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zone. I believe this may also be contribute to why so many people of both sexes enjoy online gaming.
Online gamers also have a choice of styles of play. An online player has the choice to complete quests or grind out their levels by killing creatures and bosses or raiding in dungeons. While some players like to play solo or in small groups, there is also the opportunity to join end-game raiding guilds and take your toon to the highest level possible within whatever game you are playing. I know this aspect of the game appealed to several of the men and women I spoke with.

Personally, I love raiding. My husband and I belonged to an end-game raiding guild and, at one point, raided 6 out of 7 nights each week. It was grueling, but worth the effort. The raids involved 25 players, half of which were female players. Raid members ranged in age from 16 to 75. All were experienced, mature players who knew what was required. Gender was not a factor in the raid leader's choice of players in the raid. Rather the choices were based on class, gear, and the player's ability to play the game competitively and accurately.
Another game arena that is becoming increasingly dominated by females is online games like YAHOO! Games online. There are a variety of single and multi-player card games, detective and mystery games, puzzles, word finders, dominoes, checkers and chess, crossword puzzles, and other fast-paced games. I have not been able to determine whether more males or females play these types of games, but my guess would be it is dominated by women. The games are geared to a female audience; though there are several strategy games my husband enjoys playing, such as Chess and Poker.
I currently play Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online. The graphics are unbelievably real. My characters are also more realistic as are the sound effects. I have not been playing this game for very long, but have run into more male players than female. I think this is because this game has not been out for only a little over a year. LOTRO is still attracting and building a following of dedicated players. I think as more people gravitate to LOTRO the female player population will grow. Until then, I am once more back to gaming with mostly males.

Learn more about this author, Barbara Baxter.
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