The idea of a female gamer as a commodity, I think, is horribly outdated now. Since women have entered the video game world, though, even more stereotypes have developed, many regarding the type of games we prefer. Also very misleading.

But I’m not going to argue with your preconceptions of female gamers. Instead, I bring you yet another GTA IV related editorial. “But RCG, you’ve never posted anything on GameGrep!” That’s because I write for Neoseeker, so normally everything I write winds up there.

Grand Theft Auto as a franchise is very male oriented. I’ve only really spent time with Vice City and San Andreas but quite honestly, both were shallow forms of entertainment I could not play for more than an hour or two at a time. They were good for amusement time and time again, but I had never considered buying my own copies of any GTA game, knowing I would not devote enough time to make a purchase worthwhile.

Then the hype surrounding GTA IV convinced me somehow, and I took a gamble; as luck would have it, the gamble paid off.

While many of you reading this are likely further into the game than I am, I’ve spent enough time in the game to realize that there is something more here than the other Grand Theft Auto titles. Whether my differing feelings toward IV stem from the fact that I am a woman or that I am an art student is a little unclear, but in this case, we will say my sex trumps my college major.

In my previous editorial regarding casual gaming and GTA IV, I already expressed my overwhelming love for Rockstar’s latest. It’s more than just another GTA, and I find its depth much more enjoyable. When I mention to others I’m really smitten with the game, they automatically joke about the violence and how I must like killing hookers after I pick them up for a good time. Bless their cute little hearts, I don’t even have the heart to tell them I’m playing a GTA title because it’s a good game and not for the acts of debauchery.

Artistic achievements aside, I sympathize with Niko on a very deep level, and when I am given control of him, I make an attempt to mold him into a person that appeals to me.

While Michelle has yet to prove herself as a worthwhile character, I find myself dressing Niko up and stealing nice cars before going to see her. I make a genuine attempt to make her happy and at the end of the date, don’t always go upstairs for hot coffee.

There is also the need to remain monogamous for her. I’ve passed hookers and made no attempt to pick them up (though my friends always try to get me to stop and check them out), and did not advertise for more dates on the internet dating service (though I’m not sure if they would respond, even if I had posted something). Hell, in SA, was reluctant to keep more than one girlfriend.

That’s not to say I really like Michelle, though to be honest I rarely approve of female characters in video games. They’re mostly either really weak and pathetic or conniving and bitchy. Regardless, there is no urge to sexually exploit or cheat on him, just the incalculable desire to put my fist in their face, as was the case with Kyrie in Devil May Cry 4. Christ, I hated that useless wench…

Anyway.

Some characters were especially repulsive to me, like the ever “lovable” cousin Roman who I probably would’ve slapped a sexual harassment suite against if I were a woman in his vicinity. Granted, he is an amusing, bumbling idiot, but he sure doesn’t know how to treat a woman (I won’t say much more than this in case you really haven’t played the game yet). And if Roman is a letch, then Vlad is a freaking rapist. That man just creeped the living hell out of me (you can bet I’m laughing at him right now, though).

I’m pretty heavily influenced to interact with NPCs who treat me (Niko) with some semblance of respect. Example? Dimitri, who also happens to be a rather well-dressed looker if you ignore his receding hairline. Is that a deciding factor for me? Hm, must be subconscious.

He doesn’t return my phone calls as much as I’d like, though… I’d totally go out with Niko, but in video games, the awesomely kick ass chick never gets with the main guy.

RabidChinaGirl