Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hayashi: Team Ninja taming its 'sex and violence' image in DoA 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hayashi-team-ninja-taming-its-sex-and-violence-image-in-doa-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hayashi-team-ninja-taming-its-sex-and-violence-image-in-doa-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/14/hayashi-team-ninja-taming-its-sex-and-violence-image-in-doa-5/#comments Team Ninja boss Yosuke Hayashi says the studio's perspective has changed since Tomonobu Itagaki left in a huff in 2008, and even though most of its 200 staff are original team members, Hayashi is calling them his "new team." The most obvious shift is the new team's focus on creating an emotional experience, rather than eye candy, Hayashi tells Gamasutra.

"The old team was known for making games that just had two primary elements: Sex and violence," Hayashi says. "It was very obvious. The new team, we want to take it to a new level -- to a direction that contains emotional experiences that can move players."

That's right -- Team Ninja wasn't emotionally invested in all the sexy gameplay you had together, and now it's looking for something more meaningful. Hayashi may find his new, more mature gaming experience in a Dead or Alive crossover with Virtua Fighter, a la Street Fighter X Tekken, Edge reports.

"In terms of collaboration titles, there are staff on our team who just love fighting games and if there was any chance to do that we'd actively, possibly do that," Hayashi says.

"The first 3D game I played was Virtua Fighter; that's the IP I respect most. Virtua Fighter was the father of 3D gaming, so it's very well respected."

For now, one thing's certain: The women in Dead or Alive 5 will be more respectable, well-rounded (emotionally) than in previous titles. "We've always had the sex factor in the game; in the past, the female characters had to have big breasts, they had to have scanty dress," Hayashi says. "In DoA 5 especially, we're trying to focus on the real women that surround us: the voice of a female, the mannerisms. We are being realistic about it."

JoystiqHayashi: Team Ninja taming its 'sex and violence' image in DoA 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-or-alive-5hayashiItagakimicrosoftplaystationps3sextamingTeam-Ninjatomonobu-itagakiviolencewomenxboxyosuke-hayashiTue, 14 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Red Dead Redemption trailer introduces us to 'The Women']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/red-dead-redemption-trailer-introduces-us-to-the-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/red-dead-redemption-trailer-introduces-us-to-the-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/red-dead-redemption-trailer-introduces-us-to-the-women/#comments Now, we know what you're thinking. "Oh, Rockstar's released a trailer featuring the female protagonists in Red Dead Redemption. We're guessing there's a scantily-clad burlesque dancer with a heart of gold, a scantily-clad cowgirl with a heart of gold and a fiery, scantily-clad revolutionista with a heart of gold." Well, you're awfully close -- just replace all three instances of "scantily-clad" with "completely badass," and you're a bit closer to the truth.

Check out the trailer above to see Red Dead Redemption's reasonably-dressed femme fatales spit some sass and shoot some dudes.

JoystiqRed Dead Redemption trailer introduces us to 'The Women' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionMicrosoftred-dead-redemptionrockstarrockstar-san-diegotrailervideowomenXbox-360Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW 2009: Gaming as a Gateway Drug: Getting Girls Interested in Technology]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/sxsw-2009-gaming-as-a-gateway-drug-getting-girls-interested-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/sxsw-2009-gaming-as-a-gateway-drug-getting-girls-interested-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/sxsw-2009-gaming-as-a-gateway-drug-getting-girls-interested-in/#comments
The "Gaming as a Gateway Drug: Getting Girls into Technology" panel at SXSW proved to be extremely interesting, and sparked quite a debate on Twitter during the talk. The panelists focused both on the increasing number of girls getting their game on and the ones that eventually become employed within the gaming industry.

Ostensibly, they want to use gaming to get girls interested in the STEM career tracks, which are usually boy heavy: science, technology, engineering, and math. The panel was moderated by Dee Kapila of Girlstart, a non-profit organization aimed at getting girls interested in those fields. Kapila and the rest of the panel brought up some interesting points, and you can check out the highlights after the break.

Continue reading SXSW 2009: Gaming as a Gateway Drug: Getting Girls Interested in Technology

JoystiqSXSW 2009: Gaming as a Gateway Drug: Getting Girls Interested in Technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Girl-gaminggirlsSXSWSXSW-2009technologywomenMon, 23 Mar 2009 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft: Wii is, like, totally driven by girls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/ubisoft-wii-is-like-totally-driven-by-girls/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/ubisoft-wii-is-like-totally-driven-by-girls/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/ubisoft-wii-is-like-totally-driven-by-girls/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo's crusade to wrap casual and non-gamers alike into the gaming fold has drawn the attention of the Sooner State, with the Tulsa World reporting that the Wii's unstoppable sales have much to do with the gaming habits of the fairer sex. Specifically, Ubisoft's senior brand manager Ann Hamilton tells the newspaper that "what's driving the Wii sales is the use of Wii by women, girls and families."

It's a sentiment that's shared among other organizations, including Tulsa-based developer Tornado Studios (Medal of Honor: Allied Assault), which notes that since the debut of the Wii and DS the company has seen "a much higher influx of female gamers." Even so, while we applaud efforts to put controllers -- any controllers -- in the hands of the women, we just wish the industry wouldn't continue to vomit shovelware into the market under the guise of good intentions.

[Via Endsights]

JoystiqUbisoft: Wii is, like, totally driven by girls originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>familygirlsnintendotornado-studiosubisoftwomenThu, 15 Jan 2009 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: EverQuest II population may be 40% female]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/study-everquest-ii-population-may-be-40-female/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/study-everquest-ii-population-may-be-40-female/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/study-everquest-ii-population-may-be-40-female/#commentsFiled under:


Shocking news: The half-naked human (elf, or cat-thing) female dancing for tips in the main city of your favorite MMORPG might actually be played by a real woman. The BBC reports on a study by researcher Scott Caplan at the University of Delaware, which examined gender differences in 2,400 EverQuest II players, and found that 40% of the gamers were female.

Although 40% does sound awfully high, it does help alter the stereotype of the genre which has a bunch of middle-aged men living in their parents' basements. Caplan says the perception of video games is in a "cultural time lag" and that people are still ascribing decade-old stereotypes to video game players.

Caplan also found an unusually high level of female bisexuality in the survey group, which was apparently "five times higher than the general population." Another thing Caplan found was that the women's self-reported exercise regimes and body mass indexes were better than the general population.

We suddenly imagine subscription numbers for EverQuest II going way up as boys clamor to hit it off with a glamazon.

[Via Evil Avatar]

JoystiqStudy: EverQuest II population may be 40% female originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbceverquest-2everquest-iistudywomenTue, 23 Dec 2008 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's Board of Directors breathes in Oxygen founder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/eas-board-of-directors-breathes-in-oxygen-founder/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/eas-board-of-directors-breathes-in-oxygen-founder/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/07/eas-board-of-directors-breathes-in-oxygen-founder/#commentsFiled under: ,

Geraldine Laybourne, the founder of women's cable television channel Oxygen, has joined the Board of Directors at Electronic Arts. Prior to creating television programs that pander to the fairer sex, Laybourne also worked for Nickelodeon, where she was instrumental in launching the station's window into the past that is Nick at Night.

While it's pure guesswork as to whether this move was more driven by Laybourne's business savvy or EA's continued interest in putting games in front of women, families and tweens, we imagine that both played a vital role in getting the TV exec to hop on board.

JoystiqEA's Board of Directors breathes in Oxygen founder originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualeaelectronic-artselectronicartsGeraldine-LaybourneGeraldineLaybournenickelodeonoxygenwomenFri, 07 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop's new 'Me Time Anytime' program targeted at women]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/gamestops-new-me-time-anytime-program-designed-to-bring-in-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/gamestops-new-me-time-anytime-program-designed-to-bring-in-wo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/gamestops-new-me-time-anytime-program-designed-to-bring-in-wo/#commentsFiled under:

Let's get the obvious joke out of the way: The original name for the new GameStop initiative was "Let's Try to Get a Woman Into GameStop Maybe."

GameStop has announced a new program called "Me Time, Anytime" in which customers are encouraged to come into one of 1,500 US GameStop locations and try out the DS and its games. From 11a.m. to 2p.m. on October 18 (otherwise known as "not anytime,") this special demo station, called the "Me Time Test Drive" will be available, and employees will, of course, be on hand to answer questions.

In addition, seven GameStops in major cities (see the press release for locations) will host Marquee events from 10a.m. to 6p.m. which will include "refreshments and music" as well as prizes. Nintendo representatives will be present to "help with your Nintendo DS needs." According to the press release, GameStop stores have already started handing out "designer carrying cases" with purchases of a DS console and a new game.

We don't think transparently desperate promotions and free refreshments are going to do anything to bring more people into GameStop. For future events, we'd suggest "We Won't Make a Big Deal Out of It When a Woman Comes In" day and "You Probably Don't Want a Preorder, a Warranty, or a Discount Card, So We Just Won't Bother You About It" day.

GameStop can't take all the blame for this futile, vaguely exploitive promotion. The presence of Nintendo reps at the larger events, as well as the way the "Me Time" name ties so nicely in with Nintendo's own "I Play for Me" campaign suggests that it is a coordinated effort between the retailer and Nintendo.

JoystiqGameStop's new 'Me Time Anytime' program targeted at women originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopme-time-anytimewomenTue, 14 Oct 2008 11:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Overheard@E3: "Check out all these girls playing games!"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/overheard-e3-check-out-all-these-girls-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/overheard-e3-check-out-all-these-girls-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/17/overheard-e3-check-out-all-these-girls-playing-games/#commentsFiled under: ,


When the doors of the E3 showfloor first opened, herds of eager game industry denizens rushed inside to set up stations at kiosks to try their hands at the new wares. One small gaggle of gaming journalists from a world where women must not exist gawped and said "Check out all these girls playing games!" Keep in mind, this was after seeing two women playing games at one console.

Two girls, one console. Yes, apparently women play games.

JoystiqOverheard@E3: "Check out all these girls playing games!" originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>E3E3-2008GamingGirlsOverheardWomenThu, 17 Jul 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo holding DS 'Tupperware' parties [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/nintendo-holding-ds-tupperware-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/nintendo-holding-ds-tupperware-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/nintendo-holding-ds-tupperware-parties/#commentsFiled under:



Nintendo is constantly being praised for its marketing of the DS (and Wii) to non-gaming demographics, yet not all of the techniques used by the company are breathtakingly modern or anything. Case in point: these DS-themed parties, which NBC reckons are modeled on Tupperware parties, a decades old concept that first appeared just after the Second World War.

The idea is straightforward enough: gather a selection of "hot, hip alpha females," sling them a free DS (!) and a crate of Lambrini, and let them spend their Friday evening playing Mario Kart DS, Brain Training, and Nintendogs with their tipsy friends. Nintendo hopes that the women involved will go away and chat non-stop to their other alpha friends about the wonders of the DS. It appears to be working, as well. "What's better than hanging out with my girl friends to drink wine and play games?" gushes one participant.

Well, we can't think of anything.

[Update 1: Edited last sentence]

[Via Game With A Brain]

JoystiqNintendo holding DS 'Tupperware' parties [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessfemalemarketingtupperwarewomenTue, 08 Jul 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fit tagged with an expensive, undeserved bill]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/wii-fit-tagged-with-an-expensive-undeserved-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/wii-fit-tagged-with-an-expensive-undeserved-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/16/wii-fit-tagged-with-an-expensive-undeserved-bill/#commentsFiled under: ,

A poll from the UK insurance firm Sheilas' Wheels analyzed the exercise habits of women, and the potential disaster area that has become their homes. Despite the initial "ZOMG Wii Fit destruction!" outcry from the mass media, the details of the poll really don't have much to do with Nintendo at all.

The general response criticizes massive damage caused by these women knocking over junk as they worked out on Wii Fit. On average, £6.55 per person was the estimated dollar (that is, pound) value of destruction, or a whopping £20 million worth total. Wii Fit, you've got some 'splaining to do!

Or, not. Wii Fit isn't responsible for the damage at all, and the original release from Sheilas' Wheels merely mentions the popularity of Wii Fit and Nintendo in general -- then immediately states the most popular home exercise method is watching an instructional video or DVD. Sure, the Wii has been responsible for some breakages in the past, but tacking the £20 million sum anywhere near the Balance Board is just poor form. Read over the official Sheilas' Wheels news article before subscribing to the Wii Fit Angry Mob newsletter.

Finally, the results explain that the survey was conducted to gather home damage estimates over the past year. Wii Fit has only been out in the UK for a month. The math doesn't add up, and a genuine attempt to gather information on home exercise routines has been misrepresented. Besides, if Wii Fit was solely to blame, what have the women been doing to smash up their stuff during the 11 months before it was released? If you guessed cleaning the kitchen, sewing and baking cookies for the men, you would be correct.

JoystiqWii Fit tagged with an expensive, undeserved bill originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>damageexerciseexergamingfitnessinsurancesheilas-wheelswii-fitwomenMon, 16 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft announces unimaginative 'Imagine Rock Star']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/ubisoft-announces-unimaginative-imagine-rock-star/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/ubisoft-announces-unimaginative-imagine-rock-star/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/21/ubisoft-announces-unimaginative-imagine-rock-star/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Say what you will about Ubisoft's Imagine line of games (targeted at girls aged 6 to 14), they're generally pretty original. There are precious few game makers trying to tap into the figure skating, fashion designing, and animal healing segments of the burgeoning DS game market. Unfortunately, the same can't really be said for Ubisoft's latest Imagine game announcement, Imagine Rock Star.

Not to focus on the negative, but when Imagine Rock Star comes out in June, it will bump up against a veritable cornucopia of competing DS rhythm games, including a couple that have a very similar premise of multiplayer, "join a band" action. We don't want to sell it short before we see it, but we find it hard to "imagine" (ha!) that this game will bring something new to a genre that's already getting a bit overcrowded. Especially when the "ability to customize the look of each band mate in order to become the most stylish rockers" is a major selling point. Then again, we aren't girls aged 6 to 14, so what do we know?

JoystiqUbisoft announces unimaginative 'Imagine Rock Star' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babyzDSgirlsimagineimagine-rock-starubisoftwomenFri, 21 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Science says: Men's brains get more 'reward' from gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/science-says-mens-brains-get-more-reward-from-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/science-says-mens-brains-get-more-reward-from-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/05/science-says-mens-brains-get-more-reward-from-gaming/#commentsFiled under: ,

Developers and executives that are struggling to develop games that appeal to women now have a new excuse to fall back on if and when they fail. According to a study by Stanford University's Alan Reiss, men are hard wired to feel more "rewarded" playing games than women.

The study, which looked at 11 men and 11 women, asked participants to play a simple territorial point-and-click game while hooked up to an fMRI machine. The men in the study showed much great activity in the brain's "mesocorticolimbic center," which is associated with reward and addiction.

Interestingly, the amount of activity for men went up as they did better at the game, while the amount of activity for women stayed roughly constant, regardless of achievement. "The females 'got' the game... they appeared motivated to succeed at the game," Reiss said. "The males were just a lot more motivated to succeed." Yeah, yeah ... tell it to the Frag Dolls.

JoystiqScience says: Men's brains get more 'reward' from gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addictionfrag dollsFragDollsgendergirlsmenrewardsciencewomenTue, 05 Feb 2008 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Women in Games: Pinckard, Tory talk about industry, Jade Raymond]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/women-in-games-pinckard-tory-talk-about-industry-jade-raymond/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/women-in-games-pinckard-tory-talk-about-industry-jade-raymond/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/women-in-games-pinckard-tory-talk-about-industry-jade-raymond/#commentsFiled under:

Continuing in her series on women working in the games industry (it began with her interview with Morgan Webb), MTV's Tracey John talks to Game Girl Advance creator Jane Pinckard and Assassin's Creed developer Elspeth Tory on their experiences, as well as addressing the controversy surrounding AC designer Jade Raymond. Their verdict on the industry is that it still has a lot of maturation to do, especially when it comes to the working environment. Both Pinckard and Tory share their own anecdotes that would be amusing if not a discouraging testament to how male-dominated the industry continues to be.

In discussing Raymond, a designer whose intelligence and skills have been largely questioned because of her looks (we've read many comments that accuse her of merely being a "pretty figurehead" for the game), both decreed the issue frustrating. "She is genetically, accidentally blessed with a combination of smarts and ambition and looks that our culture happens to find attractive, and that's not her fault," said Pinckard.

Read - Game Girl Advance's Jane Pinckard Talks Lara Croft, Male vs. Female Gamers
Read - 'Assassin's Creed''s Elspeth Tory on Jade Raymond and Entering the Boys' Club

JoystiqWomen in Games: Pinckard, Tory talk about industry, Jade Raymond originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-creedelspeth-toryfemalegame-girl-advancegirlsjane-pinckardmtvpinckardubisoftwomenWed, 12 Dec 2007 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Morgan Webb talks gaming's double standards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/morgan-webb-talks-gamings-double-standards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/morgan-webb-talks-gamings-double-standards/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/10/morgan-webb-talks-gamings-double-standards/#commentsFiled under: ,

As the start of a week-long series on women in the game industry, MTV Multiplayer has a revealing Q&A with Morgan Webb, the curvier half of the hosting duo behind G4's X-Play. While the interview covers a lot of topics, perhaps the most persistent running theme is Webb's ambivalence about her status as a successful, visible female game journalist.

On the one hand, Webb says, "it used to really bother me that men ... would assume that I don't really know what I'm talking about or would know less than a man on the topic." On the other hand, though, Webb acknowledges "I wouldn't be where I am if I were a man, to be honest. I wouldn't be on the show. I wouldn't be writing columns for FHM. I wouldn't be considered just like a rare and interesting... specimen or whatever, if I weren't a woman. So I am where I am because I'm a woman and that's just the way it is."

While Webb is a big booster for the game industry, she says she doesn't necessarily see herself as a spokesperson for 'girl gaming.' "I don't think the world will necessarily be a better place if I get lots of young woman to play video games," she said. "If a woman wants to play video games, more power to her ... but I have a lot of girlfriends who couldn't care less about video games ... and I don't think their lives are missing anything for that."

The lengthy full interview is packed with more of Webb's thoughts on forum trolls, posing for Maxim and the effects of being both one of gaming's most prominent women and a minor TV celebrity. Take a few minutes and give it a read.

JoystiqMorgan Webb talks gaming's double standards originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>femaleG4girlsinterviewmorgan-webbMTVreviewswebbwomenX-playMon, 10 Dec 2007 20:50:00 EST<![CDATA[AskMen's Top 10 Hottest Women in Tech]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/askmens-top-10-hottest-women-in-tech/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/askmens-top-10-hottest-women-in-tech/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/01/askmens-top-10-hottest-women-in-tech/#commentsFiled under:


AskMen, IGN's online magazine for the XY chromosomatic, recently compiled a list of the ten most alluring tech-savvy ladies. Unsurprisingly, six of the ten women are current or former employees of G4TV, including Cheat's Kristen Holt (pictured above) and X-Play's Morgan Webb. PSP-licker-turned-journalist Jessica Chobot also ranks at number three.

As a number of comments on the article have pointed out, there's a few noteworthy names missing from the list. Where is Jade Raymond, Assassin's Creed's delightful producer; or Layla Kayleigh, G4's pint-sized British news correspondent? Oooh, what about Old Grandma Hardcore, that saucy, foul-mouthed minx? We'd like to see just how "hardcore" she really is, if you know what we mean.

JoystiqAskMen's Top 10 Hottest Women in Tech originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AskMenTopTenWomenSat, 01 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Men more likely to steal, lie about casual games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/men-more-likely-to-steal-lie-about-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/men-more-likely-to-steal-lie-about-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/30/men-more-likely-to-steal-lie-about-casual-games/#commentsFiled under: ,

A Reuters report yesterday took an interesting angle on the conclusions of the Casual Games Association's recently released 2007 study. While others commented on the casual space's size and growth, Reuters decided to focus on how men are lying, stealing bastards when it comes to casual games.

According to the CGA report, while men are just as likely as women to play casual games, the fairer sex is much more likely to pay for these games (women make up 74% of paying players). What accounts for the difference? According to Retuers, men are "more determined to find a free version or try to thwart anti-piracy protections on games." Or, y'know, they could be playing the copies their wives bought. We hope that's it, because finding a crack for a $20 game of Peggle is just sad.

But that's not all -- the Reuters report also reveals that men are more likely to hide their secret casual gaming shame. "The hardcore gamer who is playing 'Halo' with his buddies isn't going to brag that he just beat the next level of 'Zuma'." CGA Managing Director Jessica Tams told Reuters. And if they won't cop to playing Zuma, what are the chances they'll admit to an undying love for Flower Shop: Big City Break? Not large.

Well it's time for the healing to begin. Men, use the comment thread below to come out of the casual gaming closet and announce to the world your proclivity for matching gems and dashing between diners. We won't judge you ... much.

JoystiqMen more likely to steal, lie about casual games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcatsgendermenPCsexwomenTue, 30 Oct 2007 10:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Women's spatial abilities increase with video games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/study-womens-spatial-abilities-increase-with-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/study-womens-spatial-abilities-increase-with-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/study-womens-spatial-abilities-increase-with-video-games/#commentsFiled under:


Research done at the University of Toronto found women who played video games reduced the inherent difference between the sexes when it comes to spatial skills. Spacial skills are things like reading a map, driving a car and putting stuff together. Researcher Jing Feng says their original experiment showed that "women do not do as well on spatial tasks"; however, their second experiment found that video games improved both sexes when it came to spatial skills, and that women caught up to men in tests -- five months later the experiments yielded the same result.

There's no real explanation why there would be such a dramatic change after only 10 hours of video game playing or why it would last for months. One could complain about how it's ridiculous that this research is done and yada, yada, yada. But, if having the important women in our life play some video games hardwires them to read a map better, we'll take it -- we hate pulling over and asking for directions.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqStudy: Women's spatial abilities increase with video games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>researchspatialtorontawomenWed, 03 Oct 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Leipzig, booth babes, video, nudity, NSFW]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/leipzig-booth-babes-video-nudity-nsfw/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/leipzig-booth-babes-video-nudity-nsfw/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/28/leipzig-booth-babes-video-nudity-nsfw/#commentsFiled under:


The picture above is about to get NSFW in one frame ... in just one frame it goes from normal marketing cosplay to borderline furry pron. GameTrailers put together a Girls Gone Wild-esque segment of all the Leipzig booth babe fit for video (which we have placed after the break). We joke, the video is very tastefully done, as tasteful as one can get editing together flesh shots meant to titillate. On some level it's great culture context, for our puritan American eyes, public displays of boobies burns us they do.

Leipzig obviously takes a different approach to displays of the female form than E3. Although it was a moot point this year, the last "real" E3 had a ban on booth babes. We re-emphasize that the video after the break is not safe for work, don't come crying to us if your boss catches you -- although, for all we know, he might be into furries.

Continue reading Leipzig, booth babes, video, nudity, NSFW

JoystiqLeipzig, booth babes, video, nudity, NSFW originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boothbabesfurrygametrailerslgc07nsfwnuditysexwomenTue, 28 Aug 2007 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Lifetime: Games for women]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/lifetime-games-for-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/lifetime-games-for-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/lifetime-games-for-women/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There are moments you just couldn't make up the story if you tried -- this is one of those times. Lifetime network, television for women, and RealNetworks (yup, they're still around) are joining up to make downloadable games for women. The first game will be Sally's Salon and releases July 25. The game has players "direct Sally through a virtual beauty salon by performing and customizing beauty services and hiring employees." Kind of sounds like Diner Dash and Cake Mania, but minus the entrepreneurial feminist ideals.

The game will be promoted online and on Lifetime's television network between reruns of Unsolved Mysteries and Golden Girls (oh Rose, you still bring a smile to our face). Apparently Lifetime and RealNetworks have been collaborating since 2004 and the games section of Lifetime's website is its most popular with million of games played on topics such as "makeovers, prom dresses and cleaning." Ah yes, Lifetime casual games, doing its part to show women their place in the 21st century.

JoystiqLifetime: Games for women originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2007 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakemaniacasualcasualgamesdinerdashlifetimePCrealnetworksallysalonwomenWed, 18 Jul 2007 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[This one's for the ladies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/this-ones-for-the-ladies/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/this-ones-for-the-ladies/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/this-ones-for-the-ladies/#commentsFiled under:

As far as "powerful storylines" and "strong well-written characters" go, there haven't been many releases on the DS that we could direct you to. Hotel Dusk works well as an interactive mystery novel, and you could always download the Dubliners eBook -- shout-outs to Moonshell and the Moon Books Project -- but where do you go from there?

Independent studio nDreams is convinced that is has a tale in need of telling and is looking to break into the casual gaming business with Venus Redemption, an episodic adventure targeted at 30-plus-year-old female gamers. The planned immersive title will be plotted out by film and new media writer Kate Pullinger and graphic novelist Gordon Rennie. Catering to its casual audience, nDreams promises that the game will be "extremely easy to play, requiring only the ability to move and left-click a mouse."

Expect to hear more about Venus Redemption this July 5th when nDreams demonstrates the PC/Wii/DS game to potential publishers and distributors.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqThis one's for the ladies originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualdsfemaleskate pullingerKatePullingerndreamnintendonintendo dsNintendoDsredemptionvenusvenus redemptionVenusRedemptionwomenThu, 31 May 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[nDreams reveals casual episodic game aimed at women]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ndreams-reveals-casual-episodic-game-aimed-at-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ndreams-reveals-casual-episodic-game-aimed-at-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/31/ndreams-reveals-casual-episodic-game-aimed-at-women/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Casual game studio nDreams announced today that another announcement is on its way July 5 to reveal its new game, Venus Redemption. The casual adventure game aimed at women will have episodic content authored by Kate Pullinger to create "powerful storylines, deep characters, emotion-based interactive conversations and exciting adventure gameplay."

With the increase of female gamers in the casual games field, it's no surprise developers are attempting to tap the new market. But is gender targeting necessary? A good game is a good game and will be enjoyed by men and women alike. Hopefully nDreams won't drench this game in "female themes" and alienate countless potential players.

[Via GameDaily]

JoystiqnDreams reveals casual episodic game aimed at women originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecasualindependentindiendreamsPCwomenThu, 31 May 2007 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Casual games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/20/ds-daily-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/20/ds-daily-casual-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/20/ds-daily-casual-games/#commentsFiled under:



The above is a photo from EA's Sharon Knight's opening keynote at the Women in Games conference, and it nearly comes complete with an implied question: do women love their PCs, their Wiis, their DS Lites and Phats, and their phones? Lately, the industry seems keen on making sure we know that women just love casual games, and when one combines that fact and the above slide, we can't help but wonder ... are the DS and the Wii branded with the idea that they're filled with nothing but casual games?

Certainly most of us have run into that attitude among the various fanboy communities; here, especially, we're frequently hit by that particular brand of troll what seems determined to convince everyone that the PSP is the only real handheld for anyone over the age of 12, and sales figures be damned. But forget all that -- overall, do you feel that most of the games on the DS casually-oriented? It's a handheld, after all, and part of the idea of a handheld is that it is casual. But does the DS go beyond that? Should it? After all, it's not just women who are playing casual games ....

JoystiqDS Daily: Casual games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualDSDSDEAhandheldNintendowomenWomen in GamesWomenInGamesFri, 20 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Casual gaming girl power; overall boys rule console market]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/casual-gaming-girl-power-overall-boys-rule-console-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/casual-gaming-girl-power-overall-boys-rule-console-market/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/17/casual-gaming-girl-power-overall-boys-rule-console-market/#commentsFiled under: ,

Solid information is starting to trickle in about what actually comprises the gamer demographic. Companies are starting to ask who is actually playing their games instead of just assuming it's 16-year-old Timmy Smith living in some square state with his mom and dad, sibling, dog and house with a white picket fence -- and yes, that's who marketing companies still think they're pandering to. According to the ESA 70 percent of gamers are over 18 and 62 percent are male; however, a study commissioned by PopCap Games found that 76 percent of casual gamers are female.

The demographics have been shifting dramatically as the Atari generation, who grew up with video games, has children and begins raising a more gaming friendly generation. The console market continues to be 58 percent male, but all things considered, that isn't too large of a gap. Most cross demographic hits like The Sims and World of Warcraft are found on the PC and many people casually game when they're at work anyway. Maybe the answer is as simple as when the husband and wife are at home, wife doesn't want to sit and watch husband play Gears of War so she goes to the PC and games whether that be a casual game or, um, non casual. The demographic information is still nebulous at the moment, but at least we're starting to get a real picture of demographics in the industry.

JoystiqCasual gaming girl power; overall boys rule console market originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual gamingconsole marketmenwomenTue, 17 Apr 2007 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Girl Gamer Award nominations for 2006 -- 2007 out today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/28/girl-gamer-award-nominations-for-2006-2007-out-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/28/girl-gamer-award-nominations-for-2006-2007-out-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/28/girl-gamer-award-nominations-for-2006-2007-out-today/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Several different girl gaming networks and groups have pulled together a mass of games from different sites, forums, and other networks devoted to female gamers, and have put together this list of the final nominees. While they encourage female gamers to log in and vote, it doesn't look like they'll be screening for X or Y chromosomes at login.

We've recently been talking about developing and marketing games for females, and this is a great example of how to do that -- find out what they're playing, not tell them what they should be playing. However, in all honesty ... this looks like a list of games that could have been pulled together from sites populated by only male gamers. Further proving that the line between girl gamers and guy gamers is something created by PR and marketing, not the people who play the games.

Our advice? Open up the voting to everyone, but have them identify which sex they are (Austin Powers: "Yes, please!) from the outset. Once the awards are done, give us the winners, and show us how the demographics break down by sex, age, toothbrush color, favorite type of pizza, etc. That way the marketers will see we're all just playing games.

JoystiqGirl Gamer Award nominations for 2006 -- 2007 out today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsDSfemaleGameCubegamesgirl gamersGirlGamersnominationsPCPS2WiiwomenXboxXbox-360Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:25:00 EST<![CDATA[SXSW: Getting Girls Into The Game: Designing and Marketing Games for Female Players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/sxsw-getting-girls-into-the-game-designing-and-marketing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/sxsw-getting-girls-into-the-game-designing-and-marketing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/21/sxsw-getting-girls-into-the-game-designing-and-marketing-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Boyfriends aren't the only ones facing dilemmas. Publishers and developers have been struggling to develop games that appeal to women, because they represent a huge demographic who haven't traditionally been associated with the video game market, and that translates to lost dollars. But how do you begin to approach making a game for girls, or is it even a mistake to set out to do that from the beginning, rather than just making a game that's fun?

The panel first asked the question, "What constitutes a female gamer?" Jame Pinckard said, "Women aren't just this monolithic block of 'gamers', they all want different types of games. Just because a Barbie video is made for a 12 year old girl, doesn't mean a 26 year woman has to play it." Sheri Graner Ray took it a step further, adding "There is no definition of a female gamer, and trying to tack a label to them does a disservice. The female gamer is simply a female who plays games. She's just a diverse as any other market out there."

Continue reading SXSW: Getting Girls Into The Game: Designing and Marketing Games for Female Players

JoystiqSXSW: Getting Girls Into The Game: Designing and Marketing Games for Female Players originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>femalegame developmentgamersgirlgirlsHaloonlineSXSWSXSW07womanwomenWed, 21 Mar 2007 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ray finds her first line in a GDC women's restroom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/ray-finds-her-first-line-in-a-gdc-womens-restroom/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/ray-finds-her-first-line-in-a-gdc-womens-restroom/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/ray-finds-her-first-line-in-a-gdc-womens-restroom/#commentsFiled under:

Today game developer and pro-girl consultant Sheri Graner Ray encountered something she'd never seen before in all her years at GDC: a line in a women's bathroom. Ray says when she first started coming to the conference, women only made up 3% of attendants. Now there are enough of us skirt-lovers to fill at least a dozen bathroom stalls.

Her potty experiences aside, Ray was part of today's panel on the future of women in the games industry. Unsurprisingly, panelist predicted more female gamers, more female industry members, and more all around gender-y goodness in times to come. And for the first time since Monday, I was actually in a room with more than five other girls. Now let's just hope we don't all run for the bathroom.

JoystiqRay finds her first line in a GDC women's restroom originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC07womenWed, 07 Mar 2007 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[How to get your girlfriend to play video games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/how-to-get-your-girlfriend-to-play-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/how-to-get-your-girlfriend-to-play-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/how-to-get-your-girlfriend-to-play-video-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Speaking from years of experience, we know how hard it can be to get your girlfriend interested in playing video games. Granted, it might be impossible to drag her into play-til-dawn Halo 2 sessions online, but dropping into casual gaming with a Wario Ware: Smooth Moves round or two is entirely doable. Need some tips? Wikihow has an entry up on how to get your girlfriend to play video games, which offers up some gender stereotypes like this:
  • "Don't get games that involve things like strippers, prostitutes, and sex. Unless she has a really good sense of humor about such things, she probably won't like it."
Well, where's the fun in that? Oh, we keed, we keed. True, most of the article is common sense, and it might actually be helpful to some of you out there who have had a hard time getting your significant others interested in jumping into the game with you. However, some of it is just plain whacked, like explaining to your girlfriend how to stretch and uncramp her hands. If your girlfriend doesn't know how to do this already, then you've got more serious problems.

For those of you who need a girlfriend in order to find this article useful, check out Wikihow's hilarious "How to get a girlfriend if you're a nerd" entry. We're not sure whether to laugh or cry. For all of you female gamers out there, let us know how they could improve this entry, and don't worry about being gentle ... blast away.

[Thanks, WebPimp]

JoystiqHow to get your girlfriend to play video games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datingDSfemalegirlfriendgirlslovenerdPCplayingPS3romancesignificant othervideo gamesVideoGamesWiiwomanwomenXbox-360Mon, 05 Mar 2007 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Cosmo isn't down with the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/27/cosmo-isnt-down-with-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/27/cosmo-isnt-down-with-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/27/cosmo-isnt-down-with-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

We mentioned this yesterday, and now look! There's a helpful scan to illustrate our point. While some female-oriented publications are all about Nintendo's new console, it looks like the good folks at Cosmopolitan aren't quite convinced.

Cosmo's take on the Wii craze? Guys assume girls might want one, because the guy really loves the Wii. That's some deep psychologizin' they've got going on there. And in referring to the Wii as the "wrong gift," Cosmo is insinuating that the modern woman just isn't interested. Are they wrong? With all the stories and videos of nongamers embracing the hands-on experience that Wii provides, we're not sure that Cosmo's on the right side of the fence with this one. Can't the modern woman want to decode weird male behavior, agonize over not-so-harmless habits,* and then play a game of tennis after work?

The Wii is perfectly poised to help gamers break down some of these walls that we've created to keep the interests of men and women separate. The DS broke some of that ground, but the Wii brings the fun and ease of gaming into the open, making it a social experience that anyone can get into, even if you have to kick off your stylish shoes first.

*Actual stories in the same issue.

JoystiqCosmo isn't down with the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CosmoCosmopolitangamermagazineNintendoWiiwomenTue, 27 Feb 2007 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Teen Vogue encourages girls to get their Wii on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/teen-vogue-encourages-girls-to-get-their-wii-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/teen-vogue-encourages-girls-to-get-their-wii-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/26/teen-vogue-encourages-girls-to-get-their-wii-on/#commentsFiled under:

While these aren't the best quality we've ever seen for scanned pages, it's still exciting to see the Wii getting mainstream press coverage, particularly in a nontraditional market. Magazines targeted at women and teen girls are often down on video games. Even the Wii gets this treatment, alas, in the March issue of Cosmopolitan, wherein it is referred to as an example of a poorly-chosen gift. Of course, we tend to think that anyone who can find a Wii must be a gift-giving superhero, but we are admittedly biased. No matter. We just find it refreshing that Teen Vogue is taking a pro-Wii stance and indicating that it's the bee's knees for girls.

And we definitely wanted to point out the shirt the girl on the left is wearing. It reads "Oui Wii" and we here at the 'Fanboy feel a burning need to get our hands on one of those right now. We're probably not going to read Teen Vogue to get one, though. We'll do a lot of things for Wii gear, but that's a line we're so not crossing.

Go Nintendo has larger (blurry) scans if you'd like to see the rest.

JoystiqTeen Vogue encourages girls to get their Wii on originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>femalegamermagazineNintendoteenVogueWiiwomenMon, 26 Feb 2007 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Criticism of racial stereotyping in games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/17/criticism-of-racial-stereotyping-in-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/17/criticism-of-racial-stereotyping-in-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/17/criticism-of-racial-stereotyping-in-games/#commentsFiled under:

A piece on BlackVoiceNews explores blacks playing and portrayed in video games. The two part piece (1 and 2) by Ricard O. Jones expresses his views on the harm to blacks by racial stereotyping and obsession with gaming. Based on a 2006 Kaiser Family Foundation study that revealed black youth play video games 90 minutes a day, 30 minutes more than white youth, that "it stands to reason that blacks are the most negatively effected" by the game media's portrayal. Jones uses the "poor self-images" from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to illustrate his point. In all fairness though, the first two GTA's had a generic white guy and an Italian mobster stereotype as the anti-hero. The question being: Would it have been better not to have Carl Johnson at all? Take-Two took a bit of a risk using a black protagonist nestled in the Cali gangsta' culture of the early-'90s.

Portrayal of diverse characters in video games is a simple issue of marketing and numbers. Jones states this in the first piece's closer, "The video game industry is all about money. No one really cares about your skin color or gender if you are a well-trained video game designer or illustrator. The problem is that [black] youth and adult players see themselves as players and not designers or illustrators. Therefore unless they're motivated to get on the business end versus the player end of the video game phenomenon they will continue to be portrayed in a negative light and also miss out on a ten billion dollar a year industry."

The impact, influence and potential of minorities will certainly be part of the discussion at the Game Developers Conference's Diversity: The Window of Opportunity headed by Joseph Saulter. A similar session last year pointed to more blatantly offensive games like 25 to Life, which were crass compared to the more refined GTA: San Andreas.

See also: Jade is Latina, Asian, Black ... who knows?

[via GamePolitics]

JoystiqCriticism of racial stereotyping in games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blacksgaylatinoprofilingracestereotypingwomenSat, 17 Feb 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Female game shoppers persuaded by freebies, determines survey]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/09/female-game-shoppers-persuaded-by-freebies-determines-survey/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/09/female-game-shoppers-persuaded-by-freebies-determines-survey/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/09/female-game-shoppers-persuaded-by-freebies-determines-survey/#commentsFiled under: ,

official logo?Attention would-be game marketers: According to the "Customer Focus Tech Savvy" survey, Gen-Y females are suckers for the ol' special offer -- who isn't? Thirty-two percent of participating females, born between 1977 and 1994*, agreed that "special offers like free items or discounts" are the most important factor in deciding where to purchase video games. Not surprisingly, "parents" and "adults" (the other vague statistical categories polled) agreed.

Retailer owners may also take solace in the discovery that almost no one surveyed thought herself attracted to helpful staff or demo kiosks. Just stick with the swag and pimply-faced dimwits.

*Range used by survey; official Generation Y range varies: "there is no precise consensus as to which birth years constitute Generation Y. For instance, while the periodical American Demographics typically uses 1976 to demarcate the start of Generation Y, the demographers Howe and Strauss have consistently used 'the High School class of 2000,' or those born in 1982 as their demarcation" [Wikipedia].

JoystiqFemale game shoppers persuaded by freebies, determines survey originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Dec 2006 01:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Customer Focus Tech SavvyCustomerFocusTechSavvyFemaleGeneration YGenerationYGirlSurveyWomanWomenSat, 09 Dec 2006 01:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Just how girly is the Wii?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/just-how-girly-is-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/just-how-girly-is-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/just-how-girly-is-the-wii/#commentsFiled under: ,



Apparently, pretty girly. 'Cause, you know, women only care about cute packaging and accessories. Tee hee!

It's hard to understand why someone would write a piece like this on GameWorld Network. Who's likely to read it -- a gamer who happens to be female, or one of the super girly-girl types whose only encounter with Nintendo occurred during third grade? The article seems to be written toward and about the latter, but the former is more likely to read it, considering the site ... and it seems a little, what's the word here -- oh yes. Insulting.

Sure, the Wii is "girly." It's girl-friendly. Why? Because it's fun. Because of the intuitive nature of the controls. Because even the games that involve what are considered male things -- like shooting, though there are many women who will burn your ass in any FPS -- make sense, with logical control schemes and interesting actions. That's what makes a game appeal to girls. Fun. If you want to pull in more non-gaming women? Great, hand them a Wiimote. If the game takes advantage of the new-gen controls, it probably won't matter what you have inside, whether it's Trauma Center or Madden. In fact, it's likely that non-gamers are going to be more taken in by the unusual controls, because while some of us gamers view the whole process with a raised eyebrow (we have to ... move?), the Wiimote is less daunting than a traditional controller.

The Wii is likely to be something that will, in fact, interest your non-gamer friends -- yes, even the girls. But don't limit them to "girly" games. You never know what will interest someone, or what they'll be good at, and it seems somewhat limiting to assume only certain Wii games will appeal to non-gamers, regardless of gender. Maybe all grandma needed was something to aim with, or she'd have been beating you down all these years.

JoystiqJust how girly is the Wii? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Nintendonon-gamerWiiwomenTue, 17 Oct 2006 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Naked girls that you'll never see playing games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/naked-girls-that-youll-never-see-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/naked-girls-that-youll-never-see-playing-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/11/naked-girls-that-youll-never-see-playing-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

http://www.totallynerdcore.com/Everyone has a calendar featuring naked folks in it these days. Sports teams, firemen, older ladies gardening in the UK -- everyone is stripping off in order to raise money for one cause or another. The tried and true method of having someone pictured in the buff above February's grid squares has been selling calendars and lining mechanic's shops for years, and now it comes with a fresh scoop of video games.

Totally Nerdcore has launched a calendar to try and please gamers and simultaneously line their own pockets. It contains full-on nudity, and the site doesn't come close to being SFW, so surf at your own peril. Yes, you can now own a photo of a naked woman wearing nothing but a Nintendo Power Glove, complete with a convenient, built-in hanging loop. It will really tie your game room together.

These girls are clearly models, and just gaming poseurs -- a slap in the face to real girl gamers like PMS Clan and the Frag Dolls. If someone puts together a calendar with those girls in it, for charity or not, it'll pwn all other video game calendars, except perhaps the hot action of Games Shipping This Week.

In other news, don't look for the Joystiq: All Nude calendar anytime soon.

[Thanks, Michael]

[Warning: link NSFW]

JoystiqNaked girls that you'll never see playing games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Oct 2006 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>calendargirlsNakednintendonudePower Glovevideo gameswomenWed, 11 Oct 2006 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Women make majority of casual gamers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/29/women-make-majority-of-casual-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/29/women-make-majority-of-casual-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/29/women-make-majority-of-casual-gamers/#commentsFiled under: ,

eMarketer covers two recent studies, saying that casual games make up the most popular genre, and women are the majority of casual gamers. According to a May, 2006 study by AOL, 29% of respondents said that casual games were their favorite genre, with strategy games rating a distant second place at 17%. A survey just released by PopCap says that 76% of casual gamers are female, and 47% are 50-and-older.

But marketers can make numbers mean anything; another way to look at the initial survey is to say that 70% of respondents had a favorite other than casual games. (1% said they weren't sure of a favorite.)

However you interpret these surveys, we like the idea of games reaching a more diverse audience. Only after that happens can games be as culturally significant as books and movies.

[Via: Adrants]

JoystiqWomen make majority of casual gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casual gamesCasualGamespopcapsurveywomanwomenFri, 29 Sep 2006 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Snake suspenders and makeup for men]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/snake-suspenders-and-makeup-for-men/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/snake-suspenders-and-makeup-for-men/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/snake-suspenders-and-makeup-for-men/#commentsFiled under:

In the most shocking news of the week, Nintendo has announced that they're -- are you ready? -- working to market the Wii toward women and the elderly. You know, like they've been doing for a long time with their Nintendo DS! Who expected that, huh? "We want to appeal to mothers who don't want consoles in their living rooms, and to the elderly and to young women,'' Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said. "It's a challenge, like trying to sell cosmetics to men."

But is it so hard? Even more so than with the DS, the Wii sells itself. From the moment the Wii controller surfaced, even non-gamers were considering the vast possibilities the system would bring to the industry. In that same report, Hirokazu Hamamura, president of Japanese research giant Enterbrain, seemed to strike closer to the truth. "Wii definitely could become the most popular console of all time. Non-gamers can see how fun it is to play just by looking at people playing it." We here at the Fanboy offices can attest -- even our mothers and our non-gaming friends (we do have a few) seem interested in the Wii. Perhaps the best thing Nintendo could do to sell the Wii is to simply ensure their demo kiosks are everywhere. All the system needs is exposure, and it will sell. The only factor that is up in the air is how successful it might become. How many people will stop and want a longer look, and end up taking one home? Time for a little holiday sales speculation -- tells us what impact you think the Wii will have outside of the traditional market.

JoystiqSnake suspenders and makeup for men originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 06:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>elderlymarketingNintendoReggie Fils-AimeReggieFils-aimeWiiwomenThu, 21 Sep 2006 06:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Incredibly old DS Vs. PSP video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/08/incredibly-old-ds-vs-psp-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/08/incredibly-old-ds-vs-psp-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/08/incredibly-old-ds-vs-psp-video/#commentsFiled under: ,

Sometimes, you discover (or re-discover) a piece of internet gold. I searched and search the archives of PSP Fanboy, but I simply couldn't find this video anywhere! This video is a slick depiction of the DS and PSP battle, using two girls dressed up as the systems. Wow! These handhelds are pretty good at attracting women, huh? Although entertaining, the battle makes me recall Sony's awful black versus white advertising. And, I wouldn't necessarily agree with the bias of this fight: the winner in this video is played by the video's executive producer. Hmm.

JoystiqIncredibly old DS Vs. PSP video originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Aug 2006 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biasblckdsgirlshandheldsversuswhitewomenTue, 08 Aug 2006 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Girls 'n' Games event: this news is so old]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/19/girls-n-games-event-this-news-is-so-old/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/19/girls-n-games-event-this-news-is-so-old/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/19/girls-n-games-event-this-news-is-so-old/#commentsFiled under: ,

While E3's keynotes were kicking off last week, several academics, developers and advocates of women in gaming gathered at UCLA to discuss girls, games and everything relating to the two. However, from Gamasutra's account of the event, nothing new was really discussed. Some of the key points brought up:
  • Girls play games. (Well, duh.)
  • Developers shouldn't try to focus on "girl game design" -- stereotyping game design by gender leads to missteps.
  • Player-generated content is popular amongst girls, as is social gameplay.
  • "Cuteness" in games, like anime and manga culture in Japan, encourages girls to get involved in gameplay.
  • Women gamers and girl gamers are different; women and teenage girls have different demands on their time.
  • Girls and women shouldn't just be gamers, but developers too.

Continue reading Girls 'n' Games event: this news is so old

JoystiqGirls 'n' Games event: this news is so old originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 May 2006 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conferencedebatesdemographicdesigndevelopmente3eventsfemale gamersFemaleGamersgamasutragirl gamersGirlGamersmarketmarketingnichepanelswomenwomen in gamesWomenInGamesFri, 19 May 2006 20:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Female at E3: a look back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/13/female-at-e3-a-look-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/13/female-at-e3-a-look-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/13/female-at-e3-a-look-back/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Being a female attendee at E3 puts one into an interesting niche. The number of women present at the show this year was surprisingly high -- a quick non-scientific headcount showed about 3 in 20 to be female. However, booth babes flashed their wares from a number of stands, gleaming cars and trucks advertised games with no cars in them, and Paris Hilton trundled out to wow the crowds.

With all this advertising clearly targeted at guys -- and, by the look of the crowds, working well -- it's easy to believe the "neglected demographic" hype.

Continue reading Female at E3: a look back

JoystiqFemale at E3: a look back originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 May 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingbooth babesBoothBabese3e32006female gamersFemaleGamersgirlgamersgirlsmarketingsexismwomenSat, 13 May 2006 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overheard at E3: We're your props]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/overheard-at-e3-were-your-props/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/overheard-at-e3-were-your-props/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/12/overheard-at-e3-were-your-props/#commentsFiled under: ,



Booth babe # 1: "We're your props. We'll do anything you want."

Booth babe # 2: "Should we get on our knees?"

Attendee: "No. For God's sake, where's your self respect?"

Actually, I didn't hear that last part.

JoystiqOverheard at E3: We're your props originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 May 2006 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booth babesBoothBabesE3e32006exploitationobjectificationsexwomenFri, 12 May 2006 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Overheard at E3: You're all nerds! [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/overheard-at-e3-you-re-all-nerds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/overheard-at-e3-you-re-all-nerds/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/overheard-at-e3-you-re-all-nerds/#commentsFiled under:


For the "Women at E3" gathering today, a number of female industry professionals gathered to wear special "Girls FTW" shirts in a show of solidarity. Morgan Romine, aka Rhoulette of the Frag Dolls, led the crowd:

Rhoulette: Who knows what "FTW" means?
[Women cheer loudly]
Rhoulette: Thank God! You're all nerds!

[Update 1: "FTW" means "for teh win". Added at the request of at least one Joystiq staffer. For shame!]

JoystiqOverheard at E3: You're all nerds! [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 May 2006 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booth babesBoothBabese3e32006frag dollsFragDollsgirl gamersGirlGamersgirlspmswomenThu, 11 May 2006 17:45:00 EST