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Women in Competitive Gaming
Women in Competitive Gaming is a hot topic, wouldn't you agree? So hot I decided to make the title red. Women have been in competitive gaming for a long time now. Just recently, we've started to be more public about ourselves. Some players, like  Eve,MaddeLisk,Scarlett,Princess have started making appearances at competing, sometimes even on the main stage.
I've always been very passionate about this topic. I started an all-female Starcraft 2 organization quite a long time ago. It has seen became quite a success. I've seen some of the weirdest personalities come and go. From those looking for attention to those who couldn't care if they're recognized; They just enjoy the game.
Just as the spectrum of female players go to either extreme, so do the people who look at them. We've all heard the same things a dozen times fro your average trolls and white knights.
Get her off the stream! Attention whore! Tits or GTFO!
I love you 'gurl gamur 409! You're the best! You're a beacon of hope! We believe in you!
Yes yes. We all know what to expect when a female hops on a stream or is the streamer. So do they. We're used to it by now, for the most part. What a lot of people don't hear of however, is the women's side of things and that's what this blog post is going to be about.
I've conducted a survey of women who play Starcraft. 29 have responded. Below I've compiled all the answers and you as a community can dissect them as you see fit. I'm female so I won't interject my opinion. The only thing I'm going to filter out of the responses are any personal identifiable information of any kind! I've promised total anonymity to anyone taking the survey as to secure honest answers from all parties.
1. Do you identify as female?
2. What country do you live in?- USA - 19
- Germany, UK, Ireland, Australia, Iceland, & Canada - 1 each
3. What race do you play?- Zerg - 10 (34%)
- Protoss - 10 (34%)
- Terran - 7 (24%)
- Random - 1 (3%)
- Depends on my mood! - 1 (3%)
4. How did you get into Starcraft?- I played Brood War - 9 (31%)
- A male friend - 9 (31%)
- Significant Other - 4 (14%)
- Other, not listed - 4 (14%)
- A female friend - 1 (3%)
- Live Events - 1 (3%)
- Streamers - 1 (3%)
5. What League were you when you first started playing?
6. What league are you now? (NA/EU Servers)
7. Why do you have an interest in Starcraft 2?- Advancement as a Player 27 (23%)
- Competition 19 (16%)
- Socializing - 18 (15%)
- Friendship (is Magic) - 17 (15%)
- Teamwork (Practices/Teams/Customs) - 13 (13%)
- Escapism 8 (7%)
- Other - 5 (4%)
- Exploration - 4 (3%)
- Fame - 4 (3%)
- Roleplaying (Cortex/Mafia) 1 (1%)
- Irritating, Annoying, BM'ing, & Trolling Players - 1 (1%) (I'm not making this up, folks)
8. How often do you play Starcraft 2?- Daily - 10 (45%)
- A few times per week - 5 (23%)
- Once a week - 4 (18%)
- A few times per month - 2 (9%)
- Less frequently than once per month - 1 (5%)
9. How long have you been playing Starcraft 2?- Since Brood War - 4 (15%)
- Since WoL Release - 10 (38%)
- Sometime after WoL Release - 5 (19%)
- Since HotS Release - 0 (0%)
- Sometime after HotS Release - 1 (4%)
- I've never played Starcraft 2 - (0%)
- Other - 6 (23%)
What are your thoughts on low-league females who stream & have a lot of viewers or are on major teams? (All names have been removed out of respect)
Positive
- i want to do it too!! 8- )
- I did not know they existed! gieb url :3
- Good for them!
- I think people should stop freaking out about it. it's not a big deal.
- I think it's good they are trying to get better and hopefully the support from viewers can help them with that, unless their interest is just to get attention otherwise its a little questionable, overall its not really my problem unless they are directly insult me or females in the community as a whole
- Starcraft is about competition, yes, but it's also about community. Having women around on teams for community purposes is great. Having women on teams to compete, even better
- I think it is awesome
- it's great for them
- I think that if you can make money that way or have fun doing it then the best of luck to you and I support that.
- they are brave and should be given a chance ... and there are no low-league females on major teams, only masters. it is sad that the industry still favors the hegemonic beauties
- I started out as a bronze streamer. Although I didn't have thousands of viewers my goal was to get outside opinions on my game play to help me better my game play. with the help of my viewers I hit Platinum which was my goal at the time. I believe low league female streamers want to have critique on game play. (although some have other motives) streaming at any league is beneficial.
- If they're getting help it doesn't bother me if they're streaming. Good way to make friends, I suppose XD
Neutral- If you're legitimately improving and are working on yourself as a player while allowing people to watch you make progress, great! However, having a vagina should NOT automatically make you more desirable for a major team. I believe all people on teams should be able to show why theyre there.
- Not every low level female player with lots of viewers has lots of viewers because they want attention, but those that do are very off-putting and typically get a poor reputation from the community as a whole. It is rare to see a female in these cases streaming for longer than a month or so.
- I think it's hard to judge. It's not their fault people want to watch them. As for teams, I'm on the fence. You wouldn't call someone an attention whore for hanging out with their friends, would you? This is no different in some scenarios. On the other hand, if she joins a team for fame or to get benefits, fuck that bitch.
- Feels like sexism even when it's not. As a female caster I make it a point to not try and gain viewers based on the fact that I'm female. I'd rather have fans because I'm entertaining, not because I have boobs. When other women are recruited by teams as a publicity stunt or when they market themselves as a female caster for that added male attention it discredits us all.
- I have no problem with girls who stream and are low leagues I enjoy watching them stream as much as males who are doing the same thing. I don't enjoy low leagued girls on major teams. I personally only want to see the best when I am watching someone from a major team and I feel its gimicky to have a girl on there if shes not as good and is only there for guys to look at.
- League is not the only thing that makes a good streamer... That's their decision and it's good for marketing. some of them are ok but a lot of them are obviously showing way too much skin in order to get viewers I don't mind females who are low-league and stream. I think it's a good thing, overall. Their exposure shows other females it's ok to be involved and enjoy playing sc2. I don't agree with low-league females being placed on teams. It should be about skill, not gender..
Negative- They're used for PR and it's visibly transparent. Though they should not be referred to as professional gamers
- Um, I think they just do it for attention and fame. Maybe to snag a job in the gaming industry.
- Some are fine. I know that 'FEMALE PLAYER 1' has her boyfriend play for her though. She still plays... but he keeps her rank up higher than it should be. It's really sad because she's well respected in the community and everyone thinks she's really good. I wouldn't speak against her though.. Nobody would believe me. I don't really trust any female who says she's Top 25 Masters or higher unless someone has seen her play.
- Don't like. People like 'FEMALE PLAYER 2' only make me angry. Same goes for 'FEMALE PLAYER 3', even though she is not on a team, her attitude pisses me off to no end.
- they need to improve their skill...
- Most are attention whores & everyone knows it. You can reason it to say, "Oh this girl just wants criticism", but if you spend more time talking to the stream than you do playing, you're an attention whore, male or female.
- I find it stupid that certain low-league females recieve more opportunities and attention than a male of the same ranking would.
So there you have it! I'm going to hold my opinion back on these for another time, maybe. These are the stats I've gathered over the past week from all the females I know who play Starcraft 2. 100% Anonymous. 100% Unfiltered. I'm considering doing the same survey but instead have men answer so we can see any major differences, but I don't know. Do you think there would be interest? If you'd like to see it, tell me below.
If you liked the information I have provided consider following me on twitter, @MLG_Molly
 
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I'd fuck the shit out of Princess
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On June 09 2013 03:07 TheKefka wrote:
I'd fuck the shit out of Princess
Womanizing pig!
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Interesting stuff, you forgot Barbie Prime and Aphrodite though. Scarlett notwithstanding I think that Aphrodite is the most accomplished female player current in SC2 if I've not forgotten anyone.
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On June 09 2013 03:08 SnipedSoul wrote:Womanizing pig!
Happy B-Day bro
On June 09 2013 03:09 ThomasjServo wrote:
Interesting stuff, you forgot Barbie Prime and Aphrodite though. Scarlett notwithstanding I think that Aphrodite is the most accomplished female player current in SC2 if I've not forgotten anyone.
I wasn't trying to list every female who has a presence. Just naming a few as examples. The main goal of the post is to share the statistics I've gathered.
I'm going to gather statistics on male players & then make a 3rd post going over my personal views of why I think things are the way they are. I already have my theories, but I'm saving it 'till I get the data.
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On June 09 2013 03:07 TheKefka wrote:
I'd fuck the shit out of Princess
This !
And kinda sad to see only so few responses at the questions, hope others will answer after seeing this.
I also love the anonymity you gave to everyone.
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On June 09 2013 03:12 Gworkag wrote:This ! And kinda sad to see only so few responses at the questions, hope others will answer after seeing this. I also love the anonymity you gave to everyone.
Thanks. I spent a good 2-3 hours asking/finding females to take the survey. I figure a week of looking was enough time. It's kinda sad because I remember when SC2 first came out there were hundreds of females active in the community. It's kinda died down now...
I'm sure the male correspondent responses will be a little bit more accurate due to more responses.
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Maybe you should contact some Feminine teams only.
I know there are some around the world, for exemple, one of the few in know, a French team but i guess they could understand english:
https://twitter.com/madmoizerg
or at http://madmoizerg.com/
Maybe that could help you a little more.
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"I've conducted a survey of women who play Starcraft. 29 have responded"
"1. Do you identify as female?
Yes - 29
No - 1"
I believe 29+1 = 30.
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Nice survey! Made for a really interesting read.
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On June 09 2013 03:21 StarNaN wrote:
"I've conducted a survey of women who play Starcraft. 29 have responded"
"1. Do you identify as female?
Yes - 29
No - 1"
I believe 29+1 = 30.
Sorry for the typo! I fixed it & thank you for pointing it out. I don't exactly do this professionally  Just as a personal interest & for the community.
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On June 09 2013 03:22 AnachronisticAnarchy wrote:
Nice survey! Made for a really interesting read.
I know! Right? I found it very interesting that so many women play for competition & to improve as a player. Despite what the community likes to think that doesn't seem to really be the case. I made it very clear this was 100% anonymous so I'm assuming their answers were sincere.
There are now a LOT more females who are Top 8 Diamond / Masters. Maybe it's time for another Bunny Cup? Make it an Amateur one so females who are on top teams can't compete. Give the girls who have just recently broke into masters a chance to get noticed. I've always liked the thought of an 'AM only' tournament
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On June 09 2013 03:23 Rainbow Cuddles wrote:Show nested quote +On June 09 2013 03:21 StarNaN wrote:
"I've conducted a survey of women who play Starcraft. 29 have responded"
"1. Do you identify as female?
Yes - 29
No - 1"
I believe 29+1 = 30. Sorry for the typo! I fixed it & thank you for pointing it out. I don't exactly do this professionally Just as a personal interest & for the community.
May I ask why many of them don't even go up to 29? Feels like you can manipulate the results if you know who to ask and don't ask everyone all the questions.
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On June 09 2013 03:26 StarNaN wrote:Show nested quote +On June 09 2013 03:23 Rainbow Cuddles wrote:On June 09 2013 03:21 StarNaN wrote:
"I've conducted a survey of women who play Starcraft. 29 have responded"
"1. Do you identify as female?
Yes - 29
No - 1"
I believe 29+1 = 30. Sorry for the typo! I fixed it & thank you for pointing it out. I don't exactly do this professionally Just as a personal interest & for the community. May I ask why many of them don't even go up to 29? Feels like you can manipulate the results if you know who to ask and don't ask everyone all the questions.
Why would I manipulate the results? o.O
Everyone was given the same questions. I used a google form to track the results. They did not have to answer any questions they weren't comfortable answering. I didn't want them to feel pressured in any way shape or form. I wanted to do everything I could to make sure I was given sincere responses. I'd rather have a few less responses on some questions than have answers that aren't the whole truth.
If you have any suggestions or questions you'd like to see for the male version I'll definitely take them into consideration though!
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a picture of major in the bottom left?
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On June 09 2013 04:17 Roe wrote:
a picture of major in the bottom left?
IT'S PRINCESS.
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Yeah I think women being pressured and harassed in the community is a problem, but I don't see how this opinion poll helps. The people who already don't want women in the community are just going to read this as "Here's what WE think about us. What do YOU think about us?" and their brain will start a cycle of "attention whores!" and rage. I think this kind of spotlighting of gender is a double edged sword.
Common ground must be emphasized above all for empathy to grow. Starting from the basis of "we're women and you're not" (the blog title itself, even) is a misstep I feel. It can be said that this poll shows women have similar motivations for playing the game, but I think even amongst themselves, men care very little about eachother's motivations, so it is not a very compelling point. Skill, knowledge and passion are valued highest. Writeups, commentary, and highlight reels by females would command respect I think, more than data points.
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On June 09 2013 04:31 Mothra wrote:
Yeah I think women being pressured and harassed in the community is a problem, but I don't see how this opinion poll helps. The people who already don't want women in the community are just going to read this as "Here's what WE think about us. What do YOU think about us?" and their brain will start a cycle of "attention whores!" and rage. I think this kind of spotlighting of gender is a double edged sword.
Common ground must be emphasized above all for empathy to grow. Starting from the basis of "we're women and you're not" (the blog title itself, even) is a misstep I feel. It can be said that this poll shows women have similar motivations for playing the game, but I think even amongst themselves, men care very little about eachother's motivations, so it is not a very compelling point. Skill, knowledge and passion are valued highest. Writeups, commentary, and highlight reels by females would command respect I think, more than data points.
You make a lot of very good points. I honestly didn't go out & do this at first to highlight women or what have you. I originally did it just because I was kinda bored & curious what the results would be. They were interesting to me so I shared it, thinking it might be interesting to someone else. So I just want to be clear I didn't really have any ulterior motive.
I think the question now is what kind of write ups & commentary aren't currently being covered in the community?
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On June 09 2013 04:23 Rainbow Cuddles wrote:IT'S PRINCESS.
Not any, my princess
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On June 09 2013 04:54 Rainbow Cuddles wrote:Show nested quote +On June 09 2013 04:31 Mothra wrote:
Yeah I think women being pressured and harassed in the community is a problem, but I don't see how this opinion poll helps. The people who already don't want women in the community are just going to read this as "Here's what WE think about us. What do YOU think about us?" and their brain will start a cycle of "attention whores!" and rage. I think this kind of spotlighting of gender is a double edged sword.
Common ground must be emphasized above all for empathy to grow. Starting from the basis of "we're women and you're not" (the blog title itself, even) is a misstep I feel. It can be said that this poll shows women have similar motivations for playing the game, but I think even amongst themselves, men care very little about eachother's motivations, so it is not a very compelling point. Skill, knowledge and passion are valued highest. Writeups, commentary, and highlight reels by females would command respect I think, more than data points.
You make a lot of very good points. I honestly didn't go out & do this at first to highlight women or what have you. I originally did it just because I was kinda bored & curious what the results would be. They were interesting to me so I shared it, thinking it might be interesting to someone else. So I just want to be clear I didn't really have any ulterior motive. I think the question now is what kind of write ups & commentary aren't currently being covered in the community?
I don't know, and I'm not even confident my suggestion would make any difference. Just thinking out loud. When I try and put myself in a female's shoes in the gaming community I feel pretty damn uncomfortable. No easy solutions really present themselves when I try to think about it. I think some men want gaming to be a place where they can forget about women for a time and act how they would around male friends. The atmosphere and dynamic is completely different when genders are mixed. I don't think that's necessarily malicious or bigoted for them to want that, yet I feel sorry for the girls who want to belong to the community as well. The two desires seem innocent enough by themselves, yet they oppose each other and the result is people feel cheated, excluded, angry and hurt.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/f6XD19u.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/5JUx1Z5.png)
