Girls Play Too
So it's been about a year that we've been doing this whole gaming venue thing! I can't actually believe everyone's stuck by us this long and I feel so honored by that. Time really does fly when having fun, but certainly when playing games. But for real, it's time to throw the spotlight on some people who would usually just be in the background and typically thought to be healers or support characters.
Being a girl who's played games for years now, I understand the stigma and how intimidating it can feel to play. Guys traditionally mock girls for playing and expect we're not nearly as skilled; definitely not all guys and let's be honest, some girls really are just that bad. I remember trying to enter into the world of gaming and feeling like there was no way I could really make my mark; I couldn't be as good as the guys around me. I was so embarrassed but the bright side of that? I didn't have anything to lose.
Games are supposed to be fun and be for anyone to play, regardless of skill level or how hardcore you want to be. Games are meant to be a place where you can go and get lost in an entirely different universe and when you're lucky, you can find some of the best friends you'd ever hope for. I think that's enough about all that so without further adieu, I'd like you to meet a few friends of mine; wonderful ladies who play too because why should boys have all the fun?!
XO Kaioe
P.S.- if you'd like to be featured in the next post shoot me a message on discord!
To give you a quick rundown, I asked these ladies all the same exact questions, over this last year, being:
1. What made you want to start playing games?
2. Is there a type of game that draws you in?
3. What about -that type- of game is it that you like?
4. Had you previously heard of esports? Are you intrigued by/do you like esports or even the concept of it?
5. What’s it been like being a girl who plays games?
6. What could you say to young women who are curious about games but hesitant to try?
Let's start with the first lovely lady who answered my questions, shall we? I'd like to introduce you to MissBunnyBooxo
First question: what made you want to start playing games?
Dad played with the bro and was gone cuz of military so I started getting into games to bond with dad. For online games, neighbor was playing halo online so bro and I thought it was cool and it became an addiction from there
2. Is there a type of game that draws you in?
Mostly fps- gears of war call of duty black ops 1&2.
RPGs- fallout 3 was my favorite
3. What about that type of game is it that you like?
Shoot things and build your character. Something you wouldn’t experience in real life. It’s fun because it’s competitive
4.Have you heard of esports? Are you intrigued/do you like esports or even the concept of it?
Heard of it before, competitive gaming is interesting. I thought about getting into it before when I had time before kids. Sounds interesting and like fun because you can bond with people you wouldn’t normally bond with in real life. Bro and I didn’t tend to get along with others, who didn’t game, so it was a platform that allowed us to have more friends.
5.What’s it been like being a girl and playing games?
Well I remember growing up, people would call me all kinds of names. Definitely get treated differently, good and bad, get free stuff, but the bad was getting judged instantly on joining to play or hit on. Didn’t really care because I was there to play and it made it better when I would whoop them if they hated me in the beginning.
6. What could you say to young women who are curious about games but hesitant to try?
Just go for it! Nobody’s going to meet you. You can go big and you’ll learn a lot by playing online especially if you play campaign games. Who knows You might meet or make the best of friends just by playing games.
I started playing 2000-something and I remember I cried when the red rings of death hit my Xbox 360. Games have come such a long way and I feel out of touch because I heard you can cross play between Xbox or PlayStation and pc. I never knew you could do that I think it’s so cool
MissBunnyBooxo
Coming in next, We have Maccers who actually plays games for a collegiate team!
1. I started playing games because a lot of my friends were gamers and I did online school (before COVID) so I was home a lot.
2. My favorite game is Outer Wilds, but as for a specific genre that I enjoy it's gotta be FPS.
3. I like FPS because I can hop on anytime and play by myself or with friends, and I don't feel like I'm locked into one specific playstyle. The game I play the most is Valorant, and I enjoy it because it has a bunch of different game modes so I can goof off when I want but it also gives me real skills to work on like aim, crosshair placement, and reaction time.
4. I hadn't heard of esports at all until high school really, I wasn't a big gamer until college. I think they're super cool, and while some people may hate on it I think it's an interesting way to bring a community together and add a fresh competitive twist to the games people already love. People like to compete anyways, so making it official just monetizes it.
5. The first FPS I played was CS:GO, and the only three comp games I ever played I was vote kicked and made fun of because I was a girl on the game. I haven't had any horrific experiences on Valorant yet, but I have had people treat me like I don't know what I'm doing because they don't think I'm a real "gamer". Other than CS:GO I've been pretty lucky to avoid a lot of harassment but I know it happens, and I have met my fair share of weirdos on the internet.
6. I think that anybody who wants to try a game should, it's stupid that people make it harder than it needs to be. Games are supposed to be fun!!!!
Maccers
Last up we have Woori! A wonderful lady who we were lucky enough to play with for a few months but she's now all over the states; Never in one place for too long.
First question: what made you want to start playing games?
1.Pokémon was what made me first get into gaming. I remember being about to leave my grandmas house, sitting in the backseat of my moms car holding my brand new magenta Gameboy Color, and my older cousin giving me Pokemon Red through the open car window. I absolutely adored it.
Is there a type of game that draws you in?
2.Mmorpg!(massively multiplayer online role-playing game) is ultimately my favorite but am also a sucker for post-apocalyptic games (the last of us, fallout)
What about -that type- of game is it that you like?
3.I love fantasy mmos not only for the escapism but just the experience of physically interacting with a moving story and piece of art. Being able to use my imagination and creativity for character creation and the freedom to explore open worlds. They’re just fun, what else can I say?
Had you previously heard of esports? Are you intrigued by/do you like esports or even the concept of it?
4.I have always been a big League of Legends esport fan. I enjoy watching people who can actually play the game than me just running it down mid 15 times. Also it’s so cool how many more opportunities there are now days with Colleges that are finally embracing esport teams/tournaments.
What’s it been like being a girl who plays games?
5.For me personally, I have noticed that in certain gaming communities it can be exhausting and mentally taxing to be a girl haha. Sometimes I still lose my cool, but I try my best to keep it chill. I've met some amazing people along the way that have made it worth it!
What could you say to young women who are curious about games but hesitant to try?
6. Playing games is about enjoying them for yourself! I would recommend starting single player or co-op with a friend. Find a game you mesh well with and then adventure into online gaming. Check out steam on the computer, so many different variety of games you could try.. stardew valley, Ori, Calico, portal 2. Play to have fun and don't give up if you end up meeting a butthead online.
Woori
So it's safe to say that through all of these women, the message is virtually the same. Just play. Is it going to be easy? Maybe not. Is it going to be fun? Not necessarily all the time but it will be fun. There are so many different games and what do you have to lose, so why not? The friendships you'll gain and experiences are worth every game loss.
I guess I should take a second and let you all know a thing or two about myself and my experiences. I'm Kaioe and chances are I've met the majority of you reading this. I'm the one who's generally always on site, trying to solve issues or making bad jokes, though they tend to be legendary bad jokes so that makes it acceptable right? Back to the point, I promise! So I started playing video games as a child, seeing my brother play. He usually wasn't ok with sharing games so I learned the value of just watching. It can actually be fun, just not as much. So as a teenager my boyfriend at the time convinced me to play World of Warcraft, that soul sucker of a game. As soon as I tried it on my own, I was hooked. Thinking of all the different types of games, I have to admit my first choice is definitely MMORPG. Something about being in a different world and, for me, being a casting class was perfect. I never wanted to play melee styles. Until the notion of Campfire Esports became real, I didn't really know much of anything about Esports, admittedly. I am impressed by professional esports players, admittedly.
Being a girl who does play games, I have to say it's something else. Sometimes you find a great group or guild who doesn't care about anything aside from how good you are or how to help support you in your chosen character. Other times, you'll find a group who are nothing but toxic and rude towards you. Thinking about my experiences, I definitely got the traditional "free stuff" just because I'm a girl- Free potions, elixirs, mounts...yea being a girl is pretty clutch for that stuff. Though being a girl also means prepare to be underestimated. That can be extremely helpful though! When no one expects of you, it lets you basically practice and get better without pressure. So I guess what I can say to girls who are curious and want to play is similar to my friends. Just play. Give it a shot. Is it going to be embarrassing if you aren't good or you screw up? Sure, but it won't kill you. The worst thing that'll happen from playing a game is you'll either like it or hate it. If you're nervous about it, maybe find a friend and try with them because they'll generally help and guide you.
At the core of gaming, we do it because it's fun. Gaming is, generally speaking, an affordable form of entertainment and comes in so many different forms across multiple platforms. Who cares if you're a girl, guy or otherwise when it comes to games! Give it a shot and if you happen to pop in, I'd love to grind out some games with you!
Til next time!
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