Interview with the Frag Dolls - Jinx

In case you were thinking, "I didn't say "Interview with the Frag Dolls" at the same time Drew did", don't worry! I wasn't Jinxing you. Jinx is one of the 7 female gamers from Ubi-sponsored Frag Dolls whom I had the pleasure of interviewing (albeit via email, but beggars can't be choosers). The following is the actual written interview that you heard on the April 28th edition of the Hardcore Christian Gamer Cast. Search iTunes or visit; www.hardcorechristiangamer.com

HCG: What kind of impact are the Frag Dolls making on the video game community?

Jinx: I like to think we're doing our share to push visibility for female gamers--Frag Dolls were the first all-female team to win a tournament at a professional gaming event, and all of us are really passionate about raising awareness for other women who love games just as much as we do.

HCG: Do you feel that Video games are male dominated and what do you do to combat that stigma?

Jinx: Sure, there are more men playing than women, but it's not nearly as lopsided as it used to be. The best way to even the field is to keep playing and let other women know that games aren't the realm of nerdy boys after all.

HCG: How large is the core group of Frag Dolls and how would one become a Frag Doll?

Jinx: We have 7 members in the US, and 7 in Europe as well. We try to remain pretty small because this way we are able to know each other really well and have strong ties to each other. When we recruit a new Frag Doll, we recruit the best. We look for a gamer who is passionate, articulate, and really brutal in-game.

HCG: Do you ever have confrontation with the PMS Clan?

Jinx: The Frag Dolls are actually on great terms with the PMS clan. One or two of our members are also members of that clan, and whenever we're at events together we like to get together as friends. One of the idiosyncracies of the gaming world is that women, as a perceived minority, are much more likely to band together.

HCG: What is the overall goal of the Frag Dolls?

Jinx: As women, we want to encourage more women to look at videogames as an enjoyable hobby. Most women have grown up with the misconception that videogames aren't "for them," but it is! As gamers, we want to do everything we can to destroy other teams in tournaments. And as a sponsored team we of course want to do everything we can to represent our sponsors: Ubisoft, Comcast, Plantronics, and Puma.

HCG: What games can we expect to see the Girls Playing in the future?

Jinx: The Frag Dolls are really focusing on Rainbow Six Vegas right now. This is the game's first year on the MLG professional gaming circuit and we want to be right there at the top of those competitions.

HCG: How often do you play and what games do you play most frequently?

Jinx: Because we're so invested in our competition, Rainbow Six Vegas is far and away the game we're playing most right now. Regular competition training is 4 hours per day, but right before a tournament we can double that. Aside from that I like to play random, colorful, whimsical games like Psychonauts and Guitar Hero. I like the variety.

HCG: Usually with guy gamers, their girlfriends or wives complain of a lackof "quality time" due to gaming, do you get this from your significant others?

Jinx: That's the biggest reason to date another gamer! You can game together.

HCG: Do you feel like you are taken seriously in the gaming community?

Jinx: There are some people who like to assume that, because I'm a girl, I don't play or I can't play well. I don't mind, because they learn pretty quick when they lose. Mostly, though, I'm treated as any normal gamer and held to the same standards as everyone else. I prefer that.

For more information about Jinx and the rest of the Frag Dolls you can visit www.fragdolls.com or www.ubi.com.