Gamer Girl

I love video games. I always have, and I always will. Ever sense I was young, I've loved to play video games. I even come from a family of gamers: My mom, dad, and sister all play video games. But being a girl who games can be hard. For starters, I'm one of two girls in my class of 65 people who play video games in their free time. And by video games, I mean computer or console, not mobile games like Candy Crush. Second, none of the boys in my class who game can seem to relate to me, because we don't play the same games. most of them play games like Fortnite, while I'm more interested in story-rich RPG games, such as Iconoclasts. Third, the fact that I prefer games that aren't violence centered seems to contribute to a stereotype about female games. But I'll always love playing video games.

I was first introduced to video games around the age of two. Me and my sister would play educational video games like Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, and Putt-Putt. We would sit together, me, my sister, and my mom, and we would play for hours. Then, when I was five, our whole family started playing games together on our PS3.
We started by playing Little Big Planet together, a video game centered around imagination with an option for up to four players. Every night, we would go downstairs and play until I had to go to sleep. Sometimes, if I couldn't go to sleep, I'd go downstairs at around midnight to find my parents still trying over and over again to finish a level without dying. We would also play one player games like Ni No Kuni, Portal 2, and Ratchet and Clank, and just switch off who got to play. However, my sister was very possessive of the controller when it came to Ratchet and Clank. Then, when I was six or seven, I started playing games with just my sister. We replayed games like Little Big Planet, Ni No Kuni, and Portal 2, and also played new games, like Little Big Planet 2 and Puppeteer. Then, when I was about ten, we got a PS4, and we played some new games, both as a family, and just me and my sister. We played games like Tearaway, Unravel, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Little Big Planet 3. Then, when I was 11 or 12, we got a PS VR headset for Christmas. On it, we played games like Moss, Eagle Flight, and Thumper. We also got a Nintendo switch last year, and me and my sister play Mario Odyssey and Snipperclips. Throughout my life, video games have been a special bond between me and my family. We play games together as a way to connect with one another. It's something that we all enjoy.

"Video games foster the mindset that allows creativity to grow" - Nolan Bushnell

I also play games on my computer. I enjoy playing games that are story rich, with well thought out plots, backstory, and characters. I have played a lot of games and recommended a lot of them to my friends, such as Iconoclasts, Rakuen, Undertale, Don't Starve, and OneShot. All of these games are well thought out and interesting to play, with immersive plot and relatable characters. I enjoy RPG games where I can really connect with the main character. Unfortunately, most people see gaming for boys, and that if girls do game, they like cute, mindless games. And the stereotype goes both ways - boys supposedly only enjoy violent games. People seem to look at me sideways when I jump into a conversation about a game that I've played or seen. Sometimes, though, me and my friends can talk about games without judgement.  I have recommended many of my favorite computer games to my friends, three of which are guys, and whenever one of them plays it, they usually enjoy the games that I've recommended. Yes, I'm a girl, and yes, I don't enjoy violent games, but video games shouldn't be looked at like a mindless way to pass time, or an evil, violence inspiring tool of destruction, it should be looked at as a way to connect with people. A way to tell a story, to share an idea. They should be able to be enjoyed by all people, of any age and all genders.

Image credit:
https://www.amazon.com/Dualshock-Wireless-Controller-Charcoal-Black/dp/B005MMFIOO
https://leviathyn.com/2018/02/26/5-coolest-facts-las-gaming-scene/