Introduction

Lately, I have gotten tired of seeing all the articles written about women / girls who play online games. Reading about fellow gamers is interesting in and of itself, but what I find boring is the big deal being made about whether my opponent in-game is a female. Seriously, who cares if females game or not? Is it really so interesting that it is worthy all the attention given to the sex of the player on the internet battlefield? Not to mention unless you're in the room with the gamer, how do you really know it is a female?

When I first got into gaming about 5 years ago I didn't realize how few females gamed. Quickly though I learned from all the surprised reactions of those who could not believe that I was a female playing online FPS. In the time since then I have lost count the number of times I've answered the same question, "Are you really a girl?".

Usually I write off a lot of the fascination to the fact that most gamers are males, and the age group of those asking. Since most of those are in their teens to early twenties, single and have hormones all over the place, it is natural for them to get a bit goofy. For them the thought of a female in their personal space, even if that is online is quite thrilling, to say the least. Some of the interest is certainly perpetuated by the females themselves.

Just the Facts Ma'am *

Let's take a look at some facts and figures to see just how few females there are in online games. The largest growing segment of women gamers are between the ages of 35 - 44, and most of those are playing arcade / puzzle type games. The next largest group is in the 25 - 34 range, and their game genre preferences are in the RPG, and MMO lines. While the smallest group of females who game are those who participate in playing FPS online, and this is the group that I am in. Of all the FPS computer games online combined, the average number of females playing are between 10 - 12%. Those numbers are so small the age demographics are not available.

So when you look at the numbers, you certainly see that females are the minority in online gaming. But still this does not really explain why it is so news worthy. When men get involved in a primarily female activity you don't see website's dedicated to it... okay I stand corrected. There is all sorts of other excitement female gamers are generating. Why is that? I believe there are several answers to that question.

Sex Sells

This certainly is not a new concept, but gaming just is one of the newer frontiers. Whenever there is a predominately male market it is a no brainer to use women to advertise, sell or market a particular product. Speaking from a business standpoint there is nothing wrong with this it just makes good business sense to do what works.

I'm not sure if Ubisoft was the first, but they certainly have been one of the more successful to date. Ubisoft (and now Plantronics), are the sponsors for an all female gaming group, the Frag Dolls.

When the Frag Dolls first came on the scene about 2 years ago there was an article that brought them to my attention. A big deal was made about their sponsorship because it was initially not clearly made known that the young ladies were in fact working for Ubisoft. Once this was discovered a few minor changes were made on the website to relate that information a bit clearer. Can't say I really understand why they tried to hide that in the beginning since it most likely would have helped the sales of games if people had known up front.

Though it may not be as profitable, the Frag Dolls have a similar setup to Fatal1ty. Fatal1ty lends his name, likeness and promotes products from Creative, Universal ABIT, XFX, and Zalman Tech. The Frag Dolls play only Ubisoft games, represent them at gaming events and promote the company. So while they do have some of the same "I'm a girl gamer, look at me! " attitude, they do this for business purposes.

Typically whenever you have a good example of something working there will always be someone who goes in the complete opposite direction. They take a good idea and turn it to the extreme, which not only has a negative impact overall, but usually it does not last.

Enter the Girls of CS with their version of what women gamers need to "empower female gamers by eliminating the negative online stereotypes towards them." My question to them would be what stereotypes would they be speaking of exactly? Because believe me they are not the ones I would have thought of. The Girls of CS are out to fight the nasty stereotype that all girls who play online games are fat, dateless and ugly. The interesting thing is how they choose to do this would actually be pretty comical, if it were not so disappointing. The Girls of CS are a group of girls (models) who pose nude, and have an 'adult' online gaming community. Which in my never humble opinion, is a front.

Yes, you read that right. All the Girls of CS are models who pose nude for a supposedly exclusive adult community. First, let me say I appreciate the sacrifice they are making for me, but honestly if I thought naked pictures empowered female gamers, and erased negative stereotypes I would pose nude myself! All this time I thought it made women simply something for men to ogle and drool over. Silly me.

The Girls of CS are and I quote, "Owned and founded by Dan Matthews, and his two partners who own both LANFusion and GirlsofCS". This young man really sounds like a nice guy, but he must think people very naive. If he wants to use pretty naked girls to help him improve his business, then why can't he be honest enough to say that is the case? At least if he was up front people would get past the part that it appears he is using these young girls for his own gain. Who as he says he is trying to change that women are, "thought to be ugly idiots, who can't game". If he told the truth I would respect his business savvy, and honesty.

There are more female groups who game with sponsorship, and the previous are just two examples of how even in the gaming industry, sex sells. Hopefully more will follow the example of Fatal1ty, and the now enlightened Frag Dolls.

Plain Brown Wrapper

For every one of the groups who advertises the fact they are a group of women gamers, there are clans who just want to play. And oh by the way, they just happen to be women. When I first thought of joining a clan I just looked for a group who shared some of the same things I did in gaming, and in general. Luckily, I found a group in the 30 - 40 age range, most all married with children, who had their own server, kept the server free of leet speak, curse words and bad sportsmanship in general.

This made the gaming more fun, and what it was supposed to be about ...playing. When I joined the clan, |DNR|, it just so happened that I was the first and only female in the group of twenty (20) men, but that was inconsequential to not only the other members, but me as well. Though I no longer am a member of |DNR| when I was with the group for over a year, we had more fun gaming than anyone should. They will never been the same again!

For the clans who have all female membership I can certainly see what benefits there would be in that. Those clans who do try to go this route are to be admired for their efforts. Since there are fewer women playing it must present some of its own issues to sustain a good group of players. It must also be challenging picking the right people who will do their parts to contribute to the group gaming experience, when there is a smaller pool to draw from. Then too for those who want to participate in leagues or ladders, they face the added hurdle of maintaining the rigors of competition requirements.

The Need to be Noticed

Then comes another part of the girl gaming spectrum. Some people, be it men or women have a strong desire to be noticed. To feed this need they will do whatever it takes to draw attention to themselves. There are plenty of female gamers who do this.

Many times I have been in a server when in comes *Insert girl game name here*, and the server goes wild. So begins the off color comments, insinuations and innuendos from all sides. Noting makes me leave a server faster than flirting on the battlefield. For pities sake, go out and meet an actual person instead of an online personae so the server does not feel like a singles bar.

In the world of online gaming virtual flirting is something that is more prevalent in the MMO and RPG genres. Don't think it is something I will ever get used to seeing while playing FPS though.

WIGI, NOW and WTF

Not only do people feel the need to help out the negative stereotypes of female gamers, but now there is even a group to help with "the inclusion and advancement of women in the global games industry". The groups name is Women In Games International (WIGI).

The comment that comes to mind for this would be, is this really necessary? If women are qualified for positions in the gaming industry wouldn't this be a non-issue? Call me pragmatic but it just seems the natural progression of time, schools and proper training would put not only women but anyone qualified into the games industry.

This almost feels like WIGI is trying to place itself into a position like NOW (National Organization of Women), has in the rest of the working world. The last thing I want is another group professing to speak for my interests when I am completely capable of speaking for myself, as most of you know, or can tell by now. Do you want to know the funny thing? Look on the "About Us" page, and check out the token male. Don't you just love irony?

For me and not just in gaming but in general, to participate or do something that is typically classified as a male activity, is nothing new. I've always done things because they interest me, or are a challenge. That means to me means no gender lines to restrain what I can or can't do. Now this does not mean that I am all about women's lib either. Believe me when I say I am very much a lady, and do not mind a gentleman who opens the door for me.

When it comes to whether people have the abilities to do the job, regardless of race, age or sex, then all things should be fair across the board. If you're not qualified then using race, age or sex as an easy in or excuse, means you used a crutch and stereotyped yourself.

Wouldn't it be more useful to have a group for everyone, that teaches more on the industry itself? To teach how people can be positive influences, more on the technology, help to improve the education and quality of games for everyone. To find and possibly accredit schools or programs that teach gaming industry curriculums. If it would help the industry as a whole, then naturally everyone would reap the benefits. Any of these suggestions would be far more useful, and effective route to take than singling out women alone.

Conclusion

So the big secret is out, females play games online. Now that you know that, did the Earth move for you? Me either. So why single girl gamers out just because they are girls? In doing that don't you just perpetuate the very stereotypes that you claim to be trying to defeat?

Gaming to me is something that is meant to be fun. When politics are brought into anything it tends to bog it down, and make it way to serious. So leave the politics to the real world. Placing real world rules on something that is meant to be a break from reality does defeat the purpose of gaming.

Using what works to sell your product is nothing new, but wouldn't it be refreshing if people were open and honest about it? Maybe that is why Fatal1ty is so successful in the commercial market. Not for his gaming skills so much as his honesty for letting the companies use his name and likeness to sell merchandise, and people appreciate his opinion.

If there were female gamers who marketed gaming items specifically directed for women, I bet there would be a big demand. I could see peripheral items made to fit the smaller delicate hands, different designs and colors for women, and perhaps more female skins in games. The possibilities are endless.

No matter what happens on the online battlefield whether I win or lose, I'm a gamer who just happens to be female.

Sources & Related Links:

* All statistics from Hitwise & The Daedalus Project

Women In Games International

WomenGamers.com

WatchUsGame.com

Frag Dolls

Frag Dolls UK

PMS Clan

GamerGirlz.com

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Kotaku

Club Skill

RichardCorbett Blog

The Escapist Magazine

Voice Disguise Software

This article was brought to you by GameApex.com.