"Girl Games"?

[Radeonx]

You know, people frequently say that girls shouldn't be forced to play so-called girl games, or be shoehorned into some stereotype about ponies and pink sparkles, and that's certainly true, but here's the thing: some girls like ponies and pink sparkles. Some girls enjoy games about shopping and makeup and boyfriends and all the other things that those of us who grew up killing aliens find vapid and pointless. They're not wrong for liking them, they're just different from the rest of us.

There's nothing wrong with "girl" games except for when they're the only option -- but that's true of any kind of games.

I agree with everything you just said. I couldn't have phrased it better. Bravo.

 

[Halfbreed13]

You know, people frequently say that girls shouldn't be forced to play so-called girl games, or be shoehorned into some stereotype about ponies and pink sparkles, and that's certainly true, but here's the thing: some girls like ponies and pink sparkles. Some girls enjoy games about shopping and makeup and boyfriends and all the other things that those of us who grew up killing aliens find vapid and pointless. They're not wrong for liking them, they're just different from the rest of us.

There's nothing wrong with "girl" games except for when they're the only option -- but that's true of any kind of games.

I think the main reason I dislike them is because it enforces stereotypes, and makes people who don't fit into those stereotypes seem wrong. I mean, what if they made black games? It may be throwing things out of proportion, but as soon as anything is labelled to a group and only that group, I get annoyed.

 

[Sissas]

I think the main reason I dislike them is because it enforces stereotypes, and makes people who don't fit into those stereotypes seem wrong.

I never had special attraction to pink sparkly games when I grew up. And if something, I feel I've always been treated specially well being a girl who plays boyish games. Boys came and talk to me, told me how cool I was and how happy they were someone like me exists... Some girl friends of mine actually bought PSones to learn how to play tekken so they fit in

 

[Gerazzi]

Games like that? They annoy me, stereotypes aplenty fill them. But they sell well, so some girls must like them. I can tolerate them as long as I still get my Bioshock and Fallout.

You should meet my sister.
She'd annoy the hell out of you.

 

[BoxCutter]

You know, people frequently say that girls shouldn't be forced to play so-called girl games, or be shoehorned into some stereotype about ponies and pink sparkles, and that's certainly true, but here's the thing: some girls like ponies and pink sparkles. Some girls enjoy games about shopping and makeup and boyfriends and all the other things that those of us who grew up killing aliens find vapid and pointless. They're not wrong for liking them, they're just different from the rest of us.

There's nothing wrong with "girl" games except for when they're the only option -- but that's true of any kind of games.

I lol'd at your pony badge, flawless.

On a more relevant and serious note I have to say I agree. As long as little girls aren't being forced into playing these types of games there shouldn't be a huge issue with them. My issue however is that the games are based heavily on stereotypes. And I guess that is the only issue I have with them to be honest. I have never played any of the games so I have to plead ignorance on this, but I assume that there is very little choice in these games. If you buy a game about finding a boyfriend how many options do you really have? Your going to be subjected to the same stereotypical orange county cheer leader lifestyle that you see all the time in film and television. I doubt that there is any option in this game to find a guy that really cares about you and doesn't just like you because you spent the most money at the mall after doing the most chores at home. The game is shallow and I think that's why I have trouble supporting it, but it's not evil by any means.

EDIT:
btw

Some girl friends of mine actually bought PSones to learn how to play tekken so they fit in

That is awesome

If I ever had a female child, I think I'll just give her Silent Hill and let her whack some monsters oldschool.

Best mom ever

 

[Gerazzi]

Games like that? They annoy me, stereotypes aplenty fill them. But they sell well, so some girls must like them. I can tolerate them as long as I still get my Bioshock and Fallout.

You should meet my sister.
She'd annoy the hell out of you.

I have, and she does.

Also, congratulations on Gonzo!

See, you know you're a true troll when you don't even notice your 1000th post.

YAY! I went Gonzo!
But yes, the entire stereotype is for a reason.
They sell well.
as long as stereotypes will exist these people will make ridiculous amounts of money due to peer pressure.

 

[MassiveGeek]

As a girl, I have to say that I wouldnt ever consider buying any "girl games" even if I was 8 years old. That I would think is becuse I got my gaming interest from my dad from the beginning, we played Tomb Raider and Midtown Madness. So I do prefer games that are either unisex or the ones labeled "boy games".
However, some of the games showed in the article, makes me sick. I really think they could really influence the younger girls who buy these games, or even worse, parents buying their young girls these games, to think that they have to be stereotypes. To think that this is how they should be, how they should look, how they should act. Which is horrible.
But some girls indeed like ponies and make-up and pink, personally I prefer snakes and Fallout 3 and gunmetal gray, but these girls do exist. And ofcourse they can like these games, its their choice and taste, but I personally just think the games are really silly, and a pathetic attempt for the companies to make money. I dont like the games, but thats my opinion.

 

[bodyklok]

Portal, IMO, seemed like a girl game. Or what would happen if you made a game for girls that didn't involve shopping and the colour pink.

 

[Xvito]

You know, people frequently say that girls shouldn't be forced to play so-called girl games, or be shoehorned into some stereotype about ponies and pink sparkles, and that's certainly true, but here's the thing: some girls like ponies and pink sparkles. Some girls enjoy games about shopping and makeup and boyfriends and all the other things that those of us who grew up killing aliens find vapid and pointless. They're not wrong for liking them, they're just different from the rest of us.

There's nothing wrong with "girl" games except for when they're the only option -- but that's true of any kind of games.

They could at least try to make a good game about "ponies and pink sparkles". If someone made a high-budget game for that audience I would surely salute them!

As long as it isn't named... "This is what you should be like!"

Also, I would like to say that article in itself is actually a bit sexist, assuming certain things about the female population.

--Xvito, keeping it excellent.

 

[BoxCutter]

Portal, IMO, seemed like a girl game. Or what would happen if you made a game for girls that didn't involve shopping and the colour pink.

I agree the companion cube needed a stache'

 

[Halfbreed13]

I think the main reason I dislike them is because it enforces stereotypes, and makes people who don't fit into those stereotypes seem wrong.

I never had special attraction to pink sparkly games when I grew up. And if something, I feel I've always been treated specially well being a girl who plays boyish games. Boys came and talk to me, told me how cool I was and how happy they were someone like me exists... Some girl friends of mine actually bought PSones to learn how to play tekken so they fit in

Let me give you an example that many people know of. Gamers used to be outcasts and blacklisted. Now it is becoming more mainstream. Despite the rage and numerous fights over this, this would be a good thing. I say would, because the mainstream take over a trend, then act like all the people who started it were doing it wrong before they got there. Case in point: My High school's football team all played Halo and Gears of war, talked about it all the time, and lead you on to think they might know something. Then when you try and have a conversation with them about video games like silent hill, fallout 1/2, or anything before the mainstream boost, they belittle you and compare you to lifeless WoW addicts.

Or maybe I am just bitter >.>

 

[RAMBO22]

I think that this is a step in the wrond direction, especially The Clique: Diss and Make Up, which (from what I can deduce) teaches girls to only care about fashion, looks, and stabbing their friends in the back. I was happy to see that recently the number of girl gamers is increasing and I think that's a great thing. The beauty of the video game market is that I believe it is not really "geared" toward any one type of person/gamer, although it does sometime seem that every shooter on the market today is geared toward frat boys. However, for every Gears of War there's a game like Spore, Braid, or Wii Sports that is geared towards a different type of gamer, and I think that's what makes the gaming industry great.

 

[Susan Arendt]

You know, people frequently say that girls shouldn't be forced to play so-called girl games, or be shoehorned into some stereotype about ponies and pink sparkles, and that's certainly true, but here's the thing: some girls like ponies and pink sparkles. Some girls enjoy games about shopping and makeup and boyfriends and all the other things that those of us who grew up killing aliens find vapid and pointless. They're not wrong for liking them, they're just different from the rest of us.

There's nothing wrong with "girl" games except for when they're the only option -- but that's true of any kind of games.

They could at least try to make a good game about "ponies and pink sparkles". If someone made a high-budget game for that audience I would surely salute them!

As long as it isn't named... "This is what you should be like!"

Also, I would like to say that article in itself is actually a bit sexist, assuming certain things about the female population.

--Xvito, keeping it excellent.

If the intended audience enjoys playing them, then they are good games. The standards of the serious gamer are simply not shared by the rest of the population. Things that are deeply important to us simply don't matter to them. Is it cute? Is it fun? Do they get a giggle out of it? That's all they need to be blissfully happy.

And just because a girl likes girly things, that doesn't mean she's destined to be labeled for the rest of her life. I had Barbies aplenty when I was little, liked nothing more than paper dolls, and dressed as a princess for more than one Halloween. Look where I am now.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Ever single word in that article made me want to kill myself.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Most games there could just be used for a "girly" girl by standards to act out a fantasy of some sort like being a top model and along as they aren't forced to play them who cares.

The only one I have a problem with is the Clique Dish and Make Up game atleast by the description of it but I haven't played it so I can't say for sure as I'm going on a second hand opinion.

 

[Uilleand]

It's *exactly* as creepy as games aimed at the pre-pubescent (minded) males, which may or may not involve kicking hookers, hypersexualized female imagery, and frequent teabagging. There's a market for both of these groups of product, and a desperate desire in me to see both groups of gamers grow the eff up.
Bottom line, this crap sells to SOMEONE....so it will continue to be made.