Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hawken employees genderflip CEO's sexy lady poster, have a laugh]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/hawken-employees-genderflip-ceos-sexy-lady-poster-have-a-laugh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/hawken-employees-genderflip-ceos-sexy-lady-poster-have-a-laugh/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/hawken-employees-genderflip-ceos-sexy-lady-poster-have-a-laugh/#commentsHawken pub employees genderflip CEO's sexy lady poster, have a laugh Hawken publisher Meteor Entertainment has a handle on the gender equality gig, with ladies making up a solid half of its executive branch, according to a female employee's post on The Hawkeye Initiative.

"Our gender awareness standards, compared to the industry at large, are top shelf," she writes. "We are talking Amelia Earhart in Atlantis, at a five star resort, getting a mani-pedi from Jensen Ackles. I have it good."

But CEO Mark Long (a dude, if that wasn't apparent) had a penchant for the sexy lady poster above (on the left, if that wasn't apparent), and the writer didn't particularly care for it. It was blown up to poster size and placed in his office so that it was the first thing the writer - and all visitors - saw upon entering, and the last thing when leaving.

"This little lady's undermeats have been the open- and close-parens to my work world for the last six months," she described. "I loathe this picture."

So she did something about it. The writer roped in a co-worker and artist, Sam Kirk, to whip up a gender-swapped version of the poster, which they named Brosie the Riveter. They blew it up to the same poster size, and on April 1, they swapped it with the female one in their CEO's office.

When Long saw the poster, he flipped. But then he came up to the writer and said something truly touching:

"That was a brilliant prank. You called me on exactly the bullshit I need to be called on. I put up pictures of half-naked girls around the office all the time and I never think about it. I'm taking you and Sam to lunch. And after that, we're going to hang both prints, side by side."

And so they did. The end.

JoystiqHawken employees genderflip CEO's sexy lady poster, have a laugh originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adhesiveAdhesive-gamesequalitygendergender-equalityhawkenmark-longMeteor-EntertainmentpcTue, 14 May 2013 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 4 gets tough on sexist players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/halo-4-gets-tough-on-sexist-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/halo-4-gets-tough-on-sexist-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/halo-4-gets-tough-on-sexist-players/#comments Halo 4 overseers planning on handing out lifetime bans for sexist players343 Industries wants to make it clear: It will brook no further discrimination of any kind in Halo 4. Executive producer Kiki Wolfkill and studio head Bonnie Ross say that sexist discrimination of any kind will be met with a lifetime ban from both the game and the Xbox Live network.

Ross says that "most people look at a franchise like Halo, and automatically assume it's run by a guy," but this particular franchise is run by a few ladies, and they're not having any discriminatory nonsense in their latest sequel.

We agree with the sentiment, and hope that the harsh penalties make sure that the losers who make sexist and other offensive comments get shown the door for good. The ideal should be to make sure all forms of this offensive discrimination are squashed as far and wide as possible, no matter who's running the show.

JoystiqHalo 4 gets tough on sexist players originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banscommentarycommentsgenderhalo-4lifetimelifetime-banmenmicrosoftracistsexismsexistwomenxboxxbox-liveThu, 01 Nov 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Notch: Minecraft occupies a genderless world, even for that guy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/29/notch-minecraft-occupies-a-genderless-world-even-for-that-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/29/notch-minecraft-occupies-a-genderless-world-even-for-that-guy/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/29/notch-minecraft-occupies-a-genderless-world-even-for-that-guy/#commentsNotch Minecraft occupies a genderless world, even for you, SteveMinecraft mastermind Markus Persson, better known by the sexually ambiguous alias "Notch," has cleared up the matter of gender in Minecraft's boxy world with a blog post. Simply put, there is no gender in the game, even for Steve, the default character. "He" got "his" title when Notch jokingly answered a question regarding the main avatar's name with "Steve?"

"The human model is intended to represent a Human Being. Not a male Human Being or a female Human Being, but simply a Human Being," Notch writes.

"The blocky shape gives it a bit of a traditional masculine look, but adding a separate female mesh would just make it worse by having one specific model for female Human Beings and male ones. That would force players to make a decisions about gender in a game where gender doesn't even exist."

Notch touched on this subject at GDC, during his fireside chat with SpyParty's Chris Hecker. Making a female character model wouldn't only be strange-looking, as Notch said then, but it would be completely unnecessary in a genderless world. Even the animals are neutral (rather than neutered).

"Cows have horns and udders (even if I've later learned that there are some cows where the females do have horns), and the chicken/duck/whatevers have heads that look like roosters, but still lay eggs," Notch writes. "For breeding, any animal can breed with any other animal of the same species."

Notch notes that this particular post serves only to provide official clarification on gender questions in Minecraft. Oh, also: "As a fun side fact, it means every character and animal in Minecraft is homosexual because there's only one gender to choose from. Take THAT, homophobes!"

JoystiqNotch: Minecraft occupies a genderless world, even for that guy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gendergenderlessmacMarkus-PerssonmicrosoftMinecraftmobilenotchpcstevexboxSun, 29 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Action games improve 'real-world' skills, researchers suggest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/action-games-improve-real-world-skills-researchers-suggest/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/action-games-improve-real-world-skills-researchers-suggest/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/action-games-improve-real-world-skills-researchers-suggest/#comments "So what?" you might be thinking, "I don't care about the real world." Hey, we hear you. But! What if you could get those nagging loved ones off your back?

A host of new studies could prove an important bargaining chip in convincing your parents, partners and pad-mates that you really should keep playing Black Ops in lieu of other activities, productive or not. NPR reports on a series of brain studies that suggests playing action games can improve one's attention, multitasking ability and vision skills, including spatial reasoning and "contrast sensitivity" -- "a skill that comes in very handy if you're driving in fog," says Daphne Bavelier, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester.

And get this: Jay Pratt, a psych professor and brain researcher at the University of Toronto, claims his studies have shown that women, who he says typically score worse than men on spatial cognition tests, "improved substantially" after playing action games "and almost caught up to the men's scores." So, if your particular loved one happens to be both concerned and a female, reassure her: Black Ops supports split-screen multiplayer!

But, um, before you forward anyone the article, you may want to edit out some parts ... Apparently, just a few weeks of "training" can show lasting effects on your "real-world" skills for up to two years, and all the researchers involved encourage (ugh) "moderation" in playtime.

[Thanks, Chris; image credit: J. Adam Fenster/University of Rochester]

JoystiqAction games improve 'real-world' skills, researchers suggest originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-gamesattentionbrain-and-cognitive-sciencescontrast-sensitivitydaphne-baveliergenderjay-prattlauren-sergiomultitaskingneurosciencespatial-cognitionstudyuniversity-of-rochesteruniversity-of-torontoyork-universityMon, 20 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows how Natal recognizes players, gender]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/microsoft-shows-how-natal-recognizes-players-gender/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/microsoft-shows-how-natal-recognizes-players-gender/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/microsoft-shows-how-natal-recognizes-players-gender/#comments Have you ever wondered what Project Natal actually sees through its beady, robotic eyes? A direct feed of the Natal's point-of-view was recently revealed to the audience of Microsoft Israel R&D's "Think Next" convention yesterday afternoon. Just past the jump, you can check out NextGen-News' video of a live demonstration from Microsoft VP of Hardware and Technology Dr. Ilan Spillinger and a female participant, both of whose genders and movements were successfully identified and Avatar-ified by Natal.

Watch the video after the jump to see Spillinger get more excited by this technology than anyone has ever been excited for anything else on the planet, ever.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Microsoft shows how Natal recognizes players, gender

JoystiqMicrosoft shows how Natal recognizes players, gender originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genderIlan-Spillingermicrosoftnatalproject-natalresearch-and-developmenttech-demovideoXbox-360Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:44:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW.com: December 1-8, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/the-best-of-wow-com-december-1-8-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/the-best-of-wow-com-december-1-8-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/the-best-of-wow-com-december-1-8-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's patch day again in the World of Warcraft, and that means there's a whole bunch of upgrades and updates and brand new challenges, quests and things to do in the most successful MMO ever made. Joystiq's sister site WoW.com has all the patch 3.3 info you'd ever need, from the new Dungeon Finder system to class changes, to all of the various UI tweaks and tips for getting your add-ons ready. Find ten of our most popular posts of the past week after the break, and head over to WoW.com for the latest on the game's newest update.

Continue reading The best of WoW.com: December 1-8, 2009

JoystiqThe best of WoW.com: December 1-8, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonsdungeon-findergendermmorpgofficers-quarterspatch-3.3patch-dayspiritual-guidanceupdateworld-of-warcraftworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwow-comwow-patch-3.3Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey says: Japanese women prefer DS, Men PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/survey-says-japanese-women-prefer-ds-men-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/survey-says-japanese-women-prefer-ds-men-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/survey-says-japanese-women-prefer-ds-men-psp/#commentsFiled under:

Net Asia Co. Ltd. recently performed a poll, misleadingly showing Japanese gamers' handheld preferences by gender. The reason that we consider this survey misleading is because the DS Lite and DS Phat were split up into two different categories. Why not, then, split up the PSP-1000 (the original) and PSP-2000 (the newer, slimmer one)? Okay, so no one would actually pick the 1000 over the 2000, but splitting up the two DS models (and GBA models, for that matter) just doesn't make sense to us.

With that rant out of the way, though, the poll (in which 401 mobile phone users partook) shows that 42% of Japanese men prefer the PSP, while 30.3% prefer the DS Lite and 16.8% the Phat. As for women, 52.2% picked the Lite and 27.4% chose the Phat, while only 8.8% prefered the PSP. (Note: In case you're wondering why these numbers don't add up to 100%, the unlisted percents were split between the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Advance SP.)

Continue reading Survey says: Japanese women prefer DS, Men PSP

JoystiqSurvey says: Japanese women prefer DS, Men PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genderjapannet-asia-co-ltdpollpspstatisticssurveyThu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08: Gamer genders, in graph form]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-gamer-genders-in-graph-form/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-gamer-genders-in-graph-form/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/21/gdc08-gamer-genders-in-graph-form/#commentsFiled under:


We were amused by this graph from Sony's PSN presentation. According to their internal data, 92% of registered PSN gamers are male. Only 4% are female! It looks like hardcore gamers are still predominantly testosterone-driven. Should we be depressed, or disturbed, that there are as many female gamers as those whose genders are "unidentified"?

JoystiqGDC08: Gamer genders, in graph form originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>femalegdc08gendermaleThu, 21 Feb 2008 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Science says: Men's brains get more 'reward' from gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/science-says-mens-brains-get-more-reward-from-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/science-says-mens-brains-get-more-reward-from-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/science-says-mens-brains-get-more-reward-from-gaming/#commentsFiled under: ,

Developers and executives that are struggling to develop games that appeal to women now have a new excuse to fall back on if and when they fail. According to a study by Stanford University's Alan Reiss, men are hard wired to feel more "rewarded" playing games than women.

The study, which looked at 11 men and 11 women, asked participants to play a simple territorial point-and-click game while hooked up to an fMRI machine. The men in the study showed much great activity in the brain's "mesocorticolimbic center," which is associated with reward and addiction.

Interestingly, the amount of activity for men went up as they did better at the game, while the amount of activity for women stayed roughly constant, regardless of achievement. "The females 'got' the game... they appeared motivated to succeed at the game," Reiss said. "The males were just a lot more motivated to succeed." Yeah, yeah ... tell it to the Frag Dolls.

JoystiqScience says: Men's brains get more 'reward' from gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addictionfrag dollsFragDollsgendergirlsmenrewardsciencewomenTue, 05 Feb 2008 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Study says girls prefer 'easier' 2D games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/study-says-girls-prefer-easier-2d-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/study-says-girls-prefer-easier-2d-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/study-says-girls-prefer-easier-2d-games/#commentsFiled under:

Here's an interesting little nugget we stumbled across: according to a recent study, girls prefer 2D over 3D when it comes to games.

To reach this conclusion, author Tina Ziemek offered a pool of 34 13- and 14-year old students a selection of six Nintendo 64 titles (Yoshi's Story, Bust-A-Move, Mischief Makers, Banjo-Kazooie, Wetrix, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time), and noted down which of the games each subject preferred to spend time with.

As it happens, the females in the group opted to play Yoshi's Story most of the time, while the males chose Zelda. Ziemek also notes that a lot of the kids commented on the easiness and accessibility of the 2D games in interviews, and that the females "disliked the confusion in the 3D video games, whether it was unclear directions, objectives, camera perspectives, or not knowing how to control the character."

Ziemek's final conclusion? That the majority of females would rather play games that are "easy," while the majority of males would rather play games that are "challenging." If Ziemek's findings are correct, this may partly explain why so many females pick up a DS -- after all, which other platform has such a delightful array of 2D software?

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqStudy says girls prefer 'easier' 2D games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2D3DgendergirlsstudyWed, 19 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Mario Sisters was almost a reality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/super-mario-sisters-was-almost-a-reality/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/super-mario-sisters-was-almost-a-reality/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/22/super-mario-sisters-was-almost-a-reality/#commentsFiled under:

In some deeply weird alternative universe, perhaps one in which Japanese people actually bought Microsoft consoles and England's footballers weren't quite so irredeemably rubbish, we might never have experienced Super Mario Bros. as we know it. Instead, we could have been playing Super Mario Sisters.

Alas, Nintendo of America never did follow through on a trademark application it filed in February, 1990 for a game called "SUPER MARIO SISTERS." The application was abandoned almost two years later, depriving us all of an estrogen-fuelled version of the world's favorite platformer.

Go past the break for a grab of the application.

Continue reading Super Mario Sisters was almost a reality

JoystiqSuper Mario Sisters was almost a reality originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GenderMarioNESPatentPlatformerRetroSuper-Mario-BrosSuper-Mario-SistersTrademarkThu, 22 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Men more likely to steal, lie about casual games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/men-more-likely-to-steal-lie-about-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/men-more-likely-to-steal-lie-about-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/men-more-likely-to-steal-lie-about-casual-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

A Reuters report yesterday took an interesting angle on the conclusions of the Casual Games Association's recently released 2007 study. While others commented on the casual space's size and growth, Reuters decided to focus on how men are lying, stealing bastards when it comes to casual games.

According to the CGA report, while men are just as likely as women to play casual games, the fairer sex is much more likely to pay for these games (women make up 74% of paying players). What accounts for the difference? According to Retuers, men are "more determined to find a free version or try to thwart anti-piracy protections on games." Or, y'know, they could be playing the copies their wives bought. We hope that's it, because finding a crack for a $20 game of Peggle is just sad.

But that's not all -- the Reuters report also reveals that men are more likely to hide their secret casual gaming shame. "The hardcore gamer who is playing 'Halo' with his buddies isn't going to brag that he just beat the next level of 'Zuma'." CGA Managing Director Jessica Tams told Reuters. And if they won't cop to playing Zuma, what are the chances they'll admit to an undying love for Flower Shop: Big City Break? Not large.

Well it's time for the healing to begin. Men, use the comment thread below to come out of the casual gaming closet and announce to the world your proclivity for matching gems and dashing between diners. We won't judge you ... much.

JoystiqMen more likely to steal, lie about casual games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcatsgendermenPCsexwomenTue, 30 Oct 2007 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Mass Effect allows lesbian alien sex, men remain vanilla]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/mass-effect-allows-lesbian-alien-sex-men-remain-vanilla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/mass-effect-allows-lesbian-alien-sex-men-remain-vanilla/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/mass-effect-allows-lesbian-alien-sex-men-remain-vanilla/#commentsFiled under: ,


A British Board of Film Classification description page reveals some potential sexual prejudice in Mass Effect, although it's not the type you might expect. According to the description, players using a female character can initiate a sex scene "between her and male human or a female humanoid alien." Male characters, on the other hand, can only initiate sex "between him and a human woman or a humanoid female alien." If we're reading that right, it means the game allows for alien lesbian sex, but not any type of male-on-male sex. Furthermore, all non-alien sex has to be heterosexual.

The same-sex love issue is by now well-tread territory for BioWare -- most fans know by now that Juhani from Knights of the Old Republic is a lesbian and Jade Empire allowed same-sex romance for both genders. So why should it be different in Mass Effect? Does BioWare think that their audience will clamor for girl-on-alien-girl action while recoiling from man-on-man love? And why is lesbian sex only OK if it involves another species? Is this some sort of compromise to avoid a Bully-style controversy?

We'll have to wait until the final version of Mass Effect to see if the BBFC description is accurate, but as it stands now this odd double standard makes us wonder if the game will be a step forward or back for sexual politics.

[Via ProG, GayGamer]

JoystiqMass Effect allows lesbian alien sex, men remain vanilla originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gendermasseffect, sexMasseffect,SexsexualityXbox-360Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:53:00 EST<![CDATA[BBFC publishes research on gamer demographics, perception]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/bbfc-publishes-research-on-gamer-demographics-perception/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/bbfc-publishes-research-on-gamer-demographics-perception/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/bbfc-publishes-research-on-gamer-demographics-perception/#commentsFiled under:

The British Board of Film Classification published today research that they have conducted concerning video games. The report covers a wide aspect of gaming culture. Highlights include:
  • Age: "Although children are beginning to start playing games at a younger age, the overall age of players is getting older. Younger games players are influenced to play particular games by peer pressure and word of mouth, but negative press coverage for a game will significantly increase its take up."
  • Gender: "There is a sharp divide between male and female games players in their taste in games and how long they spend playing. Female games players tend to prefer 'strategic life simulation' games like The Sims and puzzle games and spend less time playing than their male counterparts; male players favour first 'person shooters' [sic] and sports games and are much more likely to become deeply absorbed in the play."
  • Benefits of gaming: "People play games to escape from every day life and to escape to a world of adventure without risk which is under the control of the gamer, unlike the real world. Games provide a sense of achievement and are active, unlike television and films which are passive. However, games are better at developing action than building character and as such gamers tend to care less about the storyline than making progress in the game. Gamers claim that playing games is mentally stimulating and that playing develops hand eye coordination."

Continue reading BBFC publishes research on gamer demographics, perception

JoystiqBBFC publishes research on gamer demographics, perception originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agebbfcbritish board of film classificationBritishBoardOfFilmClassificationdemographicgaming cultureGamingCulturegenderperceptionTue, 17 Apr 2007 18:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Playing Dirty: Lady, get off the road]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/playing-dirty-lady-get-off-the-road/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/playing-dirty-lady-get-off-the-road/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/playing-dirty-lady-get-off-the-road/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Every other week, Bonnie Ruberg contributes Playing Dirty, a column on sex and gender in video games:

Men say women are bad drivers. This confuses me greatly. As a woman behind the wheel -- with the token grumpy driver's licence photo to prove I take my on-road duties seriously -- I can't help but raise the issue. Aren't women supposed to be the cautious ones, the ones who look three times before turning, who insist you wear your seatbelt, even down the block? And men, aren't they supposed to zoom down the highway to show off the punch of their motors? I mean, just think about the racing games we design for guys: breaking speed limits, injuring other vehicles, even crashing. They've got "awful driver" written all over them.

I admit, I have a personal beef with this "women are bad drivers" thing. I'm one of those really daring people who never goes more than five miles over the speed limit. My friend's father, on the other hand, is a "zoom down the highway" type, complete with sporty convertible. Somehow it always ends up he's circling the supermarket, searching for a parking spot, when an SUV lumbers in and blocks the way. He shouts, "Come on, lady!" From where we're sitting, he has no way of telling whether that's a man or woman. It might as well be a yeti. Gritting my teeth, I wonder: If women are such awful drivers, how come it's men who go crazy behind the virtual wheel? How come racing games are "men's" games?

Continue reading Playing Dirty: Lady, get off the road

JoystiqPlaying Dirty: Lady, get off the road originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genderplayingdirtyracingThu, 29 Mar 2007 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[New info on Pokemon Diamond/Pearl [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/13/new-info-on-pokemon-diamond-pearl/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/13/new-info-on-pokemon-diamond-pearl/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/13/new-info-on-pokemon-diamond-pearl/#commentsFiled under:

I'm so clever.Recent scans from the Japanese magazine Coro Coro have revealed a few new game details on the mysterious Pokemon: Diamond and Pokemon: Pearl. Among the translated information is the return of the day/night system, with four distinct periods (dawn, day, dusk, and night) that will affect Pokemon behavior and appearance. In addition, male and female characters will now look different in-game; one of the genders might be larger, be missing certain features, or have different skin patterns. The traditional Pokedex will also be upgraded to include more than twenty features, including time management, type charts, monitoring of Pokemon in the breeding center, and more.

The Pokemon games have no confirmed release date in North America, but it shouldn't be too long before the market drops ten gajillion dollars on this tried-and-true franchise.

[Thanks Nushio, you tip-crazy fiend you]

[Update 1: clarified unknown N. American release date]

JoystiqNew info on Pokemon Diamond/Pearl [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 21:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Coro coroDayDiamondGenderNightPearlPokedexPokemonTue, 13 Jun 2006 21:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Oblivion's gender bias: the official word]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/08/oblivions-gender-bias-the-official-word/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/08/oblivions-gender-bias-the-official-word/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/08/oblivions-gender-bias-the-official-word/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you haven't heard enough about the ladies of Oblivion recently, this tidbit is an interesting look at gender and gaming. While the female characters manage to score bonus points on the "lack of scantily clad armour" scale, it seems that there are some inherent gender-based stat advantages under certain circumstances.

Gamers with Jobs have spoken to Bethesda about the perceived gender bias, and it seems that the differences are subtle, designed so that players have more choice when it comes to gameplay. While it may seem a little old-fashioned for male Redguards to have a higher strength, while females have a higher personality, the balance is all in the name of game diversity. For anyone wishing to experience the game free of any gender concerns, there's already a mod which equalises stats irrespective of gender.

[Thanks, SickNic]

JoystiqOblivion's gender bias: the official word originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Apr 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda softworksBethesda-SoftworksBethesdaSoftworkscharacter statsCharacterStatsfemalegame balanceGameBalancegenderoblivionPCroleplayingwomenXbox-360Sat, 08 Apr 2006 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Who are the gender-benders?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/who-are-the-gender-benders/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/who-are-the-gender-benders/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/21/who-are-the-gender-benders/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Academic MMO weblog Terra Nova is looking at gender-bending in cyberspace at the moment, delving into the phenomenon by asking the simple question "Who's doing it?". While many men who play female characters use the "nice ass" line--if they're going to be staring at a pixellated posterior all day, it might as well be a pretty one--Terra Nova tries to go beyond this by looking at the personalities of gender-bending players.

The comments on the post are also interesting, covering identity tourism, transgender and GLBT issues as well as adding several more accounts of gender-bending (or not) into the mix.

JoystiqWho are the gender-benders? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Mar 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicgendergender-bendingmmommorpgPCresearchrole-playingsexualityterra novaTerraNovaTue, 21 Mar 2006 20:00:00 EST