I’m a gamer. I like “Battlefield: Bad Company 2” and “Bioshock.” I’m playing “Dead Space 2” right now, against my first instinct to run as far away from it as possible — it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.
I’m also a girl. I like penguins and bunnies, my favorite color is pink, I like baking and I have a cute pink apron with cupcakes embroidered on it.
I am not, however, against playing — and loving — games usually viewed as “casual” or “cute,” just to prove I’m a “real” gamer.
I didn’t realize how many gamer girls would go out of their way to condemn “cute” games thinking it will affirm their legitimacy as a “gamer.” I watched a girl pick up Kirby’s Epic Yarn and say, — very angrily, I might add — “Well, this just looks stupid!” Why? Is it because everything had a yarn texture? Is it because Kirby is squishy and pink? What that girl may never know is that beneath Epic Yarn’s soft and fluffy marshmallow exterior lies a truly rich and deep chocolate truffle center. Kirby rips his enemies apart by unraveling his own body to use as a weapon. The platforming is great and the levels are well-designed. It is honestly easier than most other games, but it’s also undeniably fun. And that girl will never know its joys. All to prove that she likes real games, not games made for girls.
There’s just no point in denying yourself the enjoyment of a great game just because of its stigma. There’s something indescribably satisfying about watching all the cards jump around the screen when you beat “Solitaire.” Doesn’t it feel great when you match two random gems in “Bejeweled Blitz” and the entire board comes cascading down in a combo you never intended to happen? Don’t get me started on the stress that builds up as I’m watching my last ball in “Peggle” bounce up and down on all the blue pegs that don’t matter, while it craftily avoids that last pesky orange peg. But when it finally does hit and the screen erupts into fireworks and rainbows and your speakers are blaring the “Ode to Joy” theme from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, it’s almost impossible to resist raising your arms above your head in triumph. Or maybe that’s just me. Just the same, those are emotions not too different from those evoked in “Call of Duty” or “Grand Theft Auto.” You just have to open your mind to the idea that a little ball bouncing off of colored pegs can be just as satisfying as getting an incredible multi-kill that you absolutely haveto upload to YouTube later.
I hope every person that reads this — girl or guy — goes out and plays a game they were always curious about, but were too proud to actually try. Whether it’s on the casual side of the spectrum, like “Bejeweled 3” — which is amazing — or even on the core side, like “Marvel vs. Capcom 3,” give it a shot. Sure, you may not end up liking it, or maybe it’s just too much cute to handle, but if it’s fun, play it! You just discovered something you never knew you could like. Just don’t send me anymore pink cows or avocado trees — my ‘ville is all farmed out.
Courtney Takakuwa is a senior journalism major and contributing writer for the Daily 49er.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
