Member Facts
	Age:	49
	Gender:	Female
	Location:	San Antonio, Texas USA
	Occupation:	Technical Consultant, Oracle Application Developer
	Education:	BBA University of Texas at Austin; Certified Computing Professional (CCP); Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)
	Marital Status:	Single
	Pets:	Two cats; Tigre, short hair, mixed breed, gray tabby; Piper, long hair, mixed breed, tortoiseshell
	Favorite Movie:	Dirty Dancing
	Favorite Book:	The Secret Garden
	Favorite Band:	Queen
	Favorite Actor:	Bruce Boxleitner

So how did it all begin for you — how did you get introduced to gaming and what was your first game?
I always loved board games as a child and continue to enjoy them today.  Chutes and Ladders, Monopoly, and Risk, among others, bring back fond memories.  When video games became popular, Centipede and Millipede were my favorites.  My first computer game was King's Quest V.  Adventure games are still my stand-alone game preference.

When did you make the cross into MMORPGs?
In 1993, a flyer either in a computer game I had recently purchased or in the box of my new 486/66 MHz, sang praises of an online community called The Sierra Network.  After coercing a friend to join with me, I ventured online the first time and I was hooked.  Between the volcano in Shadow of Yserbius and Fates of Twinion, the club house for a game of Spades or Hearts, the airfield for a Red Baron shoot out, or the casino where one could really get a bit crazy, I did not lack for something to entertain me.

How did you choose your Echelon nickname and/or game names?  Is there a story behind them?
When picking a game name, I try to find a name that has a meaning close to the type of character it will represent.  Mushtaree is Arabic for Jupiter, which was the origination of my character in Earth and Beyond.  For lack of a better idea, I used it for my Echelon nickname.

How did you discover The Echelon?  Why did you decide to join?  How long have you been a member?
While playing Earth and Beyond, I was looking for a group to share my online adventures with.  I do not recall what initiated my visit to your web site, but after I did and read how The Echelon understands that real life has to come first and that each of us has a different gaming style, I knew I wanted to be a part of this community.  I have been a member since October 2002.

What is your favorite genre of game:  medieval fantasy, science fiction, comic book, or contemporary world?  Why?
I do not feel I have a favorite genre.  All have aspects that appeal to me at one time or another.  If the game has a good story behind it and has interesting characters to play, I will probably try it.

What are your favorite race (i.e., human or nonhuman), gender, and class (i.e., tank, nuker, healer, thief, etc.) to play?  Is there a particular reason why you choose them?
I play female characters.  I just can't see myself being represented by a male persona.  The race usually depends on what is available in game.  However, human is my first choice.  The class is some type of healer or similar supporting role.  You could say I would rather prevent someone or something's demise than cause it.

What is your primary reason for playing MMORPGs (i.e., an escape from real life, to take out aggression, to explore alternate personas, to become immersed in a fictional world)?
I play online games to escape and take my mind off real life troubles for a while.  This is assisted by the alternate personas and fictional worlds.

What do you consider achievement in a MMORPG (i.e., high level, possession of rare artifacts or equipment, a broadened social circle, notable PvP conquests)?
I feel my in game level is the best representation of what I have accomplished.  Showing others that I have reached a certain stage in the game.

Now some fun stuff.  What is the longest stretch of time you have ever played straight — breaking only for restroom visits or food?  What was keeping your attention that long?
12 to 16 hours playing the first Civilization. I just had to reach Alpha Centauri before the AI did.

Would you care to share any particularly amusing, exhilarating, or touching stories from your MMORPG experiences?
The online wedding of the notorious thief Lady Pirate and the honorable knight Maclaine in Shadow of Yserbius.  The marriage took place in the volcano with the humble cleric Pendar presiding over the ceremony.  In attendance were their many friends.  The party in the tavern lasted long into the night.  Shortly before dawn, LP and Mac, as their friends affectionally called them, slipped away to the bridal suite.  Here LP told Mac the story of her noble parents' murder, her own capture and years of slavery and how she earned the name Lady Pirate by many long years of hard work aboard her capturer's pirate ship.  I have great memories from that online event.

What MMORPG are you currently playing?  How long have you been a subscriber?  What keeps you playing?
Star Wars Galaxies; starting playing first week of retail.  Horizons; participated in beta and continued playing in retail.  City of Heroes; participated in beta and continued playing in retail.  Once a game has its hooks in me, it's hard for me to give it up.  Between my Echelon friends and the game stories I want to be a part of, I will be playing these games for a while longer.

What upcoming MMORPG are you most anticipating?  Why?
The Matrix Online.  I am curious to see how the movie world gets game representation.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the guild?
Whatever little voice whispered in my ear and suggested I go visit www.the-echelon.net, all I can say is "Thank You."

Special Section:  "Women of Echelon" Series

The "Women of Echelon" Series is a special feature of interviews with our female guild members, showcasing their unique perspective as the smaller MMORPG player segment and giving them an opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences, and hopes on major gaming issues, the MMORPG community, and The Echelon Gaming Guild.

It has been said that Western women are typically not socialized to play video or pc games.  Do you agree with that statement (either based on your own experience or on the experiences of your female friends)?  Do you feel that current MMORPGs would more broadly appeal to women if they had more exposure opportunities?
I agree that Western women do not see video or pc games as part of their day-to-day activities.  Most are too involved with families and careers to even think they have time for them.  So, with this said, I am not sure if any kind of targeted advertising would help with this attitude and bring these women into gaming and MMORPGs.  However, for those of us who do enjoy this activity, if we don't know about a game, how can we play it.

There is a familiar gender tautology in the game industry:  (1) game advertisements, magazines, and avatars use effusive displays of female sexuality because women continue to be a small segment of the gaming demographic and they must appeal to the male audience; (2) women find effusive displays of female sexuality in game advertisements, magazines, and avatars either intimidating, discouraging of their participation, or outright offensive and therefore continue to be a small segment of the gaming demographic.  Do you feel either statement has validity?  Do you find the visual or textual presentation of games to be alienating to women?  Do you find that you turn a "blind eye" to male-oriented marketing gimmicks?  Has the marketing of games changed over the course of your gaming career?
I am sure that female sexuality in games is offensive to some.  It is probably a turn off to many women who might consider participating in a game.  However, the savvy woman could use this to her advantage.  I usually pay more attention to the marketing of a game's story and mechanics than I do to what the female characters look like.  As for marketing strategy, I have not noticed much change in the 10+ years I have been gaming.

Some researchers have hypothesized that the violence in games, particularly MMORPGs and FPSs, continues to be a deterrent to female gamers.  How has the violence in MMORPGs affected your experience?  Does violence enhance or detract from your game play?
I understand that violence is a big part of MMORPGs.  I have no problem participating in Player versus Environment (PvE) activities.  I also understand that there comes a time when PvE is no longer a challenge and for some games Player versus Player (PvP) may be needed.  I have not come to a point in my gaming activities where PvP is required for me to enjoy a game.  Thus I do not pursue games that have PvP as a major game component.

Harassment is a recognized problem in MMORPGs.  Have you ever been subject to harassment (particularly sexual) by male players?  Have you ever lied about your real gender or played a male character to avoid harassment?
My answer to in game harassment; "It's a game."  I know the "risks" of playing a female character and have not played a male character just to avoid catcalls.

How would you describe your real-life social circle?  Do you have more, less, or an approximately equal distribution of male and female friends?  How has your MMORPG hobby affected your friendships with both genders?
Social life...  What social life?...  Really though, I feel I have a good mix of male and female friends.  Some understand my gaming, others do not.  With those who do not, I share many non-game related activities.

Have you ever attempted to convince a female friend to play a MMORPG with you?  Did she play?
Yes, I have, and she did join me online.  However, she also played stand-alone games, so I had an advantage.

If you started playing MMORPGs at the invitation of a friend, spouse, partner, or significant other, how much convincing did you need?
If the game concept appealed to me, it would not take much convincing for me to take the game for a test run.

Imagine you were asked to describe the value of playing MMORPGs and belonging to The Echelon to another woman.  What would you say?
I have enjoyed playing MMORPGs for a little over 10 years now.  Being a member of The Echelon has enhanced this experience immensely.  It is having a group of like-minded individuals, both male and female, to share gaming with, that has made my time online something to look forward to.

Anything else you would like to tell the guild about MMORPGs, female membership in the guild, or your experiences as a female gamer?
Both men and women can enjoy online gaming.  If you are female, and lucky enough to find a group like The Echelon to game with, so much the better.