I have been visiting GamingAngels.com for quite a few months, and was impressed by the news and content available to their visitors and community members. When the chance of interviewing the CEO came up, I just knew I had to be the one to do it! It took a while to get hold of each other, but we managed eventually. So without further ado, presenting the Head Angel herself, Trina Schwimmer!
Naomi Hansen: Hello Trina, and thank you for participating in this interview!
Trina Schwimmer: Hi! Thank you for being so patient. Sorry it’s taken so long, this year has been crazy for us.
NH: That’s okay, I just hope that the readers think this is a good interview!
TS: haha I hope so too!
NH: What was the motivation behind you developing Gaming Angels?
TS: This one kind-of has a long answer. As a gamer, I never felt like I shouldn’t be playing because of my gender. My gender never seemed to be an issue. Then I started reading gaming magazines and realizing that I couldn’t find someone I related to. No one had a female writer. At an event I asked an editor why that was and he said it was a hassle to have a female reviewer because she would get the most mail. And it would be negative which didn’t sit right with me. Why automatically discount what she has to say because she’s a female? So I created GamingAngels.com as a place where females can talk about all things geek openly and without fear of attack because of their gender. Internet trolls can be intimidating to women that are new to gaming communities. The comments of pics, etc can keep a woman from finding a place she belongs. I want to provide that place.
NH: Which you have, and I personally thank you!
TS: hehe Thank you! I love hearing when women tell me that they love our boards because they feel they can openly discuss their opinion.
NH: Okay, how long has the site been running for?
TS: GamingAngels has been in my mind for 8 years but only running for two years.
NH: Wow! How many members are there?
TS: We are so close to 800!! We have 784 members. And I’m proud to say we’re 97% female.
NH: Woo-hoo! Girl Power!
TS: haha Yeah it makes me feel so happy. But I know there are more wonderful women out there to get on GamingAngels.
NH: Were there any plans or goals that you had set for GA once it became more established in the online community?
TS: Well the podcast was something I wanted to do as soon as we got the site off the ground. For the last six months I’ve been dying to do a site re-design. I want something sleek and sophisticated, like our readers. But I continue to work hard to make sure our staff get the connections they need, are at the events, and that we have the latest coverage that you would find anywhere else.
NH: What else does your site offer that people might not know about?
TS: We cover so much more than gaming! We cover gadgets, places to go, Japanese Anime/Manga, and now books! There are also plenty of new add-ons coming with the upgrade to provide our readers with a lot more social interactivity. It’s so important to me to change our look because the look of the site doesn’t reflect the quality of our content.
NH: You cover a lot of systems with your game reviews, but which one is your personal favourite?
TS: Ooh, tough question!! Personal favourite console….I think I game the most on my 360. But that’s because Xbox Live really seems to be the best way to meet up with my friends. PSN is getting there, but it has a way to go. I think I game the least on my Mac. Only because I’m on a pc all day at work, and I kind-of don’t want to be on a computer when I get home.
NH: How did you yourself get into gaming?
TS: I’ve been playing games since I can remember. I started with playing Arcades while my mom did laundry. I’m pretty lucky since my dad always had a computer around when I was young, I was encouraged to be on it. I would not only game on it, but also copy program code. I had no idea I was programming, but it’s great to think back and see how my parents really supported me learning about technology.
NH: Do you remember the first game that got you hooked?
TS: haha Nice tough questions! So arcades and games on Apple IIe were my earliest gaming experiences. I remember at an early age being addicted to Space Invaders and Asteroids. It was like I had to keep playing and beat my prior score.
NH: Is there a particular game that you wish you had either thought of or had a hand in the making of?
TS: Ooh, great question! I actually have been thinking more and more about a career in games. When I went to college, for some reason while I was programming, I never thought I could work in video games. I always thought I had to have a career in the corporate world. Which is why I really want to work on the industry side of our site with job postings and networking because I think it’s important that women know they can and should go for jobs in the industry. As for a particular game, I don’t think I can think of one. I’m a huge fan of Square Enix games, so I would say I would love to have a part in creating any of their games.
NH: If you were given the opportunity to develop a game, what kind of platform would it be and what would be the storyline?
TS: Wow…the game would hopefully be available on many platforms. I would love to make a game for young kids that avoids putting them into traditional gender roles. A game that actually plays well and let’s them explore and have fun.
NH: Is that your final answer? lol
TS: haha yeah. I mean I would want to work on lots of types of games I think FPS might be my most difficult genre to work on since I tend to be bad at them. But maybe I can help with the controls then!
NH: As a female gamer, how do you feel about the way in which women are portrayed in games? Is there anything in particular you would like to see changed?
TS: I actually feel that there is a larger problem in how women are or aren’t marketed to for games than women are portrayed in games. Of course it would be great to see more stronger female roles, which I think we are getting with upcoming titles like Mirror’s Edge. I do enjoy when people give you choice, like in Fallout 3 or Fable 2 where you can play a male or female. But really the marketing has to change. Marketing departments have to think about marketing to gamers. Not just the easy route of marketing to men and then being glad when we buy the game as a female gamer.
NH: So the characters in most games (i.e. the simpering busty women who appear not to be able to function without men types, and so on) don’t bother you as much as the marketing side of things?
TS: Well maybe it’s an unfortunate side effect to being used to the idea that women models in games can wear a bra and that be enough armour. I mean that really should change, but at the same time, there is nothing wrong with some sexiness in my games, but I would charge the company to make her a strong character. I expect that when the “studies” show that we are more even at numbers with male gamers, that the overdone female character model will change and you’ll see female models in games that are a bit more sensible.
NH: Agreed, and it shouldn’t take a study to tell them that.
TS: Oh I totally agree that it shouldn’t take a study to get them to change. But I think it’s about media exposure. Pointing out to a point of shouting that not only are female gamers large in numbers, but we are vocal and love to discuss our games and have strong opinions about what we want and expect from the game industry.
NH: Would you consider yourself a feminist to some degree, and if so how?
TS: I do think I’m a bit of a feminist. I sometimes have to hold myself back from my gut reaction and then put my opinions in order. I feel very strongly about respecting yourself, as a woman, and never letting someone belittle that. Your opinions about games matters just as much as anyone else’s. Just last night I was talking with my partner about how I feel that society is so hard on us women that are trying to pursue a career or a passion above what are traditional roles for women. It’s quite unfair, and I don’t really know quite what to do with all my opinions yet. But I will find a place and way to express them. It’s my deepest hope that GA becomes that place. The place where women can discuss all issues. A place that encourages women to go for their dreams and helps them get there. It’s unfortunate that the title “feminist” has gotten such a bad rap. Because to me, it’s about standing up and respecting yourself. Not doing things for others or because you are expected to. It’s making yourself vocal when you think no one is listening. And I really encourage women to stop thinking of being a feminist as a bad thing. Instead think of levels of feminism and figure out what is important to you.
NH: Is there anything else you would like to mention to our readers before you go?
TS: Well first I want to thank you for the interview. I love your comments during our podcast and this has been a lot of fun! I would love to encourage everyone to come by GamingAngels.com and to wait to see what is coming soon. The site re-design is going to be great for us, and I have a lot of innovative ideas for the site in terms of content. We have an amazing staff and our coverage is top notch. So now it’s time to make the site look that way! Also remember to stay vocal. Be it through blogs, forums, whatever, just get out there and express yourself!
NH: Absolutely! Thank you very much for your time Trina!
TS: *hugs* Thank you!
Tags: video games, women in the industry
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