excellent, well said!

I realize that this was probably posted long ago, but I want to say more power to you.

There isn't a female disadvantage in gaming, anymore than there is a male advantage. It's all about the way you think.

Should you ever see Kirbysdoule or Revbem on any online game, feel free to smack me in the back of the head, remind me of reading this, and I'll say "Welcome to the team". Unless you're on the opposite team... at which point I could just kill you on sight ^_^

See you on the battlefield.

The world needs more of you gamergirls that'll speak up for themselves. Girls can be as good as (if not better than) guys at any game. My girlfriend is always kicking my ass at Halo, and she loves it. I think it's that love of games that brought us together in the first place.

Keep on gaming!

It's funny, I read this and was like "She is so right!" The more girl gamers the better, I say. Girls online are actually nice as opposed to the douche guys who are like "PWNED LOL NUB UR GAY" And then I scrolled to the bottom, ready to comment when I saw "Author: Color Me Evil" and smiled. THIS IS WHY I LOBE YOU. So smart *pinches cheeks*

your right all the way through. im a guy and i get destroyed by girls on a daily basis when playing shooters. im just not good at them. but no one should have to put up with that crap, we all have a right to play and as long as we have fun who has a right to care if we arent as good as them

Amen. I've been an avid gamer since I was a small child, playing alongside my younger brother. And the way we are treated on Halo 3 based on our voices is astounding. Most people assume I'm a total liability, despite any of my achievements, and it angers me that they are so close minded. When my little brother plays, they treat him quite fairly and give him compliments. Ones I don't get, even though my brother and I play on the same level. The closed mentality of some gamers is so frustrating. When they aren't accusing me of dragging them down, they're either ragging on me for my voice, or hitting on me. It's good to hear these thoughts out in the open. This essay is much appreciated.

You're so totally correct! none of my girlfriends play video games, and the ones that did moved away ;_;

@miniwolf tribe:

Haha. I never really thought about it while I was writing my comment, but I get that too! Everyone turns to me, but go back to what they were doing...

I no alot of girls that kick my ass at smash bros :P

Hey,
I totally agree with you, long live female gamerz( as i am one too). I mean, it REALLY sucks when guys think they're the best or when girls think you're a weirdo because you play. Its really a bitch thing to do.
And, probably, i bet that we could beat them at vidoe games if we gave it a try XD. ( no offense guys)

So, keep writing!
see ya,
Cia-Chan

Oh how I wish I knew more girls like you...

I totally agree with you about the essay. I'm a girl gamer myself and sometimes it's hard out there in the game world. When I play games like halo(1,2,&3), ghost recon, mortal kombat, etc, I either get shot up or get killed by a fatality- just because I'm a girl! Most girls in my grade thinks it's weird,or not normal.Most of the time,I don't give a crap,but that's why most of the time I win a lot(That usually leaves my cousin's friends' faces look like this)and me as the neighborhood's first girl game master in the area. I'm really inspired by your essay and never let anyone get in the way of you being a girl gamer. GIRL GAMERS RULE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this wholeheartedly. As much crap as male gamers have to take when we take our first step into a game and don the title of "noob", female gamers alot of times have to take like 10X more of the same crap. If not more so simply because of the fact that they are female...and in all reality it's retarded. It's almost like being racist, i mean seriously, who in this day and age can be sexist? It just doesn't even seem real to me sometimes, i suppose it's because of the level of stupidity and ignorance it takes to say something like: "You can't do this because your a GIRL!" And I would just like to thank you for acknowledging the percentage of us males that actually see someone in need, and help regardless of gender. From the womb to the tomb, GAMERS 4 LIFE!!!

That was very good, and im sorry for what you ohjave gone threw. On a game I play, there a re many girls playing and the only thing I go therw really is harrasment lol? ^^'

Hey color me evil do you remember me? I read some of your essay but not all of it yet. Could you pm me please. I haven't talked to you in a while. I don't know if it got erased but I use to have a sonic avitar... well I hope to hear from you soon. SEE YA!

wow. This is an amazing essay.

As a female gamer myself, I've never played many of the shoot-everything-in-sight-until-it's-dead games, but when I have, it's been a good experience. I'm more for RPGs... But from what I've seen on many a fansite is that females are getting more into the game scene. Pairings, I've noticed, have been much more famous as of late, and i think it's because of girls getting into video games.

As for my own experience of guys and girls playing video games, I've never run into as bad a problem as you, and the guys who made fun of you aren't any good! All of my guy friends loved me for playing video games. It was similar to, "I wish more girls were like you,", and my girlfriends didn't mind that I played video games. In all reality, I've converted a few of them too (especially as of late with the Wii).

I wish more people (especially some guys...) would read this essay. it was very good, as I've mentioned before. Keep on gaming!

I'd love the idea of more female gamers X3
Of course, I'd most likely try to turn them all into Resident Evil fans XD

I only know a few :0
Luckily, my GF be one of 'em :3

Ever try Resident Evil Outbreak? It's never too late to try XD
Or should I recommend Resident Evil Code Veronica X? Also a very good game. Or maybe you should try-- (endless rambling)..

I totally agree with this.

Hey, nice essay! And I know exactly how you feel. As a girl I, too, get a lot of "verbal garbage" about loving video games. Apparently there's something wrong with a girl who prefers the bloody gore-ridden scenes of Halo or Call of Duty over the pink plastic wonders of the Barbie Doll. I also can relate to the issues with online gaming. I still am periodically mocked when I play Guild Wars. As soon as I mention that I really am a girl, not just some female character, I'm suddenly useless despite my arsenal of elite elementalist and mesmer spells. >.< Anyway, great article and I'm glad to know that I'm not alone and someone else cares about this too!
~Akuzmi

I know how you feel. My first gaming platform was the original Playstation. My parents even criticized me for being "too tom-boyish" and that I should act more like a girl that I am. I love video games and I have loved it ever since 3rd or 4th grade. I'm even getting a major in Computer Science so I can get into the video gaming industry. I even have some guy friends that accept that I'm a major gamer girl and they don't down play be because of my gender. I have maybe three girl friends that accept that I'm a gamer and even they are gamers too.
I have a major weakness in FPS and third-person shooter games *coughDirge of Cerberuscough* My younger brother is way better at it than I am and even he becomes an ass when I try a shooter game. I can do fighting games, RPG's, racing, and puzzle games. My brother always says that I fail at shooter games.
I know that the video game industry is mostly male-dominated, but I thinks it's time for us females to show them that even we conjure up good video games.

Yeah, u nailed it all---Like everyone else says. I agree with every thing your saying! I get along better with boys too. (When it comes to games-not in the slutty way O_o) You probobly speak for alot of girl gamers out there, I'm one of them too and I'm tired of being critisized because of my gender..!!!

-Power to the GRL GAMERZ-

I totally agree with you. I started playing video games when I was around 6 or 7 and I got a Nintendo, actually it was for my brother but since I am older I played more with it (old RPG's like Zelda and Final Fantasy), and after that I started getting and getting more consoles, I have had ALL available consoles and tons of video games, I know I'm good and I HATE when some guys tell you "There is no way you can play that..you're a girl"... makes me wanna beat them all... (my friends say that sometimes just to bother me, because they know I hate it) but I think they might say it because they know girls can, and do better than they do (I remember some fights with my ex bf because I finished Twilight Princess before he did...XD )and well, I think part of guys saying that is because of some girls that do not know not a thing about games and just give the rest a BAD reputation... I hope this will change, and guys will eventually have to face that WE CAN DO BETTER!! Great essay, I loved it!!!!

As many here on theO, I can relate to this well. Being male or female shouldn't matter in mnay things, but the fact is that it does. Someone earlier mentioned that the prejudice tends to fade with time as gamers get older, but I want to point out that this doesn't happen all of the time. I have gotten some intense hate from guys my age and older.

I wouldn't persay claim I'm a gamer. I try to be, but as was pointed out, it's hard. I've just decided to enjoy my videogames and rub in my victories. I don't always win, but I can hold my own in most games.

I'd also like to put in my say about the stereotypical female gamer loving RPG's and whatnot. I, myself, play almost everytype of game, just not so keen on playing horror by myself. See, a handful of other female gamers I know only play RPG's and love FF. This stereotype is commonly true, but please keep in mind there are less predictable female gamers out there, like unto myself.

So basically, enjoy videogames if that's what you like. Damn societal rules and ideal people. Be yourself. Great essay, I favorited right away.

I know exactly what you mean..it happens to me on Halo all the time...you have those select few guys who yell at you cuz your a girl! POWER TO DA GIRL GAMERS!

I've noticed girls have it surprisingly difficult on online games from the community. Especially in MMORPGS.

As for my opinion on it...I used to be surprised when female friends revealed they liked games, because I was an idiot back then. Nowadays, I don't think twice about it.

I'm a guy who considers himself rather "hardcore" gamer, in that I play just about every genre, and I have noticed that most online FPS players, are those loser, Xbox elitists. Well, look at it this way those people who are always so derisive in the online world are just going to be those people end up living with their parents until they are 35 or so. Personally, it's actually refreshing to find out that a girl plays games, since she would be sharing a common interest(s).

hey me too...i'm a girl and my friends (who were all girls) never talked about gaming when we were in elementary school. So....i never had anyone to talk to it with..until i entered high school (gr9) and made new friends. actually, i never had many guy friends so when i made some i actually got to talk about things i had an interest in, not only games, but anime. ^^ well, some of my girl friends also had some interest in games and anime, but not as much. so when i was small, i never really shared this interest with others. ^__^;;;

thats absolutely awesum how you never give up. its a really good quality to have, and to not be brought down by stuck up boys. i've never played xbox live or anything, and i play video games with my guy friends alot and they're really respectful about it, but i can connect with this issue better when comparing it to football, cuz none of the guys would ever pass to me, until when they finally did i ran a touchdown. its a good thing u posted this online so guys who really are sexist can just jump off a cliff XD

i started with the nes, then n64, and on and on. i grew up with games too, and it makes me mad when guys underestimate the female species.

kudos to u!!!! =DD

lol I figured the people who bash female gamers bash everybody equally, especially the Xbox hounds. I guess some of em are more spiteful when it comes to females though, heh.

Nice to know someone wrote a story on our side.
I'm also one of those female gamers at heart but suck at shooting games xP (wouldn't last that long)
But in anything else like fighting, I'd be pretty decent :3
But yeah, thanks for the story ^^

Love it. Love it! I've played video games since I was five (Super Nintendo! :d) and I always played with my friends (who were also all boys as well). I've kinda driven away from that area and am more of a computer person, but video games are still awesome. At my school, there is a hard-core gamer girl I know and I've heard things she's seen while shes played games, from WoW to some guy trying to woo her while she's trying to kill something in a game. Personally, I've no clue why people fret over gamer girls. They like games. Period. Don't take our gender as an issue. Some games need strateg, and that girl you just pissed off may have had your winning plan, but now she won't tell you because you went and told her to get off the game.

I love your article. I really do. @o@ YAYYYY GAMER GIRLS!

You. Are. Awesome.
I need to show this to my little sister. We used to love to play all sorts of games: the Zelda series was her favorite, but I stuck mostly to strategy games. Recently, she's been thinking that video games are too tomboyish. Maybe she'll learn someday.

I'm a female gamer. Though I do not do WoW or Runescape, I play a decent amount of games and I am a Tetris fanatic.

My dad was the one that got me into gameing. Especially roleplays such as Legend Of Zelda, Super Mario, Ratchet and Clank.. and I actually never really had to endure sceptisim except from my mom who said it was a waste of time.

I relate to this story so well. I went to a Catholic school for 9 years (K-8) and I was such an outcast (not just because of video games... I don't think) I had basicly one friend out of 20 students in my class. It was nice though, my friend was into Zelda and Nintendo and, though I loved nintendo, I was more into Final Fantasy and the Playstation. It wasn't until I got into high school that I thought anything of it. I actually have a crazy ex-boyfriend (I feared for my life... he was insane) who told me during one of his more sane moments that all of his friends we jelious because he had a girlfriend who liked to play videogames and I guess that was rare.

I'm graduating high school this May, and the odd thing is, I've come to relize that only 3 or 4 of my group of friends are my real, hard core, friends. Reading this article, I've just relized that those 4 people also happen to be very modest, not high mateneance (sp, you know what I mean) and, enjoy their share of videogames, even if they only get to play them at a friends house...

Point being, I don't think it's just a guy problem, I think a lot of girliy "Oh my God, like, totally" girls, really REALLY don't like other girls who play video games. But, their probably just jelious that their boyfriends whould rather have a girl who played videogames too. ^_^

ur right...it's like we grls don't have any rights to do the things boys do, i mean come on ppl, it's the 21st century! i'm so faving this...lol. ^^ and how can grls not like video games? i mean even if u don't like gore and stuff there's still stuff like sims...geez, but sometimes it's not the boys that's stoppin the grls to play, it's the grls themselves coz they're too damn girly and close minded....it's true, i kno pppl hu r.

cya...

here here! I'm a female gammer I stared with sega when I was little..like 1st and second grade even be4 then maybe nowa days I play PS2 and kingdom hearts n such

very powerful statement btw

I know that I may seem like a ff fanatic, but in fact i like alot of games like the devil may cry series, assassins creed, heavenly sword, resistance fall of men, naruto games, Code of duty series and much more, I hate how some people like just 1 series and never try a differend genre oh well.

But great comments everyone

You make some good points. At the end of the day, gender shouldn't matter when it comes to past-times like gaming. I've only recently got back into playing video games, buying myself a DS. My odd forays into forums and the like haven't yet encountered any problems, mostly because I'm an 'older' (i.e over twenty) female newbie amongst men and women who've been into video games for far longer. They, at least, seem to have seen it all before, the assumptions and the bad attitudes.

I do wonder if it is harder for younger girls to get by in the gaming fandom considering the sorts of attitudes some fans have towards the idea.

Either way, I agree with your sentiments, and think it is important for gaming fans (male and female) to simply continue with what they like, never mind how other people might see it.

I luv playing video games but I don't think my friends really care about them that much so I don't really discuss it to them but I wish i could i've been interested in games since i was really young i really agree about this u rock i'm adding this to my favourites because its very true

I completely agree, in the world of online gaming, it should be your kill-count and headshots that define you, not your gender. Still, it's a shame that all the girl gamers I know are Square fanatics and only play RPGs. It's like they think FFVII was the first game ever made. Don't get me wrong, RPGs are fun, but there's more than just that one genre.

You go girl!!!

Finally a girl gamer, even through you said that there are more and more being discovered, it's still a rare find, I myself being a square-enix fanatic totally agree with you that some boys are totally sexist about those sort of things and some of them look at you and are like "yeah right, like you even know what a playstation is" !

Stuff like that really boils my blood, I have to show them my room and all of my games and consols and my vast knowledge of final fantasy untill they listen. (all of my room is covered in S-E posters and I have 7 different consols and over 70 square-enix games )

Don't you just hate when you say ps2 and all those sissy girls are like what is that???, I think I stare at them with my mouth open and say your joking right?

But great essay I absoultly LOVED it keep up the good work :)

I totally agreed with your essay.
It was wonderful too.