In Jo Bryce and Jason Rutter?s article, they examine the topic of gender in video games ?through gendered game content, game spaces, and activities?. As surveys have shown, a large percentage of females play computer games on a regular basis. However, as these percentages do show a growing representation of women in video games, it is still seen as aligning towards the masculine culture, while any women gamers are still seen as the ?invisible girl gamer?. As far as game content goes, two issues always seem to stand out: the representation of females in games, and the focus of ?male game themes?. Anytime there is a woman character in a game, it is normally as ?princesses or wise old women?as objects waiting on male rescue, or as fetished subjects of male gaze?. Not only that, but many video games are dominated by themes primarily centered towards males, such as war, sports, fighting, etc., which has led many games to be either unappealing or offensive to women. When looking at the environment for many gamers, it has normally been associated with ?bedroom culture?. This seems to be less gender specific, but is usually used just as term coined to define ?the space allocated to young people for expression, leisure and gaming practice?. However, gaming environments have expanded to include other public spaces, such as computer labs, arcades, or LAN parties. This brings back the masculine dominance over video games, where females are either excluded or belittled as ?only girls? in these public spaces, which can lead to the emergence of online gaming. In this sense, females may remain anonymous to other gamers online, and thus be on equal terms, leading to greater female participation. When Bryce and Rutter begin to explain ?gendered activities?, it goes back to the mainly male dominance of computer gaming, how females are either excluded or rejected, and thus are discouraged ?from attempting to enter into gaming practices or associating themselves with being ?a gamer? ?. But with this is mind, it has become apparent that many groups such as ?grrl gamers? have formed and made a presence in online gaming communities.
Personally, I really like how the authors go over several aspects where gender conflict has occurred, such as in games themselves, the gaming environment, or gaming activities in general. It?s an interesting article which brings into light similar points as many other articles about gender in video games. Sad as it is to say, whenever I come across this subject myself, I always find it quite humorous to say the least. My girlfriend likes to play video games too, and we have played Team Fortress 2 on multiple occasions online. Obviously, whenever she says something on her headset, the first thing I normally hear from someone else is ?Oh my god, a girl is playing!? It?s just kind of sad sometimes to hear things like that, and come to the realization that a lot of the time, it really is a male dominated activity. Not only that, but I?ve had friends that play World of Warcraft, and they have explained that it?s better to play a female character because people give you things for free hoping to get in your ?favor? and have an online girlfriend or something, which is kind of sad in and of itself.
Original Article: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.97.9334
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