Girls (Females) in D&D/Roleplaying

[Afrodyte]

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:

I hope this thread is open to roleplaying women. At the very least, it might make a very interesting contrast to see how male gamers perceive female gamers and how female gamers perceive themselves.

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

Only one, and that's me.

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

I'd say about 5% to 10% total, counting all my roleplaying experience.

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

I wouldn't know, but there seemed to be less gratuitous objectification of female PCs and NPCs than what I have heard takes place when women are absent.

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

Not necessarily. I'd say they are drawn to it if that is how roleplaying is explained to them (via the book or other players). At least, if they are new. If they are not new, then the storytelling, while it can still be primary but not always at the expense of power.

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

It depends upon the person and why they roleplay.

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

Hell no.

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

That's an odd question. I'd say the same as the advantage of having more women in any hobby. If you want a poker night with the guys, then women can be disruptive. Same thing with a girls' night out and having men around. It only becomes a problem if somebody is using the game as a vehicle to hook up, or think that somebody is doing such.

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

Because they're the target audience. People seem to think that women only care about shopping, fashion, and romantic relationships.

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?

Marketing. It often seems that White Wolf and similar companies go out of their way to be inclusive, not just in the language of the rules (including "she" as well as "he"), but also in the presentation of women in the artwork. While it's far from ideal, you still get more than what you would normally get from sticking with traditional norms.

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

F.A.T.A.L.?

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?

No. But if I were to venture a guess, that's only true of female gamers who come into the hobby to please their boyfriends (or keep an eye on them).

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?

I've never had the opportunity to game with only girls, unless you count my niece, whom I'm attempting to corrupt by turning her into a gamer. I would go so far as to say that, in general, with a larger percentage of female gamers, both the real and fictional women are treated more as individuals and human beings as opposed to types and objects.

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?

Yes and no. Many start out initially out of boyfriend interest, but many stay if they like the gaming environment and the system. If a woman's first gaming experience includes roleplaying in a pig pen amongst immature men old enough to know better, I doubt she would come back to it. If the group is supportive (not controlling), patient, and hygienic, I suspect she'll more than likely keep trying and perhaps develop a genuine interest in it.

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

Can't say that I have.

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 anymore than males 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?

Only if people bring it to the table. If you have an attitude where you think you know everything there needs to be known about a woman (whether as a gamer or as a fellow human being), and you have not taken the time to even have an intimate conversation with her, then there might be some problems. But that has more to do with your own attitudes and assumptions than with the woman herself.

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

Only if it is initially described or presented in a different manner from a male gamer.

 

[Eeralai]

I would also like to put in a female view, although I think there are too many questions. That must go with the one about too many rules


1. 4 out of 2 games.
2. 40%
3. I don't know. We have always been there.
4. I am because the story is the fun part.
5. Not immune, just not as interested in power gaming as I am in the story.
6. This seems to be the same question. Not ignorant of the rules just not as interested in knowing them pat as other players.
7. I have no answer for this question.
8. It's targeted more towards them for one. Frankly, it would be nice to see more pictures of female warriors where their tenderest parts are not exposed.
9. Probably because it's more about the story.
10. I don't know.
11. Yes, it's just not important to them.
12. No

13. All of the ones I know. including myself like the game on thier own, and some play and their husbands don't.

 

[WizarDru]

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

One.

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

Roughly between 25-33%.

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

They never have.

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

No more so than male gamers, IME. I have had some female players who just want to kill some orcs and crush some skulls, as well as male players who would rather play a blind albino bard with family problems than get into combat.

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

Do you mean immune or prone? Either way, I'd say no. I've had female number crunchers just like male ones.

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

No. I've had some female players who had been serious playtesters before I met them, for example. Is it me, or are you asking the same question more than once, just phrasing it slightly differently?

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

When I was single, possibly a better chance to get a date. Seriously, though, I don't really see a major advantage or disadvantage, per se. I think a group with NO female players is often a little poorer for the experience, but that's about it. The side-effects can include social integration, but the game itself isn't that different with and without women or girls involved, in my experience.

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

I don't just think it, it's an overwhelming fact. While I have only rarely played without female players at the table, there's never been a question that they were vastly in the minority. WOTC's research of a few years ago re-affirmed this.

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. I think, however, it had less to do with being 'storytelling' games (and let's be clear, there have been just as many power-mad hack-fests in Vampire as in D&D) and more to do with the setting and the subject. Vampires are dead-sexy, and arrived on the scene right as Anne Rice was making them cool in the pop culture. It's much easier to get into a modern-day vampire with angst than it is for some people to try and play Fafhrd or Conan. Plus, the original source material had far fewer (or no) msyogynistic overtones.

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

Hol, maybe? Some clearly appeal less to female gamers...but a large part of that is less to do with the systems, and more to do with the marketing, IMHO. How many women do you think are interested in playing a module from Atlas, for example? It doesn't matter what the content is like, if the art looks like an issue of FHM, it's not going to appeal to most female gamers. Any system that seems to objectify women in some fashion is going to suffer from that.

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?

No, I don't.

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?

I don't think anyone except barsoomcore can make that claim. I've played in a few male-only groups...but women rotated in and out of them. The group style never changed based on their participation or absence.

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'm sensing what your argument was about, elsewhere. No, I don't. I think a lot of female gamers are intimidated by the existing player base, or rather were when I was younger. Today's gamers are more willing to invite women in. This question could lead to an insulting proposition, honestly. This isn't to say there aren't occurences of 'girlfriend comes to game because her boyfriend goes', but look around ENworld, and you'll find lots of guys who met their S.O.s through gaming, and many who have non-gaming spouses.

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

Yes. I've also seen friendships break up, just like in any other social activity involving a group. Not fun, but there it is.

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

Oh, HELL NO. I've had male gamers bring some pretty petty issues into the game...far more often than female gamers, who almost never have, IME. I've seen lots of immature conflict enter into the game when I was a younger man...and it was almost always males who did it.

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, and I'm starting to think somebody had a bad experience.

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

Possibly, but I can't honestly say I've sussed it out, if such a difference exists. Usually, the bias is on the observer, from my experience.

 

[ladyofdragons]

hmm... am I allowed to answer this as a woman? the questions seem mostly directed at men. But here's my perspective on the subject.

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?
out of the 3 campaigns I'm in, there are 3 women (2 in two, 1 other in another).

2. Percentagewise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?
15-25%. My gaming groups have always consisted of at least one female, including me.

3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?
I don't think I've changed the style of play in the groups I'm with, because the group is very geared toward roleplaying to begin with.

4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?
Yes. because rules and endless combat can get boring.

5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?
No. I enjoy a superpowered character as much as the next fellow. But I always put some personality into it, so it's not just a bunch of stats on a sheet.

6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?
hmm... I'm not a big rules lawyer (nor is any other woman I've gamed with), but neither am I the least knowledgeable person about the rules in my group.

7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?
advantages: more well rounded parties with different personality types, as well as a different perspective on situations that arise in-game. Disadvantages: well, I don't think I've ever met a woman who put gaming first in her life. Some might call that a disadvantage.

8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?
hmm... social stigma? the fact that it's a geek hobby? Having sat in on what were very boring games? I have no idea. Most of the women I call friends are either current gamers or have been in the past.

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?
Well, Vampire draws more female roleplayers because it's cool. While there is a bit of a stigma about it being an RPG, it's offset by the coolness of being a goth.

10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?
I don't know of any systems that don't include some women gamers.

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?
yup. One woman in my campaign has been gaming with me since high school, but still doesn't quite grasp which dice to roll.

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?
Well, if you count my first ever game in middle school where I tried to run the original D&D box set with me and two of my friends, yes I have played in groups with only females. But that only lasted one game, neither of them were particularly interested in trying again. On the flip side, my husband's saturday RPG group is generally made up of only men, though occasional games have a wife/girlfriend or two involved.

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?
yes. I do think that many women start roleplaying to spend time with a boyfriend/spouse.

14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?
sure. everyone has bad days in a relationship.

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. I've seen both men and women insert their current emotional state into a game.

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?
I don't know, not having a comparison male-only group.

17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?
maybe? My approach to D&D is centered around the development of a character, both in terms of personality/history, and in terms of skillset and power. Roleplaying always comes first, though.

 

[Flyspeck23]

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?
3 (of 6 player).

2. Percentagewise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?
Roughly 20% (in about 20 years of gaming - more in recent years, none in the early years).

3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?
Simple: they don't.

4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?
No, not in my game.

5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?
I've yet to meet a real powergamer, so I'd say: neither.

6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?
No, not in my game.

7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?
Doesn't make a difference to me (there is a certain disadvantage of couples at the gaming table, but that's a different matter...).

8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?
In my experience it's because some (maybe a vocal minority) are raving sexists. It might be hard for a female player to find a group that doesn't include at least one sexist, and it needs only one such group to drive a potential (femal) gamer away from the hobby forever.

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?
I have no experience with "Vampire" etc.

10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?
Don't think so.

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?
No.

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?
My earlier RPG experiences (some 15-20 years ago) was with "purely male" groups only. I can't see any difference because of male vs female - the only thing that sets these games apart is age, really.

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?
Might be, but again - not in my group.

14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?
No (but as said above, that's a problem of couples at the 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?
Indeed: why?
Or, in another word: 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.

17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?
No.


As a sidenote: this won't help you evaluate if stereotypes are right or wrong (and chances are: they aren't). It's all a matter of perception (psychologically speaking) - if one has certain prejudices against female players, he'll see these prejudices come true.

 

[MatrexsVigil]

Note: I'm female myself, in case that matters for this.

1. Currently I have five gaming groups. The first containts 3 females out of 5 people. The second is 2/5, the third 2/7, the fourth is 3/6, and the fifth is 2/5.

2. Compared to the stories I hear from most people, I always find most groups I play with contain at least one other female besides myself. I've also noticed this at cons. However, I am only one of two girls that I know for sure that visit the Local Gaming Store.

3. I've been in only one group with all guys (except myself), and I found compared to my other groups, there wasn't a major difference in style.

4. Except for my boyfriend (who is just learning to role-play), everyone in all my groups are drawn to gaming because of the story aspect. I'm lucky to have a bunch of excellent GMs, so the story is often more important. Strictly speaking for myself however, I find that every once and a while I want to play a combat monkey, say goodbye to the story, and kick some monster butt. I play MMORPGs to get that fix. ^^

5. Ha! I've noticed for my friends (of both genders) that as soon as they know a system, they have a tendency to min/max. They never do it in the extreme, just to fit character concepts. Out of all my friends, knowing all the systems we play the best, I'm more prone to min/maxing to fit a character concept.

6. Only one of the players does that and that's because she has a full time job, a house, a kid at home, a kid on the way, and likes to stress about everything. I can see why she has no room for rules in her head.

7. Honestly, I haven't seen any advantages. I'd crack a joke about someone more likely to cook for the group but one of my male GMs already does that! Hmm. No disadvantages that I've seen either.

8. I think that's because it's alright for guys to become 'geeks' and 'nerds' socially. For gals, it's like they're turning their back on what they're susposed to be. (As a major geek myself, I don't know what my female role is 'susposed' to be. Oh well!)

9. As we play both in my groups, I have yet to see a preference due to gender. I have seen a preference because several members of the different groups are 'apparently' sick of d20. Bah! You can never get enough of d20!

10. Because I have gone to many cons, I've noticed women playing every game there.

11. Yes, that woman I was talking about in no.6 She loves to role-play but does have more important things to worry about at home.

12. I've played in both. One was a Black Furies Werewolf game, which was a one shot. For a while my 2/7 group was only me and the five other guys. The Black Furies group actually made more jokes about women and all their problems then I've ever heard a guy group talk about.

13. Many of my friends have a S.O. and were both introduced into role-playing at the same time by the same person. Funny thing is, I'm the exception. I've finally got my computer nerd boyfriend playing a weekly game of DnD! I had to drag him by the neck to play. Luckily, he had played World of Warcraft before and so had the basic idea of how to play a character.

14. Oh yes. There's been a LOT of that drama in the group. Dunno the causes for most--I don't like to pry into people's business. I doubt it has anything to do with the game.

15. This question actually makes sense. I have seen females play characters who reflected an inner problem they had and/or are still having now. I'm guilty of doing that. My first character was a loner, just like myself in the beginning of my gaming 'career.' Why does this happen? I think women are more likely to project their problems to better get a look at them and maybe even get people to notice their problems.

16. The only person in any of my groups that fights more than anyone else is a guy. He's a real nice guy but is convinced that he's really an a**hole. I don't get it. He argues to argue.

17. The only difference I've noticed is the one I stated in no. 15

Aww...no more questions?

-P.C.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

1. I have three female players in one of my campaigns. One is a Roleplayer, one is a Powergamer and the third, my wife, is somewhere in-between.
2. Historically I would say that the females have made up 15-20%
3. It depends upon the player. Gender seems to be less important that players personality.
4. same as #4
5. same as #4 - see answer #1 as well.
6. Wow watch out for the landmines on this one! Again, it depends. In my group the females are all relatively new players, but so are two of the men - they are about equally "ignorant" of the rules.
7. Once again, it depends upon the female. Some are great, some are just in it to spend time with their S.O.
8. Marketing, social perception and the fact that most people start roleplaying in their teens. I believe at that age boys can easily find "geek groups", but girls are less open about it.
9. Couldn't really say, I haven't tried them.
10. None I know of, but I am not into that many systems anymore.
11. Yes, but I know male players the exact same way.
12. Never played in an all female group. In recent times the all male group I have is little different from my mixed gender group. Years ago the all male groups were different, but I think that was more a factor of age and maturity.
13. Some yes, some no. In my group two of the women introduced their boyfriend/husband to the game.
14. I have not witnessed boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife realtionship break up in a group. I have hadmale players whom we have broken off group relations with because they were jerks.
15. Have never seen this happen, so no.
16. Nope, a group with all men, plus my wife had all kids of problems, but it had nothing to do with the fact that my wife was there.
17. Way too much generalization. Again, I have played with all kinds of female players, the same spectrum of playing styles and attitudes as men.

I believe the female gamer stereotypes are as equally valid as the male ones. Not all male gamers are smelly, with greasy hair, poor social skills and can only talk about comic books and games.

 

[howandwhy99]

1. How many female roleplayers do you have presently in your campaign(s)?
Two in one of the current campaigns. None in the other.

2. Percentage-wise, with how many females did you share your hobby in your own gaming history so far in comparison to the males?
Maybe 1 in 8 or 9?

3. How do female roleplayers change the style of play in your groups?
IME, almost not at all. They were gamers like the rest of us.

4. Do you think that female roleplayers are more drawn in to the storytelling aspect of the game? If so, why?
Some were, some weren't. Fewer women were powergamers than many of the young men when I was growing up. But I have played with a couple who were very much into the fighting side and not the story aspect.

5. Do you think that female roleplayers are more or less immune to powergaming/maximizing? If so, why?
I guess I just answered that. They weren't immune at all, but most did not play that style.

6. Do you think that female roleplayers are generally ignorant about the rules, concentrating more on the stories and the roleplaying itself?
The only females I knew who didn't know the rules were those in college with boyfriends playing in the same game. But they didn't really participate in any aspect of the game.

7. Where do you see advantages/disadvantages of a group that features some/majority/none female roleplayers?
Adv - more female PC's were played as they tended to correspond to the players gender. More diversity of thinking, problem solving, or just points of view. DisAdv - less of a male-bonding atmosphere.

8. Why do you think that male roleplayers are the vast majority in the hobby?
The game started out with a little bit of misogyny. Pictures of nude women. Most of the heroes being men. This mirrored a lot of medieval life. And it was still the 1970's. Plus the wargaming community was already mostly men, which was the game's original base. And I don't believe games and gaming in general attract many women in comparison to men. (i.e. computer games, card games, etc.) I think the "players are nerds" stereotype is still SO strong it keeps away all kinds of people including young women.

9. Do you think that so-called "Storytelling Games" like e.g. "Vampire" draw more female roleplayers to their genre than traditional roleplaying games like D&D? If so, why?
There is less of a stigma. WoD tied itself to a counterculture movement which was largely men and women. Dressing up and acting as vampires or werewolfs is much of the game. WW went to enormous trouble to divorce themselves from the stigma of RPGs. The players they have are a result this effort. The amount of cross-pollination of other RPG's into their game reflects the degree of open-mindedness in the community at large. Not much in the beginning, more later on. As originally few WoD'ers were typical gamers, they attracted outside player (including women).

10. Are there systems/settings out there in your estimation that are completely devoid of female roleplayers? If so, why?
Maybe. Maybe some very small followings. Something like TOR might turn women off, but I wouldn't hazard to guess across the board.

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?
No. Women who playeed yet refused to learn the rules often left after breaking up with their boyfriend. These were the exception to the rule.

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 ALL female groups where I was the only male, but I was in one group where some sessions turned into that scenario as I was the only male to attend. The style was Changeling and pretty well run. Admittedly many of the women were 1st time gamers, but all took to learning the rules.

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?
After college all the couples I met who played RPG's had met and found the game a common interest. Only in my college experience did women play because of their boyfriends. And then they did not really participate much in the game. Yes, one woman did join the group who was trying to snag the DM into a relationship, but as they ended up marrying (and she quit playing after starting the relationship) I can't say it did not work in her favor. We all knew that was the reason she played, so we got on with the game.

14. Have you ever seen relationships break in a group, maybe even while playing? If so, why?
Thankfully no. I'm embarrased enough to fight in front of friends.

15. Do you think that female gamers are more prone to draw private problems/conflicts into the actual roleplaying than males? If so, why?
Never, IME. In addendum, almost everyone I have met during in-depth games are making themselves vulnerable when playing that way. Emotional problems almost always surface. But their creating conflict in the game tends to be a measure of personal maturity rather than gender.

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. Probably less in my early days, as the boys were less likely to act out in front of the girls. As for addressing problems rather than being conciliatory, it has been based more on personality than gender. The stereotype is men ignore and women inflate issues. I think experience allows us to overcome this though.

17. Do you think that the general approach of a female gamer is different from a male gamer? If so, how?
I think fewer women are enamored by the combat aspect of gaming, but some embrace it fully. I think some men will never want to play "in character", but others become full on actors. I think the sheer volume of rules will turn women off as pointless in many respects, but it is the same for some men (like me). I think the male-bonding attracts men and keeps women away. Finding players in an anonymous fashion has a danger to it, one I think more women recognize than men.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

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. Two. (Counting my face to face group only.)

2. 50%

3. They often focus more on roleplaying instead of powergaming. A hint of sexual tension is added, as well as more interplayer relationships.

4. Define "storytelling aspect" please. That notwithstanding, I'd say yes.

5. No. I have had a couple that were out to get as big and badass a PC as guys.

6. No.

7. Much as I enjoy going to a party where there are men and women present, having female gamers at the table as well is a good thing.

8. The hobby appeals to the fantasy elements that young boys are drawn to. Social mores are changing though, and I think it is more acceptable for young women to approach fantasy. (There are for example more young readers books involving fantasy stories for young women than there were before.)

9. No. I think Vampire appealed to a younger audience that happened to be male and female because of its theme.

10. I think your question contains an assumption that's not accurate. The setting and system do not dictate who comes to the table to play. That said, no.

11. Yes. One. She knows slightly more than the one male player I know who has steadfastly refused to learn any rules. I think it's because she falls into the Gaming Buddy type of player. (See Robin Laws for more detail.)

12. Yes. I once DMed for such a group in college. I also knew of several, but didn't play with them. The major stylistic difference was in the method of communication. The all-female group was very cooperative, whereas all male groups can be very combative, with players fighting over the limelight. Percentagewise playing in an all-male group has been less than 5% of my f2f experience.

13. No.

14. Yes, I've seen a relationship break, but no, not during play. It never had anything to do with the game, and was always due to the relationship not being strong. I've heard of one or two that happened during a game, but wasn't present. The couple was always one that had signs of trouble outside the game too.

15. Huh? Please expand your question. It's far too vague.

16. No.

17. Far too vague and open. This is not calling for a statistical conclusion. Define "approach" please.

 

[derelictjay]

1) 1 (and she's a new gamer)
2) About 20%, but I have only a small group to choose from in my gaming history
3) They don't really
4) Some, but I was drawn in by the storytelling aspect and I'm a guy. I figure just as many were drawn in by the tactical, stratigical, and logistical aspects of the game (not to mention a boyfriend/spouse/other person who talked them into gaming).
5) NO! The female I'm currently DMing (and she's a newbe) is the best hitter in the game, especially with a sling and is always looking for ways to maximize her ability with it, like buying special sling bullets, taking good positions, trying position herself to sneak attack and the like. Not to mention I had a girl, once, who wanted to play a half-dragon, and not for the roleplaying aspects
6) Nope, most have a decent understanding of the rules, on par with most male gamers I've gamed with (though as I've said I have a small gaming community).
7) None
8) There are various reasons, but mostly I think it is because, there is a kinda stigma on gaming, that says its for boys (ages 13-17 if you want to know) to exercise their fantasies.
9) Can't really say, but the female gamers that I've gamed with all started with D&D.
10) Don't know
11) Nope
12) No
13) The first part, yeah, that tends to be true, as about 2/3 of those I know this is how they started. But the second, I've never witnessed.
14) No (and I'm very glad of that)
15) No more likely
16) Actually there tends to be less quarreling. As there tends to be less male macho manuevering going on.
17) I can't really answer this, but I'll try. No, as I see it most girls expecting certain things when she approaches the game, first to have fun, second to put real life behind, and third the advancement of her character. Most of the guys want the same things, so there is no real difference in their approach to the game.