Let's get the obvious joke out of the way: The original name for the new GameStop initiative was "Let's Try to Get a Woman Into GameStop Maybe."GameStop has announced a new program called "Me Time, Anytime" in which customers are encouraged to come into one of 1,500 US GameStop locations and try out the DS and its games. From 11a.m. to 2p.m. on October 18 (otherwise known as "not anytime,") this special demo station, called the "Me Time Test Drive" will be available, and employees will, of course, be on hand to answer questions.
In addition, seven GameStops in major cities (see the press release for locations) will host Marquee events from 10a.m. to 6p.m. which will include "refreshments and music" as well as prizes. Nintendo representatives will be present to "help with your Nintendo DS needs." According to the press release, GameStop stores have already started handing out "designer carrying cases" with purchases of a DS console and a new game.
We don't think transparently desperate promotions and free refreshments are going to do anything to bring more people into GameStop. For future events, we'd suggest "We Won't Make a Big Deal Out of It When a Woman Comes In" day and "You Probably Don't Want a Preorder, a Warranty, or a Discount Card, So We Just Won't Bother You About It" day.
GameStop can't take all the blame for this futile, vaguely exploitive promotion. The presence of Nintendo reps at the larger events, as well as the way the "Me Time" name ties so nicely in with Nintendo's own "I Play for Me" campaign suggests that it is a coordinated effort between the retailer and Nintendo.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-14-2008 @ 11:57AM
AR said...
If they would stop treating every potential woman going into GS being completely ignorant about gaming, maybe just maybe women may step foot in their stores. But why would us women want to be barraged by pre-orders and EDGE card, and pre-pubescent fanboys when we can buy games online.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 12:00PM
MowDownJoe said...
That picture perfectly describes what GameStop SHOULD be doing.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 12:07PM
Very Metal said...
How do I get my girlfriend to play video games/ read comicbooks/ watch sci-fi, etc. etc. Yadda yadda. Same thing, but with $$ & more patronization attached. Transparent, misguided, and oh-so Gamestop.Who cares! We play what we play.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 12:12PM
Brendon said...
Reminds me of this t-shirt:
http://www.duelinganalogs.com/uploads/gestapo.gif
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 1:06PM
rikki said...
This article is so excellent.
Though if I remember to do so I'm going down there for the gift card sweepstakes. Since no one else is going to come to this event, I figure I've got a pretty good shot! Hopefully it's at least $10, though I'm crossing my fingers for $30...
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 1:37PM
chibi_wings said...
maybe it's because I live in Canada, but I've never had that kind of experience with Gamestop/EB Games. I do get a bit annoyed at being asked if I want a warranty, but it's just a formality. If I say no, that's it, end of discussion. Also, most stores have some kind of promotion that they ask their customers about, so it's pretty standard stuff; something I've come to expect from retail. I've never been treated as a total idiot with respect to games at EB/ Gamestop, even through i'm female. So I'm a little shocked to be hearing about this. =/
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 5:40AM
aj said...
I live in Canada as well, and 90% of the employees at Gamestop/EB are women. Attractive nerd women, as well. I point this out because they completely and totally use the fact that male nerds will buy anything if a woman in a low-cut shirt says hello to them. And you know what? Women will NEVER be taken seriously as long as they use their breasts to get men to do what they want. Or, conversely, if men keep doing whatever women want them to do because they're scared of women.
So....basically Gamestop is sexist on so many levels that it goes from "funny" to "sad" to "offensive" to "I'm a guy and that pisses me off".
I think I'm going to cancel all pre-orders and tell them why, in fact, and take my business to Amazon.com, Wal Mart, or anywhere else, really.
10-14-2008 @ 1:58PM
RootiePatootie said...
I too have never had a bad experience in many GameStop stores in various parts of the country. I'm certainly NOT the average gamer, 51 year old female, but about the only thing I've ever had happen in a Game Stop that annoyed me was when the fellow wouldn't stop yakking on the phone WHILE he was ringing up my purchase. But that happens, sadly, in other stores too. The warranty thing also happens in MANY other stores and it's something I just say no to and understand that they're just doing their job.
In fact, I'm treated better in Game Stop than any other retail store where I may purchase a game, be it for my DS, Xbox or computer. At least they don't automatically assume I'm in there shopping for my kids. That happens a lot to me in other stores and always has. I've been gaming since the very early days and I feel that if a female makes no big deal about shopping for games and equipment then usually the sales people in the stores won't either. Shopping with knowledge and confidence makes a difference in how you're perceived, USUALLY, in most any store.
As for this particular sales gimmick, I see nothing really wrong with it and if I've the time and inclination I will stop by the nearest Game Stop and check it out.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 2:00PM
Zealot said...
Maybe GameStop wouldn't have so many issues getting women into stores if they didn't line their entrances with a dozen giant cardboard cutouts of scowling space marines and blinged-out thugs advertising whatever shooters are available for preorder. For a woman uninitiated into a gaming, I could imagine it would give off an unfriendly "manly men only" vibe.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 4:42PM
Ayumin said...
When I go into a GameStop (as a girl), I get the employee on duty following me around asking me about why I'm in there... And upon finding out I'm buying games for myself, asking me to trade in my games for the newest cute games (I love the cute games, but not the kind he was offering) Then I began shopping online for games :D
Although there have been good times when there's people in there who I can hold a conversation with about what's coming out and etc. Usually, those are the people who are sitting behind the counter reading a mag or something and then see I'm looking at something and then begin a conversation based on whatever I'm looking at. Those poor lonely kids...
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 5:08PM
Myranx said...
I used to work at GameStop when I lived in the US. I was asked at least 3-4 times a day "Do you really play games?" That got extremely annoying. Apparently a lot of people are under the impression that women do not like games. No, I have 8 DSes because I HATE gaming -sarcasm- (I have all the other systems too) That or they assume I'm playing the imagine series -shudder-. That being said, employees are expected to get as many reservations and subscriptions as they can. In fact if they don't get enough of them they may lose their jobs.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 7:13PM
Ayumin said...
I was just thinking of the whole girl gamer thing earlier. I think it's about time that the whole "girls don't play games/don't exist on the internet" thing needs to just die a quick and silent death. It's not really a special thing for a girl to be playing, and a lot of time, when I'm playing an MMO with a bunch of guys, the only time I even pay attention to the gender is when the conversation turns to male genetalia. Ahhh, after playing with guys for so many years, that still makes my brain break occassionally...
But yeah, girls play games and it's nothing special anymore (but please more games for girls that aren't mind-numbingly shallow).
10-14-2008 @ 7:46PM
RootiePatootie said...
Ayumin: I'm curious, you make a good point about killing off the "girls don't play games..." thing but then you end your comment with "(but please no more games for girls that aren't mind-numbingly shallow)" Your post seems to me to be a bit of a dichotomy. Either you want no distinction between male and female gamers, as you seem to me to point out in the first paragraph OR you want a distinction...at least enough of one that games should be published that are aimed at females.
I personally dislike the idea of games being aimed at one gender or another. Yes, video gaming, no matter what platform, surely has been testosterone laden in the past but IMO that's changed quite a bit. Plus many females, like myself, enjoy games that are traditionally considered for males only. The MMO I play seems to be populated by a good percentage of female players but then again, who REALLY knows since the player can play whatever gender character they choose. And if you're a RP'er like myself, you can also RP that character in any manner you wish. The movie Victor/Victoria comes to mind at times in fact :)
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 8:32PM
chibi_wings said...
I have to disagree, I think there should be games for girls. By this I only mean that the "main character" should either be female, or that the player is given the choice (a la Pokemon, and Harvest Moon). I don't mean to suggest that there should be some intrinsic difference between girl or boy games, just that we females should have a share in the "main character" glory. It's nice when there is a female star, and not just a female sidekick that is usually inferior to the main male, and conforms to some absurd female stereotype.
And I think that is happening; more games are giving players the choice of their gender, or have a heroine instead of a hero. Example on the DS include: Touch Detective, Magical Starsign, Children of Mana, Rhapsody, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, & A Witch's Tale. Just to name the ones that come to mind readily.
10-15-2008 @ 5:47AM
aj said...
The way I see it, a game can either be good or bad.
Making a game "for girls", or for ANYONE for that matter, tends to bog the fun down in asinine stereotypes that end with a product that is seen as patronizing to anyone that isn't 6 years old.
"Imagine: Babyz" is just as bad, basically, as "Killsport Blood Bowl Fight XII".
And no, just having a female protagonist is NOT enough. I want to see female characters who are not just sexual fantasies for the male players, or ridiculous stereotypes. And I want to see male characters who aren't steroid dependent and masculine to the point of making Andrew Dice Clay seem gay.
The world is a big place, and there are a lot of stories to tell, and a lot of ways to play games. So why do we put up with these ridiculous versions of masculinity and femininity?
This message has been approved by a man who would rather play Rhapsody 10 times over than a single FPS.
10-14-2008 @ 8:00PM
Dante G said...
News flash: Girls play games.
My wife is a Zelda and Phoenix Wright fan. I think I'll buy her a DS cause she's enjoying it big time.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 8:21PM
aggrocrag said...
So, are they implying that women just want to play Nintendo DS?
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 8:44PM
RootiePatootie said...
aggrocrag: I don't THINK they're implying that the only platform females want to game on is the DS. However, IMO Nintendo has really taken more steps than anyone else in at least TRYING to understand that females DO game. The DS is a fun platform, no matter what your gender, and a relatively cheap and easy one to start with if you're new to gaming.
10-14-2008 @ 8:41PM
RootiePatootie said...
chibi_wings: So you're not really disagreeing with me it seems. You are only saying you'd like to see more games where the protagonist is female or you, the player, at least has a choice to make it either male or female. I can roll with that, no problem.
What I am objecting to is what Ayumin seemed to be saying in her last paragraph, in parentheses, that she wanted more "games for girls". This to me said she wants games made for and aimed at females specifically. I don't want that and I don't think that's really, in the long run, the way for game publishers to go. It will only prolong the image that female gamers are somehow different in their gaming needs/wants than male gamers plus, if we're honest, they'll just continue to put out "games for girls" that aren't at the same standard of gameplay as those aimed at the general gaming audience (which yes, I will agree is still considered to be males..and males of a certain age bracket at that).
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 3:55PM
RootiePatootie said...
aj: All valid comments but more idealistic than realistic given the CURRENT game market. I do agree strongly that making a game aimed at any one particular market can often, but not always, water down or ruin the game.
As to why we put with these ridiculous versions of masculinity and femininity, IMO it's because there's little else to choose from in the market right now. We can do our best though to avoid the games that push these stupid stereotypes but all too often, sadly, that means avoiding a game that otherwise is excellent.
In the MMO I play so many I play with there, male and female (real life and character gender) laugh continually at the abnormally large breasts on all but the troll race. But beyond the laughter is, IMO, a genuine desire to see things like this change.
Until the gaming market fully realizes that the target audience is more than over-producing testosterone males in a certain age bracket I fear this type of gaming will dominate. HOWEVER, we, the gamer and more importantly the consumer, do have a voice. That voice is $$$ and we can speak loud with it if we really try.
Nintendo is trying something with this event that I can't condemn and can only hope will encourage more people, male and female, to try this wonderful platform AND also find out that there is a world of fabulous games out there, they'll just have to sift through a fair amount of junk, like everything else (books, movies, music, etc.). In the end, it's all about the gameplay, IMO, and the more people that can be turned on to gaming the better the chance we have of moving away from these stereotypes and the games that foster them.
I'm am glad to see a male voice his opinion on this topic we got off on and even more happy to hear that it's not what is considered by too many as a typical male gamer comment.
Reply