This post was inspired by this article by Puppy on 3++, explaining why girls don’t play Warhammer 40K. But having read his commentary, I felt I had to add my two pence.
I’ll make some fairly sweeping statements in this article. This isn’t to say that no women play wargames. I’ve met many who do, but they are a small percentage.
So when you consider that in recent years women have become an increasing percentage in the demographic of the internet, smartphones, video games and even anime, it's strange that this isn't the case with tabletop wargames.
After all, it’s not like the video game and anime communities aren’t without socially awkward, unwashed males who are prone to gawping at females. If anything, the anime community encourages it with cosplay. But this doesn’t seem to deter hawt chicks from dressing up as scantily clad anime characters and strutting their stuff before the drooling masses.
So what makes wargaming so different?
For starters, it largely lacks the stuff that women actually like. Now perhaps I’m a lucky man, but my last four girlfriends all liked anime – the Studio Ghibli stuff in particular.
Cuteness is a big hook for women. Anime is cute. Warhammer 40K ain’t cute! It’s grim dark, gruesome and extremely violent with hordes of super steroid fuelled super humans marching into battle, led by even more super human super Primarchs who were all genetically engineered by an Emperor who is even more manly and badass while standing 12 feet tall.
It’s all very MALE isn’t it?
And people wonder why the women that do play this hobby are drawn to armies like the Eldar, Dark Eldar and Sisters of Battle...
Women like these armies because they’re pretty and full of female models, which brings us to 'Empowerment'.
Warhammer 40K is all about Space Marines - insanely empowered super males. Space Marines feel no love, they feel only righteous zeal, a fierce loyalty to The Emperor and they shall know no fear.
By comparison, if you look at anime and video games, you'll see that they’re full of empowered (and sexy) female characters who look cute, kick ass and save the day!
They’re the equivalent empowered character for women that the Space Marine is for men.
CONCLUSION
Despite this, there is an increasing number of women steadily coming into our hobby, just as they are coming into anime and video games. Now why this is, I honestly have no clue. But it's happening.
Unfortunately, in all of these hobbies there is a tendency for single (desperate) males to stop and stare lustfully at females.
But what could hurt the increase of women into our wargames hobby is when some poor lass has to spend over 2 hours playing a game with a creepy guy.
If it was a gathering for video games or anime, they'd be able to make an easy escape, but they have to stay at that table for a game that lasts 2 hours. And I think that is the biggest problem.
and on more thing...
...I would NEVER drag my girlfriend with me to a wargames tournament!
I don't understand why some guys do this and try to 'encourage' their partners into the hobby. Surely it can only end in disaster? And personally, I need some time away from my partner every now and then.
Anyway, what do you think about all this?
