Are Female Gamers Picked on More on Xbox Live?
July 17, 2007 21 Comments
Female gamers are typically treated a certain way when playing multiplayer games online. We are used to hearing random players say offensive things about us. In fact, we usually hear the same comments over and over. Next time someone uses one of those lines on me, I should finish the sentence for him.
Random Idiot : Hey, are you a girl? Everybody knows girls belong -
Me : (interrupting) in the kitchen? Can I make you a sandwich? It’s what I do best!
Anyways, back to the question. Are female gamers picked on more on Xbox Live? No.
Yup, you read that right. A female gamer who endures endless amounts of sexism and harassment said female gamers are not picked on more on Xbox Live. Please keep in mind this is my opinion only. I am not speaking on behalf of all female gamers. I am speaking simply for myself. My opinion is a decent one however as I have been frequenting Xbox Live for a handful of years now, before Halo 2 even hit the market. I spend more evenings than not using this service so I speak from mass amounts of experience.
Are females gamers harassed on Xbox Live? Yes.
Are female gamers subjected to sexism on Xbox Live? Yes.
Are female gamers often singled out on Xbox Live? Yes.
Are female gamers picked on more on Xbox Live? No.
I will be the first person to tell you that Xbox Live is a primarily negative playing environment. According to an exploratory Internet survey, the average FPS player is an 18 year old male. Combine that sex, that age group, that level of testosterone, and the anonymity of a gamertag. Hand them a microphone to broadcast whatever their little hearts desire and let the fun begin. Nothing like having an environment where there are very little repercussions for unacceptable behavior.
So who does get picked on more on Xbox Live? Anybody who stands out, plain and simple.
That can be somebody with an interesting gamertag. Is your gamertag Cute Lil Pony because your roommate thought it would be funny to change it while you were out? You’re gonna get picked on. Are you a member of KSI who proudly displays that in your gamertag? You’re gonna get picked on. Do you have a fondness for the number 420 and yummy munchies? You’re gonna get picked on. Were you the 281st person to think the gamertag “tig ol bitties” would be funny? (I played that dude the other night.) You’re gonna get picked on.
That can also be somebody who is simply speaking in an open pregame lobby. Were you carrying on a conversation when randoms began joining the room? That paints a bullseye right on your forehead for all to see. Anytime you have the nerve to open your mouth with randoms present, that is an invitation for harassment. It doesn’t matter what you say, nor does it matter who you are talking to. You utter a single word, and you will be a target.
Perhaps you get picked on for your playing style and performance. Did you get the lowest kills in that game? Be ready for some insults because obviously you suck. You should probably break your Halo disc and try the Wii instead. Did you get the highest kills in the game? Well you certainly must have been cheating then. Or you were host. Did you use the sniper the whole time because that is your favorite weapon? You sniper whore. You should let somebody else use it who is better than you. Did you get several kills in a row with the sword before somebody managed to take you down? You n00b. Don’t you know how to use any other weapon? Did you maintain control over the rockets for the duration of the game? You must be an absolute horrible player if you have to resort to power weapons to get your kills. There is always an excuse and always an insult, regardless of your style of play.
Maybe you are getting picking on because you are a girl. If you have a feminine gamertag, you will get noticed right away. Anybody that puts “girl” or “female” in their gamertag can attest to that. If you are talking and you have a feminine voice, you will immediately begin getting harassed. You will either get hit on or insulted within two seconds of saying your first word. Because you are a girl? No. Because you are an easy target. Just like tigolbitties281.
It is my opinion that everybody gets picked on equally on Xbox Live. If you are a female it may seem you get picked on more but that is simply because that is your only experience. I am sure your buddy with the weird gamertag feels the same way. As does the person with the foreign accent. As does the person who displays clan letters in their name. As does the person who uses voice masking. As does absolutely everybody who uses this service.
We are all picked on. We will all continue to be picked on. And we will all be ok. Continue to do what you always do, shake it off, move on, and enjoy your friends. You are in charge of your experience. Create a positive one.
I have to admit, that although I am an XBOX Live subscriber…I don’t really care for ONLINE GAMING. I suppose I am not that good against the regular users…or maybe it’s because I prefer a game with a story to follow, atmosphere and well, a POINT other than making more kills than anyone else.
Give me single player Half-Life 2 or F.E.A.R. or Gears of War any day over anyhting multiplayer. It’s also sad that Halo has never really delivered a satisfying Single Player expereince. Here’s hoping Halo 3 proves the turning point. But I doubt it.
I suppose I am still waiting for a game to arrive that changes my opinion. It hasn’t happened yet.
Sounds just about right…
Just like in real life, people find it easy to verbally attack someone when they can’t be held accountable. Talking behind someones back in breakroom at work, the hallways at school, or on X-Box Live; Everyone has the potential to get picked on.
Kinda sucks that the world is like this… here’s hoping the general X-Box Live population becomes more mature before I buy my first 360!
-Ray
Ray when you get your 360, come on over to TTL and get some people to add to your friend’s list.
While we can’t stop the idiots on the other team, when you fill up your team with fun people, you won’t even notice ‘em.
excellent points angel!
when i first read the title of this article, my answer would have been a resounding YES. in my experience, 9 times out of 10 a female gamer will be forced to endure some kind of ignorant and immature harassment the moment they are identified as such.
it is also true that i hardly ever try to continue a private conversation once randoms join a pregame lobby for fear of being singled out. i suppose it is the same principle.
at any rate, i’ve alway been impressed with your ability to handle the morons that make their efforts to ruin your XBL experience. i’m sure it’s nice to have a party full of gunslingers and other good friends to come to your defense if necessary. :)
Man I need to bookmark this site at work. Always a good read. If any of you want to play some COD2 or Halo 2 with me Deegraww is my gamer tag. I’m pretty bad and am sure to be the target of this type of stuff lol.
Hey Deegraww this may be a tough place to pick up a ton of Friend Requests, but if you’re a gamer looking for some friendly peoples….
http://www.tiedtheleader.com
Come to the forums and register. Tons of people want to play with you. Even angel, especially angel.
Don’t forget 8bitbrigade.com as well for some good gamers. :p
Although angel, i think anyone who uses voice masking should be picked on. I stand by the description Penny Arcade used a couplke years back where they described the voice masking as “a robot fucking their ear.”
Yeah so i definitely pick on every single person i can and for any reason. its half the fun of the game….actually its more fun. i think i enjoy the lobbies and talking $hit more than actually playing.
p.s all girls that play halo are fat and from alaska
Hey, I wrote an article about witty original people such as yourself!
http://hawtymcbloggy.wordpress.com/2007/07/06/top-10-things-female-gamers-hear-on-xbox-live/
I was thinking the same as Tornado. I would have thought female gamers would get more attention. Yet after you post I realize that if I am in a party and there are woman gamers. They would be the more likely target. So in my eyes it would see you get picked on more. Its good to know that you are getting all the attention. :-P
Dren
I am not always the first one singled out in a random matchmade game. I am not even sure I am the first one singled out in 50% of the games. The KSI person is always picked on first!
Voice masking is annoying, I agree. I only understand if it is a female using it to detract attention, but it still draws more attention than what it is worth.
Myself, and many of my readers, are always open to meeting like minded gamers Ryan. An excellent place to start would be my links. I have Tied The Leader on there, as well as 8 Bit Brigade and a few others more than worthy of a stop as well.
I’ve played alot og games with women playing, and to me its really annoying when guys always have to single out the girl, and then “try to be smooth.” And then some are just plain rude and stupid. But as always I’ll give props to the women that will pwn the idiots.
I am a women who plays Xbox Live and, yes, I do get picked on but not any more than anyone else. In fact, most of the decent guys on Xbox Live are impressed that a woman is #1 playing and #2 doesn’t suck. The question I get most when I do have to speak is “Are you a girl, or a 12 year old boy?”. I can live with that. As for the occasional sexist comment? That happens no matter where you are or what you are doing. Xbox Live is no different than the real world.
I am a hardcore gamer who usually spends more than 20 hours per week on xbox 360. And no, I’ve never picked on or treated any female player any differently than male gamers. I respect my fellow gamers no matter what their sex is. It really is sad that not alot of male gamers feel this way. My only message is that not every male gamer is bad. There are some good ones as well who are co-operative and treat gamers nicely. And if a lady is offended by any male gamer’s comment, my advice is that you ignore him and keep playing. Don’t loose your hobby because someone was ignorant to you. Because by the end of the day, its your life, your hobby and your game. PEACE.
Refreshing thoughts. I like your philosophy. I surround myself with players (females and males alike) that think the same way you do.
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Sorry, but I’m not jumping on the “you’re right” bandwagon here because I feel you’re opinion is wrong in my case. As soon as someone realizes I sound “gay,” or like a “little kid” and that I must be a “gurl” or “a woman” because of an “aw man” that might have slipped past my mouth during a game, then the five year old, sexist blood hounds I seem to always get paired with dogpile me. I don’t start my sessions with this mind set, I play for fun and only for fun, but they usually end up the same way… with some child wanting to defile me in some adult-like manner that would make his mother blush and father want to rip the cords out of his son’s xbox. Truth is, most parents are unaware of their children’s actions and need to parent them more. It would be easier if everyone would be a little more cautious and hide their friend’s lists. This is why I have had to limit the amount people on my friend’s list. Many people stalk friends’ lists for women. My avatar is that of a bald man and still I get pestered. I pay the same amount of money to play as everyone else, but I didn’t pay to get sexually harassed. I’m not ignorant, I’ll be harassed for complaining. Somehow I’m “used to it”- slightly numb somehow. So bring it if you’re bored. Go ahead I won’t read your responses anyhow. Post, if it makes you feel better or more signifigant.
i think it’s so fucked up how many stupid fucks are on live. it’s just like the real world. you’re gonna have an asshole in every crowd, sadly. i’m not a girl. but i totally understand you guys( girls, errr. lol) . lil horn dog 18 year olds who are fucking retarted. it just sucks you can’t enjoy the game and play with people with out having some dick hole.
You go Girlfriend!
I know what u mean on ere but most games i just say hi and instantly everybody tries to pronounce my name like an ice braker of sorts its prononced ( Paul-us Mag-in-tee)
but i played my 2nd ever game on MLG on halo 3 and had some idiot telling me to throw away halo and never play the game again i mean whats the point im new to the playlist obviously im gonna be rubbish and my 3rd game i met a gr8 guy on MLG and we played a few matches together.
And its worse when you try to bring a friend into the game that they have never played before then you get the lil annoying brat saying he wants to f**k your mum that instantly makes your friend hate the game its really pointless but not many girls i know get singled out not often i do either you know who your friends are when you can sng pokemon theme tunes down the mic and they laugh with you not at you
I don’t own xbox I have a PS3 and of course PSN but it’s not that much better over here. Girls get the same treatment all the time happened to my friend today. But the other harassments you have mentioned do not happen very often, (not sure why though, we’re all people). But I did once play some gears on my brothers account and as soon as I said I have a PS3 their world exploded. The started swearing and saying I have no life, I deserve to die, etc…. Kids should grow up and enjoy the game they’re playing.