Nobody said that women weren't on the forums. It was simply assumed that most of the posters were men. It would be like posting in a Car Mechanics or Hot Rod forum. You are a woman, of course it wasn't shocking.
There in itself is the problem. Why would men assume that they are the only ones who are interested in games or playing games? Women didn't just start playing games a few years ago. We've been playing since Pong. That makes no sense.
So was I. Exactly. You don't have to start off asking me why I am being defensive when all I was doing was asking a question for clarification. My experience was just different that's all. To you, it's not shocking. To a lot of guys back then, it was. And you guys can quit referring to me as he. I often join into forums with a mind to be gender neutral. Call it a habit, or something from experiences from the old days, but I tend not to say anything until I've been on a forum for a while. I really enjoy discussion when I don't have to have my gender as part of the consideration into my arguments or comments. And thus, for me. I think the discussion is at an end.
The whole talk of whether or not there were women on gaming forums is fraught. Of course there were women. There are always are, even in the most male-centric of forums like cars and watches. It's like a black friend of mine said -- if a poster is white, sometimes they assume everyone is too, even though empirically they know otherwise. I daresay the same can be said of gay people, or anyone else who veers from the norm of said forum. Having said that, if there is only ONE thing that male posters of TouchArcade take away from this thread, is that women are not the "other" in gaming. Neither in tastes nor in presence. Now, back to the games women love. MexicanJesus said he would prefer his wife not liking "intellectual" games like Bookworm, but doesn't know why. How about because it's easy to put down and bother him when he's playing his FPS?
I guess I feel like the "normal female demographic" is a thing that has been created, not something innate. It may still exist now, but I think it's shrinking as women begin to dare to try games not traditionally marketed at them and start noticing how fun they are. I know a lot of female gamers who don't like fashion/babycare/pet etc and other theoretically "female" games because frankly, they're simple, condescending and most of them suck. We like quality games, not "theme" games.
+1 Awesome. I love the "I'm Fine" game. I usually play along and say "k..." and then it escalates to the "your a shithead game" lol.
Back on topic....our game "Charmed" seems to have a more strongly female following than male. Also, by FAR the most positive feedback I've gotten is from women. Some quotes (names removed for privacy):"LOVE this game. You guys did a great job on it. I actually reviewed it on iTunes - something I NEVER do." "Hey Guys ... Love the game! Really nice twist on Bejeweled et al ... Love the graphics too ~ beautiful job there ..." "Thank you so much for the full Charmed game I am really enjoying it. Looking forward to seeing your next adventure." Not to say that guys don't like it too. I play it myself everyday even when I am not doing development on it! I am submitting an update to Apple today that adds some great new features and OpenFeint support, so it's only getting better!
Blah! I was a tom boy growing up and would NEVER like those games. I use to rip the heads off of my sisters barbies. Yes, I am a girl and I can't stand Barbie. lol It has been ingrained that girls should wear pink, like dolls, wear dresses etc. This is almost 2010, things have changed dramatically. My "girl" students (2nd grade) are asking santa for DS. My 7th grade "female" students are now playing what one would consider a "boys" game. The pressure is off of females now and that has opened an exciting can of worms.
+1! Even though I had dolls, I also had cars, trucks and wanted the rockem sockem robot boxing game but I never got one. I remember in school for Christmas, the teacher gave the girls this bath powder and the boys got this really cool remote control racing car. I looked at the bath powder incredulously and was like "Wtf??!" I was pissed for real but politely accepted my gift. Apps for girls just sounds so stupid. You're right it is almost 2010 and they make a separate section for girls. Nonsense. I'm very excited about the can of worms it has opened
Rockem Sockem robots! And I thought I was the only girl who ever wanted--but didn't get--Rockem Sockem robots! What a sad Christmas that was!
Just bought it. Since I have bought Fairlady's games, Luke's Thirty-One, and Flickitty due to the thread, thought I'd add you too.
Sacrilege. I had three Barbies and two Kens! I'm a girlie-girl and I do not think that wearing pink somehow is contradictory with gaming (not that you were implying that, obviously) or liking "tom boy" activities. I too climbed trees, scraped my knee, and played for hours with my boy cousins. Personally, I'm looking forward to Call of Duty on the iPhone. P.S.: I broke down and finally bought that Hello Kitty Parachute game for 4.99! If anyone wants me to post a TOFTT review, let me know.
You would not catch me wearing pink growing up. In fact, I was the ONLY girl on the boys little league baseball team. Looking back I am surprised that they let me on the team. lol I actually could hit the ball better. I still have the first mitt my grandfather gave me when I was little. Maybe it was because I was the first child and my father was really hoping for a boy??? At any rate I was lucky to get those athletic genes. There is a big difference btwn playing with boys and being a tom boy. Having a room full of baseball bats, footballs, helmets etc. vs. dolls back then was out of the norm. However, now that the screens have been lifted it is every bit as normal. I think technology has played a huge role in this. Cheer to the can of worms!
