A more feminine solution?
- Thread starter LoganAsh
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I do think there's a perception that girls "shouldn't" play games, a "Games are for boys" mentality, sort of like girls shouldn't be car salesmen. Some things just appear to be imprinted with "boys only." (Similarly, despite the HUGE amounts of money to be made these days, guys really don't enroll in nursing school.)
Some of the perception is generated by the content, though, of high-profile games. The games getting the publicity are shooting-oriented FPS or MMORPG. Hmmmm. . . repetitive button mashing or grinding for hours? Neither appeals to this woman. Sure, chicks play them, but sometimes I think it's because they're online, social,and competitive, not because the games are "so much fun." The socialization is fun, the competition, but how many girls played Halo campaign only?
I also think there's a perception that "games are for boys" because most games greatly underdress their female characters in an effort to cater to the male libido. It's not much fun to play a game where the women (who are supposed to be smart and strong) are dress like their bimbos who are looking for a hook up.
PedroSteckecilo:
Apparently we need the gaming equivalent of the romantic comedy?
We already had that. It's called The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
Some of the perception is generated by the content, though, of high-profile games. The games getting the publicity are shooting-oriented FPS or MMORPG. Hmmmm. . . repetitive button mashing or grinding for hours? Neither appeals to this woman. Sure, chicks play them, but sometimes I think it's because they're online, social,and competitive, not because the games are "so much fun." The socialization is fun, the competition, but how many girls played Halo campaign only?
I also think there's a perception that "games are for boys" because most games greatly underdress their female characters in an effort to cater to the male libido. It's not much fun to play a game where the women (who are supposed to be smart and strong) are dress like their bimbos who are looking for a hook up.
PedroSteckecilo:
Apparently we need the gaming equivalent of the romantic comedy?
We already had that. It's called The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
That's what I've seen IRL as well as elsewhere [http://www.crispygamer.com/comics/backward/2008-01-20.aspx].LoganAsh said:
Ex: First day of class; everyone gets a turn to introduce themselves. I mention that I've studied video games and the background arts/sciences behind it. I also mention I'm very into games and a girl across the table immediately pipes up about racing games. The weird thing was that several people before me had mentioned games. I figured either she noticed cuteness in the room, or I was the last person in the room needed to eliminate social stigma.
I agree as well, i had the same experience ith my g/f and Oblivion.. she loved the iea, but fonud it too overwhelming. I mean one of my main points originally was that because gaming has always been labeled socially as "for guys" (and let's be honest, it really has) girls often havn't had the chance to train themselves in all the subskills that many male gamers learn, often are encouraged infact to learn, from a younger age.
The issue is, as gaming becomes more popular, if a female decides she wants to get into gaming, she'll find it very hard to do so because of the assumption games make that you have experience. Many games ignore their potential female market, it's not about making girls play games, it's about letting those who want to play games, gain access.
Well anyway, good discussion, glad the post got so many replies.
The issue is, as gaming becomes more popular, if a female decides she wants to get into gaming, she'll find it very hard to do so because of the assumption games make that you have experience. Many games ignore their potential female market, it's not about making girls play games, it's about letting those who want to play games, gain access.
Well anyway, good discussion, glad the post got so many replies.
Maybe the best thing to do about female gamers would be to...not do anything? Theres nothing to do! If girls want to play games, thats fine. Games arent especially geared towards guys, so nothing has to change if more girls are going to start playing.
The biggest problem people are likely to experience with more female gamers would be the little 8 year olds that go "Oooh, a girl!!" every time they come across one online. Which leads me back to my crusade to get rid of everyone who plays videogames that hasnt atleast started puberty yet.
The biggest problem people are likely to experience with more female gamers would be the little 8 year olds that go "Oooh, a girl!!" every time they come across one online. Which leads me back to my crusade to get rid of everyone who plays videogames that hasnt atleast started puberty yet.
So in other words, it's not about ignoring the potential female market, it's about ignoring the potential market of people new to gaming or to specific genres or styles of play. Makes sense. I wonder how we could go about solving that problem... Players unfamiliar with control systems need to be able to get to grips with them, but it could be difficult attempting to teach a gaming skillset to somebody when they've got other things that they could be doing - other games that they could be playing - and enjoying a lot easier.
A friend of mine is a simple guy, and he doesn't have time for RPGs. He gave Baldur's Gate a try a few years ago, but never took to it. But sit him in front of Unreal Tournament ("Run, jump, shoot") or Command and Conquer ("Make buildings, build tanks, attack enemy") and he's away.
Do games need to change? Probably not. For every girl or boy gamer that likes grinding away for XP on WoW, there'll be another rabidly seeking out their next victim on Unreal, ready to turn them into gibs. Traditionally, games have been portrayed as a 'boys' thing but as time goes on, I'm sure we'll see less and less of of it, as the gamers of today raise the gamers of tomorrow. One of the first prezzies I'll be buying my first child for it's 10th birthday will be a console of some sort, whether they are a boy or a girl.
I've known a few ladies in my life that have played games,and it was interesting that all have varying tastes in games. One of my best friends is a hardcore gamer, enjoying at least one game in pretty much any game genre, although she does like to frag things or run around on Final Fantasy. My lil sister loved nothing more than whuppin' my butt on Bloody Roar 3. My mother, who's age I won't reveal because I like to live, recently told me she'd had a go on Burnout 3 and managed a 34 long Takedown Streak. My response was two minutes of shocked silence.
As far as I see it, games are pretty neutral and there's no such thing as a 'Boys' game, although there are games that are definitely aimed at girls. I doubt there's an influx of guys buying the Bratz game. Urgh. The only tweaking to games I'd want to see for the benefit of the ladies is the inclusion of more female avatars for online modes and heaven forbid, the odd female lead. Plus, I'd like to see this odd culture of dissing women when it comes to games.. end.
I've known a few ladies in my life that have played games,and it was interesting that all have varying tastes in games. One of my best friends is a hardcore gamer, enjoying at least one game in pretty much any game genre, although she does like to frag things or run around on Final Fantasy. My lil sister loved nothing more than whuppin' my butt on Bloody Roar 3. My mother, who's age I won't reveal because I like to live, recently told me she'd had a go on Burnout 3 and managed a 34 long Takedown Streak. My response was two minutes of shocked silence.
As far as I see it, games are pretty neutral and there's no such thing as a 'Boys' game, although there are games that are definitely aimed at girls. I doubt there's an influx of guys buying the Bratz game. Urgh. The only tweaking to games I'd want to see for the benefit of the ladies is the inclusion of more female avatars for online modes and heaven forbid, the odd female lead. Plus, I'd like to see this odd culture of dissing women when it comes to games.. end.
Im a girl and I hate the war games but I love popping caps in pedestrians in GTA... is that wrong?
And no liking shooting people in the head is not wrong. Also as it was said girls are social. So having a little kid saying suck my dick on the mic scares them away. Because idiots scare them away?
Just a tiny bit sexist. I'm a girl (Obviously) and I HATE Viva Pinata and Oblivion. I'd much rather play a FPS, then something aimed at 6 year olds like Smash Brothers.shatnershaman said:
And Portal isn't exactly aimed directly at women, either. It's aimed at people who like puzzle games.
Why not make games where the main protagonist is a female? Perfect Dark did it. Not the best example of a GOOD game, but you get the idea. I mean, why is it so hard to believe that women aren't better gamers or would make a game more interesting without making them drop-kicks with a huge chest who run around getting into trouble. That's what annoys me about Tomb Raider.
You heard of the game WET? I don't think she will have basketballs for breasts i think..Radelaide said:
Radelaide said:
Well info's hard to come by. Hell the almighty wikipedia has only a paragraph of information. I found out by researching this years title>.>