Yahoo News has recently posted one of those revelatory, 'hey, women like games too!' articles. Apparently, there's now, 'a core of female gamers who are increasing women's visibility and influence'. Incredible!
"For this industry to mature and move on, it has to grow beyond just that 13- to 35-year-old male demographic," said Anthony Borquez, a professor who teaches video game production at the University of Southern California.
He later confirmed that large early twentieth century cruise ships should avoid icebergs and that man could reach the moon if propelled through the earth's atmosphere in a rocket.
The article goes on to discuss the impact all-female gaming clans have had on the world of the multplayer online game:
Clan members compete with each other and band together in professional tournaments. They also challenge the online harassment doled out by male gamers. PMS Clan rules prohibit "belittling or attacking others in any way, even in retaliation," according to its 30-page member manual.
Although I enjoy the idea of incredibly polite gamers, gently applauding each other's frags, I can't help but feel this behaviour is far from representative, and that such articles are as counter-productive as the sexist insults apparently chucked at women players by atavistic, cosily anonymous males.
If there's a story here, this isn't it.
