Divine Wrath Forums

Well, we all have had our run in with that notorious bitch that is GameStop. And everyone, not just women, have experienced that smarmy, condescending attitude from people who think they're better or smarter then you. Well, this story is pretty close to true. Except, I didnt get my Elite from Gamestop. And Casey (aka Froman) was nowhere near me. And.. well, okay so not very close to the truth, but you get the idea.
Also, again, Im updating at near 3 am in the morning, so my mind.. is fried.

~r3v

r3v3rend wrote:Well, we all have had our run in with that notorious bitch that is GameStop. And everyone, not just women, have experienced that smarmy, condescending attitude from people who think they're better or smarter then you.
~r3v

I live in England.
We have PC World and Gamestation.

Gamestation is SUPER helpful, seriously and will do anything to help you if you already know what you want.
But if you want, per say, "That thing that plays those halos and stuff" they'll rip you limb from limb. Thankfully, I'm on their good side^^

PC World? They hire people to sit around and smile. No one seems to know what they're doing other than the over-charging Tech Guys who will install or clean your PC. Or sell you some deliscious and cheap DDR3 DRam.

Gamestop?
Never had to deal with 'em or anyone in a game shop like what you mentioned.
Thankfully.

Question: Does this really happen much nowdays?

Worked at a best buy for a few years, selling game systems, computers, whatnot. Never witnessed this sort of thing before, and I certainly didn't do it myself (I like not having people's shoes up the backside).

Then again, i am a male, which means I wouldn't be on the receiving end so much on this sort of thing. In fact, the only time this became an issue was when me and the wife were looking for a wedding ring, and we admitted to a salesperson we're looking for something under a thousand (We had exceedingly low financial output at the time, and besides, any bigger and she probably would have snapped the diamond off like a twig, cause she's as clumsy as I am. She got a nice, cute little ring where the stone is built into the ring, not lightly attached to it like a toy).

Do ask your female counterparts (or if you are a female, do share your horror story), am just curious.

I didnt think Id actually be drawing up serious response with this page. I was definitely exaggerating some things, trying to play off the "geek" or "nerd" stereotype of poor social interaction with members of the opposite sex. I myself am a geek and know many other self proclaimed geeks who are nothing like the oft depicted Hollywood portrayal of timid, meek outcasts of society. (Isnt this the year of the Geek anyways?)
Anyhow, I was just going for the visceral humor of over exaggeration.
As for how customers are treated, the answer is both yes and no. Ive been to several GameStops where the customer service is exceptional. The only real problem Ive had with them all in general is their refunding and exchange policies ($0.05 in store credit on a game I paid near $60 dollars for at the beginning of the year?!). But Im pretty sure it isnt much different at other stores. (I chose GameStop simply because our friend, Casey, aka Froman, in reality works at one, and is constantly pimping his company out to us.)
Then on the other hand, Ive unfortunately run into those store owners who do in fact act with derision towards customers feeling that they have been emboldened with the task of cowing mere mortals who have no understanding of games, game lore, or electronics in general. (I've put together my own XBOX from the dead remains of three others, so no I dont think its a simple matter of "is it plugged in correctly.")
Also, sadly, and Im guilty of this as well, it is still very common place to see people treat women in the gaming environment differently. Anytime someone hears or sees a female playing a popular video game, like-say Halo, or shows a working knowledge and understanding of a game, it is often accompanied by sounds of amazement followed by the typical, "dude... thats hot."
So sexism does exist in the gaming world, it always has. Wow, that sounds like the title to a thesis.
I hope my rambling answered people's questions.
Because Im still confused.

~r3v

So... if I don't treat female gamers like a miracle... does that make me one of those "sensitive New Age" guys I've heard about?

Whoot! Bonus points with the wife!

I think that I am as guilty as others of being surprised by women playing mainstream games. I'm sure I've even given the sounds of amazement response. In fact, my current girlfriend really gained my favor early on in our relationship when she turned to me and asked, "are grenades still mapped to the left trigger, I haven't played since Halo:CE." I will claim that the excitement was less about her being a girl gamer and more about her having the potential to share in my hobbies instead of looking on in disgust when I tell her that I spent my sunday afternoon pwning n00bs in social slayer. But alas, I digress.

I have also experienced both ends of the spectrum with GameStop. I have been covered in smarm so thick it blotted out the sun. I have also been blessed with some of the most sincere and incredible customer service and genuine care. For fairness, I think that Froman would agree that he is dripping with geeky prideful attitude.

As for the comic, it's a good bit of social commentary, if you even need to take it that far. It's just tasty jokey humor fun, not to be taken too seriously. I'm all about equality in gaming. Frag united.

JJ

Mr. Bright,
treating women in the gaming environment as objects of wonderment and awe shall always be acceptable. In fact it is highly encouraged to do so. By treating them with near goddess-like status when in their presence, they will feel more compelled to return to bask in the adulation of the unwashed masses.

(or be creeped out by the attention and never return...eh. <shrug>)

Mr. JJ,
I like Frag United as a slogan for something, makes me think of Soccer (Football for our European brethren), but with xplodey bits.

Also, check it out, our comic is unintentionally stimulating in the cultural sense!
We so rock...

~r3v

Hooray!

We are on the forefront of satire and debate. Look out New Yorker magazine! Watcho back NY Times! There's a new law in town...D-Wrath, whatup.

Yeah, we do rock, I am rocking so hard I'm breaking a sweat at this very moment.

Wait, wait.... I thought the idea was NOT to treat woman gamers as a wondrous rarity. After all, open eyes wonderment does not mean equality, it means either worship or sarcasm. Like, if I see a woman asking for a PCI-E 256MB Graphics Card with good opportunities to overclock, I should react in a normal manner (considering I am a bystander in this theoretical event, in this case that means do nothing), not shower them with praise and worship ("wow, it is, like, so cool that you know what you're doing. Most of the women I know don't understand the joys of overclocking. Can I have your phone number?"), because the praise sets them aside and says "you're not normal." Good or bad, "not normal" is probably a bad message to convey.

For the record, I'm super polite to all who enter the kingdom of Casey. My little slice of GameStop is a sanctuary, where gamers young, old, manly or vaginaly come together (zing!) to embrace our shared love of games.

I'm only derisive and condescending towards women outside of the workplace.