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Gender Inclusive Game Design Reviewed
BWJones writes "iDevGames has posted a book review on Gender Inclusive Game Design that should prove an interesting read not only for game design, but also for the sociological perspective. I've long wondered why the game design community has not paid more attention to gender issues given that the gaming industry has now eclipsed the movie industry in terms of overall sales. While I am not a gamer per se, I am on the beta test teams for a couple big Mac development/porting houses. I have wondered how some of these games would appeal to different demographics and what the gender demographics were. I am sure that given the financial motives, this data is available somewhere."
So I wrote a puzzle game for the Palm Pilot. It involves simple geometry, spacial manipulation of tiles, and a consistent (if arbitrary) set of rules for scoring.
According to all the research, males are supposed to be "better" at spacial organization type operations. Whatever.
In any case, 90% of the people who register the software, write me email, or confess to addition are women. I have no explanation for this. I don't understand it. But more than one woman has said that the game "intrudes into her dreams," and becomes an obsession to the point where it's disturbing. I haven't had one man say either of those things.
I don't get it. But there it is.
Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani?
www.fogbound.net
As opposed to the current state of things?
"You have encountered a level 7 Succubus. Press A to attack. Press F to post to a dozen online gaming forums looking for a code to make the succubus naked. Press M to enable the one-handed gameplay mode for 30 seconds. Press C to solicit cybersex from the succubus."