First let me state for the record, I am not a gamer, nor will I ever be. Somehow the thought of spending hours on end in a chair with my mouth hanging open and my hand gripped to a controller is not my idea of fun. No offense to those who have fallen in love with their PlayStation. We all have something we can immerse ourselves in.

Though there used to be more men than women playing, apparently women gamers are on the rise.  They are spending their money happily on games and some even are being recognized for their knowledge and skill in the gaming world. All the more power to them, maybe some of these young women will start up their own companies. Now that would be cool, I’m all about supporting women entrepreneurs.

Interestingly, I do believe the delineation between men and women’s entertainment is ever disappearing. It is not that men are lining up to participate in so called women’s entertainment (that’s a chick thing) but women are following the men further into what was considered their world.  Regardless, what I have noticed is that sexism is alive and well in the gaming world, despite the supposed growing presence of women.

Take for instance a game in which the hero, in an espionage type series, moves through the game strong and focused on accomplishing his mission. Every man around him in combat or a position of authority is wearing exactly what you would expect in a lab or war zone. They are “real” men, with real weaponry, real language and the camera covers their every militaristic move. The visual effects are really good, there is a real sense that you are in combat and battling the beasts that surround you.

But then there is the inevitable, a woman scientist in the middle of this mayhem, who is obviously integral to the story, is wearing heels, garter and stockings (noticeable when she had to pull up her tight skirt momentarily in the middle of a battle zone), a blouse that is cut down so low I’m not sure why she is wearing it, and finally her white lab coat.

Another woman who obviously is no stranger to combat and a motorcycle, also was unable to find anything else to wear that day except an extremely low cut outfit, combat gear not required. Humm? But, wait even better is the beauty and the beasts that must be killed. Due to some unfortunate circumstances they have turned into these monsters, when they are finally revealed beyond their beastliness they are wearing skin tight cat suits to which the camera pans over them in a constant motion so that every curve of their bodies should be well and truly memorized before their eventual demise.

The way I see it, the gaming world may be open to the dollars of women gamers, but I don’t see the makers truly representing women in the way they could be. They still have to cater to the male demograph with the typical female characterizations. “Real” women, with real language, in believable attire for a warrior or soldier, need not apply.

See women are not men.

If women were out there in the middle of the combat zone or raiding tombs they would not be doing it in short shorts, a tank top, garters or low cut blouses. The cat suit doesn’t protect them from anything. However, all of this may distract your enemy long enough to kill him.

Overall, the gear afforded to women in the gaming stories I have witnessed, seem just a touch sparse. The attention to detail in the production and character development may be impressive but apparently just like Hollywood there is most often an inability to create non-sexualized female characters. (Hollywood: a rant I will save for another day)

So, even though the female gamer may be inching ever closer to a previously male dominated industry, I am hoping there may one day be some gain in the way the female character is portrayed. Just a little more reality might be a good thing, if you don’t know what women in combat wear, or how a scientist or archaeologist dresses on the job, I will be happy to provide you with some pointers. Here is a hint: they are most likely not getting their uniform from Victoria’s Secret.

(References to the game referred to in this post, is courtesy of research and personal “in house” observation:)