I was introduced to video games in the early 1980’s by my dad. He would take my sister and I to the arcade and give us a few quarters while he spent his time playing Asteroids, a game that mystified me when I’d watch from his side (”What a lame game. Shooting little rocks and spaceships”). Of course my sister and I spent our time playing Pac-Man. And then later we played Mrs. Pac-Man, which must have been one of the first attempts to reach the female game-playing market (adding a bow to Pac-Man’s head, a mole to the cheek, and a little bit of lipstick–a little strange looking if you ask me).
Fast-forward to today and and the video game market for women leaves me somewhat depressed. When we got our XBox in December I was prepared for some gender-inequality, but frankly it’s worse than I’d expected (and I should note I wasn’t totally out of the loop, I had been following news and blogs relating to video games — I guess I just had to experience it for myself).
First, let’s start with a discussion of my favorite game, Skate 2. My husband and I checked out the original Skate game from our local library. I was instantly irked when I started the game because there were several avatar choices, but NOT A SINGLE FEMALE AVATAR! I continued on anyway, and became hooked, but brewing under the surface was my constant annoyance with my male avatar. Luckily, with the release of Skate 2 the creators of the game added the option of being a female (seriously, how hard was that??).
Okay, so that game was easy enough, just add a female, duh. But, anyone that knows anything about video games knows that most of them were made for men by men. So, what is the current state of video gaming for women and girls? The market is recognizing there are women gamers out there, but there is still a long way to go (imho).
Here are some websites for women who game:
And here are some interesting articles about women and gaming:
Women Video Gamers: Not Just Solitaire (PC World Canada)
Video Games — a girl thing? (CNet)
Why Women Should Play Video Games (Fast Company)
I could easily write a thesis on this topic, but I’m trying to keep it short, because this is a blog and all. As I pondered this post over the last few days, I began wondering, “Could/should libraries that carry video games do something to encourage girls to game?” In some ways this question is a complicated one, because so many parents who have children that spend a lot of time gaming are worried their “children’s brains will rot” or something along those lines…so convincing parents that their daughters should be playing video games might be an uphill battle…but what better way to get girls interested in technology and engineering?
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This is a great post, Laurie. I really think you should write a thesis on this. No joke. Gaming in libraries and its association to literacy and socialization is invaluable. Throw gender into the mix and you have something not only valuable but super-interesting.
Hey Gerrit,
Thanks! You literally made my day! In my first Master’s degree (not the library one) I got a minor in women studies. I would assume somebody is already doing a thesis/project on this topic, but if they’re not, they really should. I think it’s very fascinating (frightening) how women are being alienated in the gaming world, and I think it’s a cycle…games weren’t created for women, women didn’t play, men said “women don’t play” so future games were not created for them, and the cycle continues…
Thanks again! Laurie
Interestingly, the Nintendo Wii does a wonderful job with it’s avatars and gender. My two boys have often designed the Wii Avatars “Miis” to mirror an almost freakishly accurate representation of themselves, friends and parents. They’ve been able to easily build virtual characters who have different skin colors, size, shapes and gender with very little effort and these avatars are then used within many of the Wii games to represent an individual. So, while not all gaming systems show this kind of sophistication, Nintendo should definitely be given recognition for its efforts relative to the Wii avatars.
Chris, I agree, Nintendo has done a great job of being more inclusive. I was torn between the XBox and Wii when we got our gaming system. However, both my husband I were interested in the Netflix streaming option, which is available via XBox, and the more graphically intense RPGs available via XBox. I admit I’ve been second-guessing the XBox purchase…but, I really do love the streaming Netflix.
Being politically correct, I think it’s Ms. Pacman…
As a guy, I never really thought about this issue. But now that you mention it, you’re so right.
Even female (lead or otherwise) characters in video games are still made by men for men. TECMO comes to mind.