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[William Broom]

This topic is small and large scale. On a small scale, I want recommendations of indie games to show to my mum. She doesn't particularly like violence, but she is very artistic, and certainly not into the Brain/Sight/Face/Gallstone Training sort of games. So far she's enjoyed Coil and Diaspora, the game I'm making for the PG compo. I'm also thinking of introducing her to Gravitation, Passage and Knytt. So, any other suggestions?

On a larger scale, I want to discuss games for women. Apparently 41% of gamers are women, but only 2% of games are targeted at them. Furthermore, a lot of those games, like Nintendogs and Brain Training, are barely games at all. I don't see a future for 'girl gamers' in those sort of games, because people who play (only) those kinds of games are not really gamers. I think there is a middle path, where there can be games for women that avoid the violence and coarseness that turns them off, say, GTA, but without being dumbed down into glorified crossword puzzles.
Discuss.

[increpare]

Furthermore, a lot of those games, like Nintendogs and Brain Training, are barely games at all.

[TeeGee]

All your answers are here. Even if they are a bit bitter .

[jstckr]

Dunno if this is limited to indie games on PC, but Escherchrome (they should've called it that, seriously!) for PS3 or PSP is a great game usually accepted by moms and dads. Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QfICeBtVv8U

[increpare]

Dunno if this is limited to indie games on PC, but Escherchrome (they should've called it that, seriously!) for PS3 or PSP is a great game usually accepted by moms and dads. Video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=QfICeBtVv8U

woah; that's a pretty cool-looking game!

[Benza]

I don't see a future for 'girl gamers' in those sort of games, because people who play (only) those kinds of games are not really gamers. I think there is a middle path, where there can be games for women that avoid the violence and coarseness that turns them off, say, GTA, but without being dumbed down into glorified crossword puzzles.
Discuss.

I think that right there is the problem. Games don't need to be aimed at women. A good game is a good game and will be entertaining to either sex. It shouldn't be aimed specificly at women, thats just stupid. Game designers should focus on making a fun and intersting game, and if it is fun and interesting then women will play it for that reason.

[Pacian]

I think that right there is the problem. Games don't need to be aimed at women. A good game is a good game and will be entertaining to either sex. It shouldn't be aimed specificly at women, thats just stupid. Game designers should focus on making a fun and intersting game, and if it is fun and interesting then women will play it for that reason.

Agreed, but in the same fashion, isn't it also bad that most games are currently obviously aimed at men and boys with their over-the-top machismo and scantily clad females?

[Zest]

If you're showing her Knytt, you might as well show her Seiklus as well. Polarity is pretty short, but easy to understand and fun. I have yet to play Facade, but what I've heard about it sounds like she might like it.

[AdamAtomic]

not explicitly indie, but my mom really likes Katamari Damacy

[Tanner]

not explicitly indie, but my mom really likes Katamari Damacy

I <3 Katamari.
We <3 Katamari.

[William Broom]

I don't see a future for 'girl gamers' in those sort of games, because people who play (only) those kinds of games are not really gamers. I think there is a middle path, where there can be games for women that avoid the violence and coarseness that turns them off, say, GTA, but without being dumbed down into glorified crossword puzzles.
Discuss.

I think that right there is the problem. Games don't need to be aimed at women. A good game is a good game and will be entertaining to either sex. It shouldn't be aimed specificly at women, thats just stupid. Game designers should focus on making a fun and intersting game, and if it is fun and interesting then women will play it for that reason.

No, I don't agree. The fact is, men and women like different things, and most women do not like games that involve killing and destroying stuff. There are certainly some exceptions to this rule, but in general it holds true.

[Corpus]

Yeah. The fact that no woman is exactly the same doesn't change the fact that, on the whole, women tend to have different interests to men. Yes, there should be games targeted towards all genders (and there are). However, there should also be games made specifically with women in mind.

There should also be fewer macho macho man games because, honestly, the number of nerdy teenage boys on the internet with retardedly misogynistic views is just sad, and these stupid games clearly play a significant formative role in their lives when they're all they ever do.

[Xion]

but what do girls, erm, more specifically women like? Sure, less violence, but that seems to be the only thing the games posted thus far have in common. (knytt, Katamari, Echochrome)

Actually I find myself agreeing with Benza. If a game is good it will attract people that play games, regardless of gender.

I'm pretty sure there's no game that could ever please my mommy, though. She's strictly anti-game, sees them all as a complete waste of time and effort, and sees no difference between Tetris and Halo.

[Sar]

but what do girls, erm, more specifically women like?

If the women I talk to are any indication, the answers are:

• Devil May Cry
• Shadow Hearts
• Some FF games

I'm sure there's some running theme there, but I can't quite put my finger on it... ;-)

*ducks*

[Türbo Bröther]

Show your mum Samorost.

Show everyone Samorost.