The Gender Issue

Hello my name is Rachel.
I feel gender is an important field of enquiry when analysing the importance and impact of video games in our society.

I agree with sjaduram and their post entitled ‘Gamer’ Gender which regarded the gender bias in the computer and console games. While there is a large quantity of children’s games which appear to be targeted at young girls, such as the Barbie series there appears to be little for an adult females. Of female targeted games I have come across one in particular stands out. In a previous University paper I have taken dealing with Censorship legislation a game entitled “Miss Bimbo” was discussed. The game can be accessed online for free via www.missbimbo.com. Success in the game is based on achieving things such as gaining a hot boyfriend. The first task an avatar must complete to move to the next level is to dye their hair blonde. Unfortunately the game isn’t ironic and it also displays large degree of sexism. This leads to the question, where are the stylistically and intellectually clever games for females? It is unclear whether producers of games have concluded there are more adult male gamers and thus focusing on female targeted games would be unprofitable or a waste of time. Alternatively females have perhaps been overlooked due to an overwhelming proportion of the industries key role being occupied by males. However it does seem strange that there would be games would be created with female children specifically in mind but no subsequent attempt to retain these consumers as they grow into adulthood.

This pondering led me to consider that although in the mainstream JB HIFI’s and Dick Smiths adult females appear to have been neglected from the shelves, perhaps if a novice gamer like myself dug a bit further perhaps I would find some innovative and intelligent games that were created for women. This digging process has led to some dubious results. Being not altogether computer savvy and having no idea where to start, I began where all good searches begin... at Google. Entering the search term “video games for girls” didn’t offer as much as I’d hoped for. In fact the 7th listed result included the words “games with hot girls, sexy girls” and so on. I did come across this hilarious Wikihow article “how to get your girlfriend to play video games” ( http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Girlfriend-to-Play-Video-Games ). One of the suggestions was ‘to choose games she (your girlfriend) may enjoy’. The author then proceeded to list games such as Lego Starwars and suggested the possibility of Halo for this category. Although I’m sure some would disagree, I consider most of the games the author lists as appealing primarily to a male audience (the exception being the gender neutral Sims). The author notes that allowing the creation of a female avatar and back story may spur involvement and I think this is a valid point. Allowing me to proceed in a game as a female character is desirable; however I do think that women gamers also deserve narratives and situations designed with them specifically in mind. I think the author amply summarises my quam when he offers the helpful advice: ‘when introducing your girlfriend to video games avoid Grand Theft Auto and games involving strippers and prostitutes’.

Perhaps someone in the class has a suggestion for some games that might appeal to me or where I should start looking? At the moment I’m resigned to playing Crash Bandicoot on repeat.