My sister and I have been playing video games since we were both about 4 years old
(1994; we're twins, so the same amount of years) I have yet to find any female gamers that are as hardcore into video games as we are. Most don't play Gears of War, Call Of Duty, Halo, Mass Effect, or Bioshock- they just play rock band or guitar hero (which yeah, I play too) How come there aren't very many girl gamers? I just figured it was because our culture teaches that women aren't supposed to be aggressive or competitive, and that video games are for guys, so women don't really get that chance to play and get hooked to the games like most guys do. Plus, adolesents can conform to their culture better than anyone, so it kind of makes sense to me.
What I've heard is that guys like it because they're more of what a man was built to do- to defeat the game, but there's no hormonal barrier that prevents a woman from being as or more aggressive than a man, so what's up? Why are there so few female gamers?

They just don't appeal to many females and also you've probably experienced the attention that you receive from some people for being one, which I think put a lot of females off as well, pluss its considered kind of geeky in a way, if you descride yourself as an avid gamer.

The sexes do differ in aggressiveness, which is one reason most of the people locked up for violent crimes are men. I think it's like 97% or similar. That's not to say that women can't be aggressive--and I don't just mean criminally. Women an be competitive and determined, which you can see in sports since we passed Title IX. (I wanted to compete in sports in the late 60s and wasn't able to because there were almost no sports for girls then). So I'm sympathetic to what you are saying. I tend to like "guy" activities myself. (I've even played grand theft auto with my teenage sons. :)) But women's willingness to take chances or do things like that is less on average, despite individual differences, and there IS social pressure against girls and women doing certain things.

It's really hard to say what's "biological" and what's social engineering, since babies/toddlers start getting trained early in what's acceptable. I see parents tell their 2 years olds "You are so pretty" if it's a girl or "You are so strong" if it's a boy, and let boys behave aggressively but get upset if a girl does the same thing. It can be very subtle, but persistent, and it's the stuff adults don't even realize they are doing that's most potent. When my older son was in grade school, the schools were just getting computers. I had taught him to use one and to make minor fixes when things went wrong. At school, the female teachers would act helpless around the computers, refuse to learn anything and ask the boys to help them. My son became the 4th grade computer guru, even though he really didn't know that much. It bugged me that the teacher was modeling helpless behavior for the kids, especially for the girls. Then people would make remarks about how it was just "natural" for my son to understand computers because he was a boy.

So sexism stories: I tried to buy a motorcycle a few years back and they wouldn't let me test drive the bike, even though I'd put money down for one and had been riding for years, had my license. They didn't say no, they just ignored me for an hour and chatted with male customers until I went away. I kept asking about riding "my" bike, and they would just say, "in a few minutes." No one ever talked to me. They weren't busy either, just guys shooting the breeze. It was a good way to get rid of me because I don't make a scene most of the time.

Last year, when I went to the department of motor vehicles to renew my driver's license, the young guy behind the counter tried to get me to not renew my motorcycle license and not take the test. He told me I didn't "need" a motorcycle license. I said I wanted to take the test and I passed with flying colors and renewed my license. Then another woman walked up to me and said he'd tried to talk her out of renewing her license too! How weird.

I love video games but only if they're Donkey Kong, Mario or Yoshis' Land. I like they older ones. My sisters and I used to be pros at them. I still remember every hidden banana in Donkey Kong, and where all of the 'bad guys' were in Mario.

Currently I don't play many video games, only because I work full time. If I could get an old Nintendo console with the games mentioned above, I would.

I don't know, people say that men are more aggressive because they have higher levels of testosterone than women, but I heard that testosterone doesn't increase when a man has an aggressive out burst, or before an aggressive outburst, but after, and that if there is a link between testosterone and agression- it's a weak one. So what is the difference between men and aggression, and women and agression- it can't be anything hormonal right? I would not argue that men are more aggressive than women generally, but I think that it has nothing to do with the way that men and women are "built" but rather, what culture says is acceptable- an aggressive woman isn't much accepted in this culture, maybe that's why.
Overall, since I'm definitely more "boyish" than girly, I have to say that there is more differences between me and the average "girly girl" than me and the average guy, personally. There are more differences within the sexes, than between them, at least that's how I see.

Men's testosterone levels go up if they win a game (or if their team wins a game). The levels go down when they lose. Women's seem to do the same thing.

But really I think there's a lot more to this than just hormones. People give themselves permission to act in certain ways. With succeess, comes a burst of confidence, and sometimes a hormone burst. So brain surgeons have higher testosterone levels than football players, who have higher levels than accountants. But it may be that the brain surgeons have high levels BECAUSE they are getting treated like gods all t he time. They aren't brain surgeons because they have naturally high levels. Not enough research in this area. (All this is from an advanced textbook I have on hormones and behavior.)

Whoops. My son is calling me. This is a fascinating subject though!

I heard that women who work have higher testosterone levels than women who stay at home. So does that mean that women who have higher testosterone levels work, or work causes women to have higher levels of testosterone? Are some women just born with more testosterone?

The sexes do differ in aggressiveness, which is one reason most of the people locked up for violent crimes are men. I think it's like 97% or similar.

Actually, recent studies have proven that violent crimes by men are on the decline. Women are capable of being violent and hostile just as much as men. In fact, in most cases the female is more aggressive than the male.

The women's rights movement views women as not being capable of being violent while men are the sole cause of violence. Instead of having equal rights as men things have been twisted into being superior to men and ridiculing them.

The domestic violence power and control wheel (Duluth Model) is faulty and uses the "her" pronoun and addresses men as being abusive and dominating yet says nothing about women equally.

Actually, recent studies have proven that violent crimes by men are on the decline.


Yes. Down for women too. Violent crime has been down for some time and lots of speculation about why that is so. Gamers point out that the declines in violence don't support the idea that gaming causes violence. :)

I'm finding that about 14% of convicted violent offenders are women; the other 86% being men.

HEY! I LOVE Halo, my husband thought I was the coolest when we met. I like Fable and a lot of the Star Wars based games. Oh and the Godfather game is awesome! I like Call of Duty as well. I think that there are more women who are gamers than you think. We just have better stuff to talk about most of the time.

My sister and I have been playing video games since we were both about 4 years old
(1994; we're twins, so the same amount of years) I have yet to find any female gamers that are as hardcore into video games as we are. Most don't play Gears of War, Call Of Duty, Halo, Mass Effect, or Bioshock- they just play rock band or guitar hero (which yeah, I play too) How come there aren't very many girl gamers? I just figured it was because our culture teaches that women aren't supposed to be agressive or competitive, and that video games are for guys, so women don't really get that chance to play and get hooked to the games like most guys do. Plus, adolesents can conform to their culture better than anyone, so it kind of makes sense to me.
What I've heard is that guys like it because they're more of what a man was built to do- to defeat the game, but there's no hormonal barrier that prevents a woman from being as or more agressive than a man, so what's up? Why are there so few female gamers?

there are a lot of female games but they are ''casual gamers'' so may only play on the wii and DS for example and play games like mario etc where as a huge minority are hardcore gamers and play everyday and play games like gears of war and call of duty like yourself.

I consider myself a hardcore gamer but sometimes I go months without playing my Xbox 360 or PS3 but can then spend hours a day on my console and can't get off it lol

I seem to have a hibernation mode that randomly comes on when I realise I need to be studying etc

to answer your question I just don't think it's that socially acceptable perhaps to be a hardcore female gamer maybe they are out there but keep it to themselves :) even with their girlfriends around they may still not admit it I have no problem saying I love video games most people think you grow out of it when your 18 no chance here :)

Violence in the media is supposed to cause more violent thoughts, but not more violent actions. Games don't murder people, people do. And if someone can't distinguish a game from real life, then they shouldn't be playing it.

I love halo and all those games. And I'm a girl. Im into it hardcore and always have been. It depends on who you talk to and how many people you know. There are a ton of female gamers I know :D

I'm a dude but the topic was interesting:)

Most of the girlfriends I'vehad would always want to play games when the system was on, they all loved it, but none of them were ever into it enough to actually have their own system. I always wondered why I don't see so many girls into games? Good answers.

Of gaming systems I've owned a PS1, Sega Genesis, Nintendo64, Atari, Xbox, Xbox360, and multiple PC games. The people I watched play video games before getting interested, was my dad and cousins. Oddly enough, I've been desensitized to violence. Probably because the first video games I played were Mortal Kombat and War Gods, yeah, when I was 4.

I think it helps to start when you are young. I found it hard to get good at games because first I'm older and second, I always felt funny about spending the amount of time on it that I'd need to get good enough to compete with my kids. They didn't hesitate to spend hours getting good, but I always felt like I should be working on something "useful." My job, housework, bills... So I didn't master even the mechanics. So if I play, I'm awful, even though some of the games are appealing to me, especially the driving games. I've played some shooter games and done well, but only as a beginner--not tactics. But anyway, so I don't play because it's not fun to lose constantly and my two teenage sons are massively better than I am. I am guessing a lot of girls and women get a late start on gaming and then experience that feeling of not being any good. So they don't play.

On the other hand, in my life, I've done a lot of hiking and rock climbing, ridden my bicycle all over big cities, commuted on a fast motorcycle for several years, rebuilt my motorcycle's engine, worked on the engines of several cars, built a telescope and ground my own mirror, and so on. I got a friend to teach me how to shoot a gun and even asked him to take me hunting (he never did). So I do like guy activities and toys. But all these things, I did as an adult. When I was a kid, I kept asking for toys for boys and never got anything except dolls, night gowns, and paint sets. I was super athletic as a kid, but couldn't even throw a softball well because I'd never played those kinds of games. My parents didn't even buy me a bicycle... I grew up in Girlland, before Title IX. In school, sports for girls meant being a cheerleader. Period.

I'm so glad things are different now!

I think the topic of violence and how it corresponds to a woman's interest in video games is a valid take.

Most video games are either sports titles or games with some level of violence. Women, majority I'd say, are not sports fanatics nor do they want to see movies such as platoon or the like. Makes sense that video games tailor towards those who do enjoy these genre's.

Alternatively, some girls I know do really enjoy the cuter games, such as Mario Golf or something similar, same as movies, less violence more substance.

Would be a very fascinating study though.

I also know how to shoot a gun, and shoot a bow, and I'm pretty good at it. When I was younger I took hunter's ed and am able to hunt now.

Girls do like to play more of the games like Mario and donkey kong and such. I would definitely agree that a majority of women don't watch violent movies. My first R rated movie was "the Matrix" when I was 11, my first chickflick was "The Notebook," that was 2 weeks ago. =) For the record, I'm supposedly heartless- I couldn't find the part where I was supposed to cry, so I laughed at the end and said, "that was a good movie!"

I'm definitely drawn toward action, and suspense movies. When I was a kid, I was never into sports, and I did ask for toys from the "boy aisle" mostly G.I. Joes, action figures, and legos. My first action figures were batman and wolverine. My parents never stressed to me that as a girl, I was supposed to be into dolls and makeup, I was free to be interested in whatever I wanted to be interested in. It would be cool if more kids grew up that way without all the pressure.

I think it's a vicious circle--positive feedback. Game makers see that games pitched at boys sell better, so they make more of those and invest more money in making those types of games better. So boys and men and parents of boys are more likely to buy those good games. Meanwhile, girls start to feel like gaming isn't really a girl thing, so they are less likely to do it; most of them feel like a fish out of water (plus haven't got good at it, from not playing). They also really are less interested in the violence and, there aren't very many good games that are NOT oriented around traditionally "male" interests. So the become even LESS likely to play. So the gaming industry is less likely to make a "game for girls."

Another factor is that the average parent spends more money on toys for boys than on toys for girls. More generally, parents spend more on their sons than on their daughters (on average, I'm not talking about individual parents; there are always exceptions). But you only have to walk around Toys R Us to see how many more toys there are that are specifically pitched at boys than there are for girls. Count the pink "girl" aisles, then count the "boy" aisles. (In fact, parents of boys are less likely to get divorced than the parents of girls, another measure of commitment. :rolleyes:)

So anyway, there's more of a market for games pitched at boys, which means more and better games, girls getting turned off and wandering off to do something else and gaming becoming a male preserve (for the most part).

Similarly, in the early days of the computer industry, there was a much bigger percentage of young women involved than there is now. Women were not driven out, just overwhelmed by many more men coming in and then girls seeing computers as not "feminine." Kind of like the way not that many men become nurses. It's not that men can't do the work, it's just an image thing.

I think you all make good points.

From a male perspective I'd would like to meet more girls into video games. I'd much rather buy a girl video games or consoles than dish out for those "other interests" asking referred to, only for the fact that those other interests seem to ALWAYS include coach bags:)

Those bags make any system seem cheap.

Haha. Wow, that makes me feel a little strange, what's a coach bag? I imagine it's some kind of purse, but I'm 18, never had a purse in my entire life.

Most guys don't carry purses so I wonder why we need them. If you don't have a purse, you do need clothes that have pockets, for your wallet and maybe a phone. It's hard to find nice clothes for women with functional pockets.

In the last few years, two different boyfriends have bought me expensive leather bags. In one case, I asked him to return it and get his money back, and he got all miffed. I think it WAS Coach now that you mention it. So when I got another one from a different guy, I just said thanks and haven't used it once. Not ALL girls want coach bags. :)

Most women think games like gears of war are sick and barbaric and with games like call of duty they just seem pointless for some reason.then they play guitar hero because they can relate to that because it is music not killing someone with a chainsaw. By the by, what's your gamertag?mine's scottishdrunk23 and I play a lot of those games too.

asking-
I always think that too. I wonder what girls even find to fill a purse! All I carry around is a wad of cash and a house key, I mean, that's what pockets are for! To be totally honest,
when "aunt flo" comes, I carry a small backpack, and leave it in the car just in case.

scottishdrunk23=
I usually pay to play online and use whatever gamertag they give me, my siblings just got xbox LIVE over at my parent's house so they're having a blast and I'm stuck here- I'm so jelous! Yeah, I actually started playing Call of Duty when the 2nd one came out, and I've been playing Halo since forever, and now Gears. Call of Duty isn't pointless! It's an amazing game, and decently realistic. Just watching that game is like a feast- mmmm... may your Xbox360 experience be as gluttonous as mine... as far as violence goes, I actually watched SAW today for the first time- it makes me feel extremely unemotional- I have never freaked out at a movie, or cried during one. Like I said, it's because my first R rated was when I was 11, and my first video game was Mortal Kombat, and War Gods when I was 4- I've been desensitized to violence.

Hey... I'm a female gamer too. Seems like there are some around here.
I play some games like Halo, Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, Battlefield, Counter-Strike and also Call Of Duty.

It is true that most of my friends (girls) don't really like these kind of games because they say it's not their type... They're more likely to play "The Sims" or whatever...

I know a girl who likes some aggressive rpgs though is very 'girly'...
But yeah... I guess it is true that somehow sexes differ in aggressiveness.

To Be Honest I find that a girl who plays video games turns me on. I love to compete and talk to a girl about video games and have them respond as I would and give there opinion as a female.

I'm a female gamer too. They're so addicting!

I've played a lot of different ones since I was young, but for the past year or two I've been playing World of Warcraft online a lot. Probably more than is healthy.. haha.

I love halo I love fable 1 an 2 I haven't played much of call of duty but I thought it was pretty fun when I did (but one of the only reasons I do play is because of having 3 older brothers )

I recently bought MercenariesII, let me tell you something. It's something!

My sister and I have been playing video games since we were both about 4 years old
(1994; we're twins, so the same amount of years) I have yet to find any female gamers that are as hardcore into video games as we are. Most don't play Gears of War, Call Of Duty, Halo, Mass Effect, or Bioshock- they just play rock band or guitar hero (which yeah, I play too) How come there aren't very many girl gamers? I just figured it was because our culture teaches that women aren't supposed to be agressive or competitive, and that video games are for guys, so women don't really get that chance to play and get hooked to the games like most guys do. Plus, adolesents can conform to their culture better than anyone, so it kind of makes sense to me.
What I've heard is that guys like it because they're more of what a man was built to do- to defeat the game, but there's no hormonal barrier that prevents a woman from being as or more agressive than a man, so what's up? Why are there so few female gamers?
Supposedly, there are quite a lot of females playing MMPORPG's, like WoW and EQ etc. as in these games, there is a lot more to do than just go out and kill stuff. However, it's hard for the average person to tell for sure since in the online world, there are a lot of men, masquerading as women.

I'm 100% woman and I'll play Gears, and GTA, and all of the good stuff.

Supposedly, there are quite a lot of females playing MMPORPG's, like WoW and EQ etc. as in these games, there is a lot more to do than just go out and kill stuff. However, it's hard for the average person to tell for sure since in the online world, there are a lot of men, masquerading as women.

I play WoW and I'm a woman. I promise.

It's a lot of fun, though like I said, I probably play too much.

Gamejunke eh, aries? :)

Haha yeah, Spyderglass. I went through a lot of games when I was little too on the original NES (those were the days). N64, Playstation, etc...

WoW is the only computer game I've ever really played though.

And I did go through the Pokemon stage. Yeah that's right, I admitted it...

What kind of games do you usually like?

I love Halo, Gear, WoW (too), Merc1and 2, I loved the Godfather game in high school I would play Wolfenstein etc. etc
I could go on and on!

Coming from a girl, I've always been engaged in video games. I grew up loving racing games and would gladly compete with anyone who was up to the challenge.

I spent many years in the Army playing a video game of sorts there, so COD was the best thing since sliced bread when I discovered it. Now, after my daughter goes to bed, Monday nights are officially COD4 nights.

However, every other night is WoW night! My husband was into WoW early in our relationship. I was never the "nagging" type, so instead of griping at him for playing, I referred back to the old saying, "If you can't beat em, join em!" I LOVE playing WoW! I've now got my own 70 (er, 71 now.. damn that xpac) and rock my own DK!

I agree, video games are targeted for girls, but damn don't we rock! ;P I'll take care of my daughter, do the dishes, the laundry, sew a blanket, and make a few hairbows... then I'll rock my 'lock on World of Warcraft!

My husband bought Left 4 Dead yesterday! WOOOT

My husband bought Left 4 Dead yesterday! WOOOT

My husband just told me about that last night! That game sounds soooooo fun! Have you played it yet?

There are a lot of female gamers, I play with them all the time on my xbox 360.

Hey Forgiveme. No I don't have an Xbox 360, I wish! I play too much WoW as it is though, if I had an Xbox I would probably never get any homework done, haha.

What kind of games do you play on Xbox? Or in general?

Gears of war 1 and 2, cod , etc, I have over 30 games.

Blockbuster has an amazing package for like $309, you get two games extra controller, xbox gold on-line, blockbuster rentals. Great deal

Oh wow. Yeah that is a really good deal... I'm not sure there's a Blockbuster around here, I kind of live in the middle of nowhere. But I could drive to a city and check it out probably, thanks for the info.

My husband just told me about that last night! That game sounds soooooo fun! Have you played it yet?

Not yet, I've been sick and so has my son, so I've had my hands full. I just look over at The BOx longingly from time to time and sigh.:(

Girls get bored and play sometimes or they get emotional about something in there life and play them or they have a job that might relate to a game they are playing

My father works in the military and he plays gun games every once so often.

Also there is sport games like football and girls like that and some like wrestling etc

Sometimes they need to play games to do a job like for movies maybe or TV or a simulation for a job.

There is lots of reason why anyone should play video games

I think there are female gamers out there but probably just not as active on the boards as many of the guys are. I'm 29, female and I love gaming! Call of Duty games are awesome, Rainbow Six Vegas (really all Tom Clancy's games are great, although I haven't played that new one with the voice commands yet) Halo, Mass Effect, Fable, LEFT 4 DEAD!! Those are all awesome so I guess you can tell I've got a 360. But yeah, us girls are out there shooting up zombies and stuff with the boys everyday!

If you haven't played Left 4 Dead yet... let's just say you need to.. immediately

My guess(im male) as to why less of a culture for females is in many areas. Firstly family life. If your taught to sow cook and bla(you know all that stuff women are against), and taught that things like sports, working on cars etc are not for a "lady" your going to be much less inclined to play a game. On top of that facts are facts and guys put women down too much that as soon as they see a women doing something that requires skill and not muscle, men still tend to associate it as a "muscle" thing and so are rude and over bearing like the poor ole' girl couldn't possibly understand or be good at something like pool(ive seen this a lot) which when you receive negative feelings like that arnt going to want to do it as much.

Now then I know two die hard gamer women, one is my sister, which growing up with me as a die hard gamer, and us enjoying spending time together naturally meant she was into video games. The other is a cousin of mine, who will kick your in halo faster than you can say is it a blue spider? Get it off! But where did that come from? A rough and tumble brother who constantly beat on her and was frankly an to her, it was bother her escape and her way of showing she was better than him.

So to me its more of a societal pressure that forces women to or away from games because frankly our society is still not equal, even if the laws are.

(or I could be talking out of my arse :))

Here's my opnion.

The O.P. stated it herself. I believe girls and the society look at "gaming" as a guy thing and so for the longest time a girl who "gamed" was looked at as a TomBoy, an outcast of sorts.

Just like any sport or activity overtime women began to want to be more involved thus beginning this "new age" of gaming. Games are bigger and better then ever before, consoles are bigger and better then ever and women are no longer scared of being seen as a gamer. Being a gamer in today's societies isn't limited to being male.

I say this "thinking" girls are gaming more, but "knowing" they're no where close to males(as far as numbers goes)

All in time, that's what I think! All in time, women will join the men on the battlefields, courts and in cars and will all be good!

Rick

I actively play World of Warcraft, Diabo II, Counterstrike. I have dabbled in other 1st person shooters like Halo, GoW and CoD. And yes! Im a girl. I can say that there is a big attention factor. Which can be pretty annoying to put up with. I have had a few online stalkers that just don't leave me alone...

I considered making a fake myspace/facebook and call myself Gertie and put an ugly picture up.. but I think it doesn't matter they would still hound me. Lol

I'd like to say that I would absolutely love to meet a girl gamer. Lol

You probably have you just don't know it. Lol

Hey ohmygosh I love computer games! I had a master system when I was younger then a ps1 and ps2 as of yet I've found no need for a ps3. I've also had gameboys and I have a wii. My all-time fav games are the final fantasy series I'm additcted and always have been! I love the resident evil games and beat them ups, I don't play 1st person shooters because I'm rubbish at them but all types of rpg or beat them ups are brill lol! But the best part is I can always beat my male friends!

*points at self* found one!

... sorry, that's not really answering your question, is it?

I'm a huge Gears of War fan and I'm currently playing Resident Evil 5.

I'm here, I love video games! I don't like the war ones though. I like the mideval ones like LoZ and such. I will play a Grand Theft Auto from time to time but I don't have the systems for that anymore.

Left 4 Dead! Love that game

Hello? Legend of Zelda?!

Ah, I am such an avid female gamer! I've won a fighting game tournament, and aside from fighters my favorite genre is survival-horror.

I think a lot of the "masculine" parts of video games deter girls, just like they do some adults. I don't play a game just because it's violent, but the violence is a part of some good games that you just have to deal with. It's also not an expectation for girls, and we're not exposed to them very much as children. I was lucky enough to have an older sister, so I started gaming at a very young age.

I just got Fallout 3. I'm sorry, but there's something satisfying about blowing a bad guy's head off with one slug that is perfectly innocent. ;)

I hate the fact that there are very few "female games" for playstation 3.

Don't get me wrong, I love the shooters but I also love cute little games and they are so hard to find :(

*points at self* found one!

...sorry, that's not really answering your question, is it?

I'm a huge Gears of War fan and I'm currently playing Resident Evil 5.

Same here :D gears is such a great game, I've even got one of the life sized gold lancers that came out with the release of gears 2, and in my opinion every shooter game should have a horde mode (or a variant of it anyhoo :D)

Guitar Hero is my favorite. I love army games and shoot them up games like Call of Duty, Hitman, Enter the Matrix, etc.

I play Madden with my fiancé and I love Sims. Sometimes I play Wheel of Fortune, American Idol.

But now I love Wii and how interactive there games are. No need to go to the gym because I does my workout on wii.

Ahhh yes, guitar hero is great :D
Rock Band is better though, the drumming is hard, but fun!

I'm not sure if I have already mentioned it or not but my partner and I have been playing Fallout 3
Excellent game, been playing it for hours and hours and are still only about half way through it!

Another game we recently finished was Uncharted Drakes fortune. It awesome, I would definitely recommend it, it is similar to Tomb Raider but a lot more involved.
(I have played and finished the new Tomb Raider and wasn't overly impressed... $120 down the drain :rolleyes:)

Ahhh yes, guitar hero is great :D
Rock Band is better though, the drumming is hard, but fun!

I'm not sure if I have already mentioned it or not but my partner and I have been playing Fallout 3
Excelent game, been playing it for hours and hours and are still only about half way through it!

Another game we recently finished was Uncharted Drakes fortune. It awesome, I would definately reccomend it, it is similar to Tomb Raider but a lot more involved.
(I have played and finished the new Tomb Raider and wasn't overly impressed... $120 down the drain :rolleyes:)

Ahhh the drums, 1st time I tried them I used the hit everything and hope for the best approach, I didn't fail :D
If your finding fallout 3 great(as no doubt everyone else who's played it has :D) then I suggest after that you try 'oblivion' made by the same people and played in the same way apart from its more swords and sorcery
For me the only flaw I found with fallout 3 was that it was too short :( where as oblivion allows you to play the game indeffinetly :)

Yeah, I play Rock Band. I love it and can't wait for the new one.

I loved Tomb Raider the movies but hated the game. I am glad I brought it used.

Fallout is a good game but I love the car racing game.

Also, I buy my daughter games like SpongeBob, Hannah Monatana, etc. I platg them a lot.

Right now I am on Manhunt. I try to finish the games I start.

Thanks bear, I'll look into Oblivion!
Fallout can be either very short or very long it depends on how you play it...
So far I've gotten sidetracked by all the side missions... just finsihed doing the one at Canterbury Commons with the Antagoniser.

I love my nintendo ds... that's where I get my 'cute' fix from... have games like ice age and rayman, it's cool :)

Same here Liz, I love the tomb raider movies but the games leaved a lot to be desired, we finished the last one in 2 days.

I love Left 4 Dead. Still scares the be-jesus out of me sometimes though. But I love it none the less :D

Residential Evil and I can't think of the other game but they came out with a movie scares me. I can't play those games alone.

Fear is pretty scary too. Lol.

I haven't played Fear yet but I've heard good things... number 2 is out now.

The silent hill series is quite scary.

That's is the name of it--Silent Hill. That game is really scary. I slept with the lights on after playing that game. The movie wasn't bad either.

I could hug you liz, you have awesome taste in both movies and games haha

Well, someone once again drug up a way old thread, but what the heck.

Another female gamer here. Except I seem to have some different tastes. Wouldn't go near Tomb Raider the game or movie. I tried the game and just thought it was boring. Not really into shooters because it's just the same-old same-old. (With the exception of Medal of Honor, because it has a lot of interesting stuff in it. I've been told I'd probably like Call of Duty.)

I'm mostly into RPGs and adventures. I have Fallout1&2 and haven't played them. I did play Wasteland though. I'm an Ultima fan and have been wanting to get to UIV for quite some time and just have never gotten around to it. I've got Dungeon Siege installed and keep playing it "in between" other stuff, except I never seem to get around to the other stuff. I play a Nancy Drew occasionally, just cause I like puzzles and they're short, good for a weekend. Most of what I have around is older. I had a way-old computer for a long time so collected up a lot of older games and have not really kept up with the next stuff. (I have well over 100 games around.)

As for Oblivion, I hope you have a reasonably new computer. It has some big requirements. (I messed with my brother's Morrowind for a short time but never actually played it. I'm kind of anal and will have to do those in order. I even have Arena around, which is the first Elder Scrolls.)

As for Oblivion, I hope you have a reasonably new computer. It has some big requirements. (I messed with my brother's Morrowind for a short time but never actually played it. I'm kind of anal and will have to do those in order. I even have Arena around, which is the first Elder Scrolls.)

I have an 80GB Playstation 3 ;)

I love RPG's as well, my favourites being the Final Fantasy series, particularly FFX and I Love the Final Fantasy movies too
Most RPG's can be played for an almost indeifnate amount of time which I love, or you can take the short route and not do the side missions, making the game shorter.

Most RPG's can be played for an almost indeifnate amount of time which I love, or you can take the short route and not do the side missions, making the game shorter.

Short route? I do everything there is to do and go everywhere there is to go, and find every nook and cranny. It has taken me 300-500+ hours to play one of those -- I know, cause I started keeping track out of curiosity. :D

I have an 80GB Playstation 3 ;)

I love RPG's as well, my favourites being the Final Fantasy series, particularly FFX and I Love the Final Fantasy movies too
Most RPG's can be played for an almost indeifnate amount of time which I love, or you can take the short route and not do the side missions, making the game shorter.

OK girls, I'm not a female gamer, but I challenge any girl to a head to head match!! By the way shazamataz, you're my new best friend!! Anyone that loves final fantasy is rockin!! Keep it real

Well, someone once again drug up a way old thread, but what the heck.

Another female gamer here. Except I seem to have some different tastes. Wouldn't go near Tomb Raider the game or movie. I tried the game and just thought it was boring. Not really into shooters because it's just the same-old same-old. (With the exception of Medal of Honor, because it has a lot of interesting stuff in it. I've been told I'd probably like Call of Duty.)

I'm mostly into RPGs and adventures. I have Fallout1&2 and haven't played them. I did play Wasteland though. I'm an Ultima fan and have been wanting to get to UIV for quite some time and just have never gotten around to it. I've got Dungeon Siege installed and keep playing it "in between" other stuff, except I never seem to get around to the other stuff. I play a Nancy Drew occasionally, just cause I like puzzles and they're short, good for a weekend. Most of what I have around is older. I had a way-old computer for a long time so collected up a lot of older games and have not really kept up with the next stuff. (I have well over 100 games around.)

As for Oblivion, I hope you have a reasonably new computer. It has some big requirements. (I messed with my brother's Morrowind for a short time but never actually played it. I'm kind of anal and will have to do those in order. I even have Arena around, which is the first Elder Scrolls.)

Well I'm a big FPS fan, but not of most because as you say most are the same old same old. One you might want to check out that was just amazing was advent rising. The story was written by Orson Scott Card and he did an amazing job. Only downside is the story is great, but it was written as a trilogy and only part one got made(damn video game companys and their droped titels)

Haha, I'm the same Morgaine! I have to do everything in the game, I hate missing things!

Ironclad - Oh yeah Final Fantasy rocks ;) The new one comes out at the end of the year... we have already pre-ordered it!

I love Video Games! I beat Prince if Persia (the last one), Fable, Super Mario64, Starfox64,and some martial arts fighting game or something Im stuck on Halo2 though and Zelda Ocarina of Time .(Shadow Temple) Wow I sound so geekish!! Lol

I was thinking of a new game to play. I just ordered Fable 2... I remember enjoying the first one long ago.. we will see what happens

ok girls, im not a female gamer, but i challenge any girl to a head to head match!!! by the way shazamataz, your my new best friend!!! anyone that loves final fantasy is rockin!!! keep it real

I'm assuming you're male. Just why do you have a need to challenge a female?

Oh, and it would be nice if this thread could stick with being about "females" and not "girls." I think even some of the female posters around here think we're all young girls. No - we're not. I've been playing games since the late 70's. (In fact, I just want to laugh at that "classic game" thread cause those people obviously can't remember anything before 1987.)

I'm assuming you're male. Just why do you have a need to challenge a female?

Oh, and it would be nice if this thread could stick with being about "females" and not "girls." I think even some of the female posters around here think we're all young girls. No - we're not. I've been playing games since the late 70's. (In fact, I just want to laugh at that "classic game" thread cause those people obviously can't remember anything before 1987.)

Oh yeah! Nothing wrong with female gamers?? I dig it!! My daugter is 3 and she's beating me at spirow already! But for the older FEMALES its awsome to see, not just guys like this stuff you know, morgaine300, check out gamerstagg.com, and you'll see why I'm called ironclad!

My uncle (who is basically like my dad) is in love with video and ever since I was able to properly hold a controler I was playing, but I don't really enjoy them. I'm actually scared of most of them. I don't know why but I'm just not that into them. The only ones I enjoy playing are like you said guitar hero and rock band and also those dancing games.

oh yeah! nothing wrong with female gamers??? i dig it!!! my daugter is 3 and shes beating me at spirow already! but for the older FEMALES its awsome to see, not just guys like this stuff ya know, morgaine300, check out gamerstagg.com, and you'll see why im called ironclad!

I don't recall saying that I thought there was anything wrong with female gamers, nor did I say I thought only guys liked this stuff. Where exactly did you read that in my sentences? I'm female and I play games, so obviously I would not say or imply either of those statements.

I was referring to the use of the word "girls." It sounds like several people think all us female gamers are young girls. I'm a woman, not a young girl. I simply said it would be nice if we could stick to the term "female" instead of talking like we're all young girls.

I just saw this thread and I don't care if it is years old. I AM POSTING! AHHHHH.

Okay now that I got that out of my system. I hope you have seen the change in just the last few years in the amount of female gamers. I met my husband through an MMORPG. I think that qualifies me just in that one instance as hardcore. I've been gaming ever since I found my dad's Atari when I was 5.

Personally, though I am no medical expert, women are just as competitive as men. But we come with the docile stigma. What do you think catty was in the first place? Certainly not playful. We have testosterone too! Granted not as much, but we do compete, we are blood-thirsty, and we LOVE to be on top! I worked in the video game industry for a while, there is steadily becoming a larger demand to market to the female gamer. And no, it's not just cooking games. :rolleyes:

Shopping games? LOL.

Women are definitely competitive, and sometimes with each other over stupid things. But you don't have to be competitive. I don't do multi-player, so I'm just competitive with myself. And I like a lot of the same stuff the men do.

I think companies have tried too hard to figure out what women want in a game, and in the end they try stuff geared towards women who don't want to play games to begin with.

You met your hubby through a MMORPG? Maybe I should try that. :-)

Heck yeah I did, oddly enough though, he played a Shadow Knight (bad side) I played a cleric (durr). But in real life I am the evil one and he is sweet as puddin. You are warned! *chuckles*

I completely agree with you morgaine! I'm a big fan of puzzle games. When GoW came out I was pleasantly surprised to see the puzzles they incorporated. Now if I could just get into the games with first person shooters!

Isn't any reason you have to get into some type of game - no rules on what you do and don't have to like.

The only shooter I play is Medal of Honor, which I just played clear through for I think the 5th time. I'm not into shooters cause they bore me and seem like the same old same old. I like MoHAA cause it was different than anything I'd seen and has more variety - one minute sneaking around and having to stop and think and pay attention, and the next minute blasting everything with a jeep-mounted machine gun (which is incredibly fun).

Otherwise I mostly play RPGs and adventures. But I also just like puzzles, and I like board and card games too.

Ohh, I'll look into that game, just asked my hubby and he has never tried it either. Though he has heard of it. (Sometimes I think he says that about games and really he doesn't have a clue what it is.. :rolleyes: hehe) My favorite game for over a year was PuzzleQuest for the PSP. I still am not sure why, it's basically a badass version of bejewelled but with wizards and turns against foes in puzzle form. I STILL can't beat the very last boss. Maybe I should start over. :D

Hmmm I think I saw PuzzleQuest on the playstation store... might have to buy it and try it out.

I don't do consoles. Just more money to spend and my PC's fine.

And I've never heard of most of the newer games. I had an old PC for quite some time so I collected up a bunch of older games that would run on it, enough to last me a lifetime. About the only things I've bought since I got a "new" computer in '03 (I know that's old in computer age, but it still runs great and works for everything I need it to), is Dungeon Siege and Medal of Honor, and a bunch of Nancy Drews. And I got most of that off eBay used.

I'm assuming you're male. Just why do you have a need to challenge a female?

Oh, and it would be nice if this thread could stick with being about "females" and not "girls." I think even some of the female posters around here think we're all young girls. No - we're not. I've been playing games since the late 70's. (In fact, I just want to laugh at that "classic game" thread cause those people obviously can't remember anything before 1987.)

Im up FOR A CHALLENGE!! :cool:

I went to BestBuy this weekend with the hubby and got Medal of Honor, they had every expansion all together for like 20.00 HE got really into it and didn't get off the computer for the rest of the weekend. I saw him once around 4am on Saturday when he came to bed... lmao I blame you Morgaine! It is a really good game though, the graphics are solid, the storyline involves you. Nice one!

Sorry I took your hubby away. I didn't mean to. :-)

That's kind of what happened with me. I actually bought it used buncled with some other stuff and had no intentions of playing it and was going to sell it. But I like to install everything, make sure it's reading the disk OK, running OK, etc. So I "started" it just to make sure it seemed all right before selling it.

Next thing I knew it was like 4 hours later. LOL. I'd gotten totally hung up on the thing and couldn't believe I was playing a shooter. And finished the whole thing inside a week I think. I did end up selling it, but then later bought the War Chest with the 2 expansions. (That was Allied Assault.)

I am stubbornly waiting for my PC to get fixed before I try it. I want my saves to be mine! Let us know if you find any other good ones. I found a new elven one I want to try out, but I can't remember the name. I'll letcha know if I actually buy it and it plays well.

I doubt I will "find" anything, simply cause I already have a million games around, but they're mostly older ones. So I rarely buy anything that's reasonably new. And "new" to me is still usually 2-3 years old. :-)

Umm girls aren't in to games (video games) because there just like not into it but if it's twins then it's a challenge them-selfs who's the better twin so yeah my sister LOVED to play mortal kombat deadly alliance mario party 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 and Zelda series she doesn't now because she does not have time she is in collage (medical school) and other girls just say this for boys and stuff but like the old mario and stuff like that is good just them into gaming plus when I was in 3rd grade ALL OF THE GIRLS PLAYED GAMECUBE WII they always would talk about it and pokemon they even bring there own Game boys with there games so it just common but in 3rd grade WAS WEIRD so yeah hope it helped

umm girls aren't in to games (video games) because there just like not into it

Well, now there's a one-size-fits-all stereotype if I ever heard one.

Well, now there's a one-size-fits-all stereotype if I ever heard one.

I play the PS3 more than my boyfriend!

Well, I also grew up with my bro (who's only 4 years younger than us, me and my twin) playing video games too. And my dad and cousins. And now I have 2 more younger bros under the age of 6 who play COD4, assasn's creed, gears of war, halo, etc. It's not really a competition between me and my sister at all.

Ok here goes.
I was adopted when I was 7. My parents had 6 kids of there own and adopted 16 others. So 23 total including me.

Boy-to-girl ratio was about 60/40 to the boys.
We had every game system ever created. I myself had an xbox, xbox 360 and a dreamcast. All the other systems were my brothers'. The girls "never" were into video games. Now occasionally (very rarely) they would be like "hey lemme try" but that was the extent of them playing.

I am unsure of why there are so few female gamers. It's kind of an intrigueing thought. Not saying that its intrigueing that feamles don't play but why they don't play is the intrigueing part.

Rick

I'm a gamer (and can't believe I didn't see this thread before!)

I've been pretty hard-core about playing games on my computer since about 1996.

The REASON most older females (and I'm talking "out of our teens") don't play many of the games out there is that we have too many OTHER responsibilities. Men can seem to get away with going on a 9 hour guild raid in an MMORPG and leaving the kids to their wives, but how often do you hear about women doing the same thing while their husbands watch the kids?

I think there would be more women gamers IF:

1. Games weren't so time-intensive. Most women, by definition, cannot spend the time required because there are other things to do--cooking, cleaning, kids, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. And while yes---guys DO do these things, most guys will NOT do them just so that their wife can game, and the wife will just do them so that they get DONE.
2. If there were more of a mental challenge to the game. Sorry, but point, click, kaboom isn't intelligent enough to hold my attention, so I don't play FPSs. Give me a puzzle, or a quest, and make it challenging.
3. If games were more social. I like MMOs because I can chat with my friends who are scattered around the world at the same time we ALL play the same game. It's almost as good as a board game on a table after a good dinner together.

Mostly, though--it's the investment of time. I play Yahoo games more than anything else lately, because I can be interrupted without someone getting ticked off, I can pause the game, and I can walk away more often and do things like change the wash load and finish the dishes and such more easily.

Most of what I hear is from females who just plain don't like games to begin with, as opposed to ones who like them but don't have time to play them. I don't have as much time for them as I'd like either, but I do fit time in.

However, I live alone, so not only do I have to do all those typical female things, I have to do all the typical male things too. I'm the only one there is. But I have to have time for me, so I fit them in when I can.

I also know married couples who both play games, and the women will play just as much. Most women I know don't really want their husbands off playing for nine hours at a time either. If I married someone who wanted his gaming time, then I expect him to respect me in return and allow me my time.

I also find plenty of mentally challenging things out there. Everything doesn't go kaboom. (Though that can be fun to an extent.)

And this certainly doesn't explain why younger girls don't start playing them to begin with. I think a lot of them simply don't like the games.

I think that the games aren't designed toward their interests.

Look at The Sims---it's "Playing House" to the nth degree, and its gaming population is mostly female (or was, the last time I looked at the stats).

Part of the problem is that there are not a lot of female game designers (I work at one of the few schools in the country that offer the Game Design & Development B.S. degree). The population is about 1% of the total designers.

Look at some of the games on Facebook that are female dominated--and played by a LOT of teens. The ones that appeal to females are the ones that appeal to what they like to do ANYWAY. Sorority Life is one that comes to mind, and Farmville and YoVille. I have teenage cousins that LOVE those games, and play them often.

The other thing to look at is for console games, the Wii has grabbed a LOT of the female console players--again, because the games appeal to them anyway. I have a 7 year old niece that LOVES to play on the Wii--but the games she plays are "Disney Princesses" and "Rock Band" and "Mario Party 8" and "Carnival Games". With the way that the controllers work on the Wii, it's not as much learning how to press the right buttons, but about timing and control. She likes the sports games too--Tennis, and the Olympics, and golf, of all things.

/shrug

I think there are lots of reasons girls don't get into it, but mostly I think it's game content and delivery.

They make games that appeal to me. I wouldn't go near any of the stuff you mentioned. On the other hand, I'm not a "girl." Somehow this thread keeps straying from female gamers to "girls."

The adult female gamers I know play the same kind of stuff the guys do. I think that stuff either appeals to someone or it doesn't. Not all guys like that stuff either. i.e. everyone is simply not interested in gaming. And the women I know who don't play them don't mess with the stuff you're talking about either. They just don't play games at all.

Maybe there aren't many female game developers because they don't want to be.

You asked why younger girls don't start playing to begin with---and I pointed out why.

I never played video games as a younger woman (age 5-25, since you don't like the word "girl" for someone who technically IS a girl--a minor under the age of 18). I thought video games were idiotic and a waste of time, especially as a teenager.

It took the right game to make me a believer in video games (in my case, it was SimCity, followed by Civilization, followed by The Sims, with others between).

I'm now a HUGE fan of MMOs, and have beta-tested several, some of which I liked enough to play after launch.

Maybe there aren't a lot of female gamers because it's a field that women haven't broken into--and believe me, the sexism is pretty bad. Saying there aren't many female game developers because they don't want to be is like saying there weren't many female doctors in the 1950s because women didn't WANT to be doctors.

You asked why younger girls don't start playing to begin with---and I pointed out why.

I never asked that. I made a comment about "females who just plain don't like games to start with..." Females, not younger girls. And it wasn't a question - it was a statement.


I never played video games as a younger woman (age 5-25, since you don't like the word "girl" for someone who technically IS a girl--a minor under the age of 18).

You're being very good at confusing what I'm saying. This whole thread was started over "female" gamers. So I was discussing females - of all ages. Just females in general, including older women. But people were responding to me about "girls" - like younger people, and that wasn't necessarily what I was referring to. Perhaps other people were, but they were responding to me when I was referring to females in general, including older ones.

You just did the same thing. You're off talking about what younger females like and I wasn't referring to that at all. So you're one more person who took what I said about females in general and turned it into something about younger girls. I mean, c'mon, Disney Princesses? That entire post was about younger girls and not related to anything at all that I was talking about. You started talking about married women, with kids and responsbiilities, and I was responding to that. Next post you twisted it back around to younger girls again.

It has nothing to do with the use of the word "girl" - it has to do with discussing females and then twisting the whole discussion back around as though it's only to do with girls.


Maybe there aren't a lot of female gamers because it's a field that women haven't broken into--and believe me, the sexism is pretty bad. Saying there aren't many female game developers because they don't want to be is like saying there weren't many female doctors in the 1950s because women didn't WANT to be doctors.

No it's not. People of any "group" (females, minorities, whatever) have this tendency to think that there's something "wrong" with a small percentage of that group doing something, as though there's something innately bad about it. Just because the world is half women doesn't mean half the gamers need to be women, and then if they're not, something must be wrong. There's nothing "wrong" if women/girls/whatever don't play games the way men do.

It's like arguing about what percent of engineers are women, as though there's something "wrong" that not more are. Or doctors. Or whatever else. Lots of doctors are women now, so obviously there's nothing standing in their way. But lots of engineers aren't women. So then women want to think that's "wrong." Why? Maybe they don't want to be engineers.

And maybe they don't want to be game developers either.

How often does anyone freak that not very many men are nurses? Rarely. It rarely ever gets discussed. In fact, people usually find it weird when they run across a male nurse. But no one freaks over it. Oh wow, half the world is men, so half the nurses ought to be men. No one says that.

You know why? Cause no one cares what men do. They don't care if men aren't doing the things women do. No one cares if a man doesn't knit or cook. But as soon as women aren't doing something, it's a major catastrophy.

Give me one good reason that any female needs to play games, or needs to develop games.

And if princess stuff and farmtown and sorority crap were the only thing women could manage to do, I'd rather have men doing it anyway.

I'm offended that you think that princess stuff and farmtown and sorority crap are somehow below the average person---and that somehow, the games that men primarily play (first person shooters, for instance) are somehow intellectually more stimulating.

I don't have a problem with women NOT wanting to do it. However--I WORK with young women who enroll in the program and STATE that they leave the program because the men in the program push them out--that they are not taken seriously, and are given a hard time and sexist comments and basically made to NOT want to deal with the crap just to have a job in game design--they go on to other forms of programming or graphic design much of the time. Less than 2% of our Game Design graduates are female, though about 10% of applicants are female.

THAT is where I was going with the doctor comments. I think that enough (though I'm sure it's not 50%) women would like to do it, but that they're not willing to deal with the sexism currently in place in the game design environment--and yes, I've heard from women who DID graduate the program, and it's as bad or worse in the field for a female game designer.

I am just trying to point out that at least SOME women WANT to do it--just like some women in the 50s wanted to be doctors, and some women in the 70s wanted to be cops. I'm not saying that it is 50% of the population, I'm saying that it's going to take more women breaking through the "good ol' boys" in place now before we see a significant increase in female game designers.

I like your points Synnen, the majority of women do like playing more puzzle based games, and stay away from the mindless, "point and blow it up games"

Me however, I do like those mindless point and shoot games.
I have been addicted to Unreal Tourmanent at the moment, and even though it is mindless violence, I still find it fun :)

I find myself playing a lot of Facebook games as well though, mostly puzzle based ones.

And finally my Nintendo DS, I have quite a wide range of games on there, from puzzle games, to brain training to just plain old fun kids games.

Love playing anything RPG, it's a great way to get "lost" in the game and escape from reality for a while, The Final Fantasy series is surprisingly played by a pretty even field, I know just as many girls and I do guys that have played them.

I'm offended that you think that princess stuff and farmtown and sorority crap are somehow below the average person---and that somehow, the games that men primarily play (first person shooters, for instance) are somehow intellectually more stimulating.

I never said that either!

Perhaps if you actually paid attention to what I really say, instead of making up this crap that I've never said, you wouldn't be so offended. (That's twice in a row you've just outright made up something I've said.)

As for the princess stuff and sorority crap, being "below" someone isn't really the point. The point is that a mature woman is not likely to be interested in that stuff. That sounds like girl stuff. I didn't even get into sorority stuff when I was in college, let alone now.

And you're also now stereotyping the guys, that all they do is a bunch of mindless non-intellectual stuff. Granted, there's a pretty big male audience for that stuff. A higher percentage of the younger male audience is into that stuff than the older male audience.

But there's a lot of stuff in between, including stuff guys play. I don't play princesses and sorority stuff. I have ONE shooter than I like, probably because it does require more thought and patience and isn't just going around kabooming everything. (Though kabooming can be fun for short spurts.)

And yet... I have well over 100 games sitting around here. So if I don't have sorority stuff and I only own one shooter, what exactly are all these games that I have? Obviously there's a lot more for me to be referring to than those two extremes, you think? And plenty of them offer intellectual stimulation. (Not that there's anything wrong with working out the ole' reflexes too, as long as you stop to have a life.)

I never said the shooters were more intellectually stimulating than the girl games. I never said anything even remotely like that. I say I have no interest in those "girl games" and suddenly I think shooters are more intellectual? I don't even play shooters so why would I be talking about that? Where do you come up with this stuff?

And why are you so thoroughly convinced that it's going to take women designers to make games that more women will like and thereby increase their numbers? You've talked as though you want more intellectually stimulating stuff. That stuff exists. Men develop most of that stuff. (Not that the number of women gamers needs to increase.)

And by the way, pretty much most of the male gamers I know are perfectly happy having the female gamers join them. And most of the male computer geeky people I know are perfectly happy to have the female computer geeky people join them too. I also know very, very few women who would ever be into something like designing games. Oh... and while you work at a school and are in contact with people in the business, I hang around some places that include a lot of those people, designers, programmers, etc. I don't see what you're talking about. The people I see in that business aren't any less relevant than the people you see in it.

As for the princess stuff and sorority crap, being "below" someone isn't really the point. The point is that a mature woman is not likely to be interested in that stuff. That sounds like girl stuff. I didn't even get into sorority stuff when I was in college, let alone now.

So... now *I* am not a "mature woman" because I like those games? I'll be sure to pass that on to my 30 something friends--male AND female--who play those games. I didn't get into sorority crap in college either. Perhaps you should see what the game is ACTUALLY about before passing judgement, hmm?

[qupte]And you're also now stereotyping the guys, that all they do is a bunch of mindless non-intellectual stuff. Granted, there's a pretty big male audience for that stuff. A higher percentage of the younger male audience is into that stuff than the older male audience.[/quote]

No... what I said was that while women dominate puzzle games, men dominate first person shooters. And made the comparison that if YOU were calling one idiotic based on your opinion, I was doing the same based on MY opinion. I never got into killing other people and running around with a gun when I was younger.


And yet... I have well over 100 games sitting around here. So if I don't have sorority stuff and I only own one shooter, what exactly are all these games that I have? Obviously there's a lot more for me to be referring to than those two extremes, you think? And plenty of them offer intellectual stimulation. (Not that there's anything wrong with working out the ole' reflexes too, as long as you stop to have a life.)

I've been playing video games on the computer since 1996 (which is when I got my first computer). My husband and I own every console system ever put out except the Wii and the Nintendo 64. I have a 500 disc CD rack in the computer room FULL of games---and that isn't counting the console games, of which there is another rack in the living room holding 300 more. This isn't counting the games downloaded on each of the 4 computers in the house, or the ones played online. I'm 34, my husband is 39. I couldn't tell you a SINGLE genre that isn't owned in our house, and that we haven't both tried. I've been involved in forums online regarding most of the RPGs out there (which are really my favorite), and have beta tested several games.



and why are you so thoroughly convinced that it's going to take women designers to make games that more women will like and thereby increase their numbers? You've talked as though you want more intellectually stimulating stuff. That stuff exists. Men develop most of that stuff. (Not that the number of women gamers needs to increase.)

And by the way, pretty much most of the male gamers I know are perfectly happy having the female gamers join them. And most of the male computer geeky people I know are perfectly happy to have the female computer geeky people join them too. I also know very, very few women who would ever be into something like designing games. Oh... and while you work at a school and are in contact with people in the business, I hang around some places that include a lot of those people, designers, programmers, etc. I don't see what you're talking about. The people I see in that business aren't any less relevant than the people you see in it.

They're happy to have them join in PLAYING the games. That makes them "cool". It also makes them an easy way for a guy that finds it hard to meet women to date to find women to date---NOT that I am saying that ALL gamers find it hard to find someone to date.

I never said the people you know are less valid. I said that based on what I see, on females trying to break into the field, that it's still a sexist field.

Honey--I don't know why I bother talking to you. I gave my opinion on why I thought women don't play video games as much as men do---but OBVIOUSLY, you know more about it than I do.

Good luck in life. I'm done with you.

Saying there aren't many female game developers because they don't want to be is like saying there weren't many female doctors in the 1950s because women didn't WANT to be doctors.

It really isn't, that is an unfair comparrison synn



I don't have a problem with women NOT wanting to do it. However--I WORK with young women who enroll in the program and STATE that they leave the program because the men in the program push them out--that they are not taken seriously, and are given a hard time and sexist comments and basically made to NOT want to deal with the crap just to have a job in game design--they go on to other forms of programming or graphic design much of the time. Less than 2% of our Game Design graduates are female, though about 10% of applicants are female.

Maybe that's because they don't make the grades required, think about it you seem to have a know about how many people try to become games programmers/designers, how many of those don't make the grades, it seems to me as though your suggesting that shouldn't apply to females in that category and that all 10% (as you say) should become graduates, when couldn't that be simply because other people have better grades/marks

I have to agree with morgaine saying we males would be grateful for more female game programmers/designers on our course, but it seems that the programming and geames design courses aren't as preferable as others (from my experience a lot of the females interested in developing games go into the desgn side and not the programming side) when they go to university/college the course is there for them to choose, but very few do (compared to males)

So I think it's a choice of the females of today and not sexism in the field which determins how many female game developers there are.

<-- Female Game Design college graduate and video game player.


I was the only female that graduated with my class because I grew up with the type of people I had to go to school with for 3 years straight. I am completely desensitized to the sexism I had to put up with.

It didn't take long for those boys to find out I wasn't there to play pokemon and world of warcraft with them-- I was there to MAKE games. The other women that only lasted a quarter or two were either closet-cases that weren't used to that much unwanted attention from boys, or they were the "halo fangirls" that pretend to play just for attention and realized that going to school for games wasn't the same as playing them.


SO.. to answer your question. "Why are there so few female gamers?"

THERE ISN'T. Female gamers make up MORE THAN HALF of the total gamers in this world. They just aren't playing the mindless "POINT AND SHOOT" games that SOME PEOPLE think constitute as "games. "

The Sims, Sorority Life, World Of Warcraft, Rock Band, Cooking Mama, Halo, Call of Duty, Super Mario Bros, CASINO GAMES---- ALL games.

Sexist.

maybe that's because they don't make the grades required, think about it you seem to have a know about how many people try to become games programmers/designers, how many of those don't make the grades, it seems to me as though your suggesting that shouldn't apply to females in that category and that all 10% (as you say) should become graduates, when couldn't that be simply because other people have better grades/marks

That's a good point I hadn't thought of. A lot of times when people quote things like that, they pull it out of context, and also make an assumption as to the reasoning behind it. All schools have drop-outs, whether it be because they couldn't make the grades, or had to take a full-time job and never found time, or whatever reason. People drop out of all programs and without a comparison, it's meaningless.


so I think it's a choice of the females of today and not sexism in the field which determins how many female game developers there are.

I suspect it's a combination of the two. But a lack of interest in that area I'm fairly sure has a lot to do with it. I can just tell by the kind of women I meet -- I too work at a college so I meet people with all sorts of interest and that kind of area just isn't common for the women.

So... now *I* am not a "mature woman" because I like those games? I'll be sure to pass that on to my 30 something friends--male AND female--who play those games.

I said they 'weren't likely' to like them. That does not mean a) that no one does, or b) that you're immature if you do like them. The fact that many mature female players would not like those games does NOT draw the conclusion that if you do like them then you're not a mature women. I bet most guys don't like them either. So by that logic, if they do like them, they are both immature and gay, right?

Jeez, I play Nancy Drew games, which were meant for teenage girls.

Oh, and by the way, you are the one who used the term "idiotic."



Perhaps you should see what the game is ACTUALLY about before passing judgement, hmm?

YOU, my dear, are the one who said all the "teens" were playing them, and that your "teen" cousins loved them, and then started talking about some 7 year old relative. Not that that means older women aren't playing them, but you're the one who put all the stress on the girls playing that stuff, not I. I don't care about any specific game -- I was just meaning the whole lump sum of that type of stuff. There can always be exceptions.

Besides, I want nothing to do with Facebook to start with.


I've been playing video games on the computer since 1996 (which is when I got my first computer). My husband and I own every console system ever put out except the Wii and the Nintendo 64. I have a 500 disc CD rack in the computer room FULL of games---and that isn't counting the console games, of which there is another rack in the living room holding 300 more. This isn't counting the games downloaded on each of the 4 computers in the house, or the ones played online. I'm 34, my husband is 39. I couldn't tell you a SINGLE genre that isn't owned in our house, and that we haven't both tried. I've been involved in forums online regarding most of the RPGs out there (which are really my favorite), and have beta tested several games.

Hmm, that's nice. Well, obviously then you realize that something besides girl games and shooters exist. So then why is it that when I say I'm not into the girl games, you draw the conclusion that I must think shooters are more intellectually challenging? There is ZIPPO logic in that conclusion. And there are more types of games than that. My brain says you know that. But your conclusion says you don't know that. Despite all those games you've got.

I've beta tested games too. Who the heck cares? What's that got to do with anything?


They're happy to have them join in PLAYING the games.

I believe I also said that there were developers and programmers on those groups, and they were perfectly happy to include the women also. That must have slipped your mind while you were busy insisting that everything's sexist.


I gave my opinion on why I thought women don't play video games as much as men do---but OBVIOUSLY, you know more about it than I do.

Originally all I did was give some simple opinions back. Then you decided to answer my "question" about why younger girls don't play them... while I mentioned it, I never asked why cause I don't care why. And your explanation of why younger girls don't play games more is to tell me how they're "dominating" Facebook games and "love" all that stuff. That doesn't really sound like a valid reason that they don't play games. I mean, huh?

And that women prefer more intellectually stimulating stuff. Well, that stuff exists so that doesn't sound very valid either.

Your valid reasons were that it's all sexist (I don't totally agree but at least it's valid) and women are too busy with kids and household stuff, and I merely said that obviously wasn't the whole story.

Then then you started getting offended over stuff I never said...

I like how that internet Special Olympics guy was in too much of a hurry to slam on Synn that he didn't bother to read my post.. which is straight from the "horses mouth". Nice. *claps for morgaine* Now that you've won all of the internets, maybe you should get a Facespace account and tell all of your friends?

<-- Female Game Design college graduate and video game player.

So, did you actually manage to get into designing? Just curious cause I know it's a competitive field. (For men too.) I've known some programmers (not designers) who have wanted to get into games and just could never get a job in it.

And if you are in it, be curious what you've worked on. But I wouldn't want you to have to reveal where you work or anything. Doesn't keep me from being curious though. ;)


It didn't take long for those boys to find out I wasn't there to play pokemon and world of warcraft with them-- I was there to MAKE games.

Sometimes the only way to get yourself taken seriously is to just be serious. Eventually they get a clue I guess.

I like how that internet Special Olympics guy was in too much of a hurry to slam on Synn that he didn't bother to read my post.. which is straight from the "horses mouth". Nice.

Um... he posted like five hours before you did.

Not to mention he didn't exactly "slam" on her. He said he thought she was making an unfair comparison, and then politely gave his opinion on a couple of things. That's hardly slamming.

Um... he posted like five hours before you did.

Did she mean me by 'internet special olympics guy'?

Because I don't get the link?

did she mean me by 'internet special olympics guy'?

because i dont get the link?

I didn't think her post made much sense either, but you were the only "guy" who posted recently.

I didn't think her post made much sense either, but you were the only "guy" who posted recently.

I thought that maybe she meant your second post after hers, don't take the guy thing as gender specific. Besides she might not know that you are female.

In any case I still don't get the 'internet special olympics refference'

But anyhoo maybe she'll come back and clear things up

Yes, I did finally get that she might be referring to me. And yes, I think she thinks I'm a guy, which I suspect was an assumption due to my opinions.

Not to mention that I did read her post. So there's another assumption. In fact, I politely responded to it because I found it interesting. I wouldn't have found it so interesting if I'd thought she was responding to "sexist me."

Well on my screen, it's my big long awesome post-- and then the next post is Morgaine ignoring it and slammin' on Synn again.


Anyway..

YES! I did get into the Game Design field. I work at a cell phone application and game company. I do Concept art, level design, Model Texturing, 2D art and character design, UI design and more :P And on the side I do freelance logo's and web design.

well on my screen, it's my big long awesome post-- and then the next post is Morgaine ignoring it and slammin' on Synn again.



I didn't ignore it. I read it. That it's "awesome" is just an opinion. Your "awesome" post means I'm not allowed to "slam on" Synn again? Are your posts the answer to the universe or something that no one can disagree with anything after that? All I can say is WOW!

I didn't ignore it. I read it. That it's "awesome" is just an opinion. Your "awesome" post means I'm not allowed to "slam on" Synn again? Are your posts the answer to the universe or something that no one can disagree with anything after that? All I can say is WOW!

HAHA I thought you were a guy. But from that reply I can tell you're either an angsty female teenager, or a very hormonal woman.

And what I typed wasn't an opinion. Twas FACT, lady.

Um, lady, I said that your post being "awesome" was an opinion. Did you actually read what I said? Third sentence. Read it again. It's pretty straight-forward..

I am neither a teenager nor an "overly hormonal" woman. I'm just a woman. I think it should be quite clear from some of my posts to Synn that I'm not a teenager! Not that you were required to read anything, but if you want to comment to me, then I suggest you read what I'm saying. Seems to me you weren't paying attention to any of that... then complain that I ignored your post! Hypocrite.

You've missed the point entirely. My post had ONE vague reference to the sexist issue. One. Everything else in that post had nothing to do with that. So your one post means I can't argue the issues with Synn any longer? Apparently you really think you are the queen.

The problem is that you just can't accept that a woman (versus a man) could have the opinions that I do. On the other hand, since neither your nor Synn can manage to read what I actually say and instead twist it around and read other things into it that aren't there, I'm not sure either of you really know what my opinions even are. You couldn't even read a simple sentence that said that "awesome" is an opinion without completely turning it around. How could I be a sexist? You can do anything you want to do, including developing games. In fact, I never once said there was anything wrong with it, even when you thought I was a man!

Btw if anyone has a steampowered account should add me my id is loverboy66
lots of replies ^-^

Wow, I didn't expect an argument! I'm just hangin' out here watchin' all u guys post, it's hilarious.

I suspect every discussion I've ever seen about female gamers has led to some argument or other. You should've seen the stuff that used to go on on one of the RPG groups I used to hang out at. This is nothing. :p

That you've seen? Or that you've participated in?

Both. What difference does it make?

YES! I did get into the Game Design field. I work at a cell phone application and game company. I do Concept art, level design, Model Texturing, 2D art and character design, UI design and more :P And on the side I do freelance logo's and web design.

That's awesome!

I just wish I didn't live in this tiny town... there are no good coarses here apart from basic computing...
And forget getting an apprenticeship at a business, there aren't any!

Been having the same trouble with trying to find a vet tech coarse.

Only thing I have to say is... those cell phone companies are evil!
They claim they want to give you a "free" game then in the fine print it says $10 a week subscription! :p

Wow, you must really be in a small town if you can't find a vet tech course. I'm not exactly in a big city and there's two universities nearby with vet stuff, and more that are within decent driving distance. (I seriously considered that major when I was younger.)

Wow, you must really be in a small town if you can't find a vet tech course. I'm not exactly in a big city and there's two universities nearby with vet stuff, and more that are within decent driving distance. (I seriously considered that major when I was younger.)

I would LOVE to do it..

However, see the little orange island at the bottom of the map...
Yup, that's where I live.

See the big body of water that separates us from civilisation... that's where all the coarses are.
There are 2 universities here and neither of them offer a vet coarse :(
We just bought a house here so moving isn't an option.

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/australia/_derived/_txt_australia-map.gif

Getting even more off topic, a couple of years ago I found a second cousin living in Tasmania. Not that that helps you. Just an interesting coincidence.

I have ancestry from New Zealand

I have ancestry from New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have a long-standing rivalry... a playful one though haha

Well one reason I can think of is that when a company designs a video game they expect it to mostly be bought by males, so therefore they almost never make a game that appeals to (most) females. Either that or females just aren't as outward about playing games as men. Of course I'm a male so my opinion is hardly "expert"

I think that females just aren't that outward about it- especially now considering how many female gamers have posted on this question I've asked- it's enlightening to know that there are so many out there- they're just not as "outward" about it as theonetruegamer says.

Well one reason i can think of is that when a company designs a video game they expect it to mostly be bought by males, so therefore they almost never make a game that appeals to (most) females.

Young males is their biggest audience, so of course that's what they're going to gear them towards. That's why Laura has big boobs, and why female fighters are wearing bikini armor and that sort of silly thing. Some of them are more realistic that the females are the archers or magic users, rather than making a pretense that one is really going to run around with 100 pounds of armor on her.

However, nearly all female gamers I know like the same games that the guys do. Well, a portion of them anyway. Maybe not so much the mindless monster killing, but for instance some of the strategies and RPGs and that sort of thing. (I also know quite a few women who like adventures.) So I disagree that they almost never make games that appeal to women. That's still the same stereotype that women can't like that sort of game, and plenty of us actually do. Yes, we're a minority, but if you spend any time on some of the big gaming groups, the women are there. (And I certainly have no qualms hanging out some place that is mostly males. ;)) No, they're not intentionally making things that appeal to women, but they will ultimately appeal to a certain number of women, intentional or not. I'm not into strategies but there's a guy I know who is, and one of the strategy places he hangs out has a lot of women. One of them is like one of their top tournament people and scares half the guys. LOL.

I have no idea how many of them are "hiding" or just aren't very vocal. I don't see women in the gaming stores all that often. (I admit I feel a bit like an idiot in the stores cause they're full of young guys.) Perhaps some of them do feel a bit odd coming onto some of the groups and stuff, I don't know. I do know one female who doesn't hang around groups, but she just doesn't hang around groups in general anyway so that doesn't mean much.

I recall reading somewhere that close to 50% of gamers are female. Of course, they weren't distinguishing there between casual female gamers who stick to things like puzzle games and Guitar Hero, and the more "hardcore" female gamers that play games like Halo and Gears of War--they were counting anyone who plays any kind of video game on a regular basis as being a gamer. But still.

I think the real difference may just be that female gamers don't make their presence known to the extent that male gamers do, most likely because society tends to view video games as being a "guy thing." Typically, the girls I know that are very public about their love of gaming tend to be more tomboyish in general, including me. The girls I know that are more feminine in most cases still PLAY games, including some of the more hardcore games--my sister is the type you'd expect to stick to things like Nintendogs, and she absolutely LOVES Assassin's Creed--but they don't talk about them as much. It's rarely a conversation topic for them. So most people would tend to assume they weren't into gaming at all, or at best, were casual gamers.

I recall reading somewhere that close to 50% of gamers are female. Of course, they weren't distinguishing there between casual female gamers who stick to things like puzzle games and Guitar Hero, and the more "hardcore" female gamers that play games like Halo and Gears of War--they were counting anyone who plays any kind of video game on a regular basis as being a gamer. But still.

Yeah, true. I've heard that. I too play board games and puzzle stuff, card games, etc. I have one of those Hoyle things that has casino, board and card stuff. I just like playing stuff, period. Those are good for when you just want something quick to relax and don't want to get involved with something. A half hour before I go to bed is not really when I want to be pulling out Medal of Honor or something... cause I'm never getting to bed.


I think the real difference may just be that female gamers don't make their presence known to the extent that male gamers do, most likely because society tends to view video games as being a "guy thing." Typically, the girls I know that are very public about their love of gaming tend to be more tomboyish in general, including me.

After your first sentence, I thought, who cares. I'm not the type to care if it's a "guy thing." In fact, I get along with guys much better most of the time anyway. I'm not really a tomboy exactly, but I'm not one of those females who likes shopping and gets all concerned about my hair and nails, and for that matter, if my butt looks to big. :p I do run around in jeans and tshirts and have my hair up in a pony tail. (I'm probably killing my image of being an accountant here too. :D) If I wear a dress for something I tell people they better take a good long cause they're never seeing it again. Not tomboyish exactly, but certainly not the overly feminine type either. There might be something to that.

I'm the same way. I concern myself with my appearance that I don't "let myself go" and I want to look presentable in public, but I'm just like you- ponytail, jeans, a tshirt- and dresses on very rare and special occasions. I get along with guys way better too- there's tons less drama to worry about =)

Perhaps that is why our opinions on this differ so greatly.

I AM the girly girl. I wear dresses and suits and put on make up every morning. I like being a woman.

That doesn't mean I'm not a gamer--I play video games EVERY DAY. Sometimes it's the Sims, sometimes it's an MMO, sometimes it's Guitar Hero.

That doesn't mean I'm not a gamer. Just means I'm not a tomboy.

I like being a woman too. It doesn't require dresses and makeup.

I like being a woman too. It doesn't require dresses and makeup.

Oh, for heaven's sake.

Seriously? Are you going to argue with EVERYTHING I say? I never said that you didn't like being a woman!

So done with this thread. You "real" gamers can pat each other on the back and agree with each other or go to hell for all I care. I have better things to do than argue with little girls that have to be right.

To be honest I don't think it was meant like that synn, I took it more along the lines of

Synnen: I like Pie

Morgaine: I like Pie too, just not apple pie

i.e just because she said she likes pie doesn't mean you said she didn't, :)

Calm down a bit and have some pie k :)

Lol. Synn, that was a really big overreaction. Morgain did state a very true fact- dresses and makeup does not make you a woman. NO dresses and NO makeup does not make you a woman either. You portray womanhood in your own way- don't get offended when someone's way is different than yours- everyone is different.

I personally love video games. In fact, I love Gears of War 2, and am super excited about double xp this weekend!! Anyhoo, I have always loved video games, from my atari as a kid, up to my 360 as a 29 y/o woman. I don't really understand the marketing concepts that the industry has held onto. Just because a game has a girl in it does not make it automatically appeal to women/girls. For me, a game has to be fun to play, fun to look at, and somewhat challenging to hold my interest. That's it.

For me it has to be challenging, entertaining, and for the most part- the graphics have to be pretty cool too (unless the entertainment concept makes up for that=)

Seriously? are you going to argue with EVERYTHING I say? I never said that you didn't like being a woman!



No, I don't argue for the sake of arguing, whatever you may think. But when it sounds like you think wearing dresses and make up is what makes you a woman, then yes, I'm going to react to that.

I hate to tell you this, but you have reacted to nearly everything I've ever said also -- you've NEVER had any room to talk me during this whole thing.

For me, a game has to be fun to play, fun to look at, and somewhat challenging to hold my interest. That's it.

Amen. I think that sums it up very nicely. :) (Though I don't require fancy graphics.)

I disagree gamers are not always agrassive I am a gamer since 7 years and no I am not at all aggresddive and females don't play videogames as it is still considered as a male sport(just like football,soccer,cricket,etc)and I don't think there are any female professional gamers to motivate others...

smdk... You are right in saying that not all gamers are agressive-

Also, I don't believe that videogames are considered a 'male' sport, firstly since it isn't a sport, and here's some statistics for ya: more than a quarter of sports-watching women choose football as their favorite sport. 40% of the NFL fan basis consists of women. 375,000 women attend football games on the average NFL weekend, and 50 million join the men in watching the super bowl every year. It is ridiculous to me to say that gaming is a man sport, if it is a man sport it must also be a children's sport. Polls and studies say that women play video games nearly as much as the average man, but they are underpresented. 65% of women in the 25-34 age braket, are women. And 38% of ALL gamers are female.

I also watch G4 gaming network and have seen many women who play video games on there.

65% of
Women in the 25-34 age braket, are
Women. What?

65% of women in the 25-34 age braket, are women. And 38% of ALL gamers are female.



65% of
Women in the 25-34 age braket, are
Women. What?

I'm guessing it was supposed to say something along the lines of:
65% of women in the 25-34 age bracket play video games. And 38% of ALL gamers are female. ;)

Exactly ^! Sorry that was a typo, it's supposed to be "65% of women in the 25-34 age bracket play video games. And 38% of all gamers are female.

OK I would love it if my girlfriend plays videogames with me...

If your girlfriend doesn't like games, then she doesn't like games. There's a lot of females out there playing them, but just like with any other activity, there are always lots of people who won't do it.

I wonder if your attitude comes from your girlfriend -- like she is actually the one who thinks video games are a "man sport" (and that sports are only a man's thing). There are women like that. They're usually the ones who hate you for sitting around on Sunday afternoon watching football.

If you want her to play with you (er, games that is), is there something that perhaps she would like better? That you could like too? There's all sorts of games out there. Of course, nothing saying you'd like what she might like. But maybe she doesn't realize that games are diverse.

Or... maybe she just doesn't like them. Nothing you can do about that. If she doesn't respect that you like them... um, won't go there. But also keep in mind she's obviously not going to want to "lose you" to games if you're playing them all the time.

Try intriguing her with games like Final Fantasy and Fable, instead of first person shooters. Lots of women like fantasy games as oppose to sci-fi, modern, or historical combat games. Another one you could try is Assassin's Creed.
You could also try intriguing her with Live gameplay like XboxLive. You cannot MAKE her play- and it's true that maybe she got her gaming attitude from the fact that you (and many other men) like to claim video games as their sport.

I found in another place that he was playing sports games, or at least one. If he plays a lot of those, that may explain that.

No actually I like rpgs but comment on that fifa post...

There you go- A lot of people like games with completely customizable characters. Ask your girlfriend to build her own character and make him/her appear however they want- that's always a good start... I know I can spend HOURS customizing a character's appearance.

There you go- A lot of people like games with completely customizable characters. Ask your gf to build her own character and make him/her appear however they want- that's always a good start...I know I can spend HOURS customizing a character's appearance.

Ditto!
I'm like that with car racing games... I'm useless at the actual racing but I love making the cars look great ;)

I don't know anyone who doesn't like Final Fantasy, male or female, FFX is the best ;)

You can also go for games like old school platform Sonic or Spyro, one's that weren't specifically targeted at guys.

Sure, games like Zelda, Super Smash bros. etc. are all games that I grew up on, that anyone can have fun playing. RPG's like Oblivion, and Morrowind are awesome too because the characters are so customizable.

I know I can spend HOURS customizing a character's appearance.

You mean you actually play the game when you're done? I thought the entire point of the game was to make characters. :p

You know I hate customizing characters I just take the default ones and start playing... lol

I still have a working nes with plenty of gamesi Unfortunately, it takes 5 tries, 2 alchohal packs, and a q tip to play one.

Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, Tetris, Ghosts n Goblins (hardest game ever), Paperboy, Kirby's Adventure, Duck Hunt, and a couple .

I still have a working nes with plenty of gamesi Unfortunately, it takes 5 tries, 2 alchohal packs, and a q tip to play one.

Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, Tetris, Ghosts n Goblins (hardest game ever), Paperboy, Kirby's Adventure, Duck Hunt, and a couple .

You just can't go past Alex the Kidd on Sega ;)

Depending on the game I'll start with a defult character... The point is, if you want to hook your girlfriend into gaming it's a good idea to start with games that would appeal to her.

You could take her to a public gaming place.. There's one in my area that has 50 xbox 360 elites with your own flatscreen moniter and captains chair... You can play nearly any game, and the best part is, you can play online... It costs about 3$ and hour to place (which sounds cheap, but seriously, you can rack up some big bucks) It's fun because you can set up teams and whatnot online with the other guys and gals who are playing there, and chat with them. (they even have a big screen TV with Rock band.)

Relax! Im A Girl Gamer! Some People Find it ierd.. others Think Its Cool =)... I Play CoD 6 And Halo 3 A lot... Im 1st Prestiege 32 And On Halo Captain... Im Exsactly the Same As You.. My Dad Got Me into Games When I Was Little.. now Im Just.. Attached To My Xbox!

Do You Play PS3 Or Xbox?

If You Play Xbox here's My Gamer tag

x Golden Fox x

I did a semester of Video Game Studies at Murdoch University, Western Australia. See if you can get ahold of the text book, there were A lot of sections on gaming and gender. Fascinating stuff. I'm a Final Fantasy gamer ^_^

I did a semester of Video Game Studies at Murdoch University, Western Australia. See if you can get ahold of the text book, there were ALOT of sections on gaming and gender. fascinating stuff. I'm a Final Fantasy gamer ^_^

Woohoo another FF player :D

I'm hooked on FFXIII at the moment, graphics are insane, story is pretty good too albeit a little confusing.

But you'd still recommend getting XIII as a good FF?

Definitely.
I like the system they have in 13, it is turn based but still fast paced enough so you don't get bored.
10 is still my favorite, but this is a close second.

Storyline is a tad confusing, I get the basic story which is good but there are a few things that leave you going "huh?" Doesn't affect gameplay though.

Been playing for nearly 60 hours so far :o

Nice :D

I'm due a new game or two anyhoo, I deserve it :D

Heya!

As a "hardcore" female gamer, and a game design student I can tell you exactly why there are not as many female gamers. I'll give you my quick opinion:

It's been an ongoing thing for quite some time now, but the problem isn't the fact that females are not as compettitive or that they don't have an interest in gaming, it's just that most games aren't targeting females.
Most games today are marketed towards males, ages 19 - 30. We're talking Halo, BioShock, Mass Effect 2 etc, now don't get me wrong there are girls out there who like that stuff (such as myself) but the average female just isn't into blowing up mass ammounts of covenant drop ships haha.
But game designers and companies are trying to include females in their target market group. Bungie, for example, put out advertisements asking female gamers to tell them what they wanted to see when they released Halo3. That's why they created a female voice for the spartan characters in multiplayer. It's little, but it's a start. More and more females are becoming interested in the industry though, more and more companies are trying to incorporate the opinions of female players into their games (sometimes they do a really bad job, like making the female choice character wear a completely pink outfit or something stupid like that) but hey, at least they're trying right?

Definitely.
I like the system they have in 13, it is turn based but still fast paced enough so you don't get bored.
10 is still my favorite, but this is a close second.

Storyline is a tad confusing, I get the basic story which is good but there are a few things that leave you going "huh?" Doesn't affect gameplay though.

Been playing for nearly 60 hours so far :o

I'm sorry... from a design standpoint.. FFXIII was terrible. Well, maybe not terrible, but pretty bad when compared to the others in the series...

The plot makes little to no sense and takes way too long to start making ANY kind of sense. The characters are a bit stereotypical and single faceted. Uh.. the graphics are nice. REALLY nice actually... haha and the gameplay is REALLY REALLY linear. Best way to describe it is to say that it's a railshooter with a battle options menu. You can't explore the world like you could any other FF game until you get to the 3rd disc and Gran Pulse is pretty much the only place where you can walk wherever you want. Other than that... you're on a set path.
Walk... fight a monster... walk... fight some Psicom guys... walk... Eidolon battle... walk... etc lol

But I bought it and played it. Not worth the $80.00 I paid for it on opening day but hey, it was an experience. Some of you may like it.

I finished it last night and I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the way it ended, didn't make a lot of sense, but meh... the final scene was pretty.
I was told that once you finish the 'story' you could continue on and build your characters etc, you can, but not in the way I expected.

It is very linear, and I agree, the plot just gets ridiculous. But again at least it's pretty, and Lightning is awesome ;) . I'll still keep playing it... I want the platinum trophy :p Only platinums I have are for Fallout 3 and Uncharted 2
Found out the hard way that the best team is Lightning, Vanille, Hope... took about 10 goes on the final Boss to figure out that Sahz sucks... a lot of places said Fang was supposedly the best Character, but I don't know... I just didn't go much on her.

Don't know about a pink Halo character LOL Hmmmmm, nicely camouflaged :D

Found out the hard way that the best team is Lightning, Vanille, Hope... took about 10 goes on the final Boss to figure out that Sahz sucks... a lot of places said Fang was supposedly the best Character, but I don't know... I just didn't go much on her.

Don't know about a pink Halo character LOL Hmmmmm, nicely camouflaged :D

Haha yeah, pink is definitely NOT my color lol.

As for FFXIII, I use Lightning, Sahz and Hope (might be switching Lightning out for Fang because Bahamut is so much cooler than Odin lol)

Sahz buffs the crap out of my party as my best synergist, hope is by far the best medic and ravager and then lightning is a good commando and ravager. (Fang is a great commando and sentinel)

Please stop the spoilers I've only just got the game and haven't started it yet :o

Don't worry Bear, no big spoilers there ;)

You learn the paradigms pretty quick.
At least you know where to go for help if you get stuck, we have both finished it ;)

I don't think there are as many women gamers for multiple reasons. Part of it probably has to do with society, women are raised to be more interested in fashion, shopping, girly things. Part of it probably has to do with the way they're marketed, you tend to see advertising aimed more at men. And then, of course, there's the whole gamer nerd stereotype that goes along with it but I find that guys love a girl who can play video games. My husband thinks it's the greatest thing in the world that I play video games with him. I think there are more women that play games than will admit to it.
I'm not so big on the first person shooters online, but I do like playing the campaigns on games like Gears of War, Call of Duty, etc. Bioshock and Mass Effect were great games, I think they dumbed down Mass Effect to a little too much for the masses though. Left for Dead is fun if you like zombie games. Of course I love all the old school nintendo and sega games as well. I think it's more fun to be diverse in your game play.

A lot of guys get off on the fact that I play games. (Although if they are very young, we still don't have much else in common.) Oddly, the men I've generally been attracted to haven't been gamers, with I think one exception. So I guess I like gamers as friends and not lovers. LOL.

But I can certainly see the advantage to be married to someone who likes them. Not only can you play with them, but then they "get it." I know men whose wives just don't understand and don't like them playing. But I suppose it's the same thing like football -- women who don't like it get upset with men taking up their Sunday afternoons watching it, and women who do like it are right there on Sunday afternoons with them.

Not sure why women wouldn't want to admit to playing games. I guess cause everyone's running around pretending to be things they are not. My brother hangs around one gaming site where there are plenty of women, and he's talked about one being one of the very best at that game, like a top tournament person.

Gamers as lovers... hmmmmm?

Left, right, jump, FIRE!. do a barrel roll :D