Something that happened recently and keeps bugging me, about sexims and videogaming.
Recently I was playing a silly co-op game with friends, one where you have to talk a lot.
We were down one member, so we left the slot open and a random player joined.
Recently I was playing a silly co-op game with friends, one where you have to talk a lot.
We were down one member, so we left the slot open and a random player joined.
They had a nickname that means "not speaking", and didn't join the conversation, so we assumed their mic was off (and said that aloud).
After about a minute she joined the conversation - she was a girl, sounding young-ish, and said she hadn't played much.
After about a minute she joined the conversation - she was a girl, sounding young-ish, and said she hadn't played much.
We told her it wasn't a problem and had a pretty normal game. We communicated pretty much game stuff only, plus some minimum guidance since she was new. "make the radio", "fuck, there's a bear", "wow, we suck at this".
We lost horribly, but that's beside the point.
We lost horribly, but that's beside the point.
She said she had to go, and added with surprising emphasis "wow you guys are so nice!".
Tbh I was confused at first, we had literally just spoken about game mechanics.
Tbh I was confused at first, we had literally just spoken about game mechanics.
It took me a minute to realize that was the point - she was expecting something else.
And she had waited a good minute before speaking to judge if we were total assholes. I realized she was the first girl (by the voice at least) I had played that game with.
And she had waited a good minute before speaking to judge if we were total assholes. I realized she was the first girl (by the voice at least) I had played that game with.
(we usually play with irl friends, so not many randoms in general, but definitely all male sounding or mute).
Not I didn't know, I used to play overwatch and when my female-sounding partner played the reaction were, ugh. Let's say very different from when I play.
Not I didn't know, I used to play overwatch and when my female-sounding partner played the reaction were, ugh. Let's say very different from when I play.
But I find incredibly depressing that someone sounding female (about 50% of gamers these days) needs to brace for *speaking*, and can't expect to play a silly coop game without abuse.
And the fact usually goes unremarked, because the rot goes deep.
And the fact usually goes unremarked, because the rot goes deep.
Beside the fact that people should be able to play a game without being abused ffs, we know perfectly that seeps to anything with a nerdy connotation.
Most glaringly, STEM and IT universities, where nerdy entertainment and culture are a given.
Most glaringly, STEM and IT universities, where nerdy entertainment and culture are a given.
How many people end up not following a passion\potential career in STEM because they (rightly) feel unwelcome in nerdy environments?
There's actual research about that.
But still you hear "there's no discrimination anymore and still girls don't want to study physics!"
There's actual research about that.
But still you hear "there's no discrimination anymore and still girls don't want to study physics!"
So, what can I say - gamers, fucking do better because this is a disgrace and no minor, laughable matter.
And I hope that girl manages to play all the games she wants.
And I hope that girl manages to play all the games she wants.
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