Ask your average female gamer what her favorite games are and you’re likely to get answers including The Sims, Viva Pinata and other fun, often indepth yet generally family friendly fare. According to Cliff Bleszinski many gamers of the fairer sex are adding an unlikely title to their list.

He admits that most of his basis for this is anecdotal evidence based on conversations he’s had, stats from online play and talking to casual gamers, but he says that Gears of War 2 is seeing a lot of female fans. He attributes some of this to the fact that they added  a little more ‘heart’ into the gameplay. No, not locust hearts, romance: “Is it a Nicholas Sparks romance? No, it’s not.”

Somehow I doubt that anyone, anywhere is playing Gears of War 2 for the romance. More likely it’s that people are starting to wake up and realize there’s a whole bunch of girls out there who don’t mind a little graphic violence. Most guys have known a girl who atypically loves horror movies and gore, even if she still dresses in skirts and heels. Throw in the fact that the Gears series is well made and you’ve got a recipe for success across the gender divide.