Why does it annoy me so much that Olivia Munn has a playboy cover, or when I wander onto a female gamer's website and they have half-dressed slutty pictures of themselves? It's not jealousy and it's not that I'm prudish - I think it's because I was raised in an era of women's liberation and I believe that in gaming women can compete with men on a level playing field. When I see these pictures, to me it's like they're saying "... here's some sleazy pictures of me to look at - so you'll like me". To me it seems like a cop out.

While women can bring a different perspective to gaming shows, reviews and game blogs, I don't think that it need be an overtly sexual presence - I don't see many gamer guys decorating their blogs with pictures of themselves in various states of undress, and strategically holding their PSP's to cover bits and pieces, or dangling a controller from the cord clenched in their teeth (Well, Wilbo being an apparent exception!)

I think this is the same reason that all-girl clans or all-girl websites also bother me somewhat. Segregating ourselves as "special" or "different" in any way from other gamers seems to be saying that we require special accomodations... like women's sports where we may not have the physical strength of men and for the sake of fairness usually compete against each other. While it might make some women more comfortable entering the gaming world, video gaming seems to be an activity where we CAN compete on a level playing field - without the need for women's leagues, or the need to promote ourselves as eye-candy to be noticed.

... Now, does this mean I don't think that there are gender issues in gaming? No, I definitely do think that women should speak up about issues such as having female avatars, appropriate body images in avatars, strong female characters, and being able to play a game without being harassed because we are female - but I don't see this so much as a gender issue as much as I see it as a personal "gamer" issue. I have certain gaming preferences because I am female, just the same as a gay gamer might want to see less sexual-orientation stereotyping and harassment, or my nephews (who are part Korean) may want to see more playable Asian avatars.

I guess this is frustration speaking... recently I've seen a lot of nasty pictures on grrrl gamer websites, grrl gamer competitions seem to be based on who has the sleaziest picture and I've noticed that G4TV persists in blending gaming information with "hot girls of the web' segments... like gaming and near naked women go together. It seems to create a demeaning stereotype where females in the gaming world are expected to be "hot eyecandy" and not actually gamers. In all reality, female gamers are just like guy gamers. Some are hot, some are not. They are young, old, married, single... they play Animal Crossing, Guitar Hero, and Killzone. Most don't game in their Victoria's Secret Underwear and neither are they fat, ugly and dateless. Just as the average "guy gamer" is not a pimply-faced, dateless 17 year old guy living in his parent's basement, eating pizza, and playing games 24/7 with a stack of girlie mags under the bed.

Eh... I guess sex sells... but in the gaming industry, aren't they singing to the choir? Guys that play video games will continue playing video games. What about that other 50% of the population... does the industry not want their money? I'm not mad at the guys... hold up a naked picture of a female and most guys will look. I guess I'm mad at these women... and at Olivia. If she's going to wear a red bikini... at least wear it while playing in a COD4 tournament - you host a GAMING show! Quit selling out for the fast buck road to popularity and learn how to game. Quit making it more difficult for those women gamers who are out there... playing the games.

I'm tired of getting asked if I'm hot when I play an online game. I'm tired of getting harassed by guys that seriously seem to think they might get some hot PSN sex if they chat me up in a game. I just want to yell "they took our flag" without some guy asking if I'm a girl... who cares... they took our flag!

/incomprehensible, muddied, pent-up feelings of disappointment, frustration and rage rant.

Ah well. At least I feel better for having gotten some of the frustration out. I realize there are other issues involved... but whether things like the Ubisoft Frag dolls have encouraged more women to try gaming... or just made it more difficult for those that already are gamers is just too difficult to get into now and this is just a fast personal rant to make me feel better. I'll probably even delete this blog later.