Charles Arena, 5th year senior at UNH, has been a dedicated contributor to the Games Room since his sophomore year at the university. Looking for work, his passion for gaming led him to the first floor of the MUB where he has currently been working as a Games Room attendent for nearly four years.
When asked of the certain students that travel in and out throughout the day, Arena seemed to notice mostly male regulars who have dedicated their leisure time to plopping down in front of a screen and working on their saved games.
Stephen Cote, Junior at UNH and regular to the Games Room, can be found shooting targets in Call of Duty.
"It acts as a way for me to relieve stress. Although it may not be the most productive use of my leisure time, I love to come here and lett off some steam," said Cote.
Surveying the Games Room on a typical Monday afternoon, there are male gamers scattered around an Xbox or Playstation. But where do the girls fit in?
"I see two kinds of girls in here playing games: a lot of girls getting dragged in here by guys who really don't want to do it... or girls who are really into it," said Arena as he discusses the types of females that he sees throughout his work shift.
When asked if he ever had girl gamers contributing to his online gameplay, Cote spent a few minutes pondering.
"To be honest I don't think I've ever played with a girl online. I rarely see girls in [the Games Room] and if they are they're probably playing Mario Kart or Rock Band, or that stuff," said Cote pointing to the 2 girls indulging in the interactive and not-so competitive Dance Central for the Xbox Kinect.
Josh Blake, part-time student at UNH, recounts his sisters as huge contributors to the gaming world.
"My sisters love gaming and they're totally open about it. They're extremely competitive when it comes to video games and sometimes it's a little intimidating, but I think it's awesome that we can connect on that level."
Morgan McCormick is a long-time female gamer and speaker at a harassment panel at PAX East, a gaming convention that took place this spring in Boston. She discussed the types of stereotypes and negativity she has experienced in the gaming world as a female player.
"I've always loved video games since I was a kid. This panel was a major opportunity for me to express my sentiments and experiences as a female gamer in a world dominated by men. It's sad that harassment exists for females in this area. Gamers can be a terribly kind and understanding group but they can be upsettingly the opposite as well."
When thinking about certain stereotypes of females in the gaming world, Adam Konopka, Sophomore and computer science major listed certain stereotypes of female gamers that he's heard based on their role in the gaming universe.
"Stereotypes I'd say is they are bad skill wise (I wouldn't say that's true). It's said they don't play games with a lot of violence, such as Halo or Gears of War, that they're not as aggressive, but I disagree. Tons of female gamers are on [Call of Duty] and such."
Konopka is currently working on creating his own online video game that he hopes will reach gamers on all levels.
"The community needs female gamers and they have a lot to offer to the gaming world. Males should do our part by not treating female gamers differently, and females should do theirs by not wanting to be treated differently (for better or worse). If we all just look at the game for the competitive aspect, while still remembering that it's a game, we can all have fun."
The MUB Games Room advertises itself having something for everybody, and better yet it's all free for students.
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