Its not new in the least, I remember Lara croft simultaneously being praised and criticized for her representation of women in the 90s. Now, with the reboot we are living it all over again. Part of it is people growing up and finding their voices. Another facet is that there are so many more outlets for those voices to be heard. Which is a good thing. Gaming (especially the ‘hardcore’ variety) is a pretty insular community. We just dont see or hear what so many are complaining about. The commentary on women in gaming has just reached its tipping point. All these voices being amplified by so many outlets. Its hard to ignore.

Which, like I said, is a good thing. We need to at least have this conversation. What i really dont get are comments like…" Because it is profitable now. This movement is only fueled by the potential to make money. " and "Frutrated women that just want to take everything that men enjoys. " These dont even begin to address the issues, or encourage conversation.

I certainly hope these are joke posts… cus seriously? for a) money? where are the throngs of people making this cash? This movement is fueled by men and women who are fed up with being treated like garbage, hearing the garbage day in, day out and having their chosen environment be pissed in like so many community swimming pools. This is an issue that poisons our community as a whole, lessening the experience for so many, men and women alike.

and b) “DER TERK ER GEAMES” heres a lil tidbit, women have been playing and making games for decades, they arent taking anything away from you. In fact they have given quite a bit, what sucks is attitudes like this trying to shut them out. Gaming as a whole is richer because of the female component of our community. … also… Hi there I’m a frustrated Male who is looking to take my community and pass time back from the dimwits and trolls. Why is it that wanting fairer representations of women in gaming makes me a frustrated woman tryin to take something away from you… Gaming doesnt belong to you, or men in general.

For me, like many people out there, gaming was an escape from an environment where i wasn’t accepted, that environment was actively and subconsciously made toxic for me. I finally found a community who understood how shitty that was and strove to be better than that. To see that same community work so hard to perpetuate(or even just ignore the issue of) those attitudes towards women, or anyone they see as ‘others’ is just so disheartening. it can be downright depressing.

TLDR; its nothing new, youve just started to listen. we are our own worst enemies… it makes me a sad panda