Thoughts on the ignored gaming market
by Daniel "opcode" Arnold · 09/15/2005 (8:30 pm) · 6 comments
I took a lot of time off to write business applications. I've learned a lot in the past three years. Story telling seems to be a lost art, and would to bring that back in the coming projects.
I've noticed a lot of women lately speaking out and saying "We play games too!". I would like to focus the game play more towards the sentiments of the fairer sex. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day after reading an article on Toms Hardware from GeekWoman. I told my buddy, "you know, women really are neglected when it comes to games". He replied, "really? I've seen Barbie Makeover and some Cosmopolitan game at Target". Right then and there I knew we [men] don't have a clue. The 'female gamers' market is growing every day, and so is their market power. From what I have read, 'Barbie Makeover' just doesn't cut it for them. I feel it's time for us game developers to start paying attention, or we may find ourselves 'out of touch' with a larger and larger part of the gaming demographic.
Here is GeekWoman's article: http://www.tomshardware.com/game/200509091/index.html
It's safe to say I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't planning on coming up with something original, even if at least by content, but certainly by game play. I am fortunate to have the brilliant mind of Sunit Das to help formulate ideas and design. He is a programmer whose mind is filled with logic gates. Sunit is one of those people who can talk and think at the same time and speed. He is an information and idea conduit, once the voice stream starts it just keeps going. A good part of development will be me and him talking, for it's in the chaos of our conversations that our vision becomes clear.
I have a potential artist who may join the development team. I like having good people for team member, and from what I have heard about him he is a good guy. Many times that is worth more than exceptional talent, just look at Japanese business.
That is all for now. Things will start getting busy in this area around January 2006.
-Daniel
I've noticed a lot of women lately speaking out and saying "We play games too!". I would like to focus the game play more towards the sentiments of the fairer sex. I was talking to a friend of mine the other day after reading an article on Toms Hardware from GeekWoman. I told my buddy, "you know, women really are neglected when it comes to games". He replied, "really? I've seen Barbie Makeover and some Cosmopolitan game at Target". Right then and there I knew we [men] don't have a clue. The 'female gamers' market is growing every day, and so is their market power. From what I have read, 'Barbie Makeover' just doesn't cut it for them. I feel it's time for us game developers to start paying attention, or we may find ourselves 'out of touch' with a larger and larger part of the gaming demographic.
Here is GeekWoman's article: http://www.tomshardware.com/game/200509091/index.html
It's safe to say I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't planning on coming up with something original, even if at least by content, but certainly by game play. I am fortunate to have the brilliant mind of Sunit Das to help formulate ideas and design. He is a programmer whose mind is filled with logic gates. Sunit is one of those people who can talk and think at the same time and speed. He is an information and idea conduit, once the voice stream starts it just keeps going. A good part of development will be me and him talking, for it's in the chaos of our conversations that our vision becomes clear.
I have a potential artist who may join the development team. I like having good people for team member, and from what I have heard about him he is a good guy. Many times that is worth more than exceptional talent, just look at Japanese business.
That is all for now. Things will start getting busy in this area around January 2006.
-Daniel
#2
09/15/2005 (9:21 pm)
Nice to see you're alive and well. :o) 
#3
09/15/2005 (10:14 pm)
wow, thanks for the link, that was a great article!
#4
I think woman would find it funny. The aim of the game is to keep the husband happy. It would have to be extremely tongue and cheek as not to upset people.
If you notice adverts for woman like to take the mike out of man so why not create a game doing the same :P
09/16/2005 (1:41 am)
I think theres a market for a comedy game about mindful wives.I think woman would find it funny. The aim of the game is to keep the husband happy. It would have to be extremely tongue and cheek as not to upset people.
If you notice adverts for woman like to take the mike out of man so why not create a game doing the same :P
#5
09/16/2005 (3:13 pm)
You are taking a really thoughtful approach to game design, I admire that. I myself was contemplating why, if there is a growing audience of girl gamers, are there so few of them playing MMO's? Then it hit me. Very few girls find it enjoyable to play a game where the main object is to slaughter creatures and players as the sole means to level up. That is why I think that SWG has a decent girl population, killing things is only one way to be an exceptional game player. I think to tap into this market we are going to have to steer the main gameplay mechanic of our games away from killing...or at least make it one of many gameplay alternatives.
#6
09/28/2005 (9:33 am)
Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. Sty, it's nice to hear from you. Drop me an email.
Media @ KrabbitSoft Studios Inc.