Just how sexist is the RPG hobby?

JongWK · July 26, 2011, 10:49:43 PM

Quote from: danbuter;470309I was in line when a kid bought a D&D book at Borders. After he left, the girl behind the counter told another that he was a nerd buying rpg's. This happened maybe 3 months ago. So yes, it's still very much in our culture. And it was not a positive comment in any way, from the looks they gave each other.

Nerds rule the world, while dumb people who sneer at them work in low-paying jobs for companies that go bankrupt. That kid is safe.

Bedrockbrendan · July 26, 2011, 10:53:55 PM

Quote from: danbuter;470309I was in line when a kid bought a D&D book at Borders. After he left, the girl behind the counter told another that he was a nerd buying rpg's. This happened maybe 3 months ago. So yes, it's still very much in our culture. And it was not a positive comment in any way, from the looks they gave each other.

I think this stuff still exists, and chances are it always will. But things are way better than they were 30, 20, even 10, years ago.

J Arcane · July 26, 2011, 11:05:56 PM

Quote from: JongWK;470313Nerds rule the world, while dumb people who sneer at them work in low-paying jobs for companies that go bankrupt. That kid is safe.

So goes the myth, but it really doesn't pan out any better than any other such story in the real world.

daniel_ream · July 26, 2011, 11:45:36 PM

Quote from: Koltar;470282D&D and roleplaying games have gone practically mainstream.

As a counter-argument, I should point out that the best current example of mainstreaming nerd culture - The Big Bang Theory - has featured the cast playing CCGs, MMORPGs, something akin to Talisman, Rock Band, Wii Sports, Halo, comic book cosplay, ad infinitum, but has never featured any reference to table top RPGs. Despite the 4E manuals occasionally showing up as props on the set.

I find that how well-known or accepted TTRPGs or similar nerdculture is tends to be highly regional and dependent on the specific social group being considered. But I would not describe TTRPGs as mainstream for general society in any way at all.

J Arcane · July 26, 2011, 11:55:46 PM

I might point out too, that the lead characters of BBT are still basically giant nerd stereotypes right out of 1980s college movies. The lead character is made sympathetic and successful with women by virtue of how little like his nerd colleagues he is.

Also, another random anecdote: Barney Stinson played D&D in junior high.

Koltar · July 27, 2011, 12:29:48 AM

Quote from: danbuter;470309I was in line when a kid bought a D&D book at Borders. After he left, the girl behind the counter told another that he was a nerd buying rpg's. This happened maybe 3 months ago. So yes, it's still very much in our culture. And it was not a positive comment in any way, from the looks they gave each other.

And those two young ladies are now out of jobs.

Because BORDERS is closing.

Karma is a bitch sometimes

- Ed C.

DKChannelBoredom · July 27, 2011, 01:57:29 AM

Quote from: daniel_ream;470318As a counter-argument, I should point out that the best current example of mainstreaming nerd culture - The Big Bang Theory - has featured the cast playing CCGs, MMORPGs, something akin to Talisman, Rock Band, Wii Sports, Halo, comic book cosplay, ad infinitum, but has never featured any reference to table top RPGs. Despite the 4E manuals occasionally showing up as props on the set.

But then an entire episode of Community was devoted entirely to D&D (Advanced!), with fictional module'n'all, so it's definetely out there, D&D.

Soylent Green · July 27, 2011, 03:31:04 AM

Simpsons and Futurama feature tabletop roleplaying games quite frequently. And over here in the UK the sitcom IT Crowd did a whole episode around a game.

But yeah, it's still not the sort of game Jason Bourne or John McClane are likely to play in the big screen anytime soon.

Melan · July 27, 2011, 03:47:15 AM

Quote from: Koltar;470323And those two young ladies are now out of jobs.
Because BORDERS is closing.
Kasrma is a bitch sometimes
- Ed C.

Impersonal, uncaring and unaccountable forces ready to snuff anyone out at a moment's notice, more like.

jgants · July 27, 2011, 09:04:52 AM

Quote from: TristramEvans;470272No, it's not. I remember the MLP cartoon from the 80s; it was crap. The new cartoon is closer to Ren & Stimpy or Adventure Time! in sheer weirdness and originality.

Ah, I didn't even realize there was a new cartoon. I don't have kids, am never around kids, and don't watch cartoons myself so I'm not plugged into that market at all.

Quote from: two_fishes;470294This may not be the best example. Watching other people play RPGs may contend for the most bring activity in the world, along with watching other people play video games.

Point taken. Still, she had absolutely no desire to join in, either.

Ian Warner · July 27, 2011, 09:40:35 AM

Quote from: two_fishes;470294This may not be the best example. Watching other people play RPGs may contend for the most bring activity in the world, along with watching other people play video games.

Not with my group. When we play in the pub we tend to attract onlookers. When it's an adversarial game each player tends to get their own little fan club.

It's rather sad really!

The Traveller · July 27, 2011, 09:44:39 AM

Quote from: Ian Warner;470380Not with my group. When we play in the pub we tend to attract onlookers. When it's an adversarial game each player tends to get their own little fan club.

It's rather sad really!

That sounds great tbh, the last time we tried playing in a coffee shop we got evicted for shouting. Never again!

jeff37923 · July 27, 2011, 09:50:35 AM

Quote from: The Traveller;470381That sounds great tbh, the last time we tried playing in a coffee shop we got evicted for shouting. Never again!

Game in a bar, it works better....

Sigmund · July 27, 2011, 10:46:34 AM

Quote from: Koltar;470323And those two young ladies are now out of jobs.

Because BORDERS is closing.

Karma is a bitch sometimes

- Ed C.

Totally agree.

Koltar · July 27, 2011, 01:25:56 PM

I posted the basic question of this thread and a link to it on my Facebook page.
Got some interesting responses.

I'll Copy & Paste them here.....

QuoteDeb , art show chair at local con said:

Honestly? It's still pretty sexist. I see a fair number of women on the lists I haunt complaining about the shit they get from guys when they play in mmorgs and the like. The only reason I don't get it myself is because my role-playing is strictly limited to games with my personal friends, but one of the reasons it's limited IS that attitude.

When I mentioned that I don't see women that stop by my store complain about sexism , she said:

QuoteDeb, Art show chair said: Well, it's not just a matter of there are more women so role-playing isn't sexist, though. I think that, if you ask the women who buy your goods, you might find a certain number who do play with the boys and just ignore or don't recognize t...he underlying attitude. Others, on the other hand, might know exactly what I mean.

Other responses....:

A married gamer that lives in the northwest ...

QuoteThe Coastie said: My wife has been gaming for 19 years now, our daughter has been gaming for 9, and they are both hands-down two of the best players I have ever had the pleasure to game with. Most of the groups that I have either played with or GMed for over... the past couple of decades have been 50% or more female. Most of my female gamer friends don't seem to believe that the hobby is sexist, but rather claim that the perception is created through the actions of a handful of misogynistic adolescent males who get their ideas about women from the "I never thought these stories were true until..." letters in illicitly acquired nudie magazines read by flashlight under the covers at night.

Local coffeeshop owner, I've known him & his wife for years...

QuoteCoffeeshop manager/owner said: For what it's worth (my $.02, as it were), I'm currently talking to players about starting an all-female Star Wars campaign here at Roxx. I have 5 VERY enthusiastic women who are all chomping at the bit for adventure, and have no reservatio...ns about combat, stats, rolling dice, etc. Women game. Immature boys make fun of them. *shrug* This happened when girls tried to play stickball with the boys in the vacant lot, happened when girls are continually turned down for sports money at high schools, and happens online in MMO's. Sexism be sexism... got nothing to DO with the hobby, gots EVERYthing to do with how we are raising our sons. :-)

A Kentucky area gamer and also historical re-enactor....

QuoteKentucky area gamer said: It's (some of) the people, both players and industry (especially artists or those who tell them what to produce), not the hobby itself. Pretending to be someone eles and creating worlds in which others can pretend is what you make of it. ... We all bring different things to it, and, unfortunately, some of the people are jerks. Some of those jerks are misogyinistic in one way or another. Some of it is also just lack of maturity, and some of those people eventually grow out of it.

My wife started out playing D&D in high school with an all-female group. She's pretty much a natural at both roleplaying and at making a game world seem real.

Only two of those are people that also post on the orange & fluffy forum.

- Ed C.