Group items tagged

"As many women play online video games as men"

Argues that stereotypes of gamers as young and male and women avoiding technology careers are not accurate, and encourages girls and women to seek out careers in gaming industry

"About this Project: I love playing video games but I'm regularly disappointed in the limited and limiting ways women are represented. This video project will explore, analyze and deconstruct some of the most common tropes and stereotypes of female characters in games. The series will highlight the larger reoccurring patterns and conventions used within the gaming industry rather than just focusing on the worst offenders. I'm going to need your help to make it happen!"

a site created to offset female representation in action video games which depicts women fighters in outfits "in which they'd be easily killed"

From the presentation: "we wanted to create a gender-aware pervasive game to engage and empower, mainly young women."

" Female consumers represent 40 percent of the market," but are underrepresented in industry

From the abstract: "This paper explores the idea of a gendered narrative in digital games and sees whether or not it could lead women to engaging more with games."

Review of games involving social interactions and demonstrating examples of popularity

considers career progression and barriers for men and women in game design and development

Feminist critique of representation of female game characters and gamers

Appeal of mobile games for women and how the gaming industry considers this potential market is discussed.

Data from studies by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and Magid Advisors has implications for the game industry

"A WOMAN from Aylesbury has won a top competition to design a video game for the iPhone. Catherine Forsyth's team won the first ever UK competition to set up, make and design their own computer games, held at the Gadget Show Live at Birmingham's NEC."

"This is a story of four university faculty, two men and two women, and the research team they formed based on an NSF grant opportunity. There is also a cadre of university students that are learning real-world lessons on group roles in a research endeavor."

39 students awarded total prizes of $90,000

Abstract: "Predation games--games in which the player is actively encouraged and often required to hunt and kill in order to survive-have historically been the purview of male players. Females, though now much more involved in digital games than before, are generally encouraged to play games that stress traditionally feminine values such as socializing with others, shopping and nurturing. This paper argues that playing games that virtually simulate predation (which is true of most violent videogames) has many benefits for female players. Predation play teaches participants how to survive and excel in stressful, competitive, aggressive environments. To remain in the game, players have to sharpen their wits, learn to face fear, accept challenges and come back from defeat to play again. Negative effects are also discussed."

Applications accepted for the Gamers in Real Life Scholarship Program, with one $10,000 scholarship ultimately awarded. Deadline March 29, 2012