{neurotribe.net}: ::Culture-Grrrl Power

On ABC Newsradio today, I heard a report that women make up 41% of the gaming population. Women are attracted to games that revolve around simulations (The Sims) and world building type games. They make up a significantly smaller percentage of the revenue stream due to the fact that they tend to play one game for longer periods of time whereas guys will buy a game, play it for a short period of time then move onto the next.

Interesting initial observations:

Women joining the ranks of the virtual world, living their lives through digital persona's using such games as The Sims and Secondlife.
Women like to control their context, having detailed control over the environment they inhabit (does this have anything to do with what appears to be a genetic compulsion to want to dress their their men up a certain way? ;)
Women tend to games that involve nurturing and creating rather than the more goal oriented, destructive nature of games generally associated with male players.

What effects will this have on emerging young women?

Labels: Culture, Rants, Technology

Posted by Stephen @ 5:36 PM

Comments:

Wow thats exactly what my wife has been telling me for years. She enjoys plugging away on the Sims for hours, yet gives me a hard time for doing the same on Halo 1/2!
As for what that means emerging young women?... don't know

# posted by

Josh and Melody : 9:29 AM

Hmmm...re: the initial observations - that reminds me of the theory surrounding men and women's ethical decision making (you know, the theories of justice cf. ethics of care stuff), which found that women focused on context while men focused on rules (gross generalisations, obviously)

I've never been a computer game person...but I'm hopeless as far as blogs and forums go, and can spend hours on them...I think it's the relational aspects that I like. I've steered clear of games because I have no doubt I'd get addicted. ;)

# posted by

Rebecca : 9:58 AM

I've heard about this. It's sad to admit it but I’ve been to a few L.A.N.'s in my day (being the only girl there), and I could never contend with the lads because I didn't find their games interesting. It's 'oh yeah you shot them "bam! head shot!" yep let's move on.' But spend all summer on Sim's and Harvest Moon and other R.P.G.s.

I don't know why but I cringe at the word 'nurturing', but love 'creative' as I find new creative ways to kill my Sims characters.

I'm unsure what effect it would have on our ladies. I would have to see what effect it’s having on our gentlemen. Maybe it feeds or acts as an outlet to something that is already there, such as nurturing or destructive behavior. The effect on relationships and social development would be interesting. It did me fine… expect one time a male friend kissed my hand and my first thought was three little plus signs above my head!

I do wonder if they will make more games aimed at females (as Sims made them billions), and how that would change the mainly male gaming culture.

LOVE

# posted by

Sarah : 5:15 PM

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