Comments on: Inq. of the Week: Gaming Women http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lunatyk http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67099 Lunatyk Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:34:49 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67099 I always found it weird... I played female characters and I had female player characters and yet I never had a slutty character in a game... I always found it weird… I played female characters and I had female player characters and yet I never had a slutty character in a game…

]]> By: Jared http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67098 Jared Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:25:05 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67098 One additional thing: I find it interesting that in my pen & paper RPG groups, girls are the minority, while online I'm often one of the few guys in my group. I know that "online gaming" isn't considered true roleplaying for the hardcore folk, but I do find it interesting that when logging into City of Heroes all my RPG adventurers are female (or claim to be, admittedly) while most folks in the fleshworld are male. It's....weird. Somehow. One additional thing: I find it interesting that in my pen & paper RPG groups, girls are the minority, while online I’m often one of the few guys in my group. I know that “online gaming” isn’t considered true roleplaying for the hardcore folk, but I do find it interesting that when logging into City of Heroes all my RPG adventurers are female (or claim to be, admittedly) while most folks in the fleshworld are male. It’s….weird. Somehow.

]]> By: Jared http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67097 Jared Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:26:25 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67097 My RPGA circuit has about 3 women out of 12 players total. My groups over the years have always included a few women. That said, it wasn't until I started playing Dungeons & Dragons that I was introduced to the notion of a person playing a character of the opposite sex. Seriously, it still wigs me out when the big bearded guy decides to play a slutty princess spellcaster. ON top of that, it offends the crap out of my wife, because all the guys playing girls tend to go into terrible stereotype land. ... I keep trying to find the interview that Chapel Waste (Dungeons & Dragons playing Adult Film star) discussed this topic. I remember it being spot on but, now that websites and links have re-aligned, I can't find it to save my life. The general thing with the interview was how someone who pretends to be the slutty stereotype professionally can still take offense when people do it casually. Something about it all being a game and gender play is not a part of roleplaying for everyone. I'll keep my eyes open and share if I can find it. -Jared My RPGA circuit has about 3 women out of 12 players total. My groups over the years have always included a few women. That said, it wasn’t until I started playing Dungeons & Dragons that I was introduced to the notion of a person playing a character of the opposite sex. Seriously, it still wigs me out when the big bearded guy decides to play a slutty princess spellcaster. ON top of that, it offends the crap out of my wife, because all the guys playing girls tend to go into terrible stereotype land.
…
I keep trying to find the interview that Chapel Waste (Dungeons & Dragons playing Adult Film star) discussed this topic. I remember it being spot on but, now that websites and links have re-aligned, I can’t find it to save my life. The general thing with the interview was how someone who pretends to be the slutty stereotype professionally can still take offense when people do it casually. Something about it all being a game and gender play is not a part of roleplaying for everyone. I’ll keep my eyes open and share if I can find it.
-Jared

]]> By: Taellosse http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67096 Taellosse Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:33:35 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67096 My current group is really small--there's only 3 of us, and we're all guys. But I've been in groups that had as many as 3 women (out of 7), and been in 5 ongoing games that had at least 1 girl in them over the years. On the other hand, this is also my third regularly meeting group that was composed entirely of members possessed of a Y chromosome. My current group is really small–there’s only 3 of us, and we’re all guys. But I’ve been in groups that had as many as 3 women (out of 7), and been in 5 ongoing games that had at least 1 girl in them over the years. On the other hand, this is also my third regularly meeting group that was composed entirely of members possessed of a Y chromosome.

]]> By: Al E. http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67095 Al E. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:25:21 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67095 We don't have any in our group, but it's not for lack of trying. We just haven't found all that many women interested in gaming. I encounter many more in online games. A more interesting phrasing may have been the ratio of women to men. After all, one woman in a group of three is a more significant statistic than one out of eight. We don’t have any in our group, but it’s not for lack of trying. We just haven’t found all that many women interested in gaming. I encounter many more in online games.

A more interesting phrasing may have been the ratio of women to men. After all, one woman in a group of three is a more significant statistic than one out of eight.

]]> By: Graham http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67094 Graham Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:42:56 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67094 As far as playing as the other sex, it's rare in my groups. Most people just can't pull it off seriously, and realise this. When it is attempted, it often turns into a parody (all the male-played women become sluts, and often lesbian sluts, for instance). See "Gamers: Dorkness Rising" for a good example of what my experience has been. But I too play about 50/50 male/female in video games, as roleplaying isn't required, so I can experience both sides of the story in the game. In third-person behind-the-head games, such as WoW, I'm nearly always female, but this is largely a practical concern. The smaller stature takes up less screen real estate and allows for a wider view. Similarly, I have never played Tauren or Dranei, and it gives me one more reason to love Gnomes. .-= Graham´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/criticalanklebites/~3/d5ml2V44ltI/" rel="nofollow">CriticalAnkleBites and ChattyDM pretend to be journalists</a> =-. As far as playing as the other sex, it’s rare in my groups. Most people just can’t pull it off seriously, and realise this. When it is attempted, it often turns into a parody (all the male-played women become sluts, and often lesbian sluts, for instance). See “Gamers: Dorkness Rising” for a good example of what my experience has been.

But I too play about 50/50 male/female in video games, as roleplaying isn’t required, so I can experience both sides of the story in the game.

In third-person behind-the-head games, such as WoW, I’m nearly always female, but this is largely a practical concern. The smaller stature takes up less screen real estate and allows for a wider view. Similarly, I have never played Tauren or Dranei, and it gives me one more reason to love Gnomes.
.-= Graham´s last blog ..CriticalAnkleBites and ChattyDM pretend to be journalists =-.

]]> By: filamena http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67093 filamena Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:07:24 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67093 I'm a woman who games, would game if my husband did or not. Most of the women in my group would be there, men included or not. I have played as a lone woman in a group of men, been in all women groups, but I've found as I've gotten older most of my groups are a pretty even mix. And, actually, there are a lot of women game designers, but in table top/pen and paper gamers as well as in the video game industry. Women are a growing percentage of gamers, (heck, we're 40% of the market on the video game side of things.) We even gather sometimes and talk about things. http://letterstogaming.wordpress.com/ I’m a woman who games, would game if my husband did or not. Most of the women in my group would be there, men included or not. I have played as a lone woman in a group of men, been in all women groups, but I’ve found as I’ve gotten older most of my groups are a pretty even mix.

And, actually, there are a lot of women game designers, but in table top/pen and paper gamers as well as in the video game industry.

Women are a growing percentage of gamers, (heck, we’re 40% of the market on the video game side of things.) We even gather sometimes and talk about things. http://letterstogaming.wordpress.com/

]]> By: Tonester http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67092 Tonester Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:05:34 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67092 When my friends and I were playing 4e regularly, we had 2-3 girls typically... with one of them being very hot :) Personally, I've never played a female character in a tabletop game. I've done it regularly in videogame RPGs, especially MMO or 3rd person games. Why? I just like seeing THAT rear end more so than a male's all day. haha Kidding aside, I think its because the guys in MMOs and 3rd person RPGs just tend to be TOO clunky and masculine. If I'm playing a mage or rogue, I hate looking like I'm about to fall over at any minute and crack the Earth when I get there. The female character models tend to always be sleek and much more agile looking. .-= Tonester´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.jezjo.com/?p=653" rel="nofollow">Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net</a> =-. When my friends and I were playing 4e regularly, we had 2-3 girls typically… with one of them being very hot :)

Personally, I’ve never played a female character in a tabletop game. I’ve done it regularly in videogame RPGs, especially MMO or 3rd person games. Why? I just like seeing THAT rear end more so than a male’s all day. haha Kidding aside, I think its because the guys in MMOs and 3rd person RPGs just tend to be TOO clunky and masculine. If I’m playing a mage or rogue, I hate looking like I’m about to fall over at any minute and crack the Earth when I get there. The female character models tend to always be sleek and much more agile looking.
.-= Tonester´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net =-.

]]> By: MSA http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67091 MSA Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:39:51 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67091 The older I get the more women I have in my games. In high school, I did have one very unusual group that was mostly women (it was affiliated with the drama club), but otherwise through college it was mostly men. In my late 20s, it started to shift considerably, and my current groups are usually 40-50% women. That said, it may have a lot to do with the fact that most of my friends are coupled off now instead of single. The older I get the more women I have in my games. In high school, I did have one very unusual group that was mostly women (it was affiliated with the drama club), but otherwise through college it was mostly men. In my late 20s, it started to shift considerably, and my current groups are usually 40-50% women. That said, it may have a lot to do with the fact that most of my friends are coupled off now instead of single.

]]> By: Donny_the_DM http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67090 Donny_the_DM Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:12:36 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67090 Oddly enough, my last 3 groups have been male minorities. My dragonstar campaign had a revolving cast of 5 of the eight players being female. My 3E campaign days were about 50/50, and my current 4E games are 3 girls to 2 guys (even if you count the DM). I'm not really even sure why, aside from they seemed to be actively recruiting more girls for the game. IMO, if you ask just about any female if she wants to spend 4-6 hours sitting in a chair, pretending to be an elf, and surrounded by 4 guys who want nothing more than to tell her all about their character's childhood - most would run away screaming. Not that I can really blame them. At least Hygeine isn't as big an issue as it used to be. Your mileage may vary, but "my" girls are very much of the Roseanne Barr camp, and are generally more manly than the men they outnumber - make of that what you will :) Oddly enough, my last 3 groups have been male minorities. My dragonstar campaign had a revolving cast of 5 of the eight players being female.

My 3E campaign days were about 50/50, and my current 4E games are 3 girls to 2 guys (even if you count the DM).

I’m not really even sure why, aside from they seemed to be actively recruiting more girls for the game. IMO, if you ask just about any female if she wants to spend 4-6 hours sitting in a chair, pretending to be an elf, and surrounded by 4 guys who want nothing more than to tell her all about their character’s childhood – most would run away screaming. Not that I can really blame them. At least Hygeine isn’t as big an issue as it used to be.

Your mileage may vary, but “my” girls are very much of the Roseanne Barr camp, and are generally more manly than the men they outnumber – make of that what you will :)

]]> By: joshx0rfz http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67089 joshx0rfz Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:10:57 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67089 -1 str +1 cha -1 str +1 cha

]]> By: XeroSided http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67088 XeroSided Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:00:55 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67088 My group had three for almost two years (with a short stint in the middle where we had four), but the group disbanded and reformed with two less players, and they were both girls, so now we're down to one. My group had three for almost two years (with a short stint in the middle where we had four), but the group disbanded and reformed with two less players, and they were both girls, so now we’re down to one.

]]> By: Tyson J. Hayes http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67087 Tyson J. Hayes Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:56:51 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67087 My main group consists of two girls which is half of the players. Which thinking about it is the most I've ever played with. Why is it that this is such a "guy" hobby? Is it our need to be a hero? .-= Tyson J. Hayes´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ApathyGames/~3/cEpMO2qiIOs/" rel="nofollow">Character Considerations: Naming Your Character</a> =-. My main group consists of two girls which is half of the players. Which thinking about it is the most I’ve ever played with.

Why is it that this is such a “guy” hobby? Is it our need to be a hero?
.-= Tyson J. Hayes´s last blog ..Character Considerations: Naming Your Character =-.

]]> By: Draigwen http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67086 Draigwen Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:39:25 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67086 The only male in my current gaming group is the GM. All the players are women. In my previous games (around 7 years ago now) had approximately a 50/50 split, maybe slightly more men then women. The GM for one game was a woman too. While there were some cases of boyfriends/girlfriends (the GM's boyfriend played), for the most part the women were gamers in their own right rather than playing because they were the girlfriends of gamers. The only male in my current gaming group is the GM. All the players are women.

In my previous games (around 7 years ago now) had approximately a 50/50 split, maybe slightly more men then women. The GM for one game was a woman too. While there were some cases of boyfriends/girlfriends (the GM’s boyfriend played), for the most part the women were gamers in their own right rather than playing because they were the girlfriends of gamers.

]]> By: Kynn http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67085 Kynn Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:22:20 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67085 My games have almost always been majority-female games. It just works out that way. I'm in two other games which are 100% male (except me). Not quite so much fun. .-= Kynn´s last blog ..<a href="http://kynn.com/next/2009/08/23/pork-is-a-nice-sweet-meat/" rel="nofollow">Pork is a nice sweet meat</a> =-. My games have almost always been majority-female games. It just works out that way.

I’m in two other games which are 100% male (except me). Not quite so much fun.
.-= Kynn´s last blog ..Pork is a nice sweet meat =-.

]]> By: Kameron http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67084 Kameron Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:30:57 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67084 My current (and only) gaming group has two female players, but only 1 female PC. The group just before that had 2, and both played female PCs. I had a female player in the last 3.5 campaign I ran. Before that, my groups were all-male. .-= Kameron´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.pathsofadventure.com/2009/10/13/the-tale-of-two-goblins/" rel="nofollow">The tale of two goblins</a> =-. My current (and only) gaming group has two female players, but only 1 female PC. The group just before that had 2, and both played female PCs. I had a female player in the last 3.5 campaign I ran. Before that, my groups were all-male.
.-= Kameron´s last blog ..The tale of two goblins =-.

]]> By: LordVreeg http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67083 LordVreeg Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:14:13 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67083 2 Main live groups now. 1/4 women in one 3/6 women in the other. But it wasn't always this way. We always had a few, but a much lower ratio until recently. Recently being the last decade. OK. Approximated by decade? Make that 1 in 11 in the 70's. 4 in 42 (or so) in the 80's. 4 in 35(or so) in the 90s. 6 in 15 in the 00s. Maturity, marriage, networking, etc, performing magic? .-= LordVreeg´s last blog ..<a href="http://celtricia.pbworks.com/Daily%20Life%20in%20Igbar" rel="nofollow">edited Daily Life in Igbar</a> =-. 2 Main live groups now.
1/4 women in one
3/6 women in the other.

But it wasn’t always this way. We always had a few, but a much lower ratio until recently. Recently being the last decade.

OK. Approximated by decade? Make that 1 in 11 in the 70′s. 4 in 42 (or so) in the 80′s. 4 in 35(or so) in the 90s. 6 in 15 in the 00s.
Maturity, marriage, networking, etc, performing magic?
.-= LordVreeg´s last blog ..edited Daily Life in Igbar =-.

]]> By: Mike Kenyon http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67082 Mike Kenyon Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:43:46 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67082 I'm male and have been gaming for 6 years now. Ever since I started playing, the majority of my gaming group has been female. I don't know how it happened, but it certainly made gaming more popular in my male-only residence on campus. :P I’m male and have been gaming for 6 years now. Ever since I started playing, the majority of my gaming group has been female. I don’t know how it happened, but it certainly made gaming more popular in my male-only residence on campus. :P

]]> By: John http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67081 John Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:42:11 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67081 My primary group is 2/5 female. My wife is one of the female players, the other is my friends wife. Both women were gamers before hand. My wife and I met as players in another RPG group, which was 5/7 female. My secondary group is 6/9 female. The females in this group consist of my wife, my sister-in-law, my two oldest daughters, my two oldest nieces. My primary group is 2/5 female. My wife is one of the female players, the other is my friends wife. Both women were gamers before hand. My wife and I met as players in another RPG group, which was 5/7 female.

My secondary group is 6/9 female. The females in this group consist of my wife, my sister-in-law, my two oldest daughters, my two oldest nieces.

]]> By: highbulp http://critical-hits.com/2009/10/12/inq-of-the-week-gaming-women/#comment-67080 highbulp Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:26:54 +0000 http://www.critical-hits.com/?p=5007#comment-67080 I'm not sure if someone has mentioned this, but claims about "majority of women" is going to be difficult without a measure about how big gaming groups are :p I could have 4 women in my group, but there is a difference if I only have a group of 4 or if I have a group of 12 ;p I’m not sure if someone has mentioned this, but claims about “majority of women” is going to be difficult without a measure about how big gaming groups are :p I could have 4 women in my group, but there is a difference if I only have a group of 4 or if I have a group of 12 ;p

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