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A recent study has found that females make up nearly 40% of the gaming population when it comes to the world of massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. The study examined nearly 2,400 players in Sony Online Entertainment's EverQuest II.
Studies found that in addition to 40% of the gamers being female, many of the women reported as being bisexual. The number of persons who reported being bisexual in this study was over five times that of the general population.
In addition, the study found that the gamers were actually healthier than the general population. However, these results are from self-testing that each of the participants underwent and reported themselves. If true though, the findings could point to a lack of advertisement and commercials as being a key factor in the healthier life styles. Those who sit and watch TV are pushed to purchase and consume products they may not see while sitting and playing a game.
The study certainly goes to show us all one very important thing. The female avatar that you've been talking to in your favorite MMO may actually be a female!
Read more about the study's findings at the BBC website.
Studies found that in addition to 40% of the gamers being female, many of the women reported as being bisexual. The number of persons who reported being bisexual in this study was over five times that of the general population.
Lead researcher Scott Caplan of the University of Delaware said the result demonstrated how out-of-date stereotypes can be.
"In many cases, stereotypes reflect what I would call a 'cultural time lag'," he said.
"What we think about men and women and videogames may have been true 10 or 15 years ago, when there were mainly console video games or single-player games.
Nintendo games console, BBC
Attitudes to games may date from the early years of consoles, say researchers
"But what were seeing now is that games become social, and as these online games become communities then the attraction for that kind of behaviour might increase for women," said Prof Caplan.
"I think a lot of our stereotypes are based on the way computer games have been, rather than where they're going."
The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles might mean that some women are put off activities seen as "masculine", whereas women who reject traditional gender roles might be more likely to play MMOs such as EverQuest II.
"In many cases, stereotypes reflect what I would call a 'cultural time lag'," he said.
"What we think about men and women and videogames may have been true 10 or 15 years ago, when there were mainly console video games or single-player games.
Nintendo games console, BBC
Attitudes to games may date from the early years of consoles, say researchers
"But what were seeing now is that games become social, and as these online games become communities then the attraction for that kind of behaviour might increase for women," said Prof Caplan.
"I think a lot of our stereotypes are based on the way computer games have been, rather than where they're going."
The pressure to conform to traditional gender roles might mean that some women are put off activities seen as "masculine", whereas women who reject traditional gender roles might be more likely to play MMOs such as EverQuest II.
In addition, the study found that the gamers were actually healthier than the general population. However, these results are from self-testing that each of the participants underwent and reported themselves. If true though, the findings could point to a lack of advertisement and commercials as being a key factor in the healthier life styles. Those who sit and watch TV are pushed to purchase and consume products they may not see while sitting and playing a game.
The study certainly goes to show us all one very important thing. The female avatar that you've been talking to in your favorite MMO may actually be a female!
Read more about the study's findings at the BBC website.
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