Southern California native Nikole Zivalich is a video gaming personality that can be found almost anywhere. From her work as a Games Editor at G4tv to hosting The Game Show to writing for Best Buy stores gaming magazine @Gamer, “NikoleZ” can be seen just about anywhere a gamer chooses to look.
For the 24-year-old it all started in the first heyday of a company called Nintendo.
“I guess you can say I first discovered gaming when I was four or five,” Zivalich recalled. “My cousins wanted to go outside and play basketball. I did not so I stayed inside and played the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), then as I got older, the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). I eventually got my own console, the N64. Since I was so young, there are several games I was told I played, like Duck Hunt, but I lack any real memories of that. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers games for the SNES is the first game I vividly remember playing.”
Still gaming today, Nikole says the constant variety of new games keeps a controller in her hands.
“With the exception of a few weeks this summer, I never lacked a game to play,” she said. “I can't think of a developer I don't like. DICE, BioWare, Blizzard, even Mojang, people who love video games are the ones creating them, and I really think that shows in the quality of games we have. No matter the gaming-mood I'm in there's a game for me.”
Since 2007, Zivalich has worked for GamePro, GameGirl.com, Pwned.com and many others. She also works for G4tv as a Games Editor and on G4 webshow Feedback.
“Working there is amazing,” Nikole said of G4tv. “I don't think I can convey the ridiculousness of it all. One of my favorite recent memories is when Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon came out. They sent us candied bugs, actual crickets and beetles covered in chocolate. Naturally, the situation evolved from a series of ‘eeeewwwws’ to a full-on double-dog-dare contest. Everyone gathered around my desk and took turns eating bugs trying to out-do each other. I was on the verge of throwing up the entire time. It was great, and no, I did not eat a bug. I'm a vegetarian.”
When asked about the treatment of women gamers overall within the many gaming communities, Zivalich states that she only sees such behavior in online play.
“Fawning over and persecution all exists solely online,” she said. “The only place I've ever encountered being addressed like I was some mystical creature, or where I was berated and called names, has been by anonymous people online. When I go to cons like E3 or PAX there is only one type of person: gamers.”
While industry stats point toward women gamers nearing the same numbers as male gamers, Zivalich points out that she still sees more men than women at live gaming events. She said she does not consider this a problem.
“There are less women than men when you go these to these events, but that always works out in my favor,” she said. “I always get into gamer parties thanks to the dress and there are never any lines for the ladies room.”
Nikole can be found writing articles at G4tv.com/theFeed and content from The Game Show can be found at http://www.youtube.com/thegameshow. More can be seen about her at her official website as well at http://www.NikoleZ.com.
This article is one in a series of articles for PatrickScottPatterson.com’s Women Gamers Week. Be sure to subscribe to see them all.
To contact the author of this story, please e-mail him at psp@patrickscottpatterson.com or visit his website at www.PatrickScottPatterson.com.
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