tl;dr

Just kidding. Very well-formed statements and opinions, Meagan. While the cynical side of me agrees nigh-completely with Rev, I do see -and likely agree with- your opinion and statements as well, it just seems that while you see shades of gray, the majority of gamer grrls are of the black/white persuasion.

I'm fine with women dressing up in nerdy/sexy outfits but where I draw the line is when they are doing it to sell stuff. If you are taking pics for your own enjoyment..cool. If you are whoring yourself out to nerds so they'll buy the next PS3 game then I have a problem. I went to PAX and luckily only saw a few women barely dressed to advertise videogames, Conan being one of them. That is just sad and really that is what is disrespectful. It comes down to whose genuine and whose full of BS.

I had not put the possibility together that the Rev might have been targeting you. I sure hope he wasn't because that would mean he does not pay attention to the things that go on all over this website and community. Keep being awesome Meagan. Don't question what you do; people see that your intentions are not attention whoring to yourself but rather to the video game culture and community.

If anyone gives you shit for what you do and the things you like (and your Fatal1ty-beating husband as well), just remember there is a temperamental viking around here who hates naysayers and likes a good fisticuffs showdown. =D

Posers can be found anywhere and there's really no way to distinguish them from real fans only by looking at them.

I also find a bit of hypocrisy in criticizing and stereotyping "grrl gamers" when we usually criticize TV and Movies for the way they display us gamers.

And the part about just trying to get laid, that could be applied to anything, online or in RL, there's a reason why Freud said that sex was the primary motivation for everything.

I have a friend that played Maple Story and just because she was a girl (actually just because she used a female character) she would get free things all the time and I really don't think it was her fault, if some girls keep acting all "look at me I'm a girl and i play games" whether or not they are actually gamers, it us guys fault. If I knew I would be popular just by saying "I'm a guy gamer" and taking pictures of video game peripherals covering me I would do it (oh wait... I have done that, nvm)

You provide a very interesting counterpoint to Rev’s “all or nothing” argument. Unfortunately, video games have always been subject to some damaging stereotypes among the public (just like everything else). Among them are: girls don’t/can’t/shouldn’t play video games, video games are for kids, video games are a waste of time, video games are for nerds, etc. But real life doesn’t work that way. There isn’t a fine line between cosplay and whoring yourself out; rather, there’s a huge difference between dressing up as Lara Croft and covering your “va-jay-jay” with a SIXAXIS. And — as others have mentioned — in your case, it’s obvious that you are very passionate about video games and gaming culture, not just a pretty girl looking to get places by doing sexy photoshoots (and hey, there’s nothing wrong with sexy photoshoots, right?) Most importantly (at least in my book), you were able to organize your thoughts into a coherent and well thought-out blog entry, and for that, I commend you.

I'm glad to finally see a female acknowledge that there is a "nerdy girl" bandwagon.

My personal gripe with it is that for years before this explosion you never heard about these girls. Then suddenly a few get some attention and then the next thing you know every girl with abnormally colored hair and a few tattoos is going on about how much she loves video game, yet when I saw them a year ago hanging out in a bar they weren't into them. They'll all say they've been gaming for years, well who hasn't in our age group? There is a difference between having played video games and identifying yourself as a gamer.

It's not just with females though, I have a whole rant about "video game journalists" that I'll unleash once I feel like having everyone hate me more.

It's six in the morning and my infant is screaming. This comment wasn't well written but I felt like writing it.

Indeed if girl gamers don't claim their femininity then they cease to be girl gamers. Then they're just gamers. That sounds positive but, replace "girl" with say "British" or "middle aged" or "black," and then you'd have an entire populace attempting to subdue/diffuse unique attributes.

Is sexualized images the best way to express one's uniqueness? I will say that there is a large gulf between a confident sexual being and a whore. I could levy a judgment upon you as others have (and you would undoubtedly find the verdict agreeable) but it would still have no meaning whatsoever. The only person who can determine where one lies on that scale is one's self.

There is a question of solidarity. You have your modeling images on here and, in your belief, they do little detriment to the girl gaming collective. I would concur. Reverend Anthony appears to feel otherwise but, in the end, the choice is yours.

The Reverend, with all due respect to a very good man, has little place passionately criticizing members of a group he doesn't belong to. Unless, of course, he's passing along criticisms from girl gamers who have been marginalized due to the actions of those raved about. It is equivalent to me ranting about "gangsta rap." I, a white male, feel I have no business upbraiding the creators of African-American culture. I do not pretend to know the feelings of others and I am all the better for it.

Megan,
I think it's a great thing that girls are becoming interested in games and the game industry. Do some of the do it for attention...of course. Does that make you an attention whore? No way, not in my opinion. There's a different from being an attention whore and an honest 'nerdy girl' and you are the latter. Anyone who doubts that just needs to look at your blogs and forum posts to realize this.

As for the cosplay issue, I don't look at that as attention whoring either. I welcome it and I look forward to your cosplay posts for two reasons. 1. Seeing some of my favorite character brought to life by talented cosplayers is a treat. 2. Yes, the classic male reaction, they are beautiful girls and some of them wear revealing costumes. Sorry, I am what I am and make no apologies for it. I don't think your modeling or cosplaying is a means to get attention. You enjoy doing that because you enjoy modeling and games. I enjoy writing fanfics that explore the thoughts and feelings of some characters because I love games and writing. We just express our love for games in different ways.

I say keep on keeping on. And like Lethal said above, remember, some of the guys on this site have got your back always.

*ZOMG BEWBS* Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

first off, Go Gophs! I graduated with my masters in music at the U of M in 2005. I now live in LA trying to get into the music side of the video game industry but I definitely miss Minneapolis. Have some yummy Al's Breakfast for me!

Second, here's my take on the whole thing: I think the "all or nothing" on any issue can only get a person into trouble. The minute you say that is the minute that someone will appear to be part of the grey area. I didn't realize that modeling was a hobby for you and that's pretty cool.

The problem I have is that some of those women (some I've actually met in person) come off as nothing more than pretty faces and when they actually talk about games, they sound like idiots. It gives the impression that women don't really know what they're talking about when it comes to games. Lurking around your CBlog and reading your posts make it clear to me that you are not one of those "Grrrrrl Gamers." At the same time you're not afraid to be a girl!

The industry is still very young and it will take time before a lot of this gets worked out. I don't know if there is a right answer to any of this yet. As long as you're yourself people will eventually see that there are female gamers that are more than just pretty faces and can be taken seriously.

@youkilledmyguy: I would never deny that there is a “hot nerdy girl” bandwagon. It is pretty obvious when you come across someone who is putting on a false front. However, you usually find this out from their actions as opposed to their looks. I can’t account for why there is this recent nerdy girl explosion, but it is possible that being nerdy is simply more acceptable now. When it comes to the truly legitimate and passionate gamers, they may have only realized that it is okay to be a nerd, and that there other groups out there they can associate with! Like I mentioned, I grew up being a solo gamer (other than playing with my brothers). None of my girlfriends or friends from school understood me, and because of that I rarely talked about games outside my home. When I introduced myself to the online world, I went nuts. I was excited to have an opportunity to have a voice. I may have gone about presenting myself in the wrong way at first, but I can understand where these girls are coming from. Most likely they were always here, but are just now finding their voice. That is my thought at least!

@Azereki: It was great to meet you at E4! It always makes me laugh when people think that cosplayers engage in the activity solely for attention. You are right, the cost and commitment most costumes require would be a pretty hefty payment for a little camera time!

@ Bus: Interesting point! While I don’t think being a female gamer makes me special, it do think that men and women inherently think different (to an extent) and that makes my opinion unique from a male opinion. I am NOT implying that my opinion is more valuable, only different! I celebrate unique viewpoints from all walks of life!

As for the “are sexualized images the best way to express one's uniqueness?” question, I have no solid answer. For me personally, no, it is not my ultimate medium to express myself. That is why I have greatly reduced my modeling time in favor of something that is more rewarding to me. For some people, the answer might be yes. I know several girls who have very sexually empowered personalities deep to their core. To an extent I envy their strength and confidence in that matter. While I don’t think this type of self-expression is for everyone, it is most defiantly a valid form of self-expression.

@MaxVest: I agree with you, this is a very multi-faceted argument. Anything involving people inherently is. And for your last point, I defiantly agree that women who display sexuality do not automatically imply they want to have sex with you. I most defiantly don’t want to have sex with anyone other than my husband! There is a line between being sexual and confident and trying to illicit sex…LOL

@BPG: You have no reason to apologize for enjoying looking at women! My husband enjoys looking at women and I enjoy looking at men (and ladies for that matter…lol). I believe the appreciation for the opposite sex is built in to us, it is natural. The problem comes when we start to equate ones worth to that physical shell! Then we get into deep discussions like this!

@Thornnn: Long blog is long.

@naia: HAHA! Yeay for Al’s Breakfast! I agree the whole all or nothing is a poor approach. Not only is it often hurtful to others, but also ultimately it can hurt you by making you look hypocritical. If you don’t leave room for the natural ability others have to influence you, you are setting yourself up for criticism.

I can understand how these women you are talking about give you a poor impression of other female gamers. I guess I come from the standpoint that any job you partake in, you should be passionate and knowledgeable about. Companies set themselves up for a fall if they hire “pretty faces” with no substantial personality to back them up. Then again, often being hired as a booth babe or other regularly offending positions is a job. Models are outsourced for them. I guess I can’t blame them for taking a paying gig, it is what they do!

@wife

...long cereal response is long...also, fisticuffs showdowns

i phail

The problem lies within the games communities themselves, and its a mindset that seems to go all the way up to the most powerful people within the industry, and its all based upon stereotypes.

Your stereotypical gamer is a, lets see, 14 year old acne riddled boy, sitting in his dive of a bedroom, curtains drawn, pizza boxes on the floor and coke cans amongst them. It's an image that doesn't really attract girls, not only that, but videogames are seen as a geek thing, something that up until recently wasn't cool, therefore again, not many girls attracted to gamers.

I've had interest from girls in the past that, once they found out about my hobby, seemed to not want to bother with me anymore for whatever reason. I'm now lucky in that I have a fiance whom I love that understands my hobby and partakes in it too, even if her interest has grown vastly since she met me, it still counts.


Anyhow, my point is, its hard for a girl gamer to gain any sort of respect within this industry, as its primarily teenage demographic just see's T&A if said girl gamer happens to be hot or ridicules if their kind of ordinary looking or remotely ugly, instead of taking them for who they are, an individual who shares the same passion. It's the same problem within most walks of life, take a look around hip-hop communities and you see "bitches" (eurgh) with everything hanging out, trying to gain attention. It's also used as a marketing tool for pretty much everything.

Besides, regardless of wether you've modelled or not, you should never be ashamed of your work or your hobbies. If your modelling photographs are shoved in your face at a later date, then the person on the other end has the problem, not you. You modelled in the manner you did because you are proud of who you are. The whole current culture of girls trying to be geeky will soon die down, and those who genuinely fit the mold will remain and will have the respect they deserve for standing forward and saying "hey, look at me, I'm proud to be a gamer/geeky girl!"

I did listen to the Rev. Anthony's rant. There are always people who will be upset because they can't control society/the world/videogamedom to their liking.

A person espousing Rev. Anthony's view strikes me as the kind of person who is always saying, "I liked that band before they were cool." A videogame hobbyist who hates grrl gamers, casual games, or anything with more than sixteen bits is saying the same thing: Videogames are MY hobby, and I get to say what counts and who can play. These people do not welcome change.

This isn't a logical reaction. Does any person play every single video game ever made? No, we pick and choose based on our preferences. I haven't played a strategy came since Warcraft II, because they're not my thing. So if we assume that there is room in gaming for all types of games, not just the ones we play, shouldn't there also be room for all types of gamers? Chill out, playa hatas; you don't control the industry (ironic that gamers would have control issues). Deal with it.

Perhaps Rev. Anthony is taking the simplistic view that people who appreciate their physicality have nothing else to offer. But where is it written that one must only choose one attribute in life to display? If you're smart, should you never play sports? If you're athletic, should you never attempt art? Most people aren't completely one-dimensional. In other words, if you've got it, flaunt it.

One last sling at the poor Rev.: men sometimes assume that women who display their sexuality want to have sex. This is usually false. It seems to me that women want affirmation of physical beauty -- that they are a prize worth playing for. Men are no different. We want to be considered capable providers -- in other words, that we are also a prize worth playing for. I don't think you're going to eliminate either of these impulses without genetic engineering, so it's more worthwhile to spend our time as a species learning to channel these instincts productively than kicking and screaming about how they are wrong.

@VirtualGirl I WILL HAZ UR BABIEZ

NO rLY!

But actually, I want to get back to you on your last response, I'tll probably be a few days...ridiculous busy at work. But this is a great conversation that we're having, so lets keep it up :D

@Meagan, Tiff, and Aktrez...I love you all and you are the sexiest female gamers I know.

To a further the female discussion...I don't and will not ever appologize for being (people tell me) attractive gamer. i have played them my whole life.

In every type of entertainment, there are people who are posers, regardless of male or female. I worry about myself (and Meagan because she is my good friend) and most girl gamers don't flaunt there stuff all over the internet. I like how MaxVest explained it. It is a phase and hopefully those kind of people will move on to a different media.

Meagan, and Aktrez...I love you all because I got to know you online and you showed me you're more than just good looks. You're committed, intelligent, inspiring gamers. Who know about gaming. Just like me.

Being hot and all is fine, but if you're a moron. I don't wanna know you.

But not just this, Destructoid's community has been witness of your amazing artistic talents(I envy you so much for it ;P ) and your genuine nerdyness, so in a way it was not necessary for you to defend yourself since most of us don't judge you negatively just because you are beautiful and proud of it, because we know there is so much more to you than that.



BUT I'm really on the fence as to if dressing as characters who appeal to the male crowd mostly because of their sexy proportions or skimpy attire is reinforcing the tendency of female characters being nothing more than pixilated bimbos.

But, is cosplaying as a sexy character really equal to losing your dignity before other people?, I find that kind of harsh.

Because, I guess its kind of natural for a girl to try to cosplay as a sexy character just as a guy who wants to cosplay usually picks a badass powerful character because that is what we naturally find cool.

I guess the problem is when you don't cosplay because you find it cool to be dressed as the character that you admire but you do it just to get attention from the opposite sex.

I have to meditate more on the subject, nevertheless in YOUR case, you don't have to be ashamed of what you do as long as you are doing it because you do it for the love of videogames and find it cool and fun.

See ya around!

Also, I totally forgot to say that it's great you answered every single comment ^.^"

Wow! I had no idea people were still posting on this! Thanks guys, it is nice to have a civil discussion on the interwebs!

@T045T: yes, i answered every comment, I had a bit more time on my hands a few weeks back! Not any more! Finals week FTL!

@RestingSound: I understand where you are coming from. It does kinda look like people were jumping to my aid when it seemed like I was being attacked. I don't think that is what people were doing in this instance, I believe they were doing it because they agreed with my point of view. I have seen it happen a ton before though, so I know what you are talking about!