With women's passion for gaming skyrocketing, why aren't more developers playing along?
Posted 04.30.2009 at 1:12 pm
6 Comments
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According to the Entertainment Software Association, 40 percent of video game players are female, while women over 18 represent a larger built-in audience than even teenage boys. But where are the titles which speak to this diversity, and intelligently at that? One glance at store shelves and online portals -- crowded by childish outings (My Fashion Studio), self-help programs (Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009) and cutesy diversions (Diaper Dash) -- and it's hard to tell. So we asked insiders: What's keeping more developers from getting in touch with their feminine side?
"Obviously, publishers are playing to stereotypes," explains Hailey Bright, co-host of Coin-Op TV. "Not every woman's obsessed with being fit, pretty, or Little Miss Perfect. In fairness though, many women are always striving to be something they're not, which is why personal improvement titles tend to be so popular. Thanks to magazines, television shows and Hollywood, from grade school on, women are made to question their self-image." Translation: Blame pop culture for creating a climate in which these sorts of software packages can flourish.
In fairness though, others argue that the pendulum swings both ways. "Scanning the shelves, you'd think all men were heavy metal fans with a penchant for blowing crap up," says Challenges for Game Designers author and SCAD professor Brenda Brathwaite. "I actually applaud the industry's efforts to expand its horizons. My hat's off to game makers for trying new things... it's nice for women to at least now have some options."
"Developers have listened to all the screaming that gaming chicks have done over the last five years, and you can see the results in the games being published today," agrees Kat Hunter, former professional gamer and eSports manager. "However, that will never change the fact that little girls are little girls and really like pink. While I encourage women to explore all aspects of gaming both competitive and casual, I was also a primary caregiver for a little girl for the last five years, and she would love Imagine: Teacher and Gardening Mama."
Still, Bright suggests that what women really want is to feel more empowered, and be offered the choice of playing heroines whose resourcefulness trumps their cup size. Some would also point out the commonly-cited credo that females prefer more storytelling and characterization.
Brathwaite, however, disagrees. "Far more women play casual games than have ever touched an adventure title," she points out. "If women truly love them so much, why is the genre dying?"
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Entertainment & Gaming, Playing Around, Scott Steinberg, games, gender, gender differences, VIDEO GAMES, videogames, women"I'm in possibly the most unconventional situation possible: My husband's a former CEO and stay-at-home dad; my daughter wants to grow up to be a game designer; and then there's my own background [designing games like Playboy: The Mansion]," points out Brathwaite. "Yet despite living in a household that reinforces his ability to grow up to be anything he wants, all my three year-old son wants is cars and things that explode. I really don't see women being forced to play only certain titles either... The industry is just offering them another option."
Nonetheless, everyone we spoke with concurs that, given the field's current state, a little more variety and sensitivity going forward couldn't hurt in terms of bridging the gender gap, and showing proper respect towards everyone's feelings.
"I'm sure someone thinks the concept of a game like [upcoming downloadable PlayStation 3 title] Fat Princess is funny, and it's all done in good sport," says Bright. "But lots of women struggle with weight issues, and wanting to be something they're not. Games like this ultimately do little to speak to a female audience, and aren't going to make anybody feel good about themselves in the end..."
Get Rich Playing Games author and TV/radio host Scott Steinberg has covered technology for 400+ outlets from CNN to Rolling Stone. For more of his insights, visit www.gadgetexpert.net.
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Exactly what is a good chioce of a game that caters to women?
Most games are about things you cant do in real life.
you cant race a car downtown new york. you cant battle people on a distant planet.
so i ask again, what is a fantasy for women that can be ported over for digital gaming goodness?
I'm bothered by the sexist slant of these articles. The idea that you can cater differently to girls is one I'm open to, but there's an invalid assumption here that the content of games actually has to do with the gamer's personal life or they won't find it interesting. Guys who play FPS don't necessarily like to murder people in real life (or at least I hope they don't), so why shouldn't girls be equally interested in the games?
The idea that "little girls are little girls and really like pink" and that should drive game-design for all females is silly. Girls' preference for pink is largely a societal construct, and they tend to grow out of it when they get to know who they actually are.
If 40% of gamers are women, then what's the problem? Why are people wanting more feminine games? 40% is a fairly large chunk, obviously the games available right now are working just fine.
I agree, these articles are slightly sexist. They're playing directly into the whole girly-girl stereotype. "..I was also a primary caregiver for a little girl for the last five years, and she would love Imagine: Teacher and Gardening Mama."
I have a hard time thinking of any possible games that would actually be successful to the female consumer. Games like, for example, Barbie, just wouldn't make women go out and purchase consoles.
So yes, what would be a game that caters to the adult women gamers, since they're saying there aren't any now?
"According to the Entertainment Software Association, 40 percent of video game players are female, while women over 18 represent a larger built-in audience than even teenage boys"
I'm sorry, but this is a load of crap. 40 percent? I would guess at MOST 10%.
40% sounds very reasonable. Do you have any idea how many women flood to pogo.com or one of it's ilk? Casual gaming meccas for women (and men, but mostly women). It's huge especially with the stay-at-home crowd. Most of the women I know play those casual games for at least an hour a day.
As for the intent of the article... *sigh*. I've heard this kind of thing talked about since at least the early 90s. The problem is the sexist approach used by people who want more 'girly' games (as they define it). They think women can only be interested in a certain set of topics. As mentioned above women are obviously already interested in the games being produced today.
If you want to see a new type of game on the market. Make it yourself! Even on a small scale. If it's fun, it will succeed (or at least be copied and start a trend). Good Games can't be made by people who don't want to play them or don't understand them. Stop asking game designers to make games they wouldn't be interested in playing, there's no way they can make that fun.
I am a female gamer who play FPS games. From Left 4 Dead 1 and 2, Team Fortress 2, Half-Life 2 Deathmatch, and most any other fps game on the market. I am also a mother of many kids.....not even believing the comment about "a primary caregiver for a little girl for the last five years, and she would love Imagine: Teacher and Gardening Mama." seems like thats all sweet and fine and all, but girls get older and do want to play games like Resident Evil, Lara Croft or American Mcgee's Alice...you know...action games? Games that require actual hand eye coordination which actually enhance visual-spatial skills. You tell me there arent tons of females playing Final Fantasy and WoW.....I see the market of games like the Imagine: Teacher and Gardening Mama games failing for female gamers after a certain age because they do not make games like those for teenagers or even women. Make games for girls that are first person games....like fairies. Flying first person in a game like that may even invite me to play it.