Girls and Gaming

[InfernoJesus]

First off, please try to paragraph long posts.

Second, I would prefer having more girls to game with but I understand the industry's choice to appeal strictly to males. Both genders have different interests and industry's take these interests into account when making and marketing their products.

Of course, there are still girls like you who enjoy gaming as much as any guy does, but they make up such a small percentage of the market that they aren't really worth considering.

 

[Ammadessi]

All I was trying to get across is that you're making a generalization. The girls that YOU know perhaps aren't into FPS games, but there are plenty of us who enjoy them. They're not my favorite genre, but games with good atmosphere and storyline will draw me in. So it's just silly to say that ALL women don't like "guy" games.

People like what they like, whether they're male or female. I'm sure I could point out plenty of guys who don't like FPS games.

Yes of course its a generalization, everything someone says is usually one. If I said everyone prefers to live that would be one cause I'm sure someone out there is committing suicide. I guess I shall start putting Most/Many/usually/and such before everything I say. lol, no offense I just figured most people understand what was implied.

You implied that women who enjoyed games did not enjoy FPS games. You were wrong. This is why making broad generalizations about half the population is silly.

 

[spodette]

the only images of women in relation to gaming are either of ugly.

What are you talking about.Most of the female gamers i know are fucking gorgeous.

I was talking about "marketing images" not real people...I (obviously) believe that women can be interesting/attractive/intelligent and gamers.

 

[Legion]

Just to clear a few things up...I have nothing wrong with most of the actual game play itself, although some of the female characterization can be a bit grating. My interest is in the way the games are marketed. Also, by "male power" I don't mean strong male leads, I mean advertising that screams "THIS IS FOR BOYS!!!" the same way that pink and flowery advertising does for girls. I think that the ideas that girls don't play games because their 'brains' are different is a really unfortunate stereotype that just isn't true. Also, it is incorrect to say that most things are marketed to men first, especially in America. Companies know that women end up spending a significant amount of a household income, but they tend to make purchases such as clothing for the family or grocceries, more 'essential' spending than things like electronics or games. Basically, I think that marketers are missing out on profits with gaming. My question is, do men prefer that it stay a boys club? Also, by 'any system' I meant console...that was a brain lapse on my part.

This isn't to do with gaming but the media and everything in it. Just look at the difference between 'men' magazines and 'women' ones, the fact that gadgets are called 'boys toys' and any film with romance is referred to as a 'chick flick'. This image is simply carried across to gaming just like any other medium. It won't change until societies attitude does.

I do not wish it to be seen as male only thing and most certainly dislike the idea of it being a 'boys club', not just because other guys in general annoy the hell out of me but because it is just plain ridiculous that gaming is seen as a male thing.

 

[Anacortian]

I cannot add anything to the discussion. It has been said better before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iNs5iG2h34

 

[RanD00M]

the only images of women in relation to gaming are either of ugly.

What are you talking about.Most of the female gamers i know are fucking gorgeous.

I was talking about "marketing images" not real people...I (obviously) believe that women can be interesting/attractive/intelligent and gamers.

Taking mareting images seriously is like taking things that call them selves rock nowadays seriously.As in,don´t do it.

 

[Remember_the_name]

You implied that women who enjoyed games did not enjoy FPS games. You were wrong. This is why making broad generalizations about half the population is silly.

My point is the generalization works though. To speak in an all encompassing manner of a group is not to imply that every single member always follows something but that it is the rule (of which there are exceptions). I thought this much was clear in my OP with the "in general" statement. But perhaps not.

 

[historybuff]

Eh one reason why women in general don't like traditional "male" games is they don't like the gameplay, their brains process things differently. Women like to be rewarded or to figure something out, which is why something like spyro or the sims is much more appealing than halo. I doubt it has much to do with marketing to males.

That's the silliest thing I've read on this subject. Hahaha, if women only like to play The Sims, why do I know so many ladies, myself included, that enjoy Silent Hill, Grand Theft Auto, first person shooters and fighting games?

 

[Mcface]

Really?
So big muscly men dont appeal to woman anymore?

 

[nicholaxxx]

It would be cool if more girls played games, to stop it from being a total sausage fest... so annoying >_<

 

[Grubnar]

As a girl who has recently begun to spend more and more time gaming and in the gaming community, I have noticed several things that I am interested in getting some opinions on. First, there is little to no effort given by companies to market 'non girly' games to girls. By this I mean that if the game can't be related to losing weight or puppies, women are left out of the marketing scheme. There are a few games that escape this by being gender neutral (namely the Mario franchise) but most succumb to marketing focused around busty women and/or 'male power' images.

You make a good point.

I believe that this is a big reason for other girls not being interested in some of the better games out there, because the image presented by the gaming community is that it is a boys only club.For the large majority, the only images of women in relation to gaming are either of 'ugly' nerds and/or sluts (aka. playing guitar hero wearing nothing but the guitar and thigh highs). Do male gamers prefer it this way?

No. But teenage boys do. Because they are young and stupid (immature).

Also, do male gamers prefer it being male dominated? Why/Why not?

Im gonna go and quote Planescape: Torment. Balance, in all things.
In order to be good at making, or playing games you just need talent. Whay sex you are is totaly irrelivent.

My last question is about recommended games. I have played Halo, Counterstrike, Resident Evil 5 and various Mario related games and tend to enjoy the community aspect the most (ala online gaming with Halo). My computer system isn't the best so I don't forsee getting into WoW or similar games, but I am considering LFD2. I would love some good recommendations of multi-player games on any system as well as games that just rock ( maybe Bio-Shock?). Thanks for any insight or suggestions you might have.

Hmm, tough one. Getting some info about what kind of games you like would help, as would some basic info about your PC (or is it a console?).
As FPS games go I would recomend Half-Life 2 (and the older Half-Life) Bioshock (and System Shock 2) Portal (although it is technicaly not a "shooter"), Day of Defeat:S, Team Fortress 2 and Left4Dead (Im guessing L4D2 will be good as well).

RTS games: World in Conflict, Company of Heroes, Supreme Commander.

 

[Remember_the_name]

Eh one reason why women in general don't like traditional "male" games is they don't like the gameplay, their brains process things differently. Women like to be rewarded or to figure something out, which is why something like spyro or the sims is much more appealing than halo. I doubt it has much to do with marketing to males.

That's the silliest thing I've read on this subject. Hahaha, if women only like to play The Sims, why do I know so many ladies, myself included, that enjoy Silent Hill, Grand Theft Auto, first person shooters and fighting games?

^ see above convo with ammandessi

 

[G1eet]

That's a silly generalization.

Not in my experience. Most girls I know are big fans of "casual" games like the Sims, Guitar Hero/Rock Band, etc., and not so much the more "hardcore" games. If I start talking about carving someone up like turkey in Condemned or with my trusty Ripper in the Capital Wasteland, most girls aren't going to stick around for long.

They also like teh Pokemans.

For the record, I do wholeheartedly believe that not all girls are like that. I just haven't met those exceptions yet.

 

[Erana]

the only images of women in relation to gaming are either of ugly.

What are you talking about.Most of the female gamers i know are fucking gorgeous.

I know what you mean. Most of the gamer girls around here are hot scientist geeks.
One of my friends is aspiring to get laid in Antarctica at some point. Just so kickass....

Really, though, my #1 recommendation is the works of Tale of Tales, not just because you would prolly never otherwise hear about them, but also because they seem to take on more feminine themes.
And welcome to the Escapist!

 

[katsa5]

Speaking as a girl gamer in response to your observations about the Market: Hell Yes!! Sadly though, Girl Console gamers are still a minority. Girl PC gamers are what the Marketers are focusing on. 18-24 year old guys are still the Major Gaming Demographic: and sadly 'Sex Sells'. Its like women in the workplace. Its not that your opinion doesn't matter; it tends to go by the wayside with a bunch of men around.
First question; what needs to be done to make it more friendly? Personally, I love gender neutral games like Mass Effect and Fallout 3. You can play a female OR a male; and both are realistic. Final Fantasy and Soul Calibur does an 'ok' job. They offer variety, but, as my husband puts it, the guys are as bouncy as the girls.

 

[UsefulPlayer 1]

Leave while you still can!!!

Do I like the gaming community being a sausage fest? Nah, not really. It's just the way it came out to be and I can't complain much, because I'm part of that demographic. I'm sorry that the gaming industry and community doesn't receive girls too well, but I guess it makes the few that much more...special?

Gaming recommendations? I would recommend the best of the non-testosterone-injected games. Please play at least one 3-D Zelda game, it will change your life. The orange box is a great deal, Bioshock, RE4, are all a must.

I'm surprised you said you like playing multiplayer, in my experience (Xbox Live) girls are not met with warm hugs and salutations. But if you are on the Xbox Live, I would say L4D2 would be a really good idea, perhaps MW:2 as well.

 

[targren]

By this I mean that if the game can't be related to losing weight or puppies, women are left out of the marketing scheme.

I've never understood this complaint. Marketing is, by definition, people trying to manipulate you into doing something you might not want to do. Why do people complain when they're "left out" of that mess.

Bill Hicks said it incredibly well. I'll just say that marketers are only slightly above lawyers and politicians in the set of "things crusting up the inside of Satan's Jockey Shorts"

 

[crypt-creature]

Eh, but majority of them do not generally enjoy FPS type experiences. Yes there are exceptions (as in everything). But I can assure you if I had most any girl over and it was rock band, the sims, or COD4 online. The first two would be played. Just saying.

I'd not play COD4 online, because I enjoy avoiding the little kids that make my blood boil and want to smash my controller into tiny little bits.
In other words, most online games annoy me when all you have to do is run around and shoot the person down before they can do the same to you. Sure, games like WoW do the same thing but with different classes that have vastly different functions and powers it makes the game more of a challenge. It feels like less of an arms race to get X powerful weapon that can cream the rest of the players and make them feel more 'superior' and give their e-peen an ego/testosterone a boost.
I'll gladly play an FPS offline and have a ball.

Yes, as a woman our brains might be wired differently. But it isn't that hard to cater to or include us either, if the companies take the time to understand what interests girls outside of puppy dogs and other cute things. It's not all about rewards and praise, and it shouldn't all be geared towards an arms race either. Plus not every woman shares my annoyances and finds it very fun to do the arms race stuff, each to their own.
A good story line and control setup also helps.

 

[Poklad]

Hello. I've recently joined this forum, but I've played games since forever, and I enjoy "male games" as shooters and .... misc. Things like good storytelling, nice controls and satisfactory gameplay are the things I like, and I have a feeling that a really good game is gender-neutral.

If they tried to make more "non-girly" games for girls, they would not really make a good game. I like good games as they are now, but sometimes the gore is a bit over the top. I haven't played "God of War", but I'm not really sure I would like it. Maybe, but all that I know about it is "death and blood".

 

[gamercow]

My computer system isn't the best so I don't forsee getting into WoW or similar games, but I am considering LFD2. I would love some good recommendations of multi-player games on any system as well as games that just rock ( maybe Bio-Shock?). Thanks for any insight or suggestions you might have.

Unfortunately, I can really only give you suggestions for xbox 360 games, as that is my platform of choice. I have a LOT of fun with my wife playing many of the Arcade games. Some of our favorites are:

Settlers of Cataan
Carcasonne
Uno
Age of Booty
Ticket to Ride
Kingdom for Keflings

Also, there are plenty of games out there with co-op stories. Granted, many of these are war-based FPS games(Call of Duty, Rainbow 6, etc) but there are others, like Left 4 Dead, that are non-war based. Kinda. And then there are new ones coming out that have co-op that aren't FPS games, like the outstanding Uncharted 2, for the PS3.

The Wii has a lot of good party/community games, but I have not played many personally, though I hear great things about Boom Blox.

I'm not sure what people are talking about "no girl gamers". I know plenty, and they run the gamut, from super-casual, to strategy-heads, to rpg-fans, to FPS-frag dolls. Each plays what they like.