Project Lore

I know a lot of other ladies, besides myself, who play WoW. I'm pretty good friends with many IRL, and I've also met a ton of talented ladies through my guild. But I don't often hear many stories about the women of WoW and how they're making an impact on the world we live in. That's why I perked up recently at hearing two fine examples of women who play WoW, and why they're shattering stereotypes on gamer girls and, more importantly, on the gaming industry as a whole.

The first story I came across on game designer Jane McGonigal doesn't deal directly with Warcraft (although she mentions WoW as one of her favorite games), but more on innovation in gaming and promoting the positive aspects that games can have on culture. Last week, McGonigal spoke on this topic at the TED 2010 conference (TED, a nonprofit organization, stands for "technology, entertainment and design"). The conference featured big-name speakers including Bill Gates, Jamie Oliver and Sarah Silverman. But it was McGonigal who drew my eye. Here's a brief interview CNN did with her:

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I know a few women who play WoW. I have talked with them on Vent and they are real. I also know several people who claim in chat to be women. And of course there are dudes who roll female toons, for whatever reason: sometimes for asthetics, sometimes to get more loot 'cuz they're a chic' or sometimes to see themself dance... weird. Now I'm a guy in RL and yes I have a few female toons and it's fun. Somehow it's so much more gratifying to have a woman toon go kick the crap of of a dragon or hold their own in bgs. For some reason, it seems to me that female toons get treated a little kinder, sometimes get loot preference but are hit on far too much. It's kinda awkward being a dude and having some young pup of a kid ask my female toon to dance for him... again weird. Anyway what I really what to know is how many women play WoW. Really. And it's not to pick up on them. Trust me, I've got that area of my RL covered quite nicely thank you very much. I am in LA, by the beach, living the dream: playing WoW, getting paid and enjoying this life. There are plenty of RL women around whose company I enjoy. So I'm just curious how many women play WoW and why do they do it? Is it for some of the same reasons I play? Do they like killing things or gaining rep or making pretty dresses (Yes I have an alt the makes pretty dresses and I Love It - Rich Purple Silk Shirt for the AH Win!) Do women play WoW with their partner or by themself? Do they get hit on all the time? Do they like kicking the crap out of people in PvP? Just curious. If you're a woman - a real life woman and not some dude who wants to pretend they are a chic - then comment here and give us your thoughts. What do you like about the game and what would you change? And Dudes - again, this is for the ladies. Don't mess it up. If you're smart, you could learn how to treat a lady by listening to what she says here. So for your sake, and for this post - shut it. Ladies, the microphone is all yours...

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