The Sad Truth

                This week I wanted to talk about something different. Usually, I’d review a specific game company and how they portray their characters. But I want to talk about the industry today and how horribly toxic it can be. Yes, I know that not all men are awful. That not all companies are horrible. That this isn’t always the norm. But the toxicity needs to be addressed.

                I’ve always loved video games and tabletop games. I prefer video games, so that’s what I decided to focus on for this blog, but I want to talk about both for a minute. I have experienced “you can’t play that game, you’re a girl” type comments since kindergarten. I have dealt with store owners assuming that I have no idea what I’m talking about.

                But recently it feels like this type of behavior has increased. My favorite game store’s owner made sexual comments to me a few weeks ago. Guys at my local club suddenly seem to think I’m not a person, merely the “girlfriend” of a gamer. And it sucks. It starts to feel like I can’t be a gamer. I get tired of fighting. Of having to prove that I actually do play the games.

                My point is that it’s a hard industry and a hard thing for people to get into. I think it is horrible that people want to be cruel to people trying to get into these things simply to make themselves feel better. I don’t understand why the industry is remaining as toxic as it is now.

                I honestly feel burnt out. I’m tired of having to defend myself. Of being treated like I don’t know what I’m talking about. It seems like I can’t even like anything without being told I’m wrong or can’t because I’m a girl. While I suspect this type of behavior from the 60+ crowd, I am getting it from every age group. The industry is going to suffer as long as this happens, and I don’t know how to fix it.