Exclusive: Interview with Frag Doll Psyche!
The Frag Dolls are a group of women recruited and promoted by Ubisoft to bring the presence of women in gaming to the industry's attention. At least, that's what they started out to be. However, they are really a bunch of really cool gamers who can kick some serious ass on the PC - and they just happen to be women.
Our top notch network news reporter, Becky "Tovin" Simpson, caught up with the Frag Dolls recently for some interviews, and here is the last of the series. Today's section is with Renelly " Psyche " Morel , who is also a psychology major and co-hosts Level Up on Sirius radio. As the youngest member of the team, Renelly shows us that experience doesn't always come with age; sometimes you just need drive, dedication, and determination to make it to the top. In keeping with understanding the "psyche", this Doll is a big proponent of communication, constantly relaying to the rest of her team her status and that of those around her.
Renelly: When I'm not playing shooters I can usually be seen in school. I am a full time college student. I'm studying psychology. Hence the name Psyche. It comes in handy when I want to psych people out online.
Tovin: Seagate is sponsoring your booth here at CES, and so you're playing Rainbow 6: Vegas on the PS3. Is there something that stands out to you, about this game that you want to share with other gamers?
Renelly: The one thing that stands out to me in this game is the importance of team work. It's a one shot one kill kind of game so having a group of people that you can trust to communicate to you as well as listen is vital to winning.
Tovin: Let's be frank, you're a group of good looking, very good gamers, and often you get in trouble for using one thing to show off the other. Do you feel as if the media is missing your message?
Renelly: They only thing that we like to show off is our extensive knowledge of video games and the video games industry. As for physical appearance, all you will ever see us wearing at competitions and events are a pair of jeans and our Frag Doll t-shirts. As for our message, I think once people talk to us and understand what we are all about, they get it.
Tovin: Do you feel that the average woman has more to juggle when you add in home, family and then a gaming urge?
Renelly: I totally agree. It's not hard making time for something that you are passionate about like video games when you have a home and family to take care of. But I assure you that it has been done. I know a few mommy gamers who play with their husbands. In some cases they are actually better than them. Setting aside 2 hours or more a night after the kids are put to bed should be good enough.
Tovin: How do you guys fare when trying to get it all done?
Renelly: For me it's very difficult. Balancing my education and video games is not an easy task. It requires a lot of planning ahead and deciding when one is more important than the other at a certain time.
Tovin: What would you say to someone in the industry that said that females are only a casual gamer?
Renelly: "What cave did you just crawl out of? Its time to evolve because times are changing. More and more girls are becoming hard-core gamers. I know its overwhelming ;)"
Tovin: Do you feel that more of an effort is being put into making these games attractive to female gamers from the design point of view?
Renelly: I think that video games are becoming more attractive for every demographic. Nintendo is a perfect example of this. But as for females specifically, maybe but not really.
Tovin: Do you feel that the game industry is taking the outraged cry of female gamers to heart and not only marketing to them, but hiring women and training them in the industry?
Renelly: Yes! I can see more and more girls wanting to become developers and the industry welcoming them with open arms. I feel like I see more and more female developers and it's a great thing.
Tovin: What are your plans for 2008?!
Renelly: Our plans for 2008 are to do things bigger and better than we ever have. We want to break records, help get more girls into gaming, rank high in tournaments, play some games, and meet some cool people along the way.
Thank you Becky for the great interview, and thank you, Renelly, for taking time out of your busy schedule to let our readers know a bit more about you!
Interview by: Becky "Tovin" Simpson