We have a lot more fun during the game since every one is really laid back and likes to help each other out. I also find that in many of these female gaming environments, the emphasis shifts from the end result and more towards how one plays the game. When I competed in the First All-Female Quake Tournament this summer, I had an unbelievably exciting time even though I lost my first round match. Finding others out there who share the same love of the game is what makes the competition so remarkable, exciting, and unique. As competition takes on a different type of structure, the social rewards of gaming become much richer.
All games are inherently social since they require interaction with another person.
Clubs and clans offer these same rewards providing women with a network of girl players like themselves that quash all notions of a gender specific game. For The Lady Sharp Shooters this means one no longer fears walking into a bar and putting quarters on the pool table to challenge the current male players. In fact, many people on the team commented on how they really enjoyed pool but always fell that with guys dominating the pool tables there was never an opportunity for them to play. I think female Quake players also feel this same bond with other members in their clan. Clans give women a social outlet to meet others with their same interests and also provide a space to play where one does not need to fear being harassed for having a female login.