[GIRL]s in Gaming

I'm not entirely sure how much this topic has been covered overall, but judging by the lack of tolerance and the utter disbelief of the gentlemen that discover they have been playing video games with one of the female gender, I am guessing that the topic hasn't been touched on nearly enough.

A few days ago I walked to the train station with a friend from one of my history courses (in which the topic has nothing to do with this piece unfortunately) and we began discussing the lack of female representation in “Call of Duty: Black Ops”, a currently popular game (especially in the “teenage boy” demographic). She asked me if the game was worth buying, and more importantly if “girl avatars”, signs or other representation was present in the game. I said that after playing a great deal with my brother and exploring some aspects of the game, that there was not any overt examples of what she was looking for. Of course the option to customize avatars and call signs is a plus in the game, that is not enough for her. She wants blatant female representation in the forms of female characters, gender markers and avatars, which tell the multiplayer community exactly which gender they are playing with.

Now while the gaming community is a lot more accepting of female gamers, as I stated before, some are still shocked when they encounter them. When that gender is exposed, the person is treated differently, in either a more positive or negative manner. This is where the issue in and of itself lies. I believe that people shouldn't have to state their gender in order to assert the fact that both people play video games. Nine-five percent of the women I know play video games, even on a casual level. By casual I mean internet mini games, some games such as those on the Wii including “Wii Sports” or “Mario Party”, games on Facebook and the iPhone, and other similar sources. In other words, these games are the ones played waiting for a bus, or at a party or to waste time when one should be writing academic essays. Even my mother plays video games extensively and these games aren't limited to casual games. While she plays games such as “The Sims”, “Mario Party” and “Mario Kart”, she has also tried her hand at are “Oblivion”, the “Myst” series and all of the “Call of Duty” games we own. She is actually quite good at the games and actively asks our family if we would like to play a few rounds. She once asked me to play once saying something along the lines of “Why don't you take a break from you paper and come play some Call of Duty with us?”.

My point being, of course, that many women play video games and take up a significant portion of the gaming populace. They, however, do not get the representation that they deserve. Stereotypically, especially because of the norms constructed when video games were first created, men are the ones who play video games, have parties, talk strategy and compete. This stereotype bothers my aforementioned friend to the very depths of her being. As dramatic and over-the-top that sounds, I'm trying to discover whether that notion is worthy of such distaste. I agree that the stereotype should be broken down and overcome, but to what point and purpose?

I ask this because of the notion of being treated differently. Men and women will always be treated differently. No matter how one tries to promote “equality” between the genders, a fundamental, cultural belief in their differences will always exist. In terms of playing video games, this will most certainly always exist as well. One example that immediately comes to mind is one taken from the leviathan of a game, “World of Warcraft”, known in the gaming community as “World of Warcrack” (and let me just say I tried this game and got bored really fast...I don't experience its addictive powers I guess). In this game (if you haven't yet heard), you are given the choice of creating a character, which acts as a personal avatar designed to perform quests and other such tasks. In the creation, the player is given a choice of race, physical features, classes and, oh yes, gender. From stories that I have heard, and experience, the female avatars are often treated differently from the male (especially when the game first arrived on the market). I have heard they are given money, items, special status and experience different conversation than the male avatars receive. Is this because they believe that females are on the other end? Do they really think they're going to receive anything...special, because they treated them differently? Because they felt they had to? Many people in this game do not even chose the gender that they were born with. A lot of males chose female avatars just to get these benefits. In this way, the game portrays a sense of gender equality, but its players do not practice the concept.

One may argue that these issues are due to ignorance and inexperience of youth, but why would youth have these ideas in the first place? It's because the system of beliefs, values, and ideas they grew up relay this information. People are told that differences exist between the genders. People are told that females should be treated differently. Why should it be any different in the gaming community? Again turning back to a Call of Duty example, people are given the option to edit their own clan-tags, a four-letter combination of letters placed before the user name that associates the player with a specific place, group or individual trait. Often I see the tag [GIRL] in the pre-game lobby and I ask why that act is necessary. Do these “GIRL”s expect to be treated differently? Do they expect to enact a form of ridicule upon the other players because they were “beaten by a girl”? I find the notion completely ridiculous. If true gender equality and acceptance is what's desired, why do “GIRL”s work so hard to distinguish themselves as different. Sure this may anger the per-pubescent teenage boy because his world views have been shattered by a single round fired from the AA12 Shotgun of a “GIRL”, but in the long run, all that is being done is creating a class that separates the females from the males. No progress is being made.

Therefore, what I aim for is androgyny. A world where no one cares if the player is a female or male player, but instead focuses on the game itself and individual skill. I want a world where even if the players knew they had been bested by a female, they don't care because the issue derives from skill and expertise. Androgyny where the player is not thought of as “boy” or “girl” is an ideal the gaming community will probably not see. At least not in this lifetime. I myself try to practice this ideal, by acting androgynous in nature on the internet and within the gaming community. I am a female biologically. I participate and enjoy a lot of activities and endeavours that are “male” by tradition, stereotype and value. Because I even think of such activities and ideas as “male”, I am trapped by the same convictions that everyone else is. I will never be completely androgynous, because my base core, my sign and signifier, the way I associate with the objects and ideas around me have been set. The male and female established. Boundaries and barriers have been broken, but never completely torn down.

I have used this example before in other works (or rants I suppose) of mine. I post many videos on YouTube, such as walkthroughs, amusing incidents in games, and pieces of music. I have not identified with any gender in any of my videos and use text to relay my thoughts and opinions in the videos. I did, at one point, have videos voice-commentated, but have since removed the videos (I don't like the sound of my voice in recording). Those videos were the only aspect of my YouTube existence that identified me as female. Viewers of my other videos, however, perceive me as a male. In many times I get comments such as “dude nice videos”, “I like your videos sir” and “hey man, how do I fix this issue?”. The viewers automatically assume I am a man, but I am unsure of is whether this idea comes from the content of my videos (mostly walkthroughs of a video game called “Dungeon Keeper 2”), or if my existence on the internet is by default attributed to “male”. In other words, am I considered “male” because of what I do, or because cultural assumptions dictate that “male” is more common to find on the internet in such contexts?

Many would say that my failure to identify myself as female online is to blame (especially those who enjoy using “GIRL” in COD). In this mind-set, if females don't identify themselves as “girl” or “woman”, then nothing would exist to prove said existence of females online and in games (aside from a personal account...which can be denied and refuted). The players would assume that the person on the other side is a male (and I won't lie, I have often, by default, assumed this as well). As said before, this is because of the norms and stereotypes established throughout gaming history. So in order to break with these “traditions” (I'm using a lot of quotation marks aren't I?) wouldn't females have to establish themselves within the gaming community with blatant proof?

I answer with a “maybe sometimes in certain contexts”. Naturally, I would say no, because that's what I want to believe, but in some cases, especially those dominated by males, females have yet to make their mark. The gaming industry has come a long way over the years and whether that's for better or for worse...well let's just say that's another story completely. In terms of gender identification, females have for the most part made their mark and appearance, mostly in the last decade. Just today I was asked if I have played and finished “Assassin's Creed Brotherhood” and got an invite from a young man in which I don't know too well to play multiplayer with him. I have also recently been invited to “Halo” parties and “Mario” nights by some of my male friends to play. As an equal. I am, however, the exception. My friends are the exception. Please correct me if I'm wrong (please please time ten to the power of infinity...I want to be wrong here), but I don't believe a lot of females have the same experiences in gaming. So many are still underground. I grew up playing video games. From “Space Taxi” and “Spelunker” on the Commodore 64, “Mr. Do” and “Mouse Trap” on Colecovision, to my old PC games of “Warcraft 2”, “Diablo 1”, “Age of Empires 2” and my wonderful kid-friendly dinosaur and animal games, all the way to the games I play today, I have enjoyed and been influenced by these virtual adventures. I have always assumed that I had every right to play and talk about these games just as much as everyone else and for the most part, have gotten a positive response. I have never been bothered by those who think video games are best left for only 50% of the population.

In the end, my ideal world in gaming is one based on intellect, cunning, skill and practice, not one based on gender stereotypes. So please, my fellow female gamers, assert yourself by continuing to play, ignoring the insults made by intolerant minds, but don't feel the need to sell yourself as a GIRL. As for the men, tone down your insecurities and scorn concerning female gamers; they have every right to be there and participate. As much of a right as you. Let's be tolerant about this people. Gender means nothing. It does not quantify ability, capability or what is allowed or disallowed...it's just silly.

Yours truly,
Dr. Schwa

* This essay was for fun mostly and I did only a light, scanning edit. If something sounds weird or clunky, it's because I was lazy. I'm planning on going over it in the future in more detail.

** If anyone has questions or comments, please let me know by posting them here, on my YouTube account (either on my page or through PM), or though instant messengers, which I'm sure I have posted somewhere around here...

*** I am always open to discuss, debate, explain and listen to stories about experience or points that I have missed. I am also planning on writing more on similar topics in the future, so if you read this, feedback is much appreciated!

**** HAH I only used one exclamation point in this document and it wasn't even for the core document. TAKE THAT FICTION WRITING! Oh sheeeeet I used two. What you guys ganna do about it? Just kidding, I love you all.