After many failed attempts to penetrate the seedy underbelly of the video game store world and learn it’s secrets, I’ve finally managed to break through their security. Agent Link went in and was forced to give up two of his three lives and “sacrifice” her fairy friend Navi. But it was more than worth it. Here we talk to our contact, Agent Caleco* (*Name changed to protect anonymity) and learn all about the life of a female video game store assistant manager.
JoAnna Gootee: Let’s get the obvious question out of the way: How did you get into gaming?
Agent Caleco: My first console was the Atari and – true story – my mom actually got me into gaming. We have pictures of her playing Pacman and Dig-Dug with little baby me sitting in her lap. Now that I co-manage a videogame store, she loves telling the story about the time she was playing Centipede AND breastfeeding me at the same time and I got jealous and BIT her! Haha. This is so appropriate for a girl gaming magazine. I love it.
JG: What is the most enjoyable part of working at a video game store?
AC: That’s easy. Work doesn’t feel like work. I graduated college a few years back with journalism degree but never felt excited about using it. I started the videogame gig as something on the side and it turned into my hottest love affair. I love everyone I work with. We’re like one huge nerd family. How many people can say that and truly mean it about their job? How many people get to dress up like Indiana Jones or a Ghostbuster for work because a correlating videogame is coming out? I love it. When I’m done here I need to tear up my Metallica shirt and dig out my pink phantasy wig for my 7am Guitar Hero Metallica launch tomorrow. It’s my dream job.
JG: What is the most annoying?
AC: Above all, I really get aggrivated when people know something is going to be HUGE (like the wii, wii fit, mario kart, and now the nintendo dsi) and they refuse to take advantage of our pre-order system and reserve their own copy. A small refundable deposit goes towards the item and it guarantees them that product or title on the day it launches. We offer these to ensure we recieve enough product from the vendor and that everyone is ultimately satisfied. “For five dollars down I can hold a copy of Guitar hero Metallica, just for you!” They shrug me off and say they’ll worry about it when it comes out but they end up eating their own words. A week later they can’t find what they wanted and they truly are “worrying.” I’ve had the same customers who couldn’t be bothered to pre-order a title say sixth months later, “Well why can’t I put my name on some kind of list?!!”
JG: Have customers ever treated you like you don’t know what you’re talking about because you’re a girl?
AC: Quite often. It was pretty bad when I first started over a year ago. I started out at the very bottom of the videogame foodchain and have since worked my way up. I still get it, but not as much. Over time customers began to recognize me and come in or call to specifically ask me about games. I have more stories than I’d like to admit but one of my favorites was when a male customer told me I couldn’t tell him the difference between a first and third party ps2 control because he ‘knew’ I wasn’t a gamer. The moment he walked into the store I greeted him and asked if he needed help. He looked at me, said no thanks, walked two feet away to a male associate and asked him a question. The guy he asked didn’t have the answer he was looking for so I chimed in, but was stopped short by the beginning of this story. It really got to me, but it made me stronger. Every time it happened, I told myself, I’m not gonna quit. I was determined to be the girl that stuck around and showed everybody. When it happens now, I make some snide comment like yeah, go ahead so-an-so, you answer this one because I wouldn’t even know. I don’t play videogames. Why do I work here?” They get it and they realize how dumb they are and I love it.
JG: In your experience, do female customers tend to gravitate more towards the female clerks? Or is there no difference?
AC: This is an awesome question. We talk about this a lot at my store. Sometimes moms (around holidays especially) feel comfortable talking to another woman or just someone who is nice to them. But it goes both ways. Girls like to come in and confide in me that they have no idea what they are doing and they need my help as another girl. They don’t want to admit defeat to boys much like I mentioned earlier. However, a lot of girls can pass me up for a guy because just like everyone else, they think guys know all there is to know about everything electrical and electronic.
JG: Being in such a controversial industry, do you ever take it upon yourself to warn parents of the content of certain games?
AC: I do actually. My store supports the esrb rating 100% and failure to comply can cost you your job. I also fully agree with it.
JG: Since the rating system still allows many mature games to be purchased without an ID, do you ever have upset parents coming in because their child was sold a game they felt was inappropriate for their age?
AC: Our store cards anyone purchasing an M-rated game who appears to be under the age of thirty. This policy leaves little to no room for upset parents. Parents are usually happy that we inform them about what they are purchasing for their child. Sometimes a mom or dad will get upset because they’re off doing their own thing (my store is in a shopping mall) and they have to physically come in and give the okay on the game. I love when I say “This game is rated M for mature for blood, violence, sexual themese, nudity, etc etc..” and even before I’m done the kid has been smacked and the mother is on her way out the door. Kids always think cause I’m a gamer I’ll be on their side and tell their mom why they should get the game. They always say, “But I played it at Michael’s house!” We always joke after they leave, “Guess who’s not allowed to go to Michael’s house anymore?”
JG: What’s your take on the ratings system for video games? Do you feel it actually does its job and keeps more mature games away from younger audiences or is mostly neglected by the general public?
AC: I think it does a pretty good job. It’s a good reference for casual gamers and parents who are new to the videogame world. Kids get carded for movies and these days videogames can have more blood and or f-bombs than most movies I saw back in the day. Plus, it leaves no room for interpretation. Makes my job easier sometimes even if it means I have to be the bad guy or the square and deny your sale.
JG: Do you think the general controversy surrounding video games in America and the rating system placed on them hinders companies from bringing less mainstream titles to American gamers?
AC: Not that I know of. Lots of moms will ask me “So is Manhunt a bad game for my kid?” The first thing out of my mouth is always, “Well it was actually banned in Australia… etc etc.” America is not as strict as one would think.
JG: And finally, what can we gamers do to make your job easier? (This is your chance to complain about us)
AC: Haha. When you’re shopping for a gift, find out the name of the game. I can’t tell you how many grandmothers I had, this week alone, shopping for Assassin’s Creed 2 for the ps2. It boggles the mind.
Tags: video games, women in the industry
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