Cásper’s Girls have many talents and interests. Some of them are obsessed with books, others simply are good in music and some of them just love games. It is very important to notice that girls share this space into the geek world. Rafaela Artero, sophomore in Journalism, talked with 4 of these Cásper’s gamer-girls. Check it out!
Name: Victória Moreira da Silva Lopes
Age: 20
Major: Radio, TV and Internet
What games do you play?
I don’t have a favorite genre, I’m just not a fan of war games, race or soccer. My new favorites are all of Batman, Dishonored and Beyond Two Souls.
In which kind of platform do you play?
PlayStation 3.
Since when do you play?
Since very early in my life. I think the First time was with 3 or 4 years old, with a mega drive.
Do you think that the world of games is sexist?
A lot. I have always heard that women does not know how to play and that video games are a “thing for man”. It seems that every time I make a mistake in a game, it is because I am a woman.
Have you ever been through a sexist situation while you were playing?
Yes. Years ago happened a “championship” between the kids in my building. The game was Guitar Hero for PlayStation 2 and I have always been really good, but because I’m a woman I couldn’t ? Later I proved I was better.
Name: Fernanda Grillo
Age: 21
Major: Journalism
In which kind of platform do you play?
PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox (I have a Xbox and my boyfriend has a Playstation, so we switch) and when I feel nostalgic, I turn my Nintendo 64 on, but I know it will not work.
What games do you play?
That depends. On my computer, I like RPG games (as Tibia or League of Legends). On others consoles I like SciFi (Mass Effect, Dead Space, Last of Us and Resident Evil), medieval games like Elder Scrolls and Dark Souls. Actually it is a little of everything.
Since when do you play?
Since I was little. I have grown up seeing my brother play, renting tapes in video rentals. When he won a Game Cube, he gave me his Nintendo 64 and then I started to play.
Do you think that the world of games is sexist?
Very sexist. There is no space for women in the games that you have make teams. If I start talking about this with someone, it is soon interpreted that I want attention. They always treat me as if I do not know how to play, it is pretty annoying.
Have you ever been through a sexist situation while you were playing?
Many times, especially in Counter Strike and League of Legends. I started to make accounts to log in with male names. It is really boring, I can only play with my male friends and boyfriend.
Name: Gabriela Mota
Age: 22
Major: Public Relations
In which kind of platform do you play?
Playstation 3.
What games do you play?
Rockband, Mortal Kombat, Crash etc.
Since when do you play?
Since I was 10 years old.
Do you think that the world of games is sexist?
Maybe in some aspects, but not necessarily. There are many women playing and working in this area nowadays, something that did not happened years ago.
Have you ever been through a sexist situation while you were playing?
No.
Name: Mariana de Souza Dantas
Age: 18
Major: Publicity and Propaganda
In which kind of platform do you play?
Xbox 360, PSP, notebook and mobile.
What games do you play?
I like to play RPG games, like Skyrim. However, I also play Diablo lll, Rayman Legends, Borderlands 2 and Forza Horizon!
Since when do you play?
Since I was 5 years old, when I met Master System.
Do you think that the world of games is sexist?
Unfortunately, yes. One prove of this are the egames championships. In some countries, like Finland, women can’t play in the same championship that men participate because they believe women can “influence” men while playing. It is a shame to see that in 2016.
Have you ever been through a sexist situation while you were playing?
Yes. To have a female nickname in online games it is an invitation to men wanting to have a more “intimate” contact. On the other hand, they say you’re a not a good player because you are a woman and “you can never play as good as men”.
Idealization, interviews and text: Rafaela Artero (sophomore in Journalism)
Edition: Bárbara Muniz