This week's Ask the GameGirls comes from Kauai Sniper. He writes:
Hey GG's! I love the site. My question is at what point will it be appropriate to remove the prefix girl from girl-gamer, and simply be considered a gamer?
Kauai Sniper
Hey there, Kauai. I actually have an in-progress article about this right now. I think that people should just start now. I don't see what it matters. Gaming is a hobby, whether you have a dick or not. There are girls who like working on cars and men who enjoy ballet. Why put it into a specific group? We all like playing video games, so why segregate each other? GameGirl gets the female perspective, which can definitely differ from males, but each person is different. Our opinions differ from each other, even. There are still people out there who are amazed that a girl could possibly be a gamer-- I was asked multiple times at E3 and if I'm in a Gamestop, etc. sometimes as well if I 'ACTUALLY game'. It's pretty frustrating. I couldn't back up my writing if I didn't really play! I know there are a lot of females who say they play video games just for attention or publicity. So personally, I think it'll go on for a long while more, but some people will say it and some won't. Unfortunately, I doubt every person will conform to stating it as 'gamer' regardless.
Kauai, I've been asking myself the same question. I am proud to be a gamer. While I don't flaunt the fact that I am a girl, I do love to embrace my femininity. I think as long as there are two sexes, there will be differences. As long as we can all have fun with our games and not exclude each other then I don't feel there is a problem. However I think the prefix "Girl" will always be present because that's what we are.
Hi Kauai Sniper! Well we get the question a lot and I honestly see no problem with being called a "girl gamer", that is what I am after all. Plus, the term doesn't change anything about me as a gamer, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest. In fact, I get more annoyed with other people having a problem with the fact that the term doesn't bother me then the term itself. Plus, with us, our name of GameGirl makes sense. We are owned by GamePro so it only makes sense that an all girl gaming website owned by GamePro be called GameGirl. Get it? :)
I don't think the prefix is ever really needed. To me it's something to set us as bloggers a part from everyone else. I really just see it as a marketing term. There are a lot of people out there that still don't think females play games so sometimes we have to differentiate ourselves from the term gamer so the issue is brought to light I guess. I do not consider myself a gamer girl, I am a girl, that's just a fact. I really enjoy video games, so I am both a girl and a gamer, if you want to combine that to make gamer girl, then great. It's just a title though, doesn't change anything.
I honestly think gamers are gamers, period. I believe the term "girl gamer" is more of a novelty. It is great to to feel empowered by being a female gamer but with silly names we are only separating ourselves from other gamers. I prefer just the term gamer because I don't see a difference. I'm am indifferent to the title but it is definitely not a lifestyle or anything. We are gamers like every other male out there. So to answer your question, it is appropriate at any time. Gaming is now a widely accepted hobby and females shouldn't hide under a term that separates them. However, if you enjoy the feminine aspect of the title, by all means keep it.
Hey Kauai Sniper. To be honest, I think the "Girl" prefix will always be on put along side of a female gamer. I have no issue when it is put together, unless it is in a negative way. I'm not trying to separate myself with the prefix, it's just saying I game and I'm a girl. All girls are different, and like things differently. So I don't expect to be considered the example of the whole Girl Gamer population, but the term itself has no effect on me as a gamer. It just states the obvious. :)
What are some of your game suggestions?
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