First women's suffrage and now this
by Bonnie Ruberg 
{ Mar 7th 2007 at 1:00AM }
As far as game merch goes, us girls usually get shafted. We get Princess Peach shirts and men get ... everything else. For the most part though, the merch here at GDC is pretty well divided. There are women's tees that match the men's, and they aren't even pink. But for the truly discriminating lady gamer, there's also this Game Developers Conference 2007 lime green mini tote.
I don't know about the rest of the female public, but, for me personally, part of being a lady has never included needing a ridiculously tiny tote bag. In fact, years of experience as a girl has taught me that women's stuff is -- get this -- the same size as guys'. Now, if they sold tiny GDC notebooks, tiny GDC pens, and itsy bitsy little GDC laptops, then ... I take it back, that tote would still be mugly.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nino @ Mar 7th 2007 1:14AM
I have a princess peach shirt =\
NoHitHair @ Mar 7th 2007 1:33AM
"As far as game merch goes, us girls usually get shafted."
If high school and college taught me one thing, it was how much the female half of the student body clamored for wearing video game paraphernalia. Everyone knew it was simply chauvinist propaganda that the American gaming market was mostly made of males - marketing studies be damned. It's an absolute shock that companies wouldn't cater to this obviously under-appreciated demographic.
Or maybe it has something to do with the economic principle of supply and demand and the recent growth of the female gaming populous. Huh.
http://blog.myspace.com/nohithair
Efren Abrego @ Mar 7th 2007 1:45AM
They should make GDC frying pans, so women could get the hell back in the kitchen where they belong.
Zell @ Mar 7th 2007 1:53AM
Mugly?! Well, I never! I think it's quite cute, actually. I'll take it. I am QUITE secure in my homosexuality to take that tote around New York City.
Does it come in red?
eialba @ Mar 7th 2007 2:09AM
Even in jest, sexist statements are just plain stupid.
Nino @ Mar 7th 2007 2:13AM
#3: You mean people put their gaming systems in the kitchen now =O
DavPilky @ Mar 8th 2007 11:17AM
Girls get well over twice as many clothing options as men, but I guess that still isn't enough for Bonnie.
Just wear the boys' shirts. That's one of the perks of being a girl. We don't get to wear -your- stuff.
Despite that, I'd still rock that bag. To hell with what people think.
Grant @ Mar 7th 2007 3:05AM
i wouldn't go so far as to say stupid, but i think he was off when he said frying pan. Because then what will remind them of GDC when they clean and not cook? i propose a GDC dust pan/broom and mop!
Bluebreaker @ Mar 7th 2007 4:23AM
Um, I don't see the problem. Every girl I've seen wears all the same guy stuff that's released especially if it's for a property they particulary like. Japanese market has some wonderful gamer stuff for "girly" girls but most gamer girls tend to be tomboy material. (Flipside: I seen some non geeky METRO hardcore gamer guys loaded with merchandise)
Foppe @ Mar 7th 2007 5:00AM
Where can I find some Princess Peach shirts?
Gamegirl @ Mar 7th 2007 9:32AM
I may not be big on totes but that color green is definately my favorite. I'd probably find myself picking one up, it would make a cute lunchbag.
Wait, are girl gamers not allowed to be "girly" now?
ssuk @ Mar 7th 2007 9:52AM
It's obviously not practical, it's more decrative. Something you'd sit on your desk and have all your stationary in it or something. Stuff like this appears all the time in game shows, I have a ton of useless stuff from Gamestars Live '04 (UK) which is not practical and is meant souly for decrative purposes, stop being so offended by a little thing. (And get back in the kitchen)
32_Footsteps @ Mar 7th 2007 10:13AM
You know, I don't understand why they don't just call that a cheap purse. Given the size, the color, and the target market, it's obviously meant to be a purse. And not a particularly high-quality one at that.
Not that guys don't carry around bags - we just usually carry large ones that get called either bookbags, satchels, or messenger bags. And they're usually worn on the back or swing down past the waist.
I'm sure they wouldn't make such bags if there wasn't an easily-proven case that women like smaller bags with shorter handles and in bright, garish colors.
Though to be fair to the ladies, there probably should be more gaming shirts printed with cuts more flattering to the female form. This would be a win for all sides. Women could wear shirts tailored to them, and feel like they're being more included in gaming circles. And men could see women wear more-flattering clothing than men's t-shirts (which are only flattering if you're into tomboys).
Thad @ Mar 7th 2007 11:36AM
You know, if you're trying to take a photo displaying how small an object is, you might want to put something in it that shows scale.
Because at a glance that looks pretty decently-sized.
athena99 @ Mar 7th 2007 1:09PM
Personally I like the bag - however I don't understand the complaint. There is no rule that you have to take the "girly" bag. If they offer a larger, plain men's bag I would take that instead if it's preferred. It's just a bag...
Mickle @ Mar 12th 2007 7:43PM
"We don't get to wear -your- stuff."
"To hell with what people think."
Inasmuch as there are no laws about men wearing women's clothing, one might think these two statements contradict each other.
(apologies if it was all meant tongue in cheeck, and I just couldn't tell because I'm new)
Spakkle @ May 11th 2007 6:26PM
@16. Carrying that bag might get some odd looks, possibly a few names, wearing "women's clothes" can get you beat up or occasionally killed. There is being an individual, and there is being stupid.
@Bonnie: Why is it that the vast majority of your articles are either poorly written, childish articles on sex in games, or whine-fests about how gaming is so chauvinistic. Women get twice the options that men do when it comes to clothing and accessories, yet you find cause to complain because they get less gaming related clothes, and a tote bag has "Ladies" on it. Could it possibly be that supply and demand dictates that there should be more gaming gear for guys, as there is more guys who game? Of course not, its the men with their evil Penises of Oppression keeping you down again. And honestly, its called a "Ladies Tote" because most guys don't carry enough objects on their person to justify carrying around a bag. Go back to journalism school, and grow up.