Leading US gay news source, The Washington Blade, has just published an interesting news story on the first major survey of gay gamers, which is being conducted by social scientist, Jason Rockwood, under the guidance of Professor Dmitri Williams at the University of Illinois.
SPOnG did a quick survey this morning of a number of fellow UK games journalists and UK games marketing execs, to ascertain what people thought about gaymers, gay characters in games and the feeling about providing specific gay-themed content in games.
Few people deigned to even comment, which in itself says something about the homophobic culture which many gaymers feel to be rampant within the industry (as does the snide strapline above - Ed!?).
One marketing exec, who asked to remain nameless, agreed to fill out the survey and afterwards told SPOnG:
"It's clear to me, as a straight male working in the games industry in the UK, that the gaming community and the games industry is dominated by a 'jock-like' overly competitive masculine culture, so I hope that this survey shows up some good results and some good feedback from a good range of gay and straight gamers, which might hopefully lead to more progressive attitudes amongst gamers and game developers and publishers regarding gay game characters and so on."
The survey contains 91 quick multiple-choice questions and takes around ten to fifteen minutes to complete - so if you are a gaymer or have opinions on issues of sexual identity in gaming then you might want to give it a go. You'll also remain anonymous, so none of your more homophobic gaming or industry friends will be able to post "X's gay shame" news on their 'hilarious' blogs.
Rockwood claims that the survey is the first one of its kind: "A lot of surveys in academia today, they are refinements of many, many years of survey work that have occurred...Just being the first one out there looking for these answers, there are a lot of questions we want to know and we are asking questions that we don't have the answers to."
Rockwood wants the results of the survey to provide game developers and publishers clear and detailed information about gaymers, enabling them to appeal to more players of different genders and sexual orientations.
He also hopes that the survey might help break down barriers of prejudice within the mainstream gay culture and media, which he says is, "not supportive of video games... So you have these people stuck in the middle who have this double-edged prejudice. I'm hoping this survey would shed some light on how or why people go through such a process."
Rockwood's mentor, Professor Williams, added: "Computer and electronic games are obviously quite popular, but, despite what you hear from politicians and pundits, are surprisingly understudied... Surveys like this one will help us understand better who plays games, what they play, why they play, and what they get out of the experience. With data in hand, we can move from assumptions, guesswork and stereotypes and into facts and understanding."
SPOnG has been trying to think of any gaming characters who have been openly gay, but all we seem to be able to come up with are joke Village People-a-like stereotypes such as Ash from Streets of Rage 3 (pictured right) a politically incorrect stereotype of a homosexual who minces around dressed up in dodgy clothes and cries when you beat him up.
Sega of America demanded that Ash, who also had a female 'Death Scream', a very feminine run, a stupid little 'Laugh' taunt and tons of female mannerisms, be removed from western versions of the game.
"Zangief, from the Street Fighter series also looks a bit gay, rocking that classic Eastern European strongman look that the gays love," added another SPOnG staffer, who has since been forced to register on Gaydar and tell us all about his gay sexploits and offers of hook-ups in West Yorkshire's finest cottaging venues.
Gaymers and more open minded types, who wish the games industry would stop collectively acting like a retarded thirteen year old boy on such matters can check out the survey at www.gaymersurvey.org
SPOnG did a quick survey this morning of a number of fellow UK games journalists and UK games marketing execs, to ascertain what people thought about gaymers, gay characters in games and the feeling about providing specific gay-themed content in games.
Few people deigned to even comment, which in itself says something about the homophobic culture which many gaymers feel to be rampant within the industry (as does the snide strapline above - Ed!?).
One marketing exec, who asked to remain nameless, agreed to fill out the survey and afterwards told SPOnG:
"It's clear to me, as a straight male working in the games industry in the UK, that the gaming community and the games industry is dominated by a 'jock-like' overly competitive masculine culture, so I hope that this survey shows up some good results and some good feedback from a good range of gay and straight gamers, which might hopefully lead to more progressive attitudes amongst gamers and game developers and publishers regarding gay game characters and so on."
The survey contains 91 quick multiple-choice questions and takes around ten to fifteen minutes to complete - so if you are a gaymer or have opinions on issues of sexual identity in gaming then you might want to give it a go. You'll also remain anonymous, so none of your more homophobic gaming or industry friends will be able to post "X's gay shame" news on their 'hilarious' blogs.
Rockwood claims that the survey is the first one of its kind: "A lot of surveys in academia today, they are refinements of many, many years of survey work that have occurred...Just being the first one out there looking for these answers, there are a lot of questions we want to know and we are asking questions that we don't have the answers to."
Rockwood wants the results of the survey to provide game developers and publishers clear and detailed information about gaymers, enabling them to appeal to more players of different genders and sexual orientations.
He also hopes that the survey might help break down barriers of prejudice within the mainstream gay culture and media, which he says is, "not supportive of video games... So you have these people stuck in the middle who have this double-edged prejudice. I'm hoping this survey would shed some light on how or why people go through such a process."
Rockwood's mentor, Professor Williams, added: "Computer and electronic games are obviously quite popular, but, despite what you hear from politicians and pundits, are surprisingly understudied... Surveys like this one will help us understand better who plays games, what they play, why they play, and what they get out of the experience. With data in hand, we can move from assumptions, guesswork and stereotypes and into facts and understanding."
SPOnG has been trying to think of any gaming characters who have been openly gay, but all we seem to be able to come up with are joke Village People-a-like stereotypes such as Ash from Streets of Rage 3 (pictured right) a politically incorrect stereotype of a homosexual who minces around dressed up in dodgy clothes and cries when you beat him up.
Sega of America demanded that Ash, who also had a female 'Death Scream', a very feminine run, a stupid little 'Laugh' taunt and tons of female mannerisms, be removed from western versions of the game.
"Zangief, from the Street Fighter series also looks a bit gay, rocking that classic Eastern European strongman look that the gays love," added another SPOnG staffer, who has since been forced to register on Gaydar and tell us all about his gay sexploits and offers of hook-ups in West Yorkshire's finest cottaging venues.
Gaymers and more open minded types, who wish the games industry would stop collectively acting like a retarded thirteen year old boy on such matters can check out the survey at www.gaymersurvey.org
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Comments
newageretrohippie 12 Jun 2006 16:36
1/5
Tony from Earthbound was gay, and not a retarded-cheerleader stereotype either.
Fable you could do whatever you want.
And probably the pirates in Wind Waker.
Fable you could do whatever you want.
And probably the pirates in Wind Waker.
config 12 Jun 2006 17:31
2/5
SingStar Anthems is about a "gay friendly" as gaming gets at the mo (if you're happy to call SingStar a "game")
TBH, not sure there really needs to be a set of specially designes, gay friendly games - a good game is a good game, regardless of your persuasion - right?
TBH, not sure there really needs to be a set of specially designes, gay friendly games - a good game is a good game, regardless of your persuasion - right?
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LUPOS 12 Jun 2006 19:01
3/5
config wrote:
TBH, not sure there really needs to be a set of specially designes, gay friendly games - a good game is a good game, regardless of your persuasion - right?
I'd say the same thing of girl friendly games by its been shown more than a few times that certain types of games seem to apeal to the more sterotypical female sensabilities. However whenever a game is labeled as a girls game its usualy pink and involves barbie or the olsen twins.
I suppose there are probably certian types of games that interest your "average" gaymer more than others but the thought of making a game specificaly with the intent of courting gaymers is just silly and wront and soem what deragatory i think.
It's like BET (black entertainment television, if such a thing doesnt exist in the UK). Its a channel full of rap and "urban" culture stuff's that are just so painfulyl stereo typical i personaly woudl find it insulting if i where black to have someone assume that i would like such things just because i'm black. Even if it was another black person doign it.
I can't help but feel we have had this discusion before some time ago... have to dig through zee old news.
_________
newageretrohippie 12 Jun 2006 19:16
4/5
LUPOS wrote:
I suppose there are probably certian types of games that interest your "average" gaymer more than others but the thought of making a game specificaly with the intent of courting gaymers is just silly and wront and soem what deragatory i think.
Agreed. If there ever is a "Prada Shopping Extreme" or "Queer Eye: The Official Game of the Show" I might just vomit.
Castro Lane 28 Nov 2008 23:35
5/5
I think heteros who try to put their spin on what gaymers want is retarded. I think heteros are a bunch of spoiled little turds who get everything and want even more. When they can't have it their way, they destroy things and people. Quit your whining on this thread, don't you think corporate america already slobbers on your fat asses everwhere you go?