December 2007: Table of Contents
Features
From the Editors
Craft Check: Gamer Cake
As the weather gets cooler in my part of the world, I feel the urge to do some baking – it’s a perfect time of year to make cakes and cupcakes, and decorate them with spray-on food coloring. And with the creative application of stencils, I can create baked goods with gaming themes. And so, as it turns out, can you.
Gaming in the Media: Cyber-Stupidity: Jade Raymond Edition
The issues that arose from the Jade Raymond comic incident are about far more than just a misguided comic on the internet. The whole situation is symbolic of some of the overall issues that arise in the gaming community, most notably generally accepted misogyny, the idea of “a joke,” and what this situation means for women who are looking for careers in the industry.
Market to Me: Female Protagonists
It pains me to say this in 2007, but although female protagonists are numerous compared to the days of my childhood, it’s still relatively rare to see one. It’s even more rare to see one who isn’t The Girl or portrayed as a sex object. A woman whose character could have easily have been a man? Practically unheard of. So when I see a commercial where they didn’t go for the default male, it makes me pay attention.
Interviews
Blogger Interview: Pai of The Pensive Harpy
Articles
Gender & Live-Action Role Play: Identity Crisis
Author: Samara Steele
In this ongoing series, Samara shares her experiences as a female LARPer in a male-dominated LARP organization.
Naked and Terrified: a Dialogue
Author: Elizabeth McDonald and Karen Healey
Elizabeth and Karen dialogue on a set of miniatures called “Hot Chicks 3.1: Naked Distress”.
“My Mom Likes Your Game”: An Industry Look at a “Casual” Phenomenon
Author: Mara Poulsen
Mara looks at the casual gaming industry and what it means for female gamers.
Speaking from Authority
Author: Richard Pilbeam
Richard discusses the default “he” and what it says about sexism in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
