According to a study recently conducted by UK-based publication BBC, nearly 40 percent of who play games online, specifically of the MMO variant, are in fact female. This is interesting, as a vast majority of people still consider gaming to be a primarily male-dominated hobby.
The study in question polled more than 2,400 active EverQuest II players, an online RPG created by Sony Online Entertainment. Chosen at random, participants in the study were asked questions about their life and study habits. What makes us question the accuracy of their methodology, though, is that those who took part in the survey were given an in-game item as a reward.
Said study also revealed that a number of females who participated were found to consider themselves bisexual - a rate of "over five times higher than the general population," according to BBC.
With the advent of the Wii and social-centric games taking a prevalence in today's society, it's safe to say that the number of female gamers has increased considerably. As much as 40 percent across the board is hard to believe, honestly, but such figures may very well be realistic for the EverQuest population.
The virtual battle of the sexes [BBC]