Hi, I am working on gender issues in game design as a part of game appeal project. This weekend I read the article “We Have Never-Forgetful Flowers In Our Garden:
Girls' Responses To Electronic Games’. http://www.cs.sfu.ca/~inkpen/Papers/Girls/girls.html
Aim of this study is to investigate whether and how electronic games can be used to increase girls’ interest in math and science. This article describes how girls interact within an electronic games environment. Key findings of this study:
1. Many girls are interested in electronic games.
2. Girls tend to prefer computer games to video games
3. Girls are more likely to play if certain conditions hold, including ease of access to the game and the possibility of interacting with others while they play
4. Girls enjoy interacting with others as they play
5. Electronic games that emphasize relationship and build confidence appeal to girls
6. Game characters and relationship with game characters and people around girls feature highly for many girls.