Games for Women

[onegirlgaming]

Chaps and chappesses .. I've been interested of late in the gender divide surrounding preferred game genres or even specific titles. We all know the stereotype of men preferring ShootyShooty and women preferring SimSandwichMaking but I'm aware there's also a high amount of individuals for whom this just doesn't fit.

I'd love to know what games men think women enjoy playing and from the women what they enjoy and why

 

[MomoElektra]

Women, like men, are people, and thus sometimes different and sometimes similar. Different people like different things, and sometimes they like the same things, for same reasons or different reasons.

What makes you think there can be a definitive answer what men and women like because of their gender?

There are probably just as many men annoyed because of sexist stuff in games as women, whether it's directed at them or not. It annoys some people, doesn't annoy others. Some women don't mind. Some men do.

The very idea that there exists a valid generalization is the source of the problem, methinks.

 

[hey_iknowyou]

Women, like men, are people, and thus sometimes different and sometimes similar. Different people like different things, and sometimes they like the same things, for same reasons or different reasons.

What makes you think there can be a definitive answer what men and women like because of their gender?

There are probably just as many men annoyed because of sexist stuff in games as women, whether it's directed at them or not. It annoys some people, doesn't annoy others. Some women don't mind. Some men do.

The very idea that there exists a valid generalization is the source of the problem, methinks.

Obviously there is never going to be a "definite" answer to the question, it doesn't mean there isn't a general answer that applies in a lot of, even majority of circumstances. In my experience girls that play games enjoy more puzzle based and/or platform games as opposed to actiony type games. I'm a guy, and also prefer these types of games (just to hammer home the "no definitive answer" point). But yeh, also know girls that like shoot em ups ect so it can go either way.

 

[MomoElektra]

Women, like men, are people, and thus sometimes different and sometimes similar. Different people like different things, and sometimes they like the same things, for same reasons or different reasons.

What makes you think there can be a definitive answer what men and women like because of their gender?

There are probably just as many men annoyed because of sexist stuff in games as women, whether it's directed at them or not. It annoys some people, doesn't annoy others. Some women don't mind. Some men do.

The very idea that there exists a valid generalization is the source of the problem, methinks.

Obviously there is never going to be a "definite" answer to the question, it doesn't mean there isn't a general answer that applies in a lot of, even majority of circumstances. In my experience girls that play games enjoy more puzzle based and/or platform games as opposed to actiony type games. I'm a guy, and also prefer these types of games (just to hammer home the "no definitive answer" point). But yeh, also know girls that like shoot em ups ect so it can go either way.

But you will always have the problem of defining cause and effect.

Do girls, if true, tend to like puzzle games more because of biology/evolution/whatever or do they tend to like them more because they get encouraged to do so and discouraged from liking other stuff or is it a mix and if how influential is either side?

 

[onegirlgaming]

Women, like men, are people, and thus sometimes different and sometimes similar. Different people like different things, and sometimes they like the same things, for same reasons or different reasons.

What makes you think there can be a definitive answer what men and women like because of their gender?

There are probably just as many men annoyed because of sexist stuff in games as women, whether it's directed at them or not. It annoys some people, doesn't annoy others. Some women don't mind. Some men do.

The very idea that there exists a valid generalization is the source of the problem, methinks.

Certainly which is why I was interested in what people thought rather than just accepting the existing generalisations. Or whether what people thought *did* support how the industry appears to cater for gamers.

 

[onegirlgaming]

Apologies if anyone thinks this is a trollsh gender debate, it's certainly not intended as such. I'm just curious as to the mechanisms behind game development / ideas and whether it's driven by stereotyped ideas of what gamers want.

 

[Poerts]

Pokemon, and JRPG's in general. I Also know a rather large number of women who are hugely into Oblivion and Skyrim, despite not liking any other Western RPGs.

 

[Tuesday Night Fever]

If you'd asked me ten years ago, I probably would have laughed at the concept of female gamers in general, then once I stopped laughing I probably would have shrugged and suggested The Sims or something based on Barbie or Hello Kitty or what have you.

Notably ten years ago I was thirteen, and a dumbass.

Now I'm inclined to say that this -

Women, like men, are people, and thus sometimes different and sometimes similar. Different people like different things, and sometimes they like the same things, for same reasons or different reasons.

- perfectly sums up my thoughts on the subject.

 

[omega 616]

If I was forced to say, I would say something lighthearted or goofy, like castle crashers, death spank or maybe the age of empires online.

No doubt there are female gamers who like dark souls and COD (I know 2 girls who like COD).

 

[Andy Shandy]

Judging by girls I know, the same sort of games as men. Well except for sports games it seems. If I were to take a guess on what overall women would play more it would be puzzle games. Or JRPGs perhaps.

 

[Kahunaburger]

From what I've seen, it varies. Just like, you know, with dudes.

 

[museofdoom]

It varies. I'm female, and will play practically anything except for sports games. And then I have a friend who plays final fantasy games, soul calibur IV and COD. And another friend who sticks to portal, the zelda series, pokemon, and banjo kazooie (however you spell that haha)

Honestly, I don't think there is a specific category that females stick to. I mean, I guess there are casual games but there are plenty of males who just play casual games as well.

 

[IrritatingSquirrel]

It's the sort of question that shouldn't need answering, really. 'girl gamers' and 'guy gamers' shouldn't be a distinction, it should just be 'gamers' each with their own tastes, likes, dislikes, and so on and so forth. Sure there are a few trends, but they shouldn't be used to sum up the whole.

 

[onegirlgaming]

It's the sort of question that shouldn't need answering, really. 'girl gamers' and 'guy gamers' shouldn't be a distinction, it should just be 'gamers' each with their own tastes, likes, dislikes, and so on and so forth. Sure there are a few trends, but they shouldn't be used to sum up the whole.

I'm chuffed people are coming back with this response, do you think more games are designed based on what will sell or for pushing boundaries / innovating?

 

[IrritatingSquirrel]

It's the sort of question that shouldn't need answering, really. 'girl gamers' and 'guy gamers' shouldn't be a distinction, it should just be 'gamers' each with their own tastes, likes, dislikes, and so on and so forth. Sure there are a few trends, but they shouldn't be used to sum up the whole.

I'm chuffed people are coming back with this response, do you think more games are designed based on what will sell or for pushing boundaries / innovating?

Depends where you look. I've stopped looking for innovation in big title games, but if you check out some of the games people are trying for on kickstarter (assuming this whole kickstarter thing works)there's some pretty interesting stuff, as well as some smaller downloadable titles on steam and stuff.

 

[Lucem712]

Eeeer, I'd imagine it's just as diverse as fellahs. I like FPS, RPG, some puzzle, adventure, platform (2D/3D), and fast paced fighting games. Don't sit a RTS or anythin' turn based in front of me, or I'll kick ya in the face.

[sub][sub]Okay, so I probably won't kick you but...You've been warned :< [/sub][/sub]

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

The majority of female gamers I know play MMORPGs. What surprises me is that those female MMO players aren't bitches, they're just regular people, nearly every female I've met in genres like FPSs or MOBAs are attention seeking sluts that spam shit in chat like "SILLY BOIS XDDDDDDDDDDDDD" and use an excessive amount of Asian emoticons. As a historical note I also know girls are often found on the XBLA Uno game, many penises are found also. &#3232;_&#3232;

 

[IrritatingSquirrel]

The majority of female gamers I know play MMORPGs. What surprises me is that those female MMO players aren't bitches, they're just regular people, nearly every female I've met in genres like FPSs or MOBAs are attention seeking sluts that spam shit in chat like "SILLY BOIS XDDDDDDDDDDDDD" and use an excessive amount of Asian emoticons. As a historical note I also know girls are often found on the XBLA Uno game, many penises are found also. &#3232;_&#3232;

Ever occurred to you that the stupidly attention seeking ones are really weird guys faking it? In my experience on games with chat girls sort of keep on the down low to avoid pre-pubescent idiot reactions like TITS OR GTFO and so on and so forth. Or am I just being overly cynical here?

 

[Kahunaburger]

The majority of female gamers I know play MMORPGs. What surprises me is that those female MMO players aren't bitches, they're just regular people, nearly every female I've met in genres like FPSs or MOBAs are attention seeking sluts that spam shit in chat like "SILLY BOIS XDDDDDDDDDDDDD" and use an excessive amount of Asian emoticons.

What is it with video games and regressive attitudes about gender?

 

[Screamarie]

As a female I like a little bit of everything.

Sims, Final Fantasy, Fallout, Mass Effect, Portal, Mini Ninjas, Jak, Kingdom Hearts, Zak & Wiki, Saints Row, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Flower, Devil May Cry, Assassin's Creed, Persona, Skyrim, Loco Roco, Enchanted Arms, Fable, Batman Arkham Asylum, Cooking/Gardening Mama, Dragon Age, Keflings, Harvest Moon, Blue Dragon, Enslaved, Sly Cooper, My Sims, Beyond Good & Evil, Overlord II, Mirror's Edge, Heavy Rain, The Legend of Zelda, Little Big Planet, Prince of Persia, Folklore, Catherine, Pokemon, American Mcgee's Alice, Diner Dash...that's just what I can think off of the top of my head. There's lots more.

But yeah, little bit of everything. I don't knock COD but I personally don't see the lure. I can't stand sport games honestly. And I don't play horror games cause while I LOVE to watch them, playing them just fucks me up.

Hell I know I'll probably get shit for it but I'll even admit that I find games about tending to horses cater to the five year old girl somewhere still inside me.