investiGaming - Research Findings on Gender and Games

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investiGaming is a publication of the Serious Game Design group in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media at Michigan State University, 2007-2009

This gateway is partially supported by grant 0631771 from the National Science Foundation.

The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent Michigan State University or the National Science Foundation.

Women left on sidelines in video game revolution

Author: Pham, Alex
Date: 2008
Source: Los Angeles Times
Full Text Link:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gameswomen21-2008oct21,0,7803424.story

Synopsis:

Explores women’s roles in the game industry, why they are underrepresented, and ways to increase their participation in the industry. 

Keywords:

media-press, report, game industry, workforce,

Abstract:
The glass ceiling shows cracks, but it's still a man's virtual world.

As a top executive at one of the world's biggest video game publishers, Kathy Vrabeck often completes an entire workday without meeting with another woman. And her employer, Electronic Arts Inc., is less of a boys club than many of its peers.

The video game industry is flourishing, especially in California, as sales continue to climb despite a faltering economy. But the hiring has largely bypassed women. They comprise fewer than 1 in 5 workers in the business, according to a 2007 survey by Game Developer Magazine. Among game programmers, the number is a paltry 3%.

Implications for Game Industry:
No Implications have been written for this entry.

Research Highlights:
- Fewer than 1 in 5 game industry professionals are women.
- Women in game-related jobs make less money on average than their male counterparts.
- From recruitment techniques to trade show entertainment the game industry is marketed towards males.
- Due to long hours during “crunch time” the game industry makes it difficult for women to take time off to have a baby or switch to part-time hours to raise young children. Therefore, to increase women's participation in the industry companies should build more realistic schedules that minimize long hours.
- Some game executives see women as a largely untapped audience for games and believe that having more women developers will increase the likelihood that more women will buy their products.
- The more women play video games, the more they will come to see the industry as a serious career path.