Catch us on twitter at @MotherIn2Gaming while at the show!

Since having  the children and grown-up bills, things have changed for my gaming addiction. Although I am not sure I like the word addiction. Seems to have a negative connotation but calling it my gaming hobby, just doesn’t have enough dedication behind it. I could call it a gaming passion but that sounds a bit lame. Moving on…my free time is less and as a more mature adult (I try, I find I require a gaming experience that isn’t going to disappoint. I require more from my games. I prefer 5 star dining now over fast food. My number one choice is a co-op game. They can be spectacular gaming experiences. The top three list includes game franchises for Splinter Cell, Gears of War, and Grand Theft Auto. There are others I like to but then this article takes all day to write. It may not be fair but I do consider Red Dead Redemption a part of the Grand Theft Auto series. While playing online I think I heard it best described as “Grand Theft Horse”.

Since the beginning, these titles, embraced and harnessed the most super fun form of game play I like, playing with my husband Co-op, unlike multi-player, we get to play the storyline of the game together. Multi-player is when there are anywhere from 4-16 (sometimes more) players battling it out in digital game variations of tag, my second favorite. I imagine, that development of this kind of game is much harder to program. To play co-op and mulit-player games usually requires an online connection. This puts you out into the community of game owners from around the world. This is part of gaming I like very much but have found over the years I have nearly avoided. Why? As a woman playing the game, when I am not identified as a prepubescent boy, I am exposed to basic rude comments and general sexual harassment. This could even be called Cyber Bullying.

It is not always the case; there are men out there with dignity still, like my husband. He recognizes that common courtesy and decency are still required when online. It is getting better but I feel with the success of the game industry there needs to be a set of guidelines. A bar at which general conduct can be gauged and keep those playing accountable. Having 2 of my 3 girls already wanting to play as much as they can, I hope to influence a better environment in the community. I hope to see gamers keep the community accountable for their actions. Making the gaming community a place for everyone to feel safe and have a good time.

Click here to check out what I think would be a decent set of guidelines to follow!