN events and know a lot about the game are the women in gaming who I can tolerate. Midnite being apart of OpTic isn't the best looking chick, but props to her for making a killing with a big name gaming brand without being super mega hot and wearing revealing clothes.

Also, yeah mobile games/app are games at the end of the day - however rather less skillful from the ones I've played imo.

 

[Valentino Dmitri]

99% of the games I play on mobile are way more complex than anything that came out for the first few generations of console. Don't see why anyone wouldn't class people who play them as gamers.

Yeah. I think mobile, or at least gaming based on touch screens, will be a big part of gaming in the future given this is what kids are growing up with now. When they start making games we'll see some REALLY interesting stuff IMO.

As of right now there's not a great deal I really dig on mobile. Mostly just the time wasters. Match 3 puzzles, Solitaire, Super Hexagon, that kind of thing. The kinds of games I really enjoy generally have horrible control schemes (Wayward Souls looks lovely, can't abide the ridiculous virtual gamepad controls). This will all be sorted out one day soon I'm sure.

And if Kim Kardashians game goes to console?

Are micro-transactions less valid than DLC as part of a game?

Just trying to work out why Angry Birds and Candy Crush are games while Kardashian is not. All three are mobile. All three have micro-transactions.

Yes I don't think it's too helpful getting bogged down on what constitutes a game. Reminds me of the embarrassing days 10 years ago of writing 500 word arguments on why games are or aren't art. No point putting the word 'game' on a pedestal. Baldur's Gate's a game, so is The Ninjabread Man. Same goes for Kardashian/Angry Birds/Candy Crush, regardless or their quality or ethics. Zoe Quinn's Depression Quest is a game. I think she was in the press recently, can't remember what for though? Might have had her vanilla slice recipe published in The Woman's Weekly or something.

Might be more helpful to sort out what we mean by 'gamers'. I take it to mean someone to whom playing games is a hobby. Has their favourite games, knows vaguely when something that interests them is coming out. Has a fair idea of what is going on and how it all works. Has heard of Geoff Crammond probably. Just floating that, I'm sure it can be defined much more accurately.

Pretty much everyone plays games at least a little, anyone with a smart phone at any rate. I don't care for Candy Crush but if given the choice between playing that and sitting in silence on a rickety bus for 15 minutes, with only the back of a bald businessman's head to stare at, I know what I'm doing.

If your happy look at a guys butt all day that's fine.

Yes. I'll always play as a girl if the option is there. I'm sure it's partly because I'm not a huge fan of the usual chiselled male hero that is in every game and try to rebel against that at every opportunity. Knowing me there's also some weird embarrassing sexual thing to it. I like dressing up my female RPG character, making sure she's not only an ass kicking wiseguy but also a sharp dresser. Male protagonist though? Pfft. Can wear a hessian sack for all I care.

Couldn't get into Gears of War because of the protagonist. He just looked ridiculous. I think it was the bandana that turned me off completely. They should only be worn by pirates and bald male porno stars. That always cracked me up by the way, dude is happy to get the gear out on screen and perform with a lady (or two. or three), even have a camera poised right up in the blockhole for the meatgrinding shot. but he gets all self conscious if you see his bald scalp and makes sure to wear a bandanna or a backwards baseball cap. madness.

 

[Mighty P]

http://igea.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Digital-Australia-2014-DA14.pdf

Digital Australia releases reports every year or two, the findings can be quite surprising. According to them, 47% of gamers in Australia are female. It's interesting to see how things are changing.

 

[dav3]

Personally, I consider anyone who regularly sits down for the sole purpose of playing a game a gamer. People who play games to kill time on the bus, or on the shitter, or in the car shouldn't really count. I realise the rise of smartphones has blurred the lines a little, but seriously...... it's like calling yourself a football player because you kicked a ball once, or a tequila drinker because your mates buy you shots of it when you're trashed on a weekend.

I dunno, maybe I think differently since my gaming background was largely based around Lanning. Back in those days there were a number of chicks who were actually into games and enjoyed it, but there were also a lot that would do it purely because of the attention they got in the process, and I think that's what a large number of females who call themselves "gamers" are really after.

 

[GoldenHodge]

http://igea.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Digital-Australia-2014-DA14.pdf

Digital Australia releases reports every year or two, the findings can be quite surprising. According to them, 47% of gamers in Australia are female. It's interesting to see how things are changing.

From a study of 3398 individuals. Not a big enough sample size.

 

[Probitas_]

From a study of 3398 individuals. Not a big enough sample size.

You might be having a joke but if not, that's a massive sample size. It's plenty big enough for any population.

 

[TooUglyForFugly]

Personally, I consider anyone who regularly sits down for the sole purpose of playing a game a gamer. People who play games to kill time on the bus, or on the shitter, or in the car shouldn't really count. I realise the rise of smartphones has blurred the lines a little, but seriously...... it's like calling yourself a football player because you kicked a ball once, or a tequila drinker because your mates buy you shots of it when you're trashed on a weekend.

I dunno, maybe I think differently since my gaming background was largely based around Lanning. Back in those days there were a number of chicks who were actually into games and enjoyed it, but there were also a lot that would do it purely because of the attention they got in the process, and I think that's what a large number of females who call themselves "gamers" are really after.

What if I'm a gamer who wants to spend time at home but has to travel on buses and trains regularly?

I always take my 3DS with me wherever I go. Stuff mobile games.