Alright, I understand that the gaming world is a vast ocean of variety, but I cannot help but notice that the gamers of the female variance are getting a bad rap. I wouldn’t consider myself a “hardcore” gamer, but I do consider myself qualified to write on the perspective of gaming as a female. Which, as it just so happens, is not very different from gaming as a man. I’ve read these articles written by females who feel they are being oppressed by the male gaming community, and they all have one thing in common; they’re playing games known to have bad fan bases! Sure, there are bad apples in every gaming community, but eat from a tree you know is rotting versus a tree flourishing with delicious fruit, you can’t really complain if it tastes bad. You made your choice. I’m noticing a trend of female gamers citing their “awesome kill streak” in games such as Call of Duty and Halo, which, as far as I can remember, are “normie” games. Whoops, shots fired. Yeah I said it, those games are for casual gamers. Now, remember that this is an opinion piece, so stop writing those angry emails for a second and hear me out. At least within my circle of gaming friends, games such as Call of Duty, Halo, and League of Legends are well known for being a cesspool of angry fourteen year olds ready to tear you up. Not even your mother is safe from their wrath. This is where girls come in.

What mean, nasty boys!

Not so fast. Lets take a step into a less popular game’s community. Where is the cussing? Why is nobody commenting on my mental health or insulting my mother? Why is nobody infuriated over my genders clear gaming disadvantage? Why am I being treated like an equal? What’s going on? Surprise! The gaming community as a whole is actually not any better or worse than real life. Head to a slummy place of town and you’re bound to run into a bad crowd. How you will be treated as a woman in the gaming world is directly equivalent to how you will be treated in the real world.

Anyway, here’s a top ten list of things girls say they experience as female gamers, and my own personal experiences in contrast.

1. Going into a gaming store and being asked if you are shopping for a male relative or boyfriend

This has never happened to me. Somehow despite my femaleness they can comprehend that a woman can purchase and enjoy video games. Maybe Canadians are just too nice to comment on your purchase and keep their prejudice to themselves, who knows. Or maybe, just maybe, we have evolved beyond this silliness.

2. Assuming you only play casual games.

Again, this has never happened, but I will admit there is an element of surprise to admitting I’ve leveled a Protection Paladin to 90 in World of Warcraft.

3. Girls only play video games for attention.

I’m inclined to agree with this statement, not as a general truth of all female gamers, but in reference to gaming as a fad and the growing number of individuals trying to prove how “geeky” they are. Kind of like the growing number of fedora wearers. People are mistaking female gamers for “gurl gamerz”.

4. Being offended by scantily clad armoured women in video games.

Yes, and the male characters muscles are entirely realistic to real life proportions. Fan service goes both ways folks! Personally, I’m not offended in the slightest by the armour choices. In some Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games like Final Fantasy FFXIV: A Realm Reborn, I’m even a bit saddened by the lack of immodest, showy clothing choices for female characters. Nothing a little glamour can’t fix. I’ll admit it, I actually like being a magical Barbie doll.

5. Being hit on by guys in game and receiving free items, currency, and runs.

It’s true, it’s all true, I’m so sorry, oh god. I can admit this is an actual thing, as much as I wish it wasn’t. It’s extremely beneficial to spawn your first character in a game only to be bombarded with gifts, money, and power leveling. Is it shameful? Heck yes it is. Do they ask to skype with me? Heck yes they do. Do I say yes? Heck no I don’t. I probably shouldn’t accept the items and money either, or the free dungeon runs and leveling. I’m sure they do this with all the girls though, so there’s enough items, currency, and runs to go around. Share the wealth!

6. Girls only play “girl” games.

I’ve played Candy Crush, heck, who hasn’t? I’m not ashamed to admit that. I’ve played the Sims 1, 2, 3, and 4. I’ve played a lot of titles commonly considered girl games. I’ve also seen a lot of men playing these games as well. I don’t think it’s entirely fair to say that a boy game is and what a girl game is, because then men will feel shameful for enjoying a healthy round of Mario Kart. That’s just wrong. The day men are afraid of Nintendo is a dark day for us all. I loved Barbie: Race and Ride. Sorry not sorry.

7. The hurting of fragile egos.

Maybe this is a thing. I secretly take full delight when I beat my boyfriend in any game we play together. I think everybody likes to win, as it’s comparable to a shot of adrenaline straight into the blood stream.

8. Thinking female live streamers are cam whores.

I think male streamers are cam whores too.

9. Girls only play as female characters.

It really depends on the game. In an MMO I want the character to be my persona, in a game like Samurai Warriors I want to play whoever is strongest, male or female.

10. Hating being called a “girl gamer”.

I’m a girl, and I’m a gamer! They speak the truth. It’ll stop being weird in a decade or so.