It’s no secret that gaming in general has a little bit of a stigma around it when it comes to the rest of the worlds population that has yet to figure out that videogames are the entertainment of the future going back over 30 plus years now. Given the fact that a good chunk of games now a days require you to shot or beat up things as it’s gameplay hook, inevitably gaming itself often gets pushed into the lap of young boys without even a thought as to a girl playing to. Jump ahead to today with odds against them already being gamers in general and add on the fact that their women also, a major “mainstream” outlet like the LA Times wouldn’t want to have anything to do with women gamers.

If you follow such a notion, it turns out that you and I would be wrong, because the LA Times has indeed chronicled ( chronicled is used lightly) Microsoft’s Trixie and the Gamerchix that she started back in 2006.

“I wanted to create a safe place for all women gamers,” she said. “It’s a place where you can go to socialize and not have to worry about being harassed or hit on.”

Phillips didn’t come to the games industry to start a feminist revolution.

Fair enough, but she sure knows just when to barge in on Major Nelson’s blogcast, podcast, audio thingy, or whatever you want to call it. That’s another topic all together, but anyway you look at it, the LA Times has done a great thing by even considering this article at all. Whether it matters to you that this article is about female gamers or not, it’s definitely something that all gamers of any sex should read. Furthering awareness of gaming at all couldn’t hurt. It may not have deep thoughts on gaming that some gamers are looking for, sure, but as “mainstream” as it is, everything can be food for thought. Especially if your one of those jerks that seem to always define what gamers are to the non initiated whether it’s warranted or not.

*I had to use that picture. It’s funny. Sorry Trixie.

A refuge for women in a hostile game space [LA Times]

-William “thewilleffect” Bell-