Most games struggle with a female player base and I think it's out of fear. Female gamers are often looked down on.. Now I am not saying it's these forums! but most gaming forums when a female shows interest and shares her ideas on the game.. they are often met with "that's stupid? why even worry about that?" Since most gaming companies go by fan popularity in their forums.. it can cause a gender disconnect.
Can't say I find myself in there. Of course I generally browse RPG forums, and all of them had/have a pretty hefty female presence, and no one, seriously, gives a damn unless they go "I'm female. I'm surpresssed by you males. You have to do what I want" (fortunately I only saw this once and the OP soon went away, wheter it was really a woman or just someone trolling).
So I have to ask you what forums you frequent that would have given such an impression?
Can't really speak too much from experience, but most woman just gamed around as regular as male counterparts. Some more, some less... just as one expects. My own girlfriend rather likes casual games, and some hack&slash. She likes Fate more than Torchlight since it's simpeler. I'm not a fan of either, but there are several H&S out there I do like. There are several Facebook games that I never would have played if she didn't. And when she stopped, I pretty much did too.
So yeah, it's really not easy to give an answer to since there is no answer. Everyone is unique in their likes and dislikes. I like RPG's. Still plenty I hate, even if some are "universally loved" (Witcher II, I hate you). I know a lot of people love 3D RTS, but I can't. Stand. A. Single. One. Not a one. 2D RTS though, totally love them.
So, again, I think just putting out certain points as 'the cause' is trivalising it too much, and making stuff more prone to error.
