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Op Ed

[Dec 26, 2012, 1:15 pm ET] - Share - Viewing Comments

NYTimes.com - Game Theory- Making Room for the Women.
Unfortunately this rise in so-called casual play has upset some of those who see themselves as guardians of the true flame. There’s been a definite backlash against the idea that women are entering the hallowed citadel, dropping in a few scatter cushions and ending all the fun. Particular ire is reserved for anyone who dares to point out that female characters in games are often unsupported in the bra region for no apparent reason; given boring, bland supporting roles; and totally absent.

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23.

Re: Op Ed

Dec 26, 2012, 19:12

jdreyer

Novels are a poor analogy due to cost. With a much lower cost to produce you get a much wider variety of novel types and much more experimentation. We have seen some of this with the emerging indie game movement, but it is still very nascent. Movies are closer but still imperfect, as they appeal more equally to both sexes. Games simply appeal more to males. Games are mostly about competition, whether against the AI or against other people. While both men and women are competitive, studies have shown that men are competitive all of the time. Women are only competitive when something is at stake. When something appeals more to men, designers will make it cater to that market.

All that being said, it seems to me lots of games have made strides to be less sexist and appeal more to women. Many games let you play as women, and female NPCs are drawn in a more complex manner. And when sexist events happen in the industry the perps are called out. I have seen much progress in my 25 or so years in gaming and expect it to continue.




Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed.

Subject

Comment [quote="jdreyer"Dec 26, 2012, 19:12]Novels are a poor analogy due to cost. With a much lower cost to produce you get a much wider variety of novel types and much more experimentation. We have seen some of this with the emerging indie game movement, but it is still very nascent. Movies are closer but still imperfect, as they appeal more equally to both sexes. Games simply appeal more to males. Games are mostly about competition, whether against the AI or against other people. While both men and women are competitive, studies have shown that men are competitive all of the time. Women are only competitive when something is at stake. When something appeals more to men, designers will make it cater to that market. All that being said, it seems to me lots of games have made strides to be less sexist and appeal more to women. Many games let you play as women, and female NPCs are drawn in a more complex manner. And when sexist events happen in the industry the perps are called out. I have seen much progress in my 25 or so years in gaming and expect it to continue. [/quote]

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