"Mada, mada dane"

Yes! As a long time female gamer (mostly computer RPGs) I agree. I do occasionally play FPS (Bioshock being the most recent), and I want female avatars (especially in RPGs). Why can't a woman character hit someone over the head with a wrench, or stab them with a sword? Why the heck aren't women on planetary bases?

There's an entire series of RPGs (Gothic) that I avoid simply because I can't play as a female character. Completely destroys the immersion factor for me.

I just get the feeling that the powers that be in the gaming industry think of it as "boys with their toys" and god forbid women get their hands on those toys.