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Kleothera · 01-29-2009, 11:38 AM

Nasredin's post made me decide to go back and track down some literature and research that has accumulated on these issues. I was mainly looking for personal experiences- thanks to Milawe for getting the ball rolling, however, this might add some further fuel to the debate.

Differences in Gameplay:
Virtual Community Literature Review by Moya K. Mason

Difference in communication patters of men and women including greater use of socials by women, especially certain socials. Women less likely to use the hug social (compared to whuggle since it doesnt have a RL equivalent and isnt seen as having a sexual connotation. Also contains interesting thoughts about PK patterns by men- male players are least likely to kill a woman. If a male player was PKed it was always by the same woman.

Psyber Psychology: A Literature Review Pertaining to The Psycho/Social Aspects of Multi-User Dimensions in Cyperspace

Women use emoticons more frequently than men, but flame as much as men. Women are 4 times as likely to initiate whuggles than are men. Men tend to use more physically violent imagery. Women are overall more affectionate towards other characters.

Deals with the help that men frequently offer to female presenting players- either as an expression of lack of faith in the ability of women to do as well as men and therefore needing more help, or as a barely concealed effort to bribe their way into a sort of virtual relationship.

Refers to a study undertaken of the effect of MMPROG gameplay on RL relationships, including the gender dimension. Women were significantly more likely than men to be attracted to other players and were far more likely to go on to date them. Most women gave “therapeutic refreshment” as their main reason for playing, whereas most men stated “curiosity, astonishment and interest” as their reasons.

About women in online games:

The reference that this seems to constantly leading to is. I haven't read it and haven't really fully read the abstracts floating around either.
From Beyond Barbie and Mortal Kombat: New Perspectives on Gender, Games, and Computing
Edited by Yasmin Kafai, Carrie Heeter, Jill Denner, Jen Sun
MIT Press, 2007

Gender Swapping on the Internet by Amy Bruckman

One of the older papers on cross gender characters, why they are created and the experiences faced.

Another article on the same issue

01-29-2009, 11:38 AM	#6
Kleothera Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 50	Re: Male and Female Players: Are the experiences different? Nasredin's post made me decide to go back and track down some literature and research that has accumulated on these issues. I was mainly looking for personal experiences- thanks to Milawe for getting the ball rolling, however, this might add some further fuel to the debate. *Differences in Gameplay:* Virtual Community Literature Review by Moya K. Mason Difference in communication patters of men and women including greater use of socials by women, especially certain socials. Women less likely to use the hug social (compared to whuggle since it doesnt have a RL equivalent and isnt seen as having a sexual connotation. Also contains interesting thoughts about PK patterns by men- male players are least likely to kill a woman. If a male player was PKed it was always by the same woman. Psyber Psychology: A Literature Review Pertaining to The Psycho/Social Aspects of Multi-User Dimensions in Cyperspace Women use emoticons more frequently than men, but flame as much as men. Women are 4 times as likely to initiate whuggles than are men. Men tend to use more physically violent imagery. Women are overall more affectionate towards other characters. Deals with the help that men frequently offer to female presenting players- either as an expression of lack of faith in the ability of women to do as well as men and therefore needing more help, or as a barely concealed effort to bribe their way into a sort of virtual relationship. Refers to a study undertaken of the effect of MMPROG gameplay on RL relationships, including the gender dimension. Women were significantly more likely than men to be attracted to other players and were far more likely to go on to date them. Most women gave “therapeutic refreshment” as their main reason for playing, whereas most men stated “curiosity, astonishment and interest” as their reasons. About women in online games: The reference that this seems to constantly leading to is. I haven't read it and haven't really fully read the abstracts floating around either. From Beyond Barbie and Mortal Kombat: New Perspectives on Gender, Games, and Computing Edited by Yasmin Kafai, Carrie Heeter, Jill Denner, Jen Sun MIT Press, 2007 Gender Swapping on the Internet by Amy Bruckman One of the older papers on cross gender characters, why they are created and the experiences faced. Another article on the same issue