Sexism, what sexism? - A Gamer Girl's Thoughts

[squallina]

Please note: This is just my opinion, and isn't a fully researched essay on the subject. I'm not including dating sims, adult games, or visual novels in the discussion. If you have any comments, corrections or counter-arguments, feel free to comment below or contact me via twitter.I don't want this to turn into a rant, but I have a feeling it might

Comments

[flying_sideways]

This I feel is one of those topics that will forever be shelved in the 'Never-going-away-just-yet' section. In order to generate some form of market, most games - not all - have the need to be a bit sexist (or really sexist, but why quibble over that?). I'm not saying I don't get annoyed about it, a lot of games I play have that brand of sexism but I don't stop playing them because they're good games. And in my experience, it isn't a taboo topic (to me and my friends, who by the way, can be complete jerks regarding women and gaming~ and to people I meet in events). It just rarely gets attention from where I am and in my opinion, it should be kept that way.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't discuss it entirely. But sometimes, the more you discuss topics like this, the more some guys would take the topic less seriously. You have to at least take in to consideration how far changes have been made and accommodated to make games less sexist.

That's just my personal opinion and based from my exploits as a female gamer, too. Back when Counter-Strike was at its peak in popularity, me and my younger brother would go in computer shops (that's a thing in my country, not sure about the others out there) to play that. I was 11 at the time and I heard all kinds of sexist comments I really shouldn't be learning (yet~). But eventually, after being challenged by them (much older and had more hours put into playing the game) and winning against them, the comments started going down until it was only said out of great annoyance and frustration for being killed and beaten repeatedly by a girl who hasn't hit puberty yet. The same thing happened with Call of Duty and fighting games.. To be fair, they do say sorry afterwards. They're complete strangers, too, just in case that issue is important.

Also, I think it isn't wise to take comments in gaming forums that seriously. Anonymity would forever be a double-edged sword in the community. So is one's gender in forums.

[squallina]

I guess we all have different experiences to draw upon and different reasons why we feel the topic should or shouldn't be discussed.

I have two younger brothers who I grew up playing games with - I was better at some games than they were and they were better at some games than I was. I never at all felt not included in the discussion, even if I was only watching the action.

Now that we're grown up and live far apart we play games our own way, and I usually play games on my own. I've never really been a part of gaming communities, had gaming friends, or had somewhere to go where I could game against other people. It's always just my brothers and me and I've always been allowed to voice an opinion on a game, make a joke about it, be uncomfortable with it or even get stuck with it without being told that me being a girl was causing the problem.

I still don't play online with other people, so I have no concept of competition or being put down for my lack of gaming skills or simply for being a girl.

But the moment I step into a gaming forum, especially one where the topic of sexism has been brought up and I see everyone throwing their two cents in so I decide to throw my two cents in, I'm seen as a joke because I'm a woman. You're right, I shouldn't take it seriously, but the experience has opened my eyes to the fact that there are people out there who have it far worse. And although I don't often initiate the discussion myself, I don't feel like I should go completely quiet on the subject either because that could very well have been me being tormented or teased by fellow gamers in the middle of a game just because I'm not a man. As it is I'm already too scared to attempt any kind of competitive multiplayer for fear of being abused or having my behind handed to me before I even have a chance to get my bearings.

A grown woman shouldn't have to feel too scared or intimated to play a video game with a group of people.

[flying_sideways]

I've had my share of forums and prevalence of sexist topics. And yes, my comments are often not taken seriously when they know I'm a girl. But there are RARE instances when people do read and start talking about sexism in games regardless of the poster's gender. You know, no snide remarks because actual females join the conversation..

And about playing with others, you really shouldn't be that scared or discourage to play against guys. They will call you names and put you down for being a girl gamer but if you don't stand your ground, nothing will really change for us~

After reading this, I discussed this with friends (and strangers in mmorpgs) and to them it isn't a big deal when it's a female gamer. I'm guessing this is something that guy vs girl gamers is a topic worth fighting over. If you're good, you're good. But also, I have to take in to account where exactly are you. Maybe this is a cultural thing.. I've talked with people who make games here for a living and some of them are touchy with being labeled sexist when making games. And sometimes, it's a weird issue when the concept artists (character-wise) are also females themselves.