What is get-out?
The "get-out" group is a network that gets women to get out and have a go with IT, by playing multiplayer computer games together as a form of social recreation, at local net cafés.

The premise of the project rests on the enjoyment of computer games as pastimes that can be considered as stepping stones to computer skills, IT-self assurance, and to new social and knowledge networks. Furthermore, the participants’ visible presence and active play in the net cafés work to provide new meanings to "what women want" from computer games, and adjust the perception of computer games as an activity that is typically associated to as something "for males".

get-out is a casual gaming session which takes place in public
spaces. The participants help one another with the game, and there
are always one or more experienced gamers present, who can help
with the game’s basic rules, goals, and set-up.

Why is get-out necessary?
The get-out group was sparked into action due to the low number of
women and girl’s present in the public spaces of net cafés; why was
this space one that was mostly used by men and boy’s? And why
don’t women and girl's use these spaces to play when it is so fun and
affordable?

One of the goals in starting get-out was to offer women an
opportunity to be involved in an activity that typically is associated
with men and "masculine" attributes. The games played in get-out
can be described as "competitive" and "aggressive", attributes that
are also enjoyed and expressed in women’s play, but are not as
often available to or encouraged in "traditional" women's play.

A Network
get-out highlights that women and girl’s can and will play computer
games. Through playing complex, strategic, multiplayer games, with
and against one another, familiarity with the computer is brought
forth, which is not defined by work or seriousness. Complex games
are played, which necessitate that the participant uses the time
required, and has the energy and interest to get drawn into the
activity.

get-out is a continuous arrangement, participants can come
again, practice and improve together. This network is a type of
"third place" for women, a social place away from the home and job
or school. It is a dynamic and social set of connections, which,
through visible play, create alternative readings to traditional
understandings of "what women want", whether it is from IT, or
from their leisure activity.

The thought of get out groups popping up across the nation is
exciting; you are welcome to contact us for further help or info.

get-out is a open network, which is running in Copenhagen,
Denmark. However, if you want to get your own get-out group up
and running, here’s a little “how-to” formula.

Start your own get-out group:

1. Find someone who plays the game you want to play, and who is
willing to share their experience

2. It is often more fun to play with others of the same level of
computer gaming experience, snowball your friends networks
(get friends, to ask their friends, to ask their friends, and so on)

3. Find a net café that fits your needs (price, location, games,
technology, cleanliness)

4. Decide on a date and send mails out (Spam for heavens sake –
if necessary)

5. Reserve the computers

6. “Google” the game – most popular games have sites with good
“getting started” tips

7. Help one another, and make sure that your “expert” doesn’t sit
in corner – make sure that they are active!

8. Don’t worry about doing something “wrong”, experiment!

9. Use the net café employees, as a rule they are gamers
themselves

10. Take up space – you have paid to be there – the machine is
yours

11. PLAY!