Video Games and Women

So, I'm kind of hard on video games and those who play them.  I was relentless on my ex about not having a life because of the video game habit.  Honestly, I don't dislike them.  I play Call of Duty with my brother-in-law, and even entertained the thought of getting one, but figure I should wait till the new one comes out.  I get that it can be a social tool, and using your television as a computer screen is kind of awesome.  However, the games aren't really meant for women.  I've been the only girl in the comic shop, and either gets looked at weird or mean spirited comments which can be reduced to a female degrading guydom.  I'm not looking to do it again even if shooting my brother-in-law in the head is satisfying on many levels.  

In both cases comics and video games, they just haven't caught up.  They are jut beginning to market to women, and most of the time don't have developed female characters.  I know in comics the women are created to be pleasing to a male audience, and though you can often pull out awesome feminist traits they often get lost.  The same can be said for female video game characters: Croft or Valentine.  

This all stems from an article I read on Salon.com, "A Real-Life Video Game Heroine."  The article discusses the future of gaming and home women could and should play a role in it, the interview was conducted with Mary Flanagan.  Not only should games in designed for girls, but women should become involved in the programming.  Can't say I disagree with that.