Publication June 27, 2023
First, a confession. I'm not into gaming other than idle moments with solitaire and such old-fashioned games now online. Not only were those showcased here unknown to me but so to was the background history shared. As a result, I was looking forward to learning something new. I did. I was impressed.
Against an environment that maybe wasn't always hostile but wasn't welcoming to women, either, the women you'll meet here not only persevered but overcame obstacles. It's always difficult to pick just a few to highlight but one that stood out to me is known online as Mackenseize. She turned to gaming after an epilepsy diagnosis turned her world upside-down. Her future dreams shattered, she found herself turning to the Heartstone game community as a distraction. This ultimately lead her to create a streaming community as a safe place to open up about her disability. She soon discovered she wasn't alone and her stream thrived. Another, Marina Diez Pereire created a game called "Hey, Dad: A Brief Story of Mental Illness" in response to her own father's difficulties and her difficulty relating. In other words, it isn't all non-stop action.
What I particularly admired about them all was that they worked from where the were, often building upon almost nothing. Each story opens with the dreams they had as a child and what ultimately lead them to a career focused on the gaming world,plus a portrait, quote, and info on where they are from. They come from all over. Sylvia Gathoni was in Kenya, hardly a place most would think of as a thriving game environment, when she first encountered Lara Croft in Tomb Raider. She's now an eSports player. Ever seen a virtual concert? You may have Cathy Hackl to thank. And...well, so much more, some of which is discussed in the blurb, so I won't go on at length.
I'll simply say that once again Rebel Girls has hit it out of the park. They've also taken the unusual step for a group showcasing human skills of showing us some AI skills. Don't worry, they aren't switching to AI illustrations. They plan to continue with their worldwide host of talented artists. There's even a space for readers to create their own self-portrait and write down their own story included. The fun doesn't end there as they offer up a fun code based game (no computer required) and info on how to create your own character. I liked the suggestions that young gamers might benefit from talking to their elders, so to speak. It even offers up conversational ideas. Finally, there's an app icon readers can scan to take them to even more online.
Bottom line, I recommend this book/series highly. The Rebel Girls group works "to raise the most inspired and confident generation of girls through content experiences, products, and community." It does so by amplifying real-life stories of women like these. Thanks #NetGalley and #RebelGirls for sharing more of your Rebel Girls community with me.
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