10 June 2004women and games1 or why don’t women work in the games industry? and does it matter?

10 June 2004women and games2 why do the research? commissioned by funded by

10 June 2004women and games3 research by Lizzie Haines for Media Training North West women and girls in the games industry phase 1 report for the industry April 2004 phase 1 report phase 2 research I hope you will be part of this…

10 June 2004women and games4 first report the games industry in the North West a report for the Game Plan Lizzie Haines June 2002

10 June 2004women and games5 initial conceptions hardly any women no women’s loos men didn’t appear to care girls don’t play games anyway

10 June 2004women and games6 ‘With women only a tiny minority of those developing games, and a product that so far appeals largely to young men and boys, the gender imbalance in the industry is profound.’ ‘the industry revels in the male thing’ ‘chauvinism is rampant in the industry – it is running wild with testosterone’.

10 June 2004women and games7 the research questions Why are there so few women working in the games industry? How many work in the industry and in what kinds of jobs? What barriers are there to women participating fully once in the industry? How does girls’ play differ from boys’? How do young women and girls make academic and career choices? How can this be remedied and why is it important to do so? What are the industry’s concerns (if any) about the absence of women in their workforce? Why should the industry care? What benefits can women bring to businesses? How can the industry support work to improve the participation of women?

10 June 2004women and games8 preconceptions blasted (or at least modified)

10 June 2004women and games9 1 how many women work in the industry and what do they do? only 11% of those working in the industry are women and they tend to work in specific jobs

10 June 2004women and games10 2 what barriers are there for women to participate fully in the industry? ‘it’s not really a problem’ ‘bust your ass, sleep on the floor of your office and don’t have a family’

10 June 2004women and games11 3 do women and girls play games? is their play differ to boys? girls do play less than boys girls aren't usually hardcore girls play different games girls play in a different way

10 June 2004women and games12 what’s different? activities instead of goals challenge in the game not the controls girls don’t like dying short play and quick rewards often avoid violence (but not always)

10 June 2004women and games13 why? conquerors and managers games retail environments sexy avatars wired differently

10 June 2004women and games14 4 how do young women make academic and career choices? computer A level: 15% female computer degree: 25% female computer industry: 22% female and dropping

10 June 2004women and games15 5 does the industry care? should it care? ‘the industry wants to sell games to girls but very few have managed it’ the industry as a whole seems pretty happy with the audience as it is and as long as sales keep growing I don’t see that changing’

10 June 2004women and games16 6 how can the industry support work to improve the numbers of women? ‘I don’t believe there’s any point. Worth is proven in ability and gender is irrelevant in the game development workplace’ ‘it should come from women already in the industry. They can explain what it’s really like - mentoring is a great way to do this, talking in schools is another one. Answer questions, address issues face-to-face. Get the low-down directly from the horse’s mouth. Demystify the whole thing.’

10 June 2004women and games17 thank you debate dialogue data enthusiasm

10 June 2004women and games18 how you can help… if you want to read the report if you want to contribute to the research… return the survey return the debate questions give the survey to colleagues if you want to nominate your boss for some work…

10 June 2004women and games19 what will it be used for?

10 June 2004women and games20 get in touch I will use your contribution I will get back to you with final findings