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Interview with the Frag Dolls
Staci writes "KillerBetties.com, a site with a focus on the female gamer, is running a interview with three of the ladies that comprise the UbiSoft sponsored FragDolls FPS Team. Rhoulette, Jinx and Katscratch sat down with Nicole of KillerBetties to talk about the controversy surrounding their existence and connection with UbiSoft, how they feel about representing female gamers and a few other personal tidbits." From the article: "We wouldn't be the Frag Dolls if it weren't for Ubisoft, so promoting games is certainly a distinct part of what we do. However, all of us have our dreams for where we would like to see girl gamers a year from now. And as girl gamers ourselves, we can't really help but represent some of their interests and desires."
...my wife is a far better gamer on some genres than I, and I've been gaming for a while. She can't play Gran Turismo to save her life, but put her in a CS match and watch the frags pile up. I think that a lot of girl gamers are just afraid to come out and say that they like games, because it might attract guys like us.
"What I cary in this box is your utter subjugation."
the whole thing is focused on MALE gamers.
if they wanted to focus on girls they'd get brad pitt or someone... though, it's all about PR and adverts, just think what 'clan' games they could play from bugisoft...
world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
When you're sponsored by Ubisoft and you tell the interviewer that your favorite game of all time is Splinter Cell, you lose any credibility as a serious gamer. These girls are like Duffman; they're paid to raise awareness of Ubisoft by playing Ubisoft games at Ubisoft-sponsored events. They may be living the "pro gamer" life now, but in 2 years when we all decide we don't give a shit about competitive gaming any more, they'll be out on their asses and Ubisoft will go back to advertising in magazines.
Besides... Console FPS games? Puh-lease.
Now the all-girl Quake clans that started up without corporate guidance, on the other hand... hot-cha-cha.
I heard someone saying that they really aren't very good at FPS at all. They really don't deserve the title "FragDolls" unless they can go into the average CS/UT2003/BF1942/whatever server and rack up the kills.
No different from any other marketing in the world,
...
But this is very different from most other clans and other FPS teams. Most clans and FPS teams aren't a marketing campaign
It really seems like this is a Marketing Campaign-- a "New Kids on the Block" kind of clan.
Ubisoft wanted a guerilla advertising campaign targeted at young male gamers, so they hired 8 pretty girls to form a clan. It's not very authentic. Using sex to advertise a product is all too common.
94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
I don't play FPS very often, and I don't actually play many computer games on my 1997-era PC. I'm too cheap to buy a gaming computer.
I'm sure these women can play games and that they are pretty decent, but it's pretty obvious that the concept of the 'Frag Dolls' is a PR campaign first, and a gaming clan second.
It's about attracting male gamers to the Ubisoft product line. They are booth babes who are good at video games. It's manufactured group, just like the Bud girls and Britany Spears. They are using sex to manipulate you.
If the FragDolls were about Gaming first, and marketing second. then you might see more pictures of the ladies playing games, instead of sitting there looking pretty. Do you even see a video game in this lady's profile? What does her eye and hair color have to do with her gaming ability?
94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
You are implying that they aren't really playing their own games are you not? Because Milli Vanilli and the Backstreet Boys lipsync their performances? What other analogy could there be there?
While Milli Vanilli was indeed fake, the Backstreet Boys is a group of five talented singers (even if you don't like their music, you have to admit this) who were artifically brought together by corporate interests to appeal to the teeniebopper market. I think that was the main point that he was trying to make.
BTW, I have to wonder how much of their impressive win rate has to do with the unwashed nerds that they're playing against hyperventilating and screaming "OMG GURLZ!!!" How many games do they play where the opponents can't see each other?
Heck, that doesn't even matter, if you question whether or not they have anything to do with girls in gaming, you are directly saying they aren't gamers at all.
Not necessarily. I think it would be valid to suggest that the media (as well as the aforementioned corporate interests) isn't interested in this group because it's an example of girls in gaming, but because it's an example of hot girls in gaming. In other words, this doesn't really have anything to do with gamer girls in general.
Rob
Mentioning the 95% win rate doesn't mean anything unless you also mention who they play against. Does anyone know if these girls play against people who aren't chumps?
Rob
Sorry, I was unclear. I meant to say "In her gallery, do you see any pictures of her playing video games"...
My bad.
I'm sure she plays video games, but the focus is on her good looks and curly red hair. If this is truely about video games, then where are the action shots of her playing video games?
94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
"Awenyddion: From a woman's standpoint, being so visible in the gaming industry, you are being viewed as role models for women gamers everywhere."
/. posters' words that they are all good looking (I didn't see any pics).
This makes me sad. Why? Let's take them at their word that they are great gamers and are "so visible". Then I'll take it on the other
Where does that leave us girl gamers? I'll tell you where -- in yet another area of interest where you have to not only be good at what you do but you also have to look like models as well. If these girls are supposed to be role models than what their sponsors are saying is that it's not enough to be good at games, but you have to look like "Booth Babes" as well. Only then will you be allowed on our team.
Geekland was the last hold out where a guy might actually like you for your brains as much as for your beauty. I'd like to see it stay that way.
~Fricka
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