I was reading through a blog published by Hex from Good Game on the ABC, and it really made me think about what being a “girl gamer” actually means.
I like to play all sorts of games. Hell, I like to play them a lot. Except I have one major disadvantage over male gamers. I’m a girl. I’m suddenly categorized into one of two sections: a)the girl gamer who is giggly, stupid and only plays games because of her boyfriend, or b) the serious girl gamer but still is giggly, stupid, etc… Both of these are highly offensive. I’m definitely not “giggly” or ”stupid”. I don’t play games just because my boyfriend does, I don’t even have a boyfriend. Last time I checked I was not a “serious gamer” so where do I fall? Into the grey zone. If I was a boy none of these problems would arise.
What is worse is that was I allowed more time to do whatever I wanted I think I would be playing games. I would be able to get much better and I wouldn’t have to suffer the “noob” title. Do you want to know what stops me? What is my glass ceiling? My parents. Simple as that. I think that they do not think that someone of my age intelligence and gender should be playing video games. They also believe that it is a waste of time. Couple those two factors with the fact that where I am it costs more to be a gamer and buy games, means that I don’t get any for Christmas. I would love to own a PS3 or an Xbox 360, and even a PC which could handle gaming better.
Go back to “the waste of time” point and I’ll quickly explain it. Of course I should be studying etc. My parents don’t like the fact that I might spend several hours in front of a screen a day just to play games. My mum says it is a waste of time and I should do something else. Take a walk, bake a cake. I.e. do what she does. I have a tinsy winsy problamo with that. I don’t like walking, or cooking and I am who I am. Why should she care if I want to spend hours playing Minecraft. What she calls “boring” is the best way for me to relax and take a break from a busy school life. Most importantly I have fun. So, I have one title for her. “interfering parent.” Yes, the one who wants to know everything and anything and tries to force you in one direction when you are running the other way. I really hate it. I really, really hate it. Why in this age of diversity and individuality do we have personalities forced upon us?
I really have a problem with that word “Girl Gamer”. It is really quite sexist and stereotypical. You don’t call males “boy gamers” do you? I find that when you get into games, unless you don’t say, that if you are a girl guys are going to be friendlier and more helpful. That completely defeats the purpose of me playing online. I want to level up, build a house in Minecraft, or even kill others by myself.
What is the most annoying thing (beside my parents of course) is the rep I get from boys I know. I was called a “girl gamer” by one of my friends just because I knew a bit about Legend of Zelda games. When boys hear that I play Minecraft they look very surprised. Why shouldn’t I? I have every right to play whatever I want.
Another thing is the types of games you are expected to play as a girl. All those stupid animal games where you look after something fuzzy and cute. Cooking Mama, animal crossing, etc, etc. sure I may have played bits and pieces of those games but I’d much rather play games with plenty of violence, blood and gore. I want to shot headshots and dig mines. Is that completely unreasonable?
What I guess I’m trying to say is that don’t be stereotypical. Don’t use the term “girl gamer”, “gamer” works just as well. Treat girls equally as you would other players. Also what do you think about my parents? Hardly fair at all. I hope that in the near future that I can have a more active gaming life which doesn’t rely on my parents caring about how much screen time I have.
And… Oh, and I want The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim for Christmas. =D
Pranxtor out… ^.^
