Geek Speak: Silly n00b, of course girl gamers exist
Erin O'Kane
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
The Coelacanth, an ancient fish thought to have become extinct 65 million years ago, was "discovered" as still alive in 1938. Przewalski's horses became extinct in the wild in the 1960s, only to be bred back from extinction from captive members of the species and reintroduced into the wild.
Just because something is rare does not mean it does not exist.
I'd be the first to admit that female gamers are a rare species. I myself have a small metal tracking tag attached to my ear, and scientists occasionally stop by to see if I'm still kicking about.
Obviously, I'm joking. I am not, however, the only female gamer in existence. Last November, I wrote about the eye-opening experience that made me realize just how rare female gamers are. So for the start of the new year, I decided to take it upon myself to find a few more members of my species.
Female gamers always seem to be able to sense one another's presence. I found Lyndsey and Rebekah through classes, Melissa through an unrelated interview and, as I mentioned in my November article, Mizzie is a gaming friend of mine I met through an online forum.
I am sure there are even more female Gamers out there who I would enjoy playing a few rounds of Halo with. Now, if I could only get those tracking tags to work.
Rebekah Zumwalt
26 years old,
Communication major at
Atlantic Cape Community College
All-time favorite game: Age of Conquerors
Game played most often: Runescape
Experience: "...I get more thrill out of finding new ways to beat the game than wasting time chatting. I also get a kick out of finding 'easter eggs' and glitches that casual gamers wouldn't come across." (Easter eggs are hidden, some
times accidentally placed, goodies in games.)
Mizzie Mertens
26 years old,
Minnesota resident
All-time favorite game: World of Warcraft
Game played most often: "Barbie's Magical Pegasus Adventure. No, I'm sorry, it's WoW."
Experience: "The really funny thing is that, in my relationship, I'm more of a gamer than my boyfriend. Most people assume it would be the other way around."
Melissa Venditti
Rowan alumna, works for mtv's gaming
channel G-hole
All-time favorite game: Can't decide
Game played most often: Halo
Experience: "Guys don't understand the existence of girls in the gaming world. ... The
unfortunate thing is when guys realize you're a
female gamer, they either run away or act like a complete jerk and drive you away."
Lyndsey Watkins
20 years old,
Communication major at Atlantic Cape Community College
All-time favorite game: Fight Night 2004
Game played most often: Halo
Experience: Watkins loves to play Halo against her boyfriend and his friends:"The guys are always surprised when I start beasting out on them. ... I'm a natural. No matter what they try, they can't beat me."
Just because something is rare does not mean it does not exist.
I'd be the first to admit that female gamers are a rare species. I myself have a small metal tracking tag attached to my ear, and scientists occasionally stop by to see if I'm still kicking about.
Obviously, I'm joking. I am not, however, the only female gamer in existence. Last November, I wrote about the eye-opening experience that made me realize just how rare female gamers are. So for the start of the new year, I decided to take it upon myself to find a few more members of my species.
Female gamers always seem to be able to sense one another's presence. I found Lyndsey and Rebekah through classes, Melissa through an unrelated interview and, as I mentioned in my November article, Mizzie is a gaming friend of mine I met through an online forum.
I am sure there are even more female Gamers out there who I would enjoy playing a few rounds of Halo with. Now, if I could only get those tracking tags to work.
Rebekah Zumwalt
26 years old,
Communication major at
Atlantic Cape Community College
All-time favorite game: Age of Conquerors
Game played most often: Runescape
Experience: "...I get more thrill out of finding new ways to beat the game than wasting time chatting. I also get a kick out of finding 'easter eggs' and glitches that casual gamers wouldn't come across." (Easter eggs are hidden, some
times accidentally placed, goodies in games.)
Mizzie Mertens
26 years old,
Minnesota resident
All-time favorite game: World of Warcraft
Game played most often: "Barbie's Magical Pegasus Adventure. No, I'm sorry, it's WoW."
Experience: "The really funny thing is that, in my relationship, I'm more of a gamer than my boyfriend. Most people assume it would be the other way around."
Melissa Venditti
Rowan alumna, works for mtv's gaming
channel G-hole
All-time favorite game: Can't decide
Game played most often: Halo
Experience: "Guys don't understand the existence of girls in the gaming world. ... The
unfortunate thing is when guys realize you're a
female gamer, they either run away or act like a complete jerk and drive you away."
Lyndsey Watkins
20 years old,
Communication major at Atlantic Cape Community College
All-time favorite game: Fight Night 2004
Game played most often: Halo
Experience: Watkins loves to play Halo against her boyfriend and his friends:"The guys are always surprised when I start beasting out on them. ... I'm a natural. No matter what they try, they can't beat me."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
John Whitly
posted 2/15/07 @ 3:28 PM EST
Here is another great article on the history of women in gaming.
http://www.gamingjunky.com/article/2007/2/14/girls-of-gaming:-part-1/
Damon
posted 4/30/07 @ 8:07 PM EST
I been trying like hell to find single women gamers in my area, but to no avail. Or even a single gamers dating website. any recommendations?
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