Male Gamers Vs. Female Gamers

Videos have been in our world for many years now. I remember as a young girl my family sitting around the Nintendo trying to beat each on Dr. Mario. As I grew older I strayed from the video games to explore different hobbies. However, there are still many people out there that consider them selves serious 'gamers'. Out of these 'gamers' it is estimate that two out of five are female. What makes a female gamer different then a male gamer? Is there a difference?

First, we must define what a gamer is. It is said that an average gamer spends about 18 hours a week playing video games of some sort. In the general sense of the term, a gamer is anyone that spends most of their leisure time playing video games, tabletop games and/or any other type of games. Gamers are divided into many different types, but that is another article. Let us take a look at the trait's the different sexes have as gamers.

Female gamers

Because female gamers only make up a small portion of the gaming community, many people find it a shocker that girls actually do play video games. Like their male counterparts, they can come in any shape and size. In a survey asking the very question about what is the difference the biggest answer was the maternal one. Mothers tend to have traits that only they can bring to a game. They are caring, patient and are more apt to give everyone a fair shot at something. Another trait that is typically 'female' is the need to show that we are just as good, if not better, then our male opponents. Because of this desire, female gamers may be more likely to start competitions or show off their skills. However, this is a trait that is also very common in guy gamers also. Being more fashion savvy means that a girl gamer may dress up their avatar or character differently then a male. Also girls tend to be more interested in the social aspect of things then the physical fighting. They will typically form the social rules or expectations for their group.

Male gamers

Once more, we need to remember that gamers can come in all shape and sizes. However, in comparing male gamers and female gamers we must pick some traits that would be generalized as 'male'. Males tend to be more aggressive so therefore are more likely to be the fighter in the game group. They are not as concerned with fashion, their picks of clothing is based off of which armor is the most protective. From the male gamers I have encountered, quite a few of them like to play female characters. Why? Because they know how to work the male mind, you may find a male gamer use different tactics to get what they want from fellow gamers. Males tend to value more physical aspects, therefore, may collect more physical things when playing an RPG game. A lot of man have been told to be self-efficient and so will not always include everyone in the group. Sometimes they might even take credit for someone else accomplishment.

Most gamers believe that your gender does not really influence how you play your video game of choice. I had to really pick at the brains of the few gamers I knew (my husband included) to find traits that may make a difference. Because there is such a lack of difference, we should not be surprise to find out that both girls and boys are becoming gamers.

Sources:

http://www.onlineeducation.net/videogame/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamer

http://www.silkyvenom.com/special/6/index.html