Why Video Game Designers Are Missing The Mark With Women

It's a fact of life: woman play video games, whether you call them girls or whatever.  Natania of Geeks Are Sexy is one of those female gamers, and she feels the industry is ignoring a lucrative demographic at their own peril.
...as a girl gamer myself, it’s abundantly clear that the video game industry is not only run by a majority of men, but it’s catered to them as well. And it doesn’t seem to be changing much. Of course, catering to men makes sense from a business perspective, or at least it used to. But statistics indicate that’s no longer the case. And for some reason, many video game companies are just not willing to change to accommodate that shift. Maybe it’s part of the whole industry, so deep-seeded, that executives and producers can’t think outside of the box. But really, it’s still not an excuse. It’s honestly disgraceful at times, and downright disrespectful.

But there are ways game developers could attract more women and earn their loyalty, if they care about the future of the industry. Link

Newest 5
Newest 5 Comments

The game industry is changing... slowly. I'm in it, I now work with more females than I did 2 years ago and way more than I did 4 years ago.

The change will come slowly and in 2 steps. 1. realize there is money to be made off women in games (just happened thanks to casual games and social games) 2. wait for that realization to propagate throughout industry (guessing 10 years)
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
correction..

dragon age is one of my favorie games...not my favorite.

Also, I think the article itself is a little sexist. It implys that girls are, what, too sensitive to enjoy the things men do in a video game? I enjoy The Sims too from time to time, but that doesnt mean I don't enjoy running over hookers in GTA3 also. Why do gamers have to be pigeonholed into a category.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Its funny, because I'm a girl and you posted an image from my favorite game. I have beat that game on every origin story. I LOVE the battles, but honestly, I went through it so many times to hear the different converstaions...and to get the achievements of course.

I would say I am just into video games as my husband. We both enjoy all levels of games. We play COD3 a lot, but at the same time, we arent above enjoying a casual game.

I can be girly too, but Ive never quit a video game to "go do girl stuff." I like wearing nice clothes and all, but I would pay my mortgage late to get New Vegas the night it comes out. I failed one of my classes the semester fallout came out.

That having been said, I've never met another girl like me in real life.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I don't think there's a viable business model in "gaming for girls".

For the VERY few girls that actually get into games as 99.999999999% of boys - it's a loss leader to cater to girl games in general.

I've actually seen a girl gamer quit mid-level so she could go paint her toes. Meanwhile, I've seen guys eat ramen for a month so they would have enough money to get the latest game on the day it's released.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Commenting is closed.

We hope you like this article!
Please help us grow by sharing:

Get Updates In Your Inbox

Free weekly emails, plus get access
to subscriber-only prizes.

We won't share your email. You can cancel at any time.
Email This Post to a Friend
"Why Video Game Designers Are Missing The Mark With Women"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
neat stories? Like us on Facebook!
Close: I already like you guys!