Mom's that Game

If we were to peel back the skin of our gaming community, what do you think we'd find? It's interesting to note that recent reports indicate the average age of gamers seems to be increasing. And that's not all, the average number of females playing video games also seems to be increasing.

And of those female gamers out there who identify with the community, many of these gamers are in fact mothers who are passionate about their gaming.

I have recently had the pleasure of meeting one such gamer who has an enthusiasm for gaming that is rarely seen in the community let alone in the female gaming community of New Zealand. And it's very cool to see a mother of eight regularly sitting down at her Xbox 360 console to decimate other gamers in Halo.

Gaming has always been a passion for "Trei". She grew up with video games in the family. Her father used to fix Arcade games for a living. So you could say that gaming was "in the blood". But during our chat, it became apparent that there are many reasons why alot of gamer mom's might be forced to put their passion for gaming aside for other things like bringing up children and focusing on a career.

Trei has always tried to be involved in gaming one way or another and actively encourages her children to get involved. But she admits that it can be extremely difficult to be a gamer and a mother at the same time. There doesn't seem to be alot of support in the community for mothers that game or even for older members of the gaming community to actively continue doing what they love.

Trei also runs her own business selling video games and is currently working on a project that will enable her to become alot more pro-active in the female gaming community in New Zealand. She believes that there is a serious lack of support for female gamers and wants to put whatever time she can into changing the situation.

"New Zealand has an interesting culture, one where we dream of the house, batch at the beach and hanging out with friends in the pursuit of weekend leisure. Gaming is that leisure that many women are choosing in NZ, it's about time that these women understand they are no longer alone, but are in fact one of many, and that they have a place to belong amongst friends."

Well, here's a 'shout-out' to you Trei and to all the female gamer moms out there - keep doing what you're doing because it inspires other gamers (like myself) to continue being part of this wonderful and evolving community.

Image via GamerMoms