Girls (Females) in D&D/Roleplaying

[Argyle King]

Hello everybody out there!

After a heated discussion on a German board a while ago, I wanted to ask the people on EN World on how they perceive female roleplayers in their campaigns.
Please stick to the questions:

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?
2. Percentagewise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?
3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?
4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?
5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?
6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?
7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?
8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?
9. Do you think that socalled "Storytelling Games" like e.g. "Vampire" draw more female roleplayers to their genre than traditional roleplaying games like D&D? If so, why?
10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?
11. Do you know female gamers, that, even after some years of play, have only miniscule/no knowledge of even the simplest rules? If so, why?
12. Did you ever play in groups that only featured female gamers? Did you (if so, how often percentagewise) play in a group that only featured male gamers?
How do those groups differ in style?
13. Do you think a lot of female gamers are drawn into the hobby because their boyfriends are already playing it, or they want to get to know a boy better in the group, rather than out of personal interest?
14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?
15. Do you think that female gamers are more prone to draw private problems/conflicts into the actual roleplaying than males? If so, why?
16. Is there generally more quarreling in a group that features some female gamers? If so, why? Could this be also to the benefit of the gaming, e.g. problemes are being dicussed rather that ignored?
17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?

Thanks for participation. I also would like to mention that this is only a purely statistical question of mine and should of course have nothing to do with discrimination of either of the genders at all.
Just checkin` if the stereotypes are right, and if so, why.

1) Two face to face groups; 0 in one; 4 in the other.
2) tough to say, but a rough guestimate would be around 30%
3) not at all
4) generally speaking I would say yes, but it depends upon the person
5) no
6) generally ignorant about the rules? not at all. You can enjoy the roleplaying aspects of the game while still being knowledgable about the rules of the game.
7) girls tend to smell nicer than the stereotypical gamer
8) stereotypical gamers act like stereotypical gamers around girls
9) I am not familiar with Vampire, so I have no idea. However, it's hard to ignore that my D&D group currently has 0 girls when considering that my GURPS group has 4... while a bit more rules heavy, GURPS also tends to appreciate a deeper level of detail and puts social adventuring and character personality aspects on equal footing with hack & slash and magic items. In contrast, while D&D 4E is rules light, combat tends to be the main method for conflict resolution which the rules actively support.
10) Though I've never played it, I will go out on a limb with my beliefs and say that no females play F.A.T.A.L.
11) no... I'm unsure why some of these questions seem to suggest that female gamers have a tougher time learning game rules.
12) yes; the last D&D 3.5 campaign I ran was an all female group. Likewise, my current GURPS group is all female. I have also played in both mixed groups and all male groups. I'd say that I've played in all male groups probably around 62% of the time.
13) I'd say 'some,' but I would not say 'a lot.'
14) no
15) No; as a matter of fact, both times I've seen out of game personal issues cause problems with a game, it involved male gamers.
16) no
17) Speaking very generally, I've found that female gamers are more ok with a slower in-game time scale. Not every waking moment of the character needs to involve rushing to save the world; it seems to be more acceptable to branch off into side quests or personal goals of the character. As a GM, it also seems to me that it's more acceptable for me to tell a female group "Ok, your character has a few months of down time. What do you do with your time?" Again, I'm very generally speaking, but female gamers don't seem to have the burning need to have their character rush from level 1 to level 30 in a matter of a few in-game weeks.

 

[DragonLancer]

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?
Just the one. Until recently I had two women in my group.

2. Percentagewise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?
Six women over my 25 years of gaming, compared to about 20 guys.

3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?
I don't think they do. At least not in my experience. I've never played in a group where having a woman play made any difference.

4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?
Don't know. The women I've known wanting to smack down the monsters just as much as the guys did.

5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?
In my experience none of the female players I've roleplayed with have been min/maxers. That seems to be a male trait among those I know.

6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?
No. They get the rules down just as much as anyone else and can go roleplayer or rollplayer.

7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?
It's nice to have female players in a gaming group but I don't know there are any advantages or disadvantages.

8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?
In my experience the whole hobby gaming aspect is still seen as geeky boys playing with toys by most women. It takes a look to get past that barrier and even then it isn't something that appeals.

9. Do you think that socalled "Storytelling Games" like e.g. "Vampire" draw more female roleplayers to their genre than traditional roleplaying games like D&D? If so, why?
Maybe. D&D and fantasy RPG's are very much combat heavy games while WW's storytelling systems tend to be more cerebral and interaction based.


10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?
Not that I know of.

11. Do you know female gamers, that, even after some years of play, have only miniscule/no knowledge of even the simplest rules? If so, why?
Nope.

12. Did you ever play in groups that only featured female gamers? Did you (if so, how often percentagewise) play in a group that only featured male gamers? How do those groups differ in style?
Never have.

13. Do you think a lot of female gamers are drawn into the hobby because their boyfriends are already playing it, or they want to get to know a boy better in the group, rather than out of personal interest?
Absolutely. The first major D&D group I DMed for after leaving high school, one player's wife joined us because her husband played. She played two AD&D 2nd ed campaigns and a Call of Cthulhu one. Ultimately it wasn't her thing but good show for giving it a go. In my current group the only female player got into D&D years ago because of a then boyfriend but she stuck with it.

14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?
Nope.

15. Do you think that female gamers are more prone to draw private problems/conflicts into the actual roleplaying than males? If so, why?
Not any more than guys are.

16. Is there generally more quarreling in a group that features some female gamers? If so, why? Could this be also to the benefit of the gaming, e.g. problemes are being dicussed rather that ignored?
Not really from my experience. Certainly nothing that has come about because of a male-female difference.

17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?
No. I don't think the male-female mindset is any different really in a gaming situation.

 

[Umbran]

Just so folks are aware - this thread is over 5 years old, and the OP hasn't been on the boards since 2006. This doesn't mean you cannot discuss the topic, but the person who wanted answer is unlikely to see them now.

 

[Smoss]

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?
Currently one. But then she is my ONLY player at the moment till I start more campaigns...

2. Percentagewise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?
Almost 50%

3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?
Not at all - But they DO drift towards certain GMs over others based on their preferences.

4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?
Yes. Why - Experience. Story is one of the TWO biggest things that have drawn gals to my table.

5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?
No. I have seen min/maxers of both genders. And avoid playing with them...

6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?
No more than the men I've played with.

7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?
I prefer female gamers. They like characters (NPCs) and story and concentrate more in those directions.

8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?
This has been studied a lot - It started as a male dominated club (wargaming) and still remains fairly sexist to this day. There are a lot of discussions with my female gamer friends about fantasy art (No waist, giant breasts, etc) - And about the game store cultures (Creepy staring/drooling geeks). Enough to frighten most gals away to more mature settings...


9. Do you think that socalled "Storytelling Games" like e.g. "Vampire" draw more female roleplayers to their genre than traditional roleplaying games like D&D? If so, why?
Likely. I know several gals into those. Since my gal gamers friends are USUALLY drawn to heavy characterization and stories, it would follow they would like this. (Usually, but some gals I know are like the stereotypical guy gamer).

10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?
Not sure. I am sure it is possible to make a game icky enough to drive women away but have a cult following of creepy guys.

11. Do you know female gamers, that, even after some years of play, have only miniscule/no knowledge of even the simplest rules? If so, why?
Nope, never run into that.

12. Did you ever play in groups that only featured female gamers? Did you (if so, how often percentagewise) play in a group that only featured male gamers? How do those groups differ in style?
All the time. Over the years I would say my games are 75% female only (Except me as GM). I prefer female game styles. It involves a lot of character interactions with NPCs and less hack/slash. More about the role and less about the roll... I have had my share of male only games when I was younger.

13. Do you think a lot of female gamers are drawn into the hobby because their boyfriends are already playing it, or they want to get to know a boy better in the group, rather than out of personal interest?
I've known a couple that originally entered because they were curious what their male friends were playing. Never seen one continue playing that did not find it personally interesting.

14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?
Oh yes. A married couple I know have trouble playing at the same table without their characters killing each other. They are both very good roleplayers who were playing long before they met each other. They have completely different but highly conflicting roleplaying styles though. She is serious and he is the comedian... It goes poorly at a table.

15. Do you think that female gamers are more prone to draw private problems/conflicts into the actual roleplaying than males? If so, why?
Not in my experience. Men have been far more likely to do so.

16. Is there generally more quarreling in a group that features some female gamers? If so, why? Could this be also to the benefit of the gaming, e.g. problemes are being dicussed rather that ignored?
Also not in my experience. Females have tended to bring more harmony to a group with the exception of the married couple mentioned before (And she is fine playing with anyone else). Guys have been far more likely to quarrel.

17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?
Yes. As mentioned before - Character and Story are usually more important. It is not about the killing things and taking their loot. Since I prefer the female style, I tend to go for female gamers. And I have had a LOT of them. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule...
-----------------------
Smoss
Doulairen

 

[coyote6]

1. Two.
2. Don't know, I haven't kept demographic statistics on people I've gamed with.
3. Don't know, aside from the same way any player does -- which depends on their individual personality.
4. No.
5. No.
6. No.
7. Diversity is probably good for any group (excepting hate groups, I guess).
8. Culture, biology, historical circumstance? I think if you could explain it, and prove the explanation, you might be up for a Nobel prize, 'cause the explanation would involve a whole lot of contentious science on nature vs nurture.
9. It seemed to; I would guess VtM & co. appealed to existing subcultures (e.g., goths) with a large female presence.
10. Not that I know of. FATAL, maybe? But I doubt anyone plays that.
11. Yes. I don't know. Note that I've also met male gamers with little rules knowledge. It's a playstyle thing, I suspect.
12. No -- I'm not female, so any group I was in couldn't be only female. Yes, I have played in groups that were only males. During high school, and then again recently. Percentage-wise, most of my groups were only males; however, that's somewhat deceptive, as most of my time spent gaming has probably featured women at the table (because I've gamed way more with the groups that included women than the ones that didn't). The styles seemed mostly similar, AFAICT.
13. No idea.
14. Yes, but not relationships between the people gaming.
15. LOL. No.
16. No.
17. No, that's too big a generalization for me to make.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Too many questions!

Agreed. This thread needs more poll.

Just so folks are aware - this thread is over 5 years old, and the OP hasn't been on the boards since 2006. This doesn't mean you cannot discuss the topic, but the person who wanted answer is unlikely to see them now.

But what if he has been lurking this entire time, hoping and praying that he would finally get enough answers to feel complete? Who are we to deny him that satisfaction?

 

[nedjer]

Agreed. This thread needs more poll.

But what if he has been lurking this entire time, hoping and praying that he would finally get enough answers to feel complete? Who are we to deny him that satisfaction?

While the OP may be long gone, the way the questions are used to define 'proper' and 'improper' RPG play and then to attempt to link this to female gamers is an approach to RPGs, and girl gamers playing RPGs, which is alive and well.

To avoid an inevitable infraction I'll just go blog my opinion. Particualrly as EN World is, I'm afraid, complicit.

Also, I'll be gaming with one of these semi-mythical 'goth gamer girl chicks' in about an hour, so I'll return with her answers to the questions. If she's willing. I'll probably need to paraphrase though, as a tenner says her first comment'll be wtf? and that'll be the polite part

 

[MortonStromgal]

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?

25%+/-

2. Percentagewise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?

10%

3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?

Less combat

4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?

Yes, most of the female gamers I have met enjoy stories and acting.

5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?

No, just because they may not maximize for combat doesn't mean they didn't maximize for that charm person spell.

6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?

No, however I think they are more willing to ignore the rules for the good of the story.

7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?

some - adds flavoring
majority - deep storytelling
none - beer n pretzels

8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?

Because of wargaming

9. Do you think that socalled "Storytelling Games" like e.g. "Vampire" draw more female roleplayers to their genre than traditional roleplaying games like D&D? If so, why?

Yes, because they support LARPing and minimal rules.

10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?

No

11. Do you know female gamers, that, even after some years of play, have only miniscule/no knowledge of even the simplest rules? If so, why?

Yes, because they arn't interested in the rules. I know males who are the same way.

12. Did you ever play in groups that only featured female gamers? Did you (if so, how often percentagewise) play in a group that only featured male gamers?

Yes to both. I would say 1% all female, 50% all male


How do those groups differ in style?

Guys focused more on the tactics the girls just did what there character would do.

13. Do you think a lot of female gamers are drawn into the hobby because their boyfriends are already playing it, or they want to get to know a boy better in the group, rather than out of personal interest?

Some, but I think this number is dwindling as geek culture has become more the norm.

14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?

Yes, same reason anyone breaks up... Its just not working out.

15. Do you think that female gamers are more prone to draw private problems/conflicts into the actual roleplaying than males? If so, why?

No

16. Is there generally more quarreling in a group that features some female gamers? If so, why? Could this be also to the benefit of the gaming, e.g. problemes are being dicussed rather that ignored?

No, but males put up with more crap. Females tend to call shinanigans sooner rather than put up with the mooching gamer or stinky gamer etc.

17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?

Yes, they have to worry more about things guys dont have to worry about as much (being hit on, rape, etc)

 

[Cadfan]

1. 3 female out of 5, plus male DM.

2. Overall, probably 20% female.

3. They don't change the game. I'd say that we don't engage in the sort of juvenile humor that poorly masks a hostility and resentment towards women, but we never did that in the first place.

4. In my experience, no, women are not more attracted to the storytelling aspect. However I will say that women seem less interested in tweaking their characters. This is not the same as being less interested in combat.

5. Women seem less interested in maximizing their characters. Again, this is not the same as being less interested in combat. It has more to do with how much time one wants to spend pouring over rulebooks.

6. No. Every female player I've gamed with has been competent with regards to the rules. The players who could not learn the rules to save their own life have been uniformly male. It is possible that incompetent female players are selected against more harshly than incompetent male players, and that this explains my experience.

7. Don't know.

8. Historical contingency and nerd culture.

9. In my experience, yes. I suspect that it is simply a question of subject matter. D&D models the sorts of fantasy novels that are more popular amongst males (sword and sorcery). Storyteller games model urban fantasy, which is proportionally more popular amongst female readers. I do not believe that the game mechanics are a meaningful part of the explanation.

10. I don't know anything about this question.

11. No. I do know male players who fit this criteria. Again I suspect that female players who are clueless are judged more harshly, and are more likely to leave the game than equally clueless males.

12. No. Yes, but not since high school. Stylistic differences seemed to be true regardless of gender, so I suspect that age was more of a factor.

13. Probably. But I also think that a lot of male players are drawn to the hobby because their best friends are into it, or because they want to become part of a social group. So I don't think this is very important.

14. No. I have never gamed with a dating couple. I have gamed with some married couples, but they're still married.

15. No. I've never seen a female player do this. I have seen a male player become hostile towards someone else's character due to out of game disagreements. But this has been sufficiently rare that I do not draw any conclusions.

16. I have never experienced increased quarreling with female players. I have seen status disputes amongst male players. These disputes do not seem to arise amongst female players, so I'm going to go with them being slightly less likely to quarrel than males.

17. Not particularly. I do think there are certain personality profiles that are gendered, and that you are less likely to see amongst female players.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Also, I'll be gaming with one of these semi-mythical 'goth gamer girl chicks' in about an hour....

Pics or it didn't happen.