The panel discussed the lack of female representation in the game development industry and shared experiences of successful female developers. Carrie Heeter discussed a study where girls designed games with both male and female players in mind, while boys did not consider female players. Panelists described getting into the industry and encouraged reaching out to make gaming careers aware to women and girls. They stressed the importance of work-life balance and supporting the next generation.
Designing gamified systems_ meaningful play in interactive entertainment, mar...
It Pays to Hire Women in Games: Successful Female Game Devs Speak
1. Successful Female Game Developers Speak It Pays to Hire Women in Games LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT track, at the Gamesauce Conference, July 19, 2010 Organized by WIGI , IGDA Women in Games & WIG Vancouver
References for above data written out for easy cut and paste: ESA Study quoted here: http:// www.theesa.com/newsroom/release_detail.asp?releaseID =26 n 40% of all US gamers are women (ESA 2008 Study) IBIS Capital Report March 2010 (I don’t have a link to this, PlayFirst Marketing Manager provided the data): See the pie charts in the ppt. n 74% of casual game “payers” are women n 52% of all casual game players (paying and non-paying) are women 2005 IGDA Survey: * women make up 11.5% of game industry overall. http:// www.igda.org /game-developer-demographics-report 2010 Game Developer Salary Survey (I made this chart gathering up the data from each section): http://gamedeveloper.texterity.com/gamedeveloper/2010cg#pg1 Male Female Business/Legal 75% 25% Production 82% 18% Audio 88% 12% QA 89% 11% Artists 92% 8% Design 92% 8% Programmers 95% 5% 2010 Game Developer Salary Survey Anedotal data that I did not quote at the panel because it is too PlayFirst-centric. • 70% of PlayFirst’s audience is women 35-55 • PlayFirst – example of 1 casual company – 38% female execs, 27% female designers – beating the odds!!! • Female CEO • Female VP Marketing • Female GM social games (who has a background in engineering) • Female Director of Sales.
Logos added by Carrie Heeter, to serious-looking photo, taken by famous game designer in audience.
We also created the four boy game promos. You might notice the laser canon, the sword, and the slime...
Over 9 months, I poured over the notes, brainstorms, videos, and final presentations, and developed 3 minute promos based on each game concept, as if the game really existed. Worked with space scientist, one male and one female artist, and sound design team. Here are still shots from the four girl game promos. Dr. Evil Stinky and the Poison Cake, Desdemona IX...
(Photo of Train by John McKinnon) http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2010/03/09/brenda-brathwaites-train-when-knowing-the-game-changes-the-game/
![Why this panel? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Source: IGDA 2005 Demographics survey; 2010 Game Developer Salary Survey; IBIS Capital Report March 2010 2010 Game Developer Salary Survey 5% 95% Programmers 8% 92% Design 8% 92% Artists 11% 89% QA 12% 88% Audio 18% 82% Production 25% 75% Business/Legal Female Male](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)