When it comes to online gaming, the populace of players is still primarily made up of testosterone laden individuals but there is a large influx of females into the MMOG arena, as confirmed by other commercial sectors. For example, many online merchandisers sell female MMOG fashion and accessories. Would these items stay on the market if there were not a demand for them? True, there could be some men out there sporting pink hoodies with curly-q writing, boldy proclaiming "I'm a WOW girl", but...unlikey. Even Microsoft, a god-like power in the area of computer software, validates that women are a force to be recognized within the gaming ranks. This industry giant just hosted its 6th annual "Women in Gaming" night. In addition, there are countless other conventions, as well as literature and websites solely devoted to the female gamer.
With all of this data supporting an increase in the number of female gamers, it begs the question: Why are more and more females taking an interest in online games?
Ratio of Men vs Women At Home
There are still more women than men who spend the majority of their time in the home. In a 2005 study, the U.S. Census Bureau reported an estimated 5.6 million stay-at-home moms. That is a 22% increase from 1994. After slaying the dust bunnies under the couch, is it surprising that many of these women prefer to slay more formindable adversaries online?
A Venue for Women to Feel Empowered
In the World of Warcraft, it truly is an even playing field for the sexes. The method of progression does not discriminate as per gender. Women advance their character through the same grinding routine as men. Every opportunity for success in the free games is the same for each player, including the ability to earn money or master a trade.
Social Outlet
Online gaming can be a social outlet for women, especially ones who spend the majority of their time in the home. Within the game, players often form guilds in order to create an army strong enough to slay even the nastiest of beasties. In addition to communicating through in-game typing, many guilds implement the use of voice communication software, such as Ventrilo. This software allows a large group of people to communicate much in the way that a phone party line would. It is an age old belief that women like to talk more than men. According to "The Female Mind", a book written by Dr. Luan Brizendine, women talk almost three times as much as men. The book also claims that women actually get a 'high' from speaking because the act of talking triggers a flood of stimulating brain chemicals. Couple this with the adrenaline rush a player can get from taking out a mace wielding ogre and it's easy to understand this lure of online shooting games for some women.
With all of this data supporting an increase in the number of female gamers, it begs the question: Why are more and more females taking an interest in online games?
Ratio of Men vs Women At Home
There are still more women than men who spend the majority of their time in the home. In a 2005 study, the U.S. Census Bureau reported an estimated 5.6 million stay-at-home moms. That is a 22% increase from 1994. After slaying the dust bunnies under the couch, is it surprising that many of these women prefer to slay more formindable adversaries online?
A Venue for Women to Feel Empowered
In the World of Warcraft, it truly is an even playing field for the sexes. The method of progression does not discriminate as per gender. Women advance their character through the same grinding routine as men. Every opportunity for success in the free games is the same for each player, including the ability to earn money or master a trade.
Social Outlet
Online gaming can be a social outlet for women, especially ones who spend the majority of their time in the home. Within the game, players often form guilds in order to create an army strong enough to slay even the nastiest of beasties. In addition to communicating through in-game typing, many guilds implement the use of voice communication software, such as Ventrilo. This software allows a large group of people to communicate much in the way that a phone party line would. It is an age old belief that women like to talk more than men. According to "The Female Mind", a book written by Dr. Luan Brizendine, women talk almost three times as much as men. The book also claims that women actually get a 'high' from speaking because the act of talking triggers a flood of stimulating brain chemicals. Couple this with the adrenaline rush a player can get from taking out a mace wielding ogre and it's easy to understand this lure of online shooting games for some women.
