:: Netwoman ::

This g'url's blog discusses gender with a focus on technology and the Internet plus other digital divides and 'isms'

Tracy L.M. Kennedy PhD Candidate - Department of Sociology Graduate Fellow - Knowledge Media Design Institute NetLab Research-Coordinator University of Toronto 725 Spadina Ave. Toronto, ON. Canada, M5S 2J4


[::..research..::]
Current Research


[::..second life..::]
Professor Tracy Virtual Researcher


[::..reading..::]
Convergence Culture by Henry Jenkins


[::..writing..::]
Dissertation!

[::..listening..::]
NiN Year Zero


[::..playing..::]
Gears of War


Yahoo Games


[::..watching..::]
Heroes


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[::..gaming blogroll..::]
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[::..women & gaming..::]
DiGRA
Game Goddesses
WomenGamers.com
grrlgamer.com
Women in Games
Iris Gaming Network
Women in Games International
Women in Game Development
Gamer Girls Unite
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Girls Gaming Guide
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GamerchiX
Lady Gamers

[::..archive..::]
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:: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 ::

Silencing Women Gamers?

New Game Plus has pointed me to some new software to disguise women's voices in video games:
Audio4Fun is launching a new piece of voice changer software that's designed to stop female gamers getting hassled by stinky old boys, snappily titled AV Voice Changer Software.

According to research conducted by the company, "The number of female online game players is not small", would you believe. In fact, "Many of them have reached the highest level of some very difficult games such as World of Warcraft (60th level), which is considered the game for men only." Bless their lacy little cotton socks.

"However, most women have a common concern about the long-lasting existence of "male chauvinism" in the world of online games. In considering this point, Voice Changer Software proves very helpful to solve the problem."

In essence, "AV Voice Changer Software is somehow a unique product for female online game players who want to prove that playing online games is not a pastime for men only, and that their talent can make male partners goggle."
Are you kidding me?

Can someone please explain to me how changing my voice to sound like a guy is going to prove anything? How is this going to challenge the terrain of sexism and harassment in the gaming world? Come on. This doesn't change anything. It doesn't change the behaviours of the jerks online who can't seem to wrap their heads around the fact that women are gamers, and they're damn good - and that they like to play all sorts of games!

Bitch, please. Why should women have to disguise their voice? How about we look at why this harassment happens in the first place? How about we do something about the people who are harassing women and making them feel unwelcome in virtual spaces? How about we turn the gaming world upside down and ensure that people know (and hear) that women are gamers?
I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

:: Netwoman 6:54 PM [+] ::
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