"Girl Gamer Syndrome"

[AngloDoom]

Seriously, do they expect guys to just jump all over them like the fact that they play video games makes them hot suddenly?

They do, because they do.

Seriously, a woman who enjoys playing videogames is significantly more attractive to me than a girl who does not; my other girlfriends have always whined and moaned as if by playing videogames I somehow became less 'manly' or 'mature'.

If a girl casually mentions she likes videogames I feel more comfortable around her because there's suddenly no barriers I have to avoid in conversation.

That said, I'm in total agreement that many women take the idea for a ride. "I'm a girl-gamer, get over it!" they cry, as if it's a massive taboo. Just as how anyone playing videogames can be a dickhead, women playing videogames can be dickheads too - playing games doesn't make the person automatically 'good', just 'better' in the sense that it gives me more to talk to them about.

That said, the girls who go on about it so often are usually the girls who played Spyro the Dragon when they were nine and think that's enough of a qualifier to think that they are 70% cooler than other girls who don't play games. The one's who do it regularly probably just see it as a past-time like reading or browsing the internet like any guy would.

 

[Creator002]

I think it goes 50/50. Most guys that see a girl play games usually automatically see her as some kind of magical fantasy creature, while some girls see this as a way to leech some easy attention from guys (as does one girl from my (now old, thank God) school).
I actually spent a month on Xbox LIVE as a guy (I really am a guy, but make everything game-related female [footnote]For example, my avatar on here is my 360 avatar.[/footnote], take from that what you will) and my friend request quota went from about 6 to 0 as well as 2 lovely messages to 4 insulting ones.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

(I don't know a single girl who plays Diablo. They think the graphics suck -_-)

I played through Diablo and admittedly played Diablo 2 to death as a frozen orb/lightning nova sorceress.

I'm not sure why such a friendly and easy game would be a turn off to anyone. The graphics are old but they suit the games style.

230 hours on Skyrim, on master, thanks so very much.

I'm playing through Dark Souls but I have a suspicion my character is made of fail for single player (cleric) so might reroll... (It could be just that I'm pants at it though...)

 

[VanQ]

And as a side note, (from what I've heard) the girls that really want to fit into the gamer community never end up being able to like a guy could because of their gender.

And you know what? That really pisses me off. I keep hearing about girls getting harassed on Xbox Live and steam from the first inkling that they might have boobs. It's seriously annoying considering I do know someone that likes to play console games but can't play online and socialize with other people due to their gender. It's really sad, and really immature.

^THIS. I honestly haven't renewed my Xbox live account in ages because it's almost not worth it. Guys will either hit on me shamelessly, or they're asses. I once got booted from a game of scavenge in Left 4 dead 2 because of my gender. My team was losing, and they instantly booted me. What. The. Hell. And I wasn't doing horribly either, I was contributing more than some of the other players. I dislike people sometimes.

Um, I just thought I'd let you know that I'm a guy and whenever I log into XBox Live I either get hit on shamelessly or someone's an ass to me. That's kind of just what XBox Live is like and you shouldn't let it get under your skin or the trolls win.

And about the Left4Dead thingy, maybe you were auto-kicked for having a high ping or something? Did anyone say why you were kicked or are you just assuming it's because you are female?

I think you're worrying a little too much about people's behaviour in an anonymous environment. Don't forget John Gabriel's Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory. I can guarantee you there are a million online matches happening right now and there are no females involved whatsoever but someone is still being hit on or acting like an ass. It's the internet hon', thems the sticks and you should probably get used to it.

 

[Andy of Comix Inc]

Well in some cases it can just be about her sharing her interests. If a guy posts on his facebook "LOL playing COD", no-one thinks anything of it. But if a girl does it then she must be an attention whore.

I'm not saying this is true in all cases, and certainly not for girls who take pictures with a console (never understood that).

If you just say "playing CoD," that's fine. The issue here is when they say "I'm a girl, and I'm playing CoD! I'm so cool lololololol"... they make it seem like it's something special that they, a girl, are doing it. If they didn't mention their femininity or gender, then they get off Scot-free, obviously.

 

[Vault101]

)rStrangelove]It all comes down to sharing someone's hobbies i guess. If i spot a normal girl wearing an AC tshirt next to the hot looking blonde i'd choose the former. Why?

Chances are higher that Mrs.Assassine will accept games are my main hobby, thats all.

Girls crying for attention by labelling themselves gamer-girls obviously have problems getting attention of guys in the RL.

Just wear AC Tshirts, its really easy.

the thing is...guys get all the best T-shits..and its a fucking travesty (Becuase mabye "I" want to wear an AC T-hsirt...dammit)

 

[Vault101]

The worse thing is when men assume you are a 'gamer grrl' whenever you talk about games.

I had a guy yell as me because I said I like Fallout 3 and NV as much as the originals (which I played at the god damn time they were released). He made me recite the entire storyline/side quests of both games until he was satisfied I had actually played them.

That's the kind of shit we have to put up with.

what a fucking asshole :/

The worse thing is when men assume you are a 'gamer grrl' whenever you talk about games.

I had a guy yell as me because I said I like Fallout 3 and NV as much as the originals (which I played at the god damn time they were released). He made me recite the entire storyline of both games until he was satisfied I had actually played them.

That's the kind of shit we have to put up with.

I don't wanna defend the (potential) asshole but I'd like to think he'd do that if you were male too. I often end up having people prove their preposterous opinions through such methods, it's not discrimination, it is proper debating methodology. You need to actually hear exactly why someone thinks that odd way they do, with detail, if you are to understand their point of view.


Too often you have people saying things that don't make sense which has you asking yourself if they've even played or watched whatever they're talking about.

while I see your point this doesnt look like a case of "incoming nerd debate"

from what she said he made sure she had actually played them[/B] thats not a debate of "why said person likes fallout 3 over 1&3"

thats more like:

"stop right there "gurlgamer" scum! you must answer thease questions to prove you are not FAKE!"

or at least thats how Im reading it

 

[StormierRoss]

I used to be the kinda guy who did absolutely nothing all day cept study and play gears 2, and gaming was such a huge part of my life, that meeting a girl who shared that hobby was obviously a big thing.

There was one girl in particular who joined my class in the last year of high school, and well, i fancied the pants off her, i mean she had a better k/d than me on cod and everything (Although i am a battlefield man now in my grown up wisdom ).

But anyways, she did not have the same feelings as me, and i moved on shortly after, however what i found out is that the fact she shared that intrest wasnt really why i liked her, it was because we shared a lot of other stuff too, like doing the exact same subjects in school and stuff, and also the fact i never really talked to other girls before her.

But now, more than a year on, sharing all that stuff with her means that we are now like awesome best mates (Who have a passion for destroying on wingman in gears 3), even though we live 100 miles apart.

Also, note - I am in university and a serious relationship now, and my girlfriend only ever played the assassins creed games, and spyro, and i couldnt really care less, so it doesnt really matter if girls like games or stuff, there is so much more to the world than that

Btw, girls do sometimes like geeky guys, just dont overdo it


Also, sorry for completely ignoring the post either, but yeah that guy looks a jerk :/
I mean, i never played the first fallout games, but i also dont like the new ones, they creep me out

 

[undeadexistentialist]

to me, you are somewhat unusual, though that could be due to extreme shyness through high school I've had very little interaction with girls and as such have met no girls who game (that I'm aware of at least).

That said, I do my best to stamp on the "hey, girl gamer" instinct I get when I find out someone posting here is a female because I do my absolute best to make no judgements or presumptions about anyone based on cosmetic differences such as gender or race. You're all mature here, if not adults, and I realise it would probably just be tiresome to most of you, not to mention crude and boorish.

I would presume these "ZOMG I'm such a nerd!!!!" girls are fed by males who aren't kind enough to resist this natural instinct, and the instinct itself is fed by the stereotype that gamers are all socially phobic (which I am thankfully no longer) child men living in their parents' basements which pathetically large collections of comic books, or yobbish frat-boy morons. Either way, it's a male stereotype.

I think it's still because it's an unheard of thing. To girl gamers I'm sure it's quite a common thing but to those who aren't girl gamers...well let's be fair, I've not spoken to many so...to some of us, they are "special snowflakes"...to those of us who haven't met any female gamers, meeting a female that shares a beloved hobby of yours is a special thing.

This is also a very valid point. To find someone who is (at least portrayed as) highly unlikely to be inclined towards enjoying something you get a large amount of pleasure from is actually quite an exciting thing. As a gaming male, you slowly grow used to the assumption that it's always going to be something you'll enjoy but it will be separate activity from any girl you meet, a solitary interest that she may find somewhat curious but will never have the understanding and pleasure in it that you do, and when you do meet such a person it's a very exciting thing.

There's probably also a decent amount of attention-whorishness mixed in, because some people are just idiots. You make no apology for them (as indeed you shouldn't) so I will make no apology for the moron males who feed their attitudes, but I will make a broad apology for my own similar internal reaction, and assure you I'm doing my best to snuff it out.

 

[Vault101]

(I don't know a single girl who plays Diablo. They think the graphics suck -_-)

I played through Diablo and admittedly played Diablo 2 to death as a frozen orb/lightning nova sorceress.

I'm not sure why such a friendly and easy game would be a turn off to anyone. The graphics are old but they suit the games style.

230 hours on Skyrim, on master, thanks so very much.

I'm playing through Dark Souls but I have a suspicion my character is made of fail for single player (cleric) so might reroll... (It could be just that I'm pants at it though...)

its ok...EVERYONE is pants at Dark souls..(I chose a theif because she looked cool...shows how "pro" I am)

anyway I wouldnt think girls are the ones to judge a game graphics...Diablo is a classic and the graphics are good for their time (I played it, never finished because I never owned the game)

 

[SonicWaffle]

Has anyone else ever noticed how many girls lately seem to think they're a "special snowflake" just because they play video games?

Not really, no. The ones around here tend to be no different from the males, to the point where I don't know how many people I've chatted to in threads have internal genitalia since I don't make a habit of checking their profile.

It's really prevalent on Facebook especially. Statuses like "Yes I'm a girl, and yes I play video games <3". Or "lol I'm such a nerd, playin COD text ittt."

I suppose it depends who you have on your friend list, doesn't it? I used to have FB, and I didn't see any statuses like that. I think the closest I'd get would be my mum talking very enthusiastically about football, and I don't think she was trying to be a "sporty girl" to impress anyone; she's just really into football

Seriously, do they expect guys to just jump all over them like the fact that they play video games makes them hot suddenly?

Yes.

If you're looking for a new partner, you might think it would be nice to share hobbies with that person so as to have conversation starters or activities you can do together. I've noticed that a lot of people who identify as gamers have a tendency to make it a major part of their identity, and so they'd see a "girl gamer" as much more desirable to spend time with than a girl who doesn't play video games, because presumably they'll expect that the girl will be happy to sit around all day playing games rather than going out to dinner or to the movies or whatever couples do these days.

I'm not a guy though, so I guess that's why I'm posting this. Thoughts?

I think bringing a sexual partner into your hobbies can go wrong. I've been playing a MUD on-and-off since 1998, but I made the mistake of introducing my last girlfriend to the game. She turned out to be a dangerous psychopath so we broke up and I now refuse to speak to her, but she stills plays the game. A lot, in fact. I'm no longer comfortable doing something I enjoy because I made the mistake of sharing it with someone else.

 

[Vault101]

I think people who have Facebook profiles are losers anyway.

People who whine about girl gamers blow this shit way out of proportion. More often than not a girl just won't mention she likes games to anybody. I'm often surprised how little need a lot of girls have to talk about a game they like with others. I suspect it has a lot do with the fact that if they did tell anyone they liked games they would be harassed by assholes a bunch of assholes.

I have no doubt that some girls advertize their love for games as a way to attract attention and I think it's better to ignore them because the fact people can't stop talking about it means it's working. In any case, just because someone saw that 2 people on Facebook where being loud and obnoxious (as if the purpose of Facebook isn't to be loud and obnoxious) doesn't mean anybody with the same chromosome should also be judged for it.

you know your talking about millions of people right there? (including me ,and possibly your mum/grandma...ok ok Im kidding) I hardly ever use it anyway

I have somthing of a problem in that I dont have anyone to talk to about games in real life...and if given the opertunity Ill go off on a tangent and wont shut up...Its not an attention thing..Im just overly enthusiastic, do wonder if I would come across that way...but screw 'em, I like what I like

 

[JabberBabyWocky]

I'm not a guy though, so I guess that's why I'm posting this. Thoughts?

why did u feel the need to bring to light your not a guy? arent u doin what you've just accused some girls of doing on xbox?

 

[StormierRoss]

This is also a very valid point. To find someone who is (at least portrayed as) highly unlikely to be inclined towards enjoying something you get a large amount of pleasure from is actually quite an exciting thing. As a gaming male, you slowly grow used to the assumption that it's always going to be something you'll enjoy but it will be separate activity from any girl you meet, a solitary interest that she may find somewhat curious but will never have the understanding and pleasure in it that you do, and when you do meet such a person it's a very exciting thing.

There's probably also a decent amount of attention-whorishness mixed in, because some people are just idiots. You make no apology for them (as indeed you shouldn't) so I will make no apology for the moron males who feed their attitudes, but I will make a broad apology for my own similar internal reaction, and assure you I'm doing my best to snuff it out.

Im not gunna lie, the first time the girl in question added my on live i was quite excited, but i got used to the fact there were girl gamers pretty quickly.

Also, i forgot to mention i have a mate who also has a best-friend-girl-gamer, i think girls who share the same intrests as yourself are far easier to become amazing friends with, because you obviously have a lot to talk about all the time.

I know for a fact some people may not like what im gunna say, but its my opinion that the people that "feed" the girl-gamers attention seeking habits are males who are socially phobic, and therefore gaming is such a huge part of their lives (and girls in the real world such a small part) that finding a girl gamer is a rare and wonderful event.

Its my opinion because ive experienced it and its taught me a lot about girls. (Another advantage of having a female best friend)
However, whilst i do like to go out and stuff, as soon as i get rid of the hangover (which im doing right now) i will be on gears 3, i still play games far too much for my own good.

 

[crazyarms33]

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but here goes. I got my gf into video games, at least the FPS genre. She also recognized Assassin's Creed(which I was playing at the time) in .5 seconds the first time I had her over, and yes that scored her a TON of cool points because most girls wouldn't have cared or known about it. But I wasn't attracted to her because of that, it was just an added bonus. She has actually turned into a gamer in that she calls out other girls for doing what you talked about.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

snip

Sorry to curb your enthusiasm but we already covered that, read page three to see how this story ends.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

all socially phobic (which I am thankfully no longer) child men living in their parents' basements which pathetically large collections of comic books

That's like a description of me but I get away with it because I'm female! Hooray!

(double standards are sometimes ftw)

snip

Sorry to curb your enthusiasm but we already covered that, read page three to see how this story ends.

That reminded me of one of those old make your own adventure books. xD

 

[crazyarms33]

The worse thing is when men assume you are a 'gamer grrl' whenever you talk about games.

I had a guy yell as me because I said I like Fallout 3 and NV as much as the originals (which I played at the god damn time they were released). He made me recite the entire storyline/side quests of both games until he was satisfied I had actually played them.

That's the kind of shit we have to put up with.

I do this with everyone that I suspect of not having played the game (minus the yelling part anyway)or game that we were talking about regardless of gender. I'm not saying it excuses his behavior, but I have a buddy who only plays Madden and then one day he started talking about Skyrim and how great it was and how he had beaten it. So I grilled him because I thought he was making shit up, but he knew and had it all down at which point I apologized and he went back to kicking my ass in madden. I don't think it was so much the fact that "OMG! U R A GERL AND PLAY VIDEO GAM3ZZ!?" and more "Huh? I would never have guessed that she played games and this is a severe shock to my world view." But that's how I tend to interpret things.

 

[StormierRoss]

I have somthing of a problem in that I dont have anyone to talk to about games in real life...and if given the opertunity Ill go off on a tangent and wont shut up...Its not an attention thing..Im just overly enthusiastic, do wonder if I would come across that way...but screw 'em, I like what I like

You just havent found the right person who is as obssessed with games as you are, although i guess thats why your on here