Male Players

Why is it that over 70% of players who play games like this are male? Simple question.

I don't know...

Males are more likely to play any game.

Guys have a tendency to use competition and challenge as a form of entertainment. Whereas females tend to use social gatherings and things that affect their social status (clothes, appearance, get-togethers, etc.) as a form of entertainment.

Males got more time cause womans make food and clean etc

cuz gw is not sims2

you should try HA/GVG.... rarely name female characters there.... maybe closer to ~95% male..

What he said basically.

Because most females don't like to be exposed to the rudeness and filthy language that comes from little boys who aren't supervised by mommy.

Because most girls have yet to discover the Wonders Of The Game World. Though it is getting better... The Word Is Spreading. I even got some of my girl friends addicted to computer games (not all GW, but hey, its a start )

And where did you pull that statistic from?

Good question... and by the way, there are a lot of girls who play gw

Probably all men though. Just with female characters.

Btw I got the numbers off of google.

Link pl0x

Sorry, I will probably never find the website again. I searched the thing up on wikipedia from google then clicked link and link from that to find a page that gave me a straight aswer.

I'm in a clan who competes nationally here in ZA in games such as BF2, BF2142, COD4, Crysis, Quake; but to name a few. I'd have to say that yes, we have more male players enjoying the FPS scene than female players.

But in our GW Guild, most of the players' wifes / girlfriends (Yes, we are a "mature" guild lol) play GW as well, and they enjoy it thoroughly.

Some of the other ladies in the clan still play DOTA & TF tho, still trying to get them to come join us on GW... hehehe

Increasing Numbers of Women Playing Video Games
For many years video games have been seen strictly as a man or boy’s exclusive domain. However, women are quickly becoming more interested in the video game industry. At present, fewer girls than boys are playing electronic games but the number of female players is increasing dramatically.

According to an Entertainment Software Association study, 43% of the average game players are women. (Oser, 2004: 56) This group of women and girls are also spending more in hours gaming than the male players. A recent study conducted by AOL, found that women in the United States aged over 40 were spending nearly 50 percent more time each week playing games than their male counterparts who traditionally were considered to be the most active gamers. (Cloutier, 2004: 16)

Another study by the Youth College Explorer surveyed 360 people aged between 18 to 30 to research the growing trend in female users. This particular study found that female respondents averaged almost as much playing time (2.7 hours per week) as their male counterparts (2.9 hours). It also found that women were not less likely than men to own a portable video game system (22% vs. 27%) were. (Dolliver, 2004: 35)

Industry experts believe that the growing number of women in games is evidence that the video gaming industry is coming of age. Ten years ago the gaming industry was heavily marketed at teenage boys. Now the average age of gamers is 29, the core demographic is 18 to 35, and a third of game players are women. (Goodale, 2004: 14) This shift is a reflection of the major changes in the video game landscape.

In the past it was credibly argued that men were more technologically attuned than women. Now the gender gap is narrowing and online computer games offer an example of this trend. Women are interested in playing games online because of their familiarity with computers rather than X- boxes, Sony Playstations and other stand alone gaming consoles. As broadband connections have made games faster and easier to play, researchers suggest that free, simple, online, traditional games are appealing to women with limited time but a desire to socialise. According to the survey by AOL, cyber games are replacing TV, books, films, telephone and exercise for 44% of women 40 and over. (Goodale, 2004:14).

However, confirming the number of women users internet-wide is hard to come by since the mainstream institutions have only recently begun to regard video games as a legitimate field of study. Whilst the total numbers are unclear at this point the emerging distinctions between the way men and women play are not. Research has confirmed that women are more interested in communication, interaction and constructively putting things together when they play online. Men however are interested in fighting, competing and violent games that pursue goals. (Goodale, 2004:14)

Young males are still the main target market for the video gaming industry and high testosterone games still dominate the video game market. But now the industry wants to expand and find additional audiences that will increase the size of their market. The recent trends and statistics are heavily suggesting that this audience should be the female users.


Reference List
Coultier, R.( 2004) ‘Online gaming: the new social circle’, Mass High Tech [online], Vol. 22, Iss. 38. pp16. Available: [Go to Article] [Accessed 16/10/04]

Dolliver, M. (2004) ‘Who says women are averse to technology?’, Adweek [online], Vol. 45, Iss. 16. pp35. Available: [Go to Article][Accessed 16/10/04]

Goodale, G. (2004) ‘Games women play’ [Online], pg. 15 Available: [Go to Article][Accessed 7 Sep. 2004]

Oser, K.(2004) ‘Moms are unsung players in gaming world’, Advertising Age [online], Vol. 75, Iss.22. pp56-57. Available:[Go To Article] [Accessed 16/1

Actually i know many girls playing GvG and HA...

And NPR did a program on how ppl over 60(mostly women) are now playing GW to keep there mind and hand eye coordination from becoming stagnant.

I've met a lot of sailor mouth females

3 of my guild's 7 officers (myself included) are female; as for the guild as a whole, about 12 of our 74 of our members overall. In my old guild, 6 of the 8 officers, including the leader, were female.

I've always been into video games of all sorts, I mainly played console games before GW though, as I didn't have my own computer at the time. If I did have a computer, I probably would have gotten into this style of game sooner.

I often get called "him" or something of the sort, but I don't bother to correct it unless it is a friend or an ally. Its understandable for people to assume that a person is male, seeing as the majority of the players are male, and you can't really tell a person's gender by their character, so it's really nothing to make a big deal out of.

However, this makes me think of this one interesting argument with a wammo in Kamadan who didn't understand how I could be female as I had obsidian armor, and that my brother or boyfriend must have bought it for me because females are incapable of being that good at the game. He made me laugh.

Who ever think that should take IT classes.... it's still a sausagefest

female gamers like the social aspect of gaming..... games are developed for women (at least a majority aren't) .... so basically you guys playing games made for guys with some tomboy joining in from time to time..

With Sims2 (or I like to call "My Doll House Game") you do see a majority of the players being female.

Over the years there have been a vast increase in the use of the internet (probably thanks to social networks.... facebook/myspace)....

With the mmo market I think there is a larger chance for women in gaming. With girls liking the social aspect of it and guys liking the competitiveness, there is some chance to make some big bucks.

I'd like to see more girl gamers out there... lest my next GF end up like my ex and told me "you are doing Guild What?!"

lol?? WTF... just say you are a chick and roll in the free stuff... and to get them off your back just tell them you've used them up. j/k

on a more serious note... something about me really dislikes girls in gaming that try to hide that fact that they are girls (its really not helping your case because now that person thinks you are a guy so the next time he sees another girl he will also think the same)... you'd be surprised the gameplay of gw makes it hard for younger kids to find interest in its play style. (so they go play wow and say "my lvl 70 > your lvl 68, you noob...)... so for the most part the guys in GW are quite mature.... you do have your 13-16yr old range... that does cause some problems but very few of those still play gw...

Most girl gamers ride the "omg i can use this nerd" train or the "take me in your group im a girl" lifeline.... and thats just sad.... (i say most because if they are not doing that then they are hiding the fact that they are a chick, so we never know)....

for any girl gamers reading this i just hope you guys just play normally... no need to hide the fact that your a girl and definitely no need to take advantage of it either.

EDIT: Just wanted to add one more classification of girl gamers.... "I need you" group... these are the ones that will run you dry on your gold as they try to mooch as much gold/items off of you.... sad part is you'd gladly give it and they have no shame in asking.

Yea and one more word of advice for the girl gamers in mmos..... if a guy gives you something for free.... then just take it and say thanks.... (don't say no i don't take free gifts.... that is a really insulting thing to do.... as long as you didn't as for it and he gave it, then it doesn't matter)

hahaha.. yepp.. girls aren't so much into mmorpg and have the mood to spend many hours in front of it

I'm not "hiding" the fact that I'm female, but if it's someone in a pug or a trade that I'm probably never going to see again, in my opinion, I don't really find it necessary to make a big deal of it. I've seen females ingame and on forums who will pitch a huge fit if anyone calls her "he" or "him" or "that guy," and I think that's a bit ridiculous. I do "play normally," to me, behind every character is a person and it honestly doesn't matter if they're male or female, either way, you're still going to finish the mission/quest/dungeon. There's really no need for me to make a big deal over something so trivial.

I'm my experience far more girls play gw than any other online game i have played. and i am talking about real girls not those guys who pretend to be their female ele dancing.

i'm just mentioning some common trend in female gaming... u guys should be more proud... you know how hot it is if your a gaming chick.... then again i am a little biased on that opinion

There probably more Females playing Gw then you think...they prob just play as male chars cuz they get sick of being hit on by pervy nerds all day lol

This topic is like saying why dont more guys like to go shopping....

I'm a male and 87.5% of my characters are females.

To start with, I'm a gamer chick. I'll play anything from a console to a FPS to a MMO. Have been since I was 3.

Because you don't see them. For this reason:
Less the filthy language and more the little boys. The ratio between male and female gamers is getting closer to 50/50. I'm a chick, I pay attention to that stuff. Too lazy to cite anything though.

I've been in guilds with mostly females, half females and some where I'm the only one. It really depends.

Wrong. So far from what I read from your posts, you don't know many chicks that play games. Of all the chicks I have met, known or interacted with, ONE has ever used the fact that she was a chick to get gold/favors/etc. I have known more males to have pretended to be chicks to get favors or just to be known as a chick more than I have ever seen the opposite. I never hide that I'm a chick, and I never use it for my benefit, and why would I hide anything?


Not to be disrespectful, but in my opinion, most of the views here on female gamers is rather ignorant.

To you male gamers from a stereotypical gamer chick:
No, we don't play strictly social games, or 'dress up' games like Sims II. Quick Monty was the closest to the money with his answers. The reason why female gamers are so 'elusive' is that unless you get to know the person, get on vent with them, etc , you don't know if it's a guy or a chick. Why? Because there isn't any difference on your screen.

And yes I know that female gamers are hot; because my gamer boyfriend tells me so.

to answer the OP's question.
The game is marketed for boys --teens and 'young' adults....so they have done a good job making the game for their intended audience.The fact that others play the game is just a boon for the creators.

He better tell you that you are hot...if he doesn't then he might have to learn to operate the mouse with his left hand!!!

I know girls who cuss like sailors and guys who don't cuss at all. It's a silly stereotype

I don't remember thinking when I got the game that it was intended for boys. It looked like a good ol' fashioned fantasy where you either kill monsters in a storyline setting or other players in a tournament setting. Nothing about how it's only for kids whose voices are still cracking on up.

70% seems too low to me.

Blame society...

Q..F..T 1 2 chars

strangely enough half of my friends list is full of chicks that play gw =o

i guess im just a cool guy like that XD

that is a real diamond in the rough.... and you are saying this because your boyfriend says you are hot?.... if he didn't say you were hot ... would he still be your boyfriend?.... nuff said...

i've met only a handful of gamers that were hot... the general rule i like to follow is... if they sound really hot on vent chances are they are really fat/ugly irl... i don't mind chicks chubby girls but i'm talking about morbidly obese 300+ pounder... and yes i speak from experience... sadly, more than once...

i do agree with the fact that someone mentioned... getting girls to play games is like making guys learn to love shopping (god i hate shopping so much.... there is no greater torture)

maybe somethings aren't meant to be

its games.. thats their money making market... from the sole design of pvp.... you think if gw was meant for girls they would have pvp... or call the game guild WARS?..

maybe Sims 2: Guild Edition (god knows we need more expansions to that god awful game)

I will say that in my experience as primarily an FPS gamer until GW, alot of the opinions and ideas about female gamers Ive read in this thread are way off.

Some of the best FPS gamers Ive ever played with were female of a wide variety of ages. None of them were in it for the social aspect, none of them were "tomboys". They varied from a mid 30s single mother of 2 girls(also gamers) to a grandmother whos son got her into gaming, numerous wives and girlfriends of gaming budies who were either in to it on there own or became interested because of their husband/boyfriend and never looked back.

In GW, of the 3 female gamers I know best, again none of them are in it primarily for the social aspect...one is a cutthroat PVPer, the second, Mango who is fairly well known on guru, is as sociable as anyone Ive ever met but shes not sitting on GW with half a dozen low level chars chatting away the whole time and angling for handouts. The third is my girlfriend, who happens to be slightly antisocial, sarcastic and foul mouthed as any guy and has been a hard core gamer since childhood. Of my female friends, none who play are doing it to be social and one of them can be rather less than friendly when shes feeling particularly competative.

Most of the female GW players Ive known dont try to hide the fact at all, they just dont advertise it. Guys dont advertise they are guys, so why should they? It also seems to me that many of the players who comment on not seeing or knowing any, are the kind who see a girl and pull the MMO version of a horny teen pawing at a girl. Female gamers quite often attract other female gamers and stay low keyed around dumbasses.

Not sure if you are refering to Akki like I think you are, but when I joined up 4 of 7 officers plus the leader were female, and maybe 1/3 of the members were as well. At one point i was the only officer out of 6 who was male. When I left there were still 3 female officers and at no time in my 2 years in the guild was there ever fewer than 2 female officers. This seems to be a fairly common occurence for guilds in my GW experience.

One time my girlfriend actualy cooked me mac and cheese, and once she even ventured to make a frozen stir fry when she got hungry and I was taking a nap. Other than that its pretty much her demanding food while she blows stuff up. Shes rather proud of her near total lack of cooking ability.

Yes, yes I would be. We arent together because were both gamers, though it is a signifigant common interest. As for diamond in the rough...see the first part of my post.

He said it before we ever considered dating. He's not the only one to have told me it. You read way too much into a tongue-in-cheek part of my post. But that's why the part where I was talking about ignorance applies to you.

And... if they are in a game... how often are you MEETING these chicks? Do you go around meeting all the people you play games with online? Like I said, you obviously don't know many if you're falling back to the typical 'all gamer chicks are fatasses'. That's the same kind of bullshit kids say when you affronted them. 'oh yeah, well u r fat.'

Please. Just one more misconception that flies around with absolutely no factual basis to. You assume gamer chicks are fat, you assume if they are hot, they are social rejects of some sort. Gamer chicks are no more social rejects than their gamer male counterparts.

lol wut.

You agree with a fact from yet another guy making some baseless correlation between games and guys and girls and shopping. Guys and girls aren't the same, shopping and games aren't the same. If you think they are the same, then obviously you don't really believe in logic, experience or any of that silly bullshit.

Believe it or not, some (straight) guys do enjoy shopping. They call it spending their money.

Seriously, not all chicks are the ditzy, shoe-shopping loving, anti-game playing OR sloven fat social reject that you think they are. Less stereotypes, assumptions and straight up wrong infomation and more looking up what you are talking about before you type. I'm a chick, I know chicks. I dunno what the RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO you are getting your shit from.

And you think because there is violence that I as a female, wouldn't enjoy playing this game. You're way off buddy. Just because I possess ovaries of chuck-norris slaying doesn't mean I don't want to crack skulls any less than you. I come back to the same point; just because YOU do not know of these mysterious gamer chicks does not mean they do not exist. It means you probably can't see them sitting three pixels in front of you.

Sorry if I was vague...I meant that your right hand would be busy while you were online!!!

I agree with the above poster who said that most females don't advertise themselves either way. I'm a female, and I play female characters, but I don't ask for free items, special treatment, etc just because I'm female. I play for fun and because I love gaming, and whether I'm male or female shouldn't affect whether other players party with me; only my skill level should.