The Top 7... Girl gamer stereotypes

For Norris’ sake, we all know that girls play games. They play “hardcore” games, "casual" games, strategy games, adventure games, fighting games, mind games, games games games all the time every day. Can we stop with the “girl gamer” nonsense?

Of course not, at least, not until we overanalyze every last stereotype you're subjected to. If you're lucky enough to be one of these "normals" we keep hearing about - you know, people who just enjoy playing games -  be glad that you can't be lumped into a rigid category like those below.

We’ve already dissected a variety of other stereotypes (with insulting illustrations!), so don’t go saying we only pick on the ladies. We love women, some of us are women. As always, we're not hating, we're just saying.

How they get attention: Doing everything we do, only in their underwear
Where to find them: Interweb netsites, claiming to be Serious Business

Above: "BunnyXablaze" ala GameGirl.com 

Being all sexy and stuff in the context of gaming is always going to be hot, and we will always post pictures of you on our website. We’re not telling you to stop, and we don't hate you, we just think you may need to reconsider your purpose. You are eye candy, and if you want to be perceived as anything else, consider keeping your tongue in your mouth.

You don’t see us flaunting our bodies all over the place! Or, maybe you do, but you don’t necessarily like it.

Above: GR's Chris Antista is very comfortable with his manbody

How they get attention: Elaborate, revealing costumes
Where to find them: At conventions, being followed by drooling fanboys

Above: Photo by Swanky 

As wonderfully wonderful as you look in that costume, we wonder just how much reward there is for dressing up as already objectified female characters and being mobbed by overeager photographers.

We know playing dress-up can be fun (we do understand the concept of Halloween), and we aren’t complaining about seeing you pose in pleather, but there really must a better way to express yourself.

You may argue that everyone is entitled to whatever form of expression he or she likes without criticism, but that would be a very boring point of view.

How they get attention: By calling attention to their hardcoreness
Where to find them: Competitive gaming tourneys, LAN parties

Above: A couple of the Frag Dolls goofing off!

You aren’t a typical “girl gamer.” You play Counterstrike! You compete in tournaments! You have stupid nicknames like Calyber and Pyra! You’re sponsored by Ubisoft, which has never exploited the male dominated gaming press' affinity for attractive ladies by playing up their looks (yay, Assassin’s Creed!).

Maybe we just dislike "professional gaming" personalities in general. Cut the cutesy codenames and faux athletic personas, and while we'll continue to not give a shit what you do, we'll be less irritated.