Game on Girl

Greetings Gamers,

This is just a quick update. I know I said I would have something new up on the site by the end of January and although it’s not completely finished at this very moment, it is very, very close to being done.

So the first Game on Girl Podcast will be available by the end of the week!

I am using sound clips from half a dozen of the interviews that I did, editing them together on the theme of “What does it mean to be a gamer?”  It’s been a bit of a challenge for me, mostly on the technical side of things, because before a few weeks ago I knew very little about sound editing.  I am more than two thirds finished with the first episode (which will be about half an hour long) and am very excited to share my research this way with you all. There are a lot of searches that find this site looking for “gamer girl quotes” and let me just say, the podcast will be filled with real women talking about gaming.

I will mention this in the episode itself but I am currently looking for a co-host.  If you are interested in helping me discuss games and interview gamers, please drop me an email or sent me a Tweet @doclizz.

Game on!
Regina

PS I wrote this for my more casual, personal blog but I felt it belonged here, too. Don’t worry – the gamer profiles are in the works.  I am just enjoying my time off deadline.

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to drop a quick note here to mark this moment.  I just sent four of five dissertation chapters to my committee!  I’ve been writing and editing like mad over the last few months and it feels so good to know that it’s finally in the hands of my committee members.  It’s not DONE by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s certainly on its way to being complete!

I’ll be posting chapters here as I put the final round of polish on them.  So hold on to your hats!  And check back here in the next few weeks!  I know you all want to read it . . . right???

Right??!!  ;-)

All best,
Regina

Oh and PS – I got re-tweeted by Felica Day today:

Hi All –

Well, I generally don’t write top 10 lists – it’s just a such a trendy blog gimmick but I observed a lot while I was at PAX and this list sums up that experience, including my most important observation which I’ll save for last.

10. I want an Xbox.
9. Say what you will about Microsoft (I tend to call them the evil empire) but they sure can take an idea and build off it. Kinect is out of control cool and is part of the reason for #10.
8. I never knew “Dinosaurs or Robots?” was a valid question.
7. Innovate a couple of things, steal everything else.
6. All MMOs look the same . . . except Eve.
5. Not all gamers smell bad.
4. Women like playing medics and engies.
3. No one cares if you wear cute shoes.
2. There was never a line for the women’s room.
1. I am a gamer.

I suppose #1 should already go without saying at this point in my life, but after working on my research and asking “How do you define a gamer?” and “What does it mean to be a gamer?” during the interviews, I started to question my own definition and whether or not I was *truly* a gamer. The definitions for a gamer range greatly and is the material I am only just starting to unpack from my research. PAX confirmed my own gamer-ness for me, not because I was on complete sensory overload the entire time (“Oh look – shiny!” was a common utterance followed by running off toward said shiny object) and not because I could pick up a game and play it reasonably well on my first try (much to the surprise of some marketing people) but because I understand the culture. I get the “in” jokes. I could look around the line as I waited to enter the Expo on Friday morning, having forgone the keynote address because I knew I would be able to watch it online later, and see people who didn’t look like me but who shared a common interest. We all laughed when the line was Rick-rolled (silly, but true) and all cheered as we “won” the in-line game (where we had to lean as a group right or left to keep the fan-boy on screen jumping higher and higher).

The panels were interesting and I was glad to see that people are talking about the same things I think are important. The are “Gamer Girls a Myth” panel discussed the same questions I am looking at in my research and confirmed some of my own thinking about identity, gender, and gaming. I really wanted to make a comment or ask a question but the rush of about 50 people to the mic kept me in my seat. It’s good to know people are interested; maybe my dissertation will have the rare privilege of being read by more then just me and my committee.

Game on!
Regina

PS A Roller Derby game is coming out for Wii Ware later this year – it’s the joining of two of my favorite things in the world: gaming and derby! If you have a Wii you should check it out for sure! The roller girls you play are based off six actual teams, including the Rat City Roller Girls (Seattle’s team) and Gotham City (New York). And no one paid me for this – the game is just THAT COOL!

Hi All –

I am headed to Seattle this weekend to attend my first gaming conference, PAX 10! I am very interested in one panel about gamer girls – here is the description:

Friday, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Unicorn Theatre
The Myth of the Gamer Girl: True Demographic or Anthropological Hooha?

“Whether it’s just a single gal at home or an entire crew like the Frag Dolls & PMS clan, there are definitely hardcore gamers out there of the female variety. That said, is there something unique about women who play games? This panel will explore the myth of the gamer girl to settle the question once and for all: are there attributes that game designers and publishers need to consider to appeal to the women, or is it all just a bunch of hogwash that the marketing team is selling? Come listen to an expert panel of women who are confirmed passionate gamers of both the video and table top variety. We will be providing cards at the beginning of the panel on which the audience can submit questions or discussion topics to ensure no stone is unturned in our quest for truth!”

Needless to say, I think the “myth” isn’t a myth at all! As for if there is something different about women gamers, I think THAT might be the myth. I read an article recently where a 15 year old gamer was quoted as saying, “There aren’t girl games and boy games, there are good games and bad games.” From what I’ve heard in your interviews, I think y’all might agree.

What do you guys think???

Game on!
Regina

Hi All –

Exciting news – I just got permission to move forward with the email/text interviews! Woot! I have to work out some details with the interview questions and making sure I get all the info I need and I will be sending out the questions to those of you who have already expressed an interest in being interviewed this way.

Right now, I am balancing working on my teaching load with continuing with interviews. It’s just about mid-semester so I have stacks and stacks of student papers to read. Once I get caught up on those, and on the transcripts I already have waiting, I will get back to interviews again. I don’t want to get to far ahead of myself because I know how dangerous that can be for getting things done.

If you know that you want to do a text interview as opposed to one over Skype, drop me an email here and I will put you at the top of the list for text interviews.

Thanks so much! Game on!
Regina

Hi All –

Well it’s been an amazingly exciting week for me ever since The Guild was kind enough to tweet my site. I’ve done three interviews so far and am working on the first transcription. A lot of this is new to me – especially the transcription part – so I’ve had to slow down my schedule for interviews so that my fingers can keep up the pace.

When I first conceived of this project I knew there was a hole in the literature and that there was a demand to know about women who, like me, not only enjoy gaming but find it an important part of their lives. Your response to my request for interviews has assured me that my instincts were correct – there are many “gamer girls” who want to have their voices heard, who know the stereotypes about women who game and want to demonstrate that they aren’t always correct.

So with that in mind, and with your demonstration of interest, I am expanding this project. I am moving my study into two parts: voice interviews and email responses. I am working on getting permissions from the university to allow me to conduct interviews over email so that I can send out the interview questions and you can respond and email them back to me. This will allow me to open up the pool of applicants so that international interviews can be done! And so that mom’s who can’t schedule and hour to talk to me can fill respond when it fits their schedule! And anyone else who might not be able to spend a devoted hour with me over Skype can share their experiences too.

I am feeling pretty good about this – my own research expansion pack, if you will – and with that expansion, getting even MORE voices heard. Because really, that is what this is all about – getting our voices out there.

So Game on Girls! And keep looking out for my emails! I am coming for you next!
Regina

Hi All –

I just got home after teaching this afternoon to find over 80 interview requests in my in-box! FTW! I am SO excited to find women interested in interviews. I am working out some recording details but will be emailing people this afternoon (and probably into tomorrow!) I plan on starting interviews next week.

Can’t wait to talk to all y’all!
Regina

PS Much thanks to @theguild for their support!

Already getting emails about interviews! Quite a few people interested in participating. I love it! Now I just have to figure out the logistics, mainly how to record telephone interviews, and it’s ON.

POTENTIAL INTERVIEWEES NOTE: I have decided to use Skype for out of area interviews so that I can record directly onto my computer.  You can find me on Skype at MizzLizz624.  THANKS!

Are you a girl AND a gamer? Is “pwning noobs” something you do in your free time? Do you have a level 80 night elf rouge? Do you wander through City of Heroes?  Are you after bottle caps in Fallout?  Are you over the age of 18?

Then I want to talk to you!

Games, favorite characters and moments, why and how you play . . . interviews last about an hour and are all about YOU and the game!

If interested email Regina for information and to set up an interview time.

Regina McMenomy is a graduate student researcher at Washington State University in Vacouver, WA.  Regina prefers interviews in and around the Portland, OR area but phone interviews are also a possibility.