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The Top 7... Girl gamer stereotypes

How NOT to fit in to the cultural microcosm of gaming

Words: Tyler Wilde, GamesRadar US

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.

 
6 Comments
sektor187 - 3 months 1 day ago
i'd like to meet a girl that could kick my ass at Mortal kombat or Halo
mastereper - 2 months 22 days ago
sektor 187 me 2 but wit halo and cod4
T3kT3hGrrl - 2 months 17 hours ago
Lol, great article. Although, bunnyXablaze is a good person that saying that is quite harsh. One thing you have to remember, though, is that these really aren't the correct definition of stereotypes. These are kinds of styles of people and how they express to be what they are. It just so happens that these tend to be concentrated areas that an overall large amount of people fit into. GRRL girl to you is being natural to them, the obsessive cosplayer to you is a great time in creating a costume that takes a long time of work to them. I think the problem here is you need tolerance to other styles other than your own.
valorouslegacy - 1 month 25 days ago
I agree with T3kT3hGrrl when she says that these aren't stereotypes. They're different ways of expressing that you take joy in a hobby. And quite a few of these aren't exclusive to girls (i.e., the one who pretends to like video games to be accepted but actually sucks and drags everyone else down, the casual gamer who can't so much as turn a SNES on, and cosplayers). I know guys like that too. I enjoy cosplaying myself. Stories aren't driven by girl characters alone. So it's not really fair to assume that these qualities are exclusive to girls. I'm not sure if it's sexism, or gaming elitism.
valorouslegacy - 1 month 25 days ago
Btw, I'm a guy. Maybe I should get a picture of me by myself to prevent confusion... nah.
Spazzgurl - 17 days 13 hours ago
I too agree with the comment that these are not stereotypes but personalities. What bothers me is that a "How they get attention" is included for each seven personalities covered. THAT is actually a stereotype (even though it's untrue)---That girl gamers are just after attention. I actually reference that aspect of this article in an analysis paper I wrote discussing female gamers in e-sports: http://digg.com/people/An_illusion_of_power
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