Girlgames
girlgames, girl games, girlgames.ee
There is a growing trend of games that are specifically designed for girls, or that appeal to a female audience.
Lots of fun awaits you in GGG Games' collection of great online games for girls. You can play makeup games, romance games, joy games, puzzle games, jewel games, bubble shooter games and even perform surgery in our medical simulation games. What are you waiting for? Whenever you're looking for great games, just visit girlsgames.ee! [2].
In terms of game design elements, areas such as gameplay, mechanics, and similar features have been described as gender-neutral; however, aspects of the game's presentation have been identified as strongly gendered. In particular, games are often viewed as fantasy and escapism, and it is easier to gain empathy and identification with characters when they are of the same gender as the player. Players of both genders tend to pursue a sense of realism. The more realistic the gender of the character, the easier it is for the player to empathize with the character. However, a 2009 academic study published in the journal New Media and Society found that 85 percent of playable characters in video games are male. Erin Hamilton believes that part of the problem stems from the difficulty of "juxtaposing femininity and feminism in a good video game". When female characters appear in video games, some see it as unhealthy messaging involving unrealistic body images and provocative and violent behavior toward gamers of both genders. Stereotypically feminine behavior, such as giggling or sighing, is often portrayed without irony, which can lead young children (especially girls who identify with female roles) to believe that girls should look and be this way. Additionally, overly sexualized depictions of scantily clad female video game characters (such as Tomb Raider's Lara Croft) may not appeal to some girls[3].
There are many different types of girl games, each with its own unique features and benefits.
There’s all sorts of fun waiting for you in GGG Games’ collection of awesome online games for girls. You can play makeover games, romantic games, Friv games, puzzle games, Bejeweled games, bubble shooter games, and even perform surgery in our medical simulation games. So what are you waiting for? Whenever you’re looking for great games, just visit girlsgames! [2].
Regarding elements of game design, areas such as gameplay, mechanics, and similar features have been described as gender neutral; however, presentational aspects of games have been identified as strongly gender-linked. Specifically, gaming is often seen as fantasy and escapism in which empathy and identification with the character is much more easily achieved if the character shares the same gender as the player. Gamers of both genders tend to crave realism and the more realistic the gender of the character, the easier it is for a player to identify with the character. A 2009 academic study published in New Media & Society, however, found that 85% of playable characters in video games are male. Erin Hamilton argues that part of the problem comes from the difficulty in "juxtaposing femininity and feminism in a good video game." When female characters do appear in video games, they are regarded by some as presenting unhealthy messages concerning unrealistic body images and provocative sexual and violent behaviors for players of both genders. Stereotypical female behaviors such as giggling or sighing are often presented non-ironically, and this might lead young children (especially girls who identify with the female character) to think that this is how girls are supposed to look and act. Furthermore, over-sexualized depictions of scantily clad female video game characters such as Tomb Raider's Lara Croft are not appealing to some girls[3].