PAX 2008: Get Your Girlfriend into Gaming
"Put something on front of them," advised Roberts. Not surprisingly, Nintendo's DS and Wii titles were repeatedly mentioned as gateway games by both panelists and audience members. "Nintendo is basically the answer," said Willis, and she and other panelists followed up with stories of non-gamers in their own lives who had fallen under Nintendo's spell.
Pinckard brought up licensed games, explaining that although serious gamers often rightly disparage licensed titles, many non-gamers will pick up games based on brands they're already familiar with. Later, the panelists delved into the subject of games designed and marketed toward girls. "Moms aren't going to buy games for little girls if they don't know they're meant for them," noted Roberts, explaining the proliferation of "pink" games for the under-12 set.
The panelists also agreed that the stigma sometimes attached to gaming is a significant deterrent for would-be female gamers, and that women and girls are much more likely to get into games if they're introduced to them by their female peers. Phillips mentioned her long-term female-only gaming community project, Xbox GamerchiX, and the panelists noted that the supportive, non-competitive nature of such communities are a major draw for potential women and girl gamers.
A few audience members steered the panel dangerously close to relationship therapy territory, but the panelists kept the discussion on track with a steady output of thoughtful and humorous commentary. The event closed on an optimistic note, with the audience and panelists generally concluding that gaming might not be for everyone, but just about anyone willing to give games a shot will probably find something they like. Avid gamers with non-gaming loved ones need not give up hope.
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Pinckard brought up licensed games, explaining that although serious gamers often rightly disparage licensed titles, many non-gamers will pick up games based on brands they're already familiar with. Later, the panelists delved into the subject of games designed and marketed toward girls. "Moms aren't going to buy games for little girls if they don't know they're meant for them," noted Roberts, explaining the proliferation of "pink" games for the under-12 set.
The panelists also agreed that the stigma sometimes attached to gaming is a significant deterrent for would-be female gamers, and that women and girls are much more likely to get into games if they're introduced to them by their female peers. Phillips mentioned her long-term female-only gaming community project, Xbox GamerchiX, and the panelists noted that the supportive, non-competitive nature of such communities are a major draw for potential women and girl gamers.
A few audience members steered the panel dangerously close to relationship therapy territory, but the panelists kept the discussion on track with a steady output of thoughtful and humorous commentary. The event closed on an optimistic note, with the audience and panelists generally concluding that gaming might not be for everyone, but just about anyone willing to give games a shot will probably find something they like. Avid gamers with non-gaming loved ones need not give up hope.
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oh well no one can say i didn't try!
