Glass ceiling for women in the games industry a myth?

In a pointed online editorial, Lisa Foster, editor-in-chief of MCV ("the European games industry's leading trade publication"), writes that "the rash of 'women in games' conferences and seminars is a load of whining about a non-issue."

Sure, more than a few Xbox Live users may be prejudiced against women, but does that mean women are treated equally in the industry? Do more games for girls need to be made? In this short article, bold claims are made (that women aren't passed over for men in the industry) and oddly compelling titles are considered (uh, Nintenshoes, anyone?), but the problem of underrepresentation for women in the industry is explained away by the argument that because more men play, more men will end up developing games (which is not all that unreasonable).

In the old magazine cover pictured to the right, you can see Carly Fiona (formerly of HP), presiding over a handful of the most powerful American businesswomen back in 1999. She also declared then that "there is not a glass ceiling" in today's business organizations, and look where it got her. Of course, recent corporate events might only prove that women are hired (and fired) just as quickly as men, but the lopsided male-to-female ratio for those playing most game platforms and genres is something that will be sure to perplex marketers and developers for many years to come.