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The shortage
Tweet Topic Started: Jan 17 2006, 12:18 AM (225 Views)
kismetrose Jan 17 2006, 12:18 AM Post #1
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So far, it is a fact that women do not make up half of the pen-and-paper roleplaying game market. The video/computer game market, on the other hand, has about a 50/50 ratio of men and women, which is far more representative. Why do you think this gap continue to exist?

It has been my experience that there are many more women playing White Wolf games than D&D. But what about your experience? Do certain games attract more women?
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Aladdar Jan 17 2006, 07:36 AM Post #2
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D&D, although it is a roleplaying game, focuses more on combat and statistics than on the actual roleplaying, at least in most games. Most women I have met enjoy the roleplaying side of the game much more than the combat and statistics side of the game. (although this is, of course, not true in all cases.) I think that may be what keeps women gamers away from D&D more than from other games.
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DaveReaves Jan 17 2006, 07:55 AM Post #3
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I don't think that your stereotypical reasons should be left out. There are people who I have played with that women simply don't want to be around. There are the kids who clam up around females, smelly guys who constantly hit on the chicks we play with, people (I must admit to being guilty of this one) who refuse to acknowledge some sort of difference in company and continue to be crude... there are a lot of people at that shop we play at that could make the situation uncomfortable to a women. Supposing that pen and paper role playing is something a female is interested in, if they have no connections they would have to subject themselves to this at least long enough filter out a group from the pool of players. To a lot of women it may not be worth it.
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Jagyr Ebonwood Jan 17 2006, 10:33 AM Post #4
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White Wolf games focus on things like vampires, and, as my g/f informs me, "vampires are sexy."
Er, I mean, romantic, yeah.

The subject matter of WW games is more...sexy, romantic, visceral. It has an established base outside of gaming.

D&D is less approachable, because of the stereotypes and etc etc.

Basically, unless you were raised with gaming, you have to find your way into it. This is done via interest in a related genre. The female audience for the fantasy, swords and sorcery genre is much smaller than the male one, whereas the vampire genre has closer to 50/50 distribution.
So really, we should examine the genres.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that gaming is like playing pretend. If you're playing pretend to be guys running around beating up dragons and rescuing princesses, that seems childish (I assume ;) ). But, if you're playing make-believe as lustful, mysterious creatures of the night, that's more adult. And we all know that girls mature faster than boys.

Anywho, there ends my ramble, as I have just woken up about 1 1/2 minutes ago, and am babbling.
I'll be back later, after breakfast. :chef:
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Didge Jan 17 2006, 11:06 AM Post #5
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I think everyone here has posted very good reasons why there aren't a great deal more women in the pen-and-paper role-playing games.

I'd actually be very interested in seeing the % of the online gaming thing actually tested for truth. I've known in my time many a man who has role-played being a woman on-line in order to gain advantages in games. Let's face it, when presented the opportunity that little Timmy who has no social skills has the chance to impress a girl (not to mention a girl-gamer!) then they'll usually stop at nothing to do so.

This isn't always the case, but I've seen it far too often to think it coincidental.

When you're making an Adventure, remember to ask, "WWMPD" (What Would My Player's Do?) Then tailor your adventure around that.
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