Failing Women?

Almost every gaming or tech  site has a headline about the EA announcement that the videogame industry is failing women. EA’s research shows 90% of boys play videogames, compared with 40% of girls.

So where are those 40%? Are you all younger than I am? Are high schools filled with teenage girls blowing off their homework for WoW? (Lile most multi-player games, WoW is pretty girl-friendly) In my middle school classes, all my male students love to play Counterstrike or other PC games, but I’ve yet to meet a girl who wants to play too.

Getting girls into gaming would be good financially, too. I’ve already posted about The Sims’ success, and the major reason for the game’s success was that both girls and guys bought and played The Sims. If you write a game that girls play, you’re doubling your sales.

Games targeted just at girls tend to be, um, how do I say this nicely? Stupid. Barbie games and shopping games aren’t terribly interesting (although I do have a soft spot for the English version of Princess Maker). So I don’t think game designers should write a pink prom adventure, but adding some more fashion options to Baldur’s Gate wouldn’t hurt.

Note to EA: Don’t stop at The Sims… although I’ll keep buying those expansions as long as you keeping making them!