or

1
women and games

• or
• why dont women work in the games industry?
• and does it matter?

2
why do the research?

• commissioned by

• funded by

3
research by Lizzie Haines for Media Training
North Westwomen and girls in the games
industryphase 1 report for the industryApril
2004

• phase 1 report
• phase 2 research
• I hope you will be part of this

4
first report

• the games industry in the North West
• a report for
• the Game Plan
• Lizzie Haines
• June 2002

5
initial conceptions

• hardly any women
• no womens loos
• men didnt appear to care
• girls dont play games anyway

6

• With women only a tiny minority of those
  developing games, and a product that so far
  appeals largely to young men and boys, the gender
  imbalance in the industry is profound.
• the industry revels in the male thing
• chauvinism is rampant in the industry it is
  running wild with testosterone.

7
the research questions

• Why are there so few women working in the games
  industry?
• How many work in the industry and in what kinds
  of jobs?
• What barriers are there to women participating
  fully once in the industry?
• How does girls play differ from boys?
• How do young women and girls make academic and
  career choices?
• How can this be remedied and why is it important
  to do so?
• What are the industrys concerns (if any) about
  the absence of women in their workforce?
• Why should the industry care? What benefits can
  women bring to businesses?
• How can the industry support work to improve the
  participation of women?

8
preconceptions blasted(or at least modified)
9
1how many women work in the industry and what do
they do?

• only 11 of those working in the industry are
  women
• and they tend to work in specific jobs

10
2what barriers are there for women to
participate fully in the industry?

• its not really a problem
• bust your ass, sleep on the floor of your office
  and dont have a family

11
3do women and girls play games?is their play
differ to boys?

• girls do play less than boys
• girls aren't usually hardcore
• girls play different games
• girls play in a different way

12
whats different?

• activities instead of goals
• challenge in the game not the controls
• girls dont like dying
• short play and quick rewards
• often avoid violence (but not always)

13
why?

• conquerors and managers
• games retail environments
• sexy avatars
• wired differently

14
4how do young women make academic and career
choices?

• computer A level 15 female
• computer degree 25 female
• computer industry 22 female and dropping

15
5does the industry care? should it care?

• the industry wants to sell games to girls but
  very few have managed it
• the industry as a whole seems pretty happy with
  the audience as it is and as long as sales keep
  growing I dont see that changing

16
6how can the industry support work to improve
the numbers of women?

• I dont believe theres any point. Worth is
  proven in ability and gender is irrelevant in the
  game development workplace
• it should come from women already in the
  industry. They can explain what its really like
  - mentoring is a great way to do this, talking in
  schools is another one. Answer questions,
  address issues face-to-face. Get the low-down
  directly from the horses mouth. Demystify the
  whole thing.

17
thank you

• debate
• dialogue
• data
• enthusiasm

18
how you can help

• if you want to read the report
• http//www.lhresearch.co.uk/
• if you want to contribute to the research
• return the survey
• return the debate questions
• give the survey to colleagues
• if you want to nominate your boss for some work

19
what will it be used for?

• http//www.mtnw.co.uk/thegameplan/index.asp

20
get in touchlizzie_at_lhresearch.co.ukI will
use your contributionI will get back to you with
final findings