"Owws? Di nga, hardcore gamer ka?"
"Chixilog lang yan, p're!"
"Baka bading yan?"
"Naglalaro ka ba talaga?"
"Ate, kita yung *toot* mo! Pink pala ang panties ng shaman/archer!"
"Babae ka no? Weak ka eh!"
For the longest time, girl MMORPG players have to endure these kinds of remarks every time they log in to the virtual world. Eversince the introduction of online gaming here in the country, the stereotype that only male players are powerful, are avid and decent character handlers, are guild leaders, and are capable of dominating the PVP arenas, if not the whole MMORPG world, remained unquestioned. In this doctrine, females are nothing but pretty flowers that male players show off in town plazas, in Guild events/meetings, or buffers/hunting alalays. They exist to enliven parties and to entertain the wooing of the alpha males.
"As a female gamer, I know that girl characters are discriminated because most people think that only few gamers are girls. It's really annoying when people call you chixilog eventhough you are a girl in real life. Female characters are also prone to in-game harassments," said GM Amethy, one of RAN Online's well-loved and most respected game masters.
However, as the online gaming culture matures, online communities also began to acknowledge the capabilities of female players, particularly in RAN Online community where female players with female characters appear in the honor roll, lead active and recognized guilds, and dominate high end market stalls.
Good signs, but still a long way from being standardized. Like most female players, GM Amethy wants to aid these changes. "I want to make a difference in the gaming community by pushing for Girl Power. Girls don't have to walk in the shadows of male players; that era's long gone. Girls...they need to be more active in the community, get involved in events and tournaments, and show that they are not just a bunch of chics. They, no, we...we are hardcore gamers and we deserve to be respected and recognized."
From these sentiments, an idea was born--an all-girl guild that will gather the female population and amplify their voices. "This will transcend even server barriers and class/school gaps. Game support, girl bonding, rewards, events and activities, and of course, mawawala ba ang EB? It'll be fun fun to meet with all the other girls!" exclaimed GM Amethy.
GM Amethy's all-girl guild is currently looking for real-life girl recruits. "We are screening the applicants so we'll know for sure that the members we accept are blue-blooded females."
However, she has a warning to those who want to join. "This guild was created to serve as a means of bonding the community and not as a ticket to stardom or a pass to gain VIP status. As a game master, game balance is very important to me. I expect all the girl gamers to behave and have fun, and at the same time, protect and help their fellow RANatics."
With the rise of GM Amethy's all-girl guild, female gamers can hope for a more enjoyable, meaningful, and eP-worthy gaming experience. No more are the days when only males are the only population that matters. The girls are marching out, ready to give the community a spin.
For now, only one word suffices: Astig!
(Source: Interview with GM Amethy, 9th August 2007)
