This is an interesting article I saw online today that talked about girls playing video games; more specifically, women over 35 that are gamers. As someone who grew up in the 80s (and early 90s), exposure to video games was rampant and I remember us fighting over who got to play Super Mario Bros. next (My mom, the smart cookie that she is, gave us time limits to ensure we all had a chance to play). But alas, I am only in my late 20s and don't fit the marketing profile. However, the girls who were teens in the video-arcade days of Ms. PacMan and Galaga are, so it only makes sense that this is an up-and-coming market. And the fact that these women are "casual" gamers (as opposed to those who like to play for hours on end, or "obsessed") doesn't surprise me either, as most of these women are probably moms who don't have 10 hours a day to play video games. Anyway, here's a clip from the article:It turns out boomer women do play computer games.
And do they ever. The business of cranking out casual games--snack-sized alternatives to time-consuming fare like "World of Warcraft"--is mushrooming. Consumers paid $2.25 billion for such games last year, and the demand for titles like "Diner Dash" is growing 20% year-over-year, according to the Casual Gaming Association.
And another disturbing article about tweens, teens and gaming. Make sure to read the bottom story, Barbie is the Least of My Problems. What is this going to look like in 10 years, when my daughter is at this stage?
4 comments:
The big hot thing for tweens right now is "webkinz", which my store sells (a lot of!)...
They are online virtual pets (each stuffed animal they buy at the store comes with a code), and A LOT of moms say they enjoy playing the games, too.
The issue I worry about with kids today is the instant gratification and excess that they don't seem to realize that they have.
I'm hoping that our kids will enjoy simple, unplugged play for as long as possible, and appreciate the technology for the ways it enhances our community, not to use it as an isolation tool.
Rant over. :)
Melissa,
I think one thing we can do to encourage that is setting limits, because that is the main observation that I've made watching other children (and their parents). Many times (out of guilt, bad parenting tips, etc), parents will not set and/or enforce limits on things like video games, television watching, etc. And you see that reflected in the kids in the way they interact with their peers as well as grown-ups.
My mother in law (who's approaching 60 y.o.) often plays a little tetris or pac-man on the gameboy in the evening. She say's it's to keep the mind sharp.
Video games are only going to continue to permeate through society. Eventually people will stop using it as the newest scapegoat on the block and start taking personal responsibility.
As an avid gamer, a parent, and someone who actually runs a video game website it is very difficult to strike a perfect balance in there. When kids get to be about 3 or 4 it can be SO easy to throw them in front of a video game or tv and let them burn the day away.
My son is allowed to play only a few age appropriate games on our Wii. The 360 and PS3 are off limits as the content on those consoles is just much too mature for him.
Getting back on the topic of girls in the gaming world... It's for the exact reason that Sharon mentioned. My wife and all her sisters grew up with video games so it's not odd for them to play them to this day.
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