Gaming for Girls (Social Gaming)

Filed in archive Industry New on March 4, 2010

© Ivan Walsh


Statistics now show that more and more women are gaming. Of course "hardcore" gamers wouldn't call what these girls do gaming. There's even a term for it, social gaming.

Playing Farmville on Facebook isn't serious gaming. It involves no skill, mostly mindless clicking and occasionally interacting with other friends to gain levels faster… But if you look at most MMORPGs , there are similarities. You still interact with others to increase your levels faster, and let's face it, there's probably just as much thought put into battles as you would with a level of Diner Dash.

So while many long-term gamers turn their noses up at these little online past times, they produce a similar result. Most gamers, male or female, first person shooter or match-three free games, use their game time to reduce stress. Which make the overall goal of all gamers very similar.

However there's something to be said for social gaming. Its creating entirely new markets. Studies show women usually control the majority of household spending. Now women in their 30s and 40s want to log on and play a game within their social network. So in response companies want to create cute, time-wasting games with their branding on it.

Women want a game that's a little addictive but without a lot of pressure. If they can connect with their social group while doing it, that's even better. They want to sit at the computer, play a level or two to distress and then walk away. Women, with their new gaming demands, may seriously change the pc gaming market. So don't be surprised when "silly" games start getting as much press as the manlier, more in-depth games we play today.