Help with idea for game for girls
by Marvin Hawkins · in General Discussion · 01/26/2005 (6:03 am) · 56 replies
Yo everybody in tvland...
I have a school project where i have to come up with a game concept for women ages 20-35. the teacher wants us to do research on what girls like in games. I don't wanna make a game specifically geared toward them or i'm sure someone would get offended. pony theft auto was a bad idea. :) so anywho if its in the ladies in the hizzouse, sound off. what kind of games do you young ladies play and why. (please don't hate me)
I have a school project where i have to come up with a game concept for women ages 20-35. the teacher wants us to do research on what girls like in games. I don't wanna make a game specifically geared toward them or i'm sure someone would get offended. pony theft auto was a bad idea. :) so anywho if its in the ladies in the hizzouse, sound off. what kind of games do you young ladies play and why. (please don't hate me)
#42
Stereotypes are vague generalities, and when you're trying to assess the overall demand for something within a demographic, you are, by default dealing in generalities.
Now, obviously not all stereotypes hold much truth, but many do - regardless of how small a truth it might be. If you can investigate and reach a conclusive reason that a certain stereotype exists, then you're on to something.
Let's use the example of "women like puzzles" (which isn't the only stereotype regarding females and video games).
Is this true? Yes, to a degree it is. Does this mean that every woman likes puzzles? No it doesn't. Does it address what kind of puzzles? No it doesn't, but there's a validity to the statement regardless; just don't treat it as gospel.
Case in point, my wife doesn't care for stuff like Tetris, but loved the types of puzzles in Tomb Raider - she also likes involved card games... various versions of solitare that strike me as rather complex... at their core, they are a type of puzzle.
Then there's the "romance" stereotype. It's undeniable that a fair number of women are attracted to romantic stories - hell, there's an entire film genre built on this sole precept. Then again, after watching my wife be captivated by Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and even relating the story to her friends who also seemed genuinely interested, I relaized that in this case, it was the relationships between the characters and how those relationships played out that really grabbed her (and their) attention, it wasn't necessarily "romance" that was required. <- a bit of truth derived from a stereotype?! :o
I understand what everyone is saying, and agree that building games for 'x' gender specifically is a formula for disaster, but if you want to understand why more women aren't playing games, or what would appeal specifically to them, you're going to have to get your hands dirty and face down certain stereotypes. Just remember to always ask "why?"
I agree in not wanting to brand or "pigeon hole" whole market segments into "'X' likes this - 'Y' likes that", but let's not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. Understanding the tendancies of females in video games could do nothing but good things for the industry - moreso for all of us as Indy's.
01/27/2005 (7:35 am)
I'd just like to hop in here and point out that, when trying to dissect a demographic, stereotypes aren't necessarily entirely bad.Stereotypes are vague generalities, and when you're trying to assess the overall demand for something within a demographic, you are, by default dealing in generalities.
Now, obviously not all stereotypes hold much truth, but many do - regardless of how small a truth it might be. If you can investigate and reach a conclusive reason that a certain stereotype exists, then you're on to something.
Let's use the example of "women like puzzles" (which isn't the only stereotype regarding females and video games).
Is this true? Yes, to a degree it is. Does this mean that every woman likes puzzles? No it doesn't. Does it address what kind of puzzles? No it doesn't, but there's a validity to the statement regardless; just don't treat it as gospel.
Case in point, my wife doesn't care for stuff like Tetris, but loved the types of puzzles in Tomb Raider - she also likes involved card games... various versions of solitare that strike me as rather complex... at their core, they are a type of puzzle.
Then there's the "romance" stereotype. It's undeniable that a fair number of women are attracted to romantic stories - hell, there's an entire film genre built on this sole precept. Then again, after watching my wife be captivated by Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and even relating the story to her friends who also seemed genuinely interested, I relaized that in this case, it was the relationships between the characters and how those relationships played out that really grabbed her (and their) attention, it wasn't necessarily "romance" that was required. <- a bit of truth derived from a stereotype?! :o
I understand what everyone is saying, and agree that building games for 'x' gender specifically is a formula for disaster, but if you want to understand why more women aren't playing games, or what would appeal specifically to them, you're going to have to get your hands dirty and face down certain stereotypes. Just remember to always ask "why?"
I agree in not wanting to brand or "pigeon hole" whole market segments into "'X' likes this - 'Y' likes that", but let's not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. Understanding the tendancies of females in video games could do nothing but good things for the industry - moreso for all of us as Indy's.
#43
Her younger sister, also a brain, can't stand Myst. She likes good ol' Windows solitaire for puzzle solving, and she's learning to play the Xbox FPS games so she can slaughter her male friends who are constantly fragging her when they play together.
That probably didn't help you a bit, did it?
01/27/2005 (3:48 pm)
My 24-y-o daughter, rather the cerebral type, enjoys the Myst series most of all. There's little to no '"action" action, astounding graphics, and some really complicated puzzles.Her younger sister, also a brain, can't stand Myst. She likes good ol' Windows solitaire for puzzle solving, and she's learning to play the Xbox FPS games so she can slaughter her male friends who are constantly fragging her when they play together.
That probably didn't help you a bit, did it?
#44
01/27/2005 (5:40 pm)
Just an update ladies and gents i had to turn in my report today but i don't have to actually present anything until monday. So the teacher hasnt ripped me a new one yet. but so far based on the research links provided here i concluded a few things. first, and most important, women are sociologially no more different than men. in the game girl advance article the woman arthur indidcated that she did not want to see 'pink boxes' wthat scream for girls. instead she wanted to see an overall quality of games which is what we as men and as paying customers should want too. The author also indicated that women did not want to be overly sexualized. games such as the DOA series turned her off becuase the women in it werent even close to realistic. she was also disappointed in lara croft becuase her pontetial to be a great heroine was squandered by the developers over sexualizing her. so from this i concluded that some women would play games if the game had an engaging story line and characters. So i decided not to make a cop out puzzle game although i did find evidence from women that they do like puzzle games. i wanted to do a survival horror game a style of game that has a storng story line, characters and puzzles. but some other article mentioned that women like implied violence more than actual blood and guts gore. So i had a unique challenge now. So i came up with a survival horror game that had strong characters and puzzles and featured a strong (fully clothed) female lead. So without further ado heres what i came up with. and keep in mind this is a writing for games class. the teahcer doesn't care about the gameplay just the story. So for now i've negated that part....
#45
A survival horror/mystery where the characters must figure out why the dead are rising and find out what happened to the rest of the townspeople.
Summary:
The game is unique because it combines the game play of Resident Evil with horror pacing elements from movies like The Grudge, 28 Days Later, and The Ring, with non violent combat elements from games such as Beyond Good and Evil, and Fatal Frame. The engrossing story includes lots of interweaving conflicts and story lines that
Back Story:
The game begins with Kristin, a college student who wakes up in her hometown of Bristol, England to find that everyone is mysteriously missing. Kristin gets dressed and goes through her normal routine. When the young girl goes downstairs to eat breakfast she notices that her parents are nowhere to be found. She searches the entire house and finds nothing. More mysteriously, she finds that there is no sign of foul play and that nothing in the home is out of place. Before she can investigate further she is attacked and thrown against the wall by something she cannot see. She grabs a fire extinguisher and starts to spray toward her would be attacker. Kristin hears an otherworldly shriek. Thinking that she's stunned her antagonist, she runs outside to see that the streets are completely empty. She decides that has to search for survivors. This is where the player is entered into the game.
Synopsis:
After the opening cinema the player is dumped into the town and must first search for supplies to keep her/himself alive. The character will make a remark when the player moves her toward an item that can be of use. This serves the purpose of guiding the player but not leading her by the nose so to speak. Soon after Kristin begins her wanderings she runs into an old lady who is standing in the middle of the road. This launches another cinema that explains what is going on in the world. She explains that the town has opened a gate to the other world and explains that every ghost in the game has come back from their rest to avenge themselves of the horrible murders that they were victims of. This foreshadows that the player will be dealing with ghouls from the town's dark past. When Kristin asks why. The old woman disappears with laughter and the player is left alone to wonder what to do next. After this, Kristin will think to herself "okay I need to find that old bag" this sets up the first mission which is to find the old woman. During the story, the player also meets a male character named Job. He is a technical whiz kid who is good at solving puzzles and better at some tasks than Kristin. He is taller, so he can reach things she cannot. During the game Kristin must sometimes save Job to show he as a stronger female character.
01/27/2005 (5:43 pm)
Premise: A survival horror/mystery where the characters must figure out why the dead are rising and find out what happened to the rest of the townspeople.
Summary:
The game is unique because it combines the game play of Resident Evil with horror pacing elements from movies like The Grudge, 28 Days Later, and The Ring, with non violent combat elements from games such as Beyond Good and Evil, and Fatal Frame. The engrossing story includes lots of interweaving conflicts and story lines that
Back Story:
The game begins with Kristin, a college student who wakes up in her hometown of Bristol, England to find that everyone is mysteriously missing. Kristin gets dressed and goes through her normal routine. When the young girl goes downstairs to eat breakfast she notices that her parents are nowhere to be found. She searches the entire house and finds nothing. More mysteriously, she finds that there is no sign of foul play and that nothing in the home is out of place. Before she can investigate further she is attacked and thrown against the wall by something she cannot see. She grabs a fire extinguisher and starts to spray toward her would be attacker. Kristin hears an otherworldly shriek. Thinking that she's stunned her antagonist, she runs outside to see that the streets are completely empty. She decides that has to search for survivors. This is where the player is entered into the game.
Synopsis:
After the opening cinema the player is dumped into the town and must first search for supplies to keep her/himself alive. The character will make a remark when the player moves her toward an item that can be of use. This serves the purpose of guiding the player but not leading her by the nose so to speak. Soon after Kristin begins her wanderings she runs into an old lady who is standing in the middle of the road. This launches another cinema that explains what is going on in the world. She explains that the town has opened a gate to the other world and explains that every ghost in the game has come back from their rest to avenge themselves of the horrible murders that they were victims of. This foreshadows that the player will be dealing with ghouls from the town's dark past. When Kristin asks why. The old woman disappears with laughter and the player is left alone to wonder what to do next. After this, Kristin will think to herself "okay I need to find that old bag" this sets up the first mission which is to find the old woman. During the story, the player also meets a male character named Job. He is a technical whiz kid who is good at solving puzzles and better at some tasks than Kristin. He is taller, so he can reach things she cannot. During the game Kristin must sometimes save Job to show he as a stronger female character.
#46
What are you willing to do to ensure your survival?
When is Vengeance justified?
Setting:
Dead Town is set in a small town in England. The time frame is modern day and the town that Kristin is in a state of terror in which she is alone.
Plot:
Dead Town starts out with Kristin waking up and rushing downstairs to find her family. After she tries unsuccessfully to find her parents she goes back to the kitchen. That's when the first ghoul attacks her. This is her first encounter with the dead. After fending off her attack Kristin finds an old woman who explains the ghouls are former residents of the town who were all brutally murdered. She explains that they have come for their revenge and once they have it they will go back to rest. Before Kristin learns any more the old woman strangely disappears. She sets out to find the old bat. She next runs into a kindly old groundskeeper who has survived. The groundskeeper seems to know more about this strange happening. Everyone believed he was crazy to predict the dead will have their vengeance and claims that he knows how to stop them. He is conveniently killed before Kristin learns more. Kristin at least gets the knowledge of how to stop the ghouls. Although they are not psychical using elemental weapons can still stop them. Things like fire, ice, and lightning can actually send the ghosts back from whence they came. Later in the story Kristin saves a young teenager named Job from a group of ghouls. The young teen provides Kristin with a constant reassurance that someone is left and that her parents my still be alive. The two characters clash personality. Kristin wants desperately to find out what's going on while Job wants to just escape. At the end of the game they find out that the real culprit is a cult that called back the dead to serve their dark purposes of ruling the world. The cult follows an ancient tome that declares that the end of the civilized world will be brought on by the dead. Kristin and Job must use their collective abilities to stop them. And turn their own dead people against them.
01/27/2005 (5:44 pm)
Theme:What are you willing to do to ensure your survival?
When is Vengeance justified?
Setting:
Dead Town is set in a small town in England. The time frame is modern day and the town that Kristin is in a state of terror in which she is alone.
Plot:
Dead Town starts out with Kristin waking up and rushing downstairs to find her family. After she tries unsuccessfully to find her parents she goes back to the kitchen. That's when the first ghoul attacks her. This is her first encounter with the dead. After fending off her attack Kristin finds an old woman who explains the ghouls are former residents of the town who were all brutally murdered. She explains that they have come for their revenge and once they have it they will go back to rest. Before Kristin learns any more the old woman strangely disappears. She sets out to find the old bat. She next runs into a kindly old groundskeeper who has survived. The groundskeeper seems to know more about this strange happening. Everyone believed he was crazy to predict the dead will have their vengeance and claims that he knows how to stop them. He is conveniently killed before Kristin learns more. Kristin at least gets the knowledge of how to stop the ghouls. Although they are not psychical using elemental weapons can still stop them. Things like fire, ice, and lightning can actually send the ghosts back from whence they came. Later in the story Kristin saves a young teenager named Job from a group of ghouls. The young teen provides Kristin with a constant reassurance that someone is left and that her parents my still be alive. The two characters clash personality. Kristin wants desperately to find out what's going on while Job wants to just escape. At the end of the game they find out that the real culprit is a cult that called back the dead to serve their dark purposes of ruling the world. The cult follows an ancient tome that declares that the end of the civilized world will be brought on by the dead. Kristin and Job must use their collective abilities to stop them. And turn their own dead people against them.
#47
01/31/2005 (10:12 am)
I have a girl friend who plays a couple games, what she is currenttly into is World of Warcraft (I think she likes the ability to customize her char) and she also enjoys Prince of Persia: The Sands of time. (Mayhaps that has something to do with the fact that the prince strips throughtout the game.
#48
01/31/2005 (3:17 pm)
Survival, horror, vengeance... Uh, not my cup of tea. Women often dislike the whole concept of vengeance...
#49
01/31/2005 (4:51 pm)
All the women I know (30+) like either puzzle games or are addicted to Solitare. They are between the ages of 32 and 60. I don't know too many that are into the competition thing (death matches, sports, gambling, etc.).
#50
01/31/2005 (5:49 pm)
The point of this game is the story scott , not the sports part and the research i found indicated that girls would like to see more games with interesting characters.
#51
01/31/2005 (7:36 pm)
Besides, this is not limited toward the women at the top of the 20-35 age spectrum. it the project was too come up with a game that will appeall to 20-35 year old women. I've decided to appeal to the lower ages. 20-25 Those women may have more time than women in the 30s who have or are beggining to have families.
#52
02/02/2005 (8:46 am)
@ Mare why would you not want to play the game? and a follow up gquestion what type of games do you like to play?
#53
02/02/2005 (9:49 am)
I would not want to play the game because I don't like the whole horror genre or anything too dark or gritty, and I think vengeance is a philosophically stupid concept. I play a fairly wide variety of games - single player RPGs, adventure games, sims, strategy, speed puzzle games, platformers... To me what is important is that a story-based game have deep characters and cultures, explore the relationships betwen them, and have a happy ending, while for a non-story-based game I prefer cute humor with puns and bright colors and funny sound effects.
#54
Geez, I don't know about that. Most of the women I know actually play games while they are supposed to be working! ;)
02/02/2005 (2:18 pm)
Quote:Besides, this is not limited toward the women at the top of the 20-35 age spectrum. it the project was too come up with a game that will appeall to 20-35 year old women. I've decided to appeal to the lower ages. 20-25 Those women may have more time than women in the 30s who have or are beggining to have families.
Geez, I don't know about that. Most of the women I know actually play games while they are supposed to be working! ;)
#55
02/02/2005 (3:28 pm)
Good point scott assumptions are bad because you make an... well you know the rest.
#56
designed by a woman with a male assistant designer for a mixed
gender audience ages 16+, head over to the thread where I am
asking for feedback on my design doc:
www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=25003
02/02/2005 (8:06 pm)
If anyone wants to see my game design as an example of a gamedesigned by a woman with a male assistant designer for a mixed
gender audience ages 16+, head over to the thread where I am
asking for feedback on my design doc:
www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=25003
Torque Owner David Hecker
Obviously this is just the type of player that we attract, so can probably not be applied globally. On the other hand, all the women I work with enjoy Unreal Tournament, Need for Speed and Midnight Club. But then again, that is only when we have office tournaments at lunch time, and none of them play on their own.