Dame Dev

Game changers: the women who make video games

2011-12-09T11:22:00.000-05:00

"Women have, of course, always played video games, but in the past it was always as a minority. Yet a report by the Internet Advertising Bureau in September found that 49% of gamers in the UK are female; but that percentage is not being reflected in the makeup of the industry, particularly at senior levels." For the entire article, click on the link above!

NYT: Zynga's Tough Culture Risks a Talent Drain

2011-12-04T11:28:00.003-05:00

“We’ve learned that when companies treat talent as a commodity, the consequences are severe,” said Ms. Toledano of Electronic Arts. “It takes years to repair a reputation.” For full article, click the link above.

The three biggest myths about women in tech

2011-10-13T16:06:00.000-04:00

For full article, click on link above. "One common response from the mostly male responders was that these data must be incorrect and misleading because they personally have not witnessed these issues. In other words, if I haven’t seen or experienced bias, it cannot possibly exist. Interestingly enough, when presenting these findings at different companies and organizations, we got the same

Booklist: Walking Out on the Boys

2011-09-30T11:56:00.000-04:00

Frances Conley was the first woman ever appointed to a full professorship of neurosurgery at an American medical school. But she resigned due to sexual harassment, revealing tales of fondling in the operating room to Time magazine. In 1998, she published a tell-all book called Walking Out on the Boys. The publication of this book coincided with the results of a 30-year MIT study on female

For PapyaMobile, women are the "whales"

2011-09-29T10:34:00.000-04:00

Papaya Mobile finds that "whales," or users spending more than $100 on a game, accounts for 60% of its revenue. Excerpt: As is customary in games, PapayaMobile depends heavily on the tiny proportion of users who pay for goods in social mobile games. But one of the surprises is that some of the most enthusiastic customers, known as “whales,” are for the most part women. Papaya found that 69

Gaming with Your Daughter is Good for Her

2011-02-01T11:07:00.000-05:00

Link to full article above: This study linked positive outcomes for parents playing video games with daughters, but did not find the same results for parents playing video games with sons. The authors theorize that it may be because sons have more video game time with friends. In addition, parents (usually fathers) playing video games with boys played games like Halo while games like Mario

Where Are the Women in Tech, You Ask?

2011-01-28T14:22:00.000-05:00

"So why don't we know about these women in tech? Simple. Women are far less likely to be in love with the technology for its own sake vs. their male counterparts, so they tend to be low key in talking about the technology itself. You're not likely to hear a woman say that her technology is "sick," though I've heard that term used by not a few men CEOs . These women are not likely to be found in

WIGI channel on mygameIQ

2011-01-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

Women in Games International (WIGI) and mygameIQ are pleased to announce a partnership to promote Women in Games. We are looking for games produced by and for Women to become part of the WIGI channel on mygameIQ. Receive 40% off your purchases thanks to WIGI. Link to discount code above.

Young women possess characteristics of inventors, but do not see themselves as inventive

2011-01-19T13:29:00.001-05:00

MIT study: "Further demonstrating inventive traits, young women show a strong affinity for math and science — two of every five female respondents (42 percent) rate these as their favorite subjects in school. More than half of male respondents (53 percent) agree. 35 percent of young women also say they have a family member working in a field related to science, technology, math or engineering.

Women in Games Photo Shoot

2010-06-15T13:04:00.002-04:00

IGDA Women in Games and Women in Games International invite you to participate in the upcoming Ubisoft photo shoot of "Women in Games—E3 2010," hosted by the Frag Dolls. Scheduled for Thursday, June 17 at 9:30 am, all women in the games industry attending E3 are invited to show up at the south side of the plaza in front of South Hall, located at Pico and Figueroa. The photo shoot will only take a

WIGI Volunteer Meet-Up at E3

2010-06-07T15:03:00.000-04:00

Local and regional active Women in Games International volunteers to meet for drinks Tuesday night at E3. Say hi to folks you don’t always get to see and connect on plans for the year. Please come if you can! Tuesday June 15th, 5:00 pm gLAnce Lobby Wine Bar & Lounge The place to meet and greet. Located on the first floor of the Hotel Tower in the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE.

WIGI L.A. Women and Men Mixer

2010-06-03T17:47:00.000-04:00

Date: Monday, June 7, 2010 Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: The Arsenal Bar, West L.A. Street: 12012 West Pico Boulevard City/Town: Los Angeles, CA On the first MONDAY of EVERY MONTH, please join local video game and related industry folks at a monthly networking event. The party runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm with extended HAPPY HOUR PRICING! Eat, drink and socialize with old friends and new.

BIG/WIGI Party at E3

2010-05-30T12:45:00.000-04:00

Join Women in Games International and Blacks in Gaming on Wednesday, June 16th from 6-9PM at Zucca Restaurant and Art Garden for drinks, fine food, and giveaways! (Zucca is just three blocks north of the Convention Center on Figueroa) RSVP Required Our generous sponsors make it all possible! Thanks to: Disney Interactive Media Group, Sony Computer Entertainment, Social Gold, and Peanut Labs

Inside the Minds of Girl Gamers

2010-04-27T15:20:00.002-04:00

Click the title link for a presentation with stats on female gamers.

WIGI L.A.: Your Evolving Career in Gaming

2010-04-25T12:58:00.001-04:00

WIGI D-L-C Event this Wed: Your Evolving Career in Gaming: How to stay relevant, stay in the game, LA Film School this Wednesday, April 28th at 7pm! D-L-C events (Drinks, Learning, Community) are held quarterly and move WIGI's mission forward to create a community interested and engaged in the gaming industry. Our D-L-C topic is “Your Evolving Career in Gaming: How to stay relevant, stay in

WIGI L.A. Networking Happy Hour

2010-04-03T13:44:00.001-04:00

The next Women in Games International WAM (Women And Men) networking event is happening this Monday, April 5th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. We'll be having a pre-meeting at 6:30 for all those interested in getting involved in the WIGI LA chapter including organizing for this year's E3 bash. Check this link for details.

Gender discrimination linked to poor project management

2010-03-25T13:58:00.002-04:00

There's also evidence of bias against women in recruitment and job assignment in places where high-tech corporate cultures thrive on this "hero mindset" that "rewards a 'last minute' crunch where 24/7 work becomes necessary to 'save' a project, failing to acknowledge family responsibilities and flexibility needs," the report says.

Seattle WIGI Happy Hour

2010-03-19T15:54:00.000-04:00

Seattle WIGI invites all games and digital media professionals and interested parties to join us at POST 1914 in Post Alley, Seattle for a relaxed social Happy Hour on Tuesday March 23rd from 5-8 p.m..*Networking*Prizes*Upcoming events for LOGIN*WIGI Brain-Bank topics for SeattleBring a guest along and get an extra entry into the Prize drawing!

WomenGamers.Com Scholarship to National Computer Camp

2010-02-25T12:42:00.000-05:00

For the June/July 2010 enrollment, WomenGamers.Com and National Computer Camp (NCC) are once again offering a scholarship valued at $985 to a female student (age 8-18) for one week.Scholarship applicants need to submit an essay in response to the following question: "What is your favorite video game, and how would you change the design to improve it?"The 500 - 600 word essay must be submitted to

IGDA WIG sessions at GDC 2010

2010-02-24T12:19:00.001-05:00

ROUNDTABLE MEETING: Annual SIG roundtable meeting on Thursday, March 11, 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in Room 230, East Mezzanine. The roundtable meeting will be moderated by Tina Tyndal, SIG steering committee member and newsletter editor. Bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm, plus stick around for the latest news on our primary initiatives during 2010, including GameMentorOnline and

WIGI L.A. Chapter Monthly Networking Happy Hour

2010-02-13T14:09:00.001-05:00

“WAM—Women and Men”On the first Monday of every month starting Monday, March 1st, 2010, please join local video game and related industry folks at a monthly WAM networking event. WAM runs from 7:00 to 9:00 pm with extended Happy Hour pricing!Eat, drink and socialize with old friends and new. Bring your business cards! WIGI promotes networking and career building for everyone in the video game

Monetization in Gaming WIGI event

2010-01-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

Women in Games International D-L-C event (D=drinks, L=lectures, C=community). D-L-C events are held quarterly and move WIGI's mission forward to create a community interested and engaged in the gaming industry.The upcoming topic will be "MONETIZATION IN GAMING (both in the casual and social gaming arena)". We have brought together a panel of industry leaders with a myriad of experience and

GameMentorOnline Seeking Web Sponsor

2010-01-13T12:34:00.001-05:00

IGDA Women in Games, in partnership with WIGI, is seeking an an-kind sponsor to develop and maintain a basic 5-7 page web site for GameMentorOnline. We already have URL, copy, links and navigation.Are you a freelance web designer or boutique web team seeking some exposure in the games industry? We can offer a selection of marketing benefits in exchange for your web design and management

Women earn more than men in UK games industry

2010-01-03T12:51:00.001-05:00

"Whilst women are still a minority in the sector’s workforce, they are earning more than their male counterparts, according to research conducted by MCV.Average female annual salaries are £2,000 higher than the male wage, at £33,260."

Longer Vacations = More Productivity

2009-12-18T18:40:00.002-05:00

In Europe, 4 to 6 weeks of vacation are mandated by law. Compare that to the U.S., where we have no such mandates and are sometimes asked to give up our vacation time for a pressing project. According to Joe Robinson, author of Work to Live, those European countries with mandated vacation are all as productive or in some cases, more productive than the U.S. Studies have shown that when you do

WIGI Happy Hour Hang Out

2009-12-02T15:14:00.001-05:00

Attn Seattle!Seattle Women in Games International is having a meet-up/greet-up Happy Hour on Tuesday Dec 8th at Post in Post Alley, Seattle, WA. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.This meeting we will be focused on Social Games and Mobile Games/App's professionals, but all are welcome.Bring a business card and relax with us -Leave the holiday nuttiness aside for a couple hours - Men and Women alike who are

Gender & Educational Computer Games

2009-10-21T11:48:00.001-04:00

from Serious Games Interactive Newsletter:"Designing an educational computer game is not a gender-neutral process. Understanding the relationship between gender and computer games is essential for creating games. For educational games to be successful, they must be of a high quality and contain themes that appeal to the game preferences of both genders. Most researchers have come to agree

WIGI Reception at AGDC

2009-08-27T11:56:00.001-04:00

Please join The Guildhall at SMU and Women in Games International for our Austin Game Developers Conference Industry Reception Sept. 17 at Iron Cactus Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar! What: AGC Reception When: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Where: Iron Cactus Mexican Grill and Margarita Bar 606 Trinity Street

Women are over-worked and under-served by businesses

2009-08-06T13:42:00.000-04:00

Excerpt:Mr. Silverstein added, “Companies are failing to meet the needs of women in five key ways: Poor product design and customization for women; clumsy sales and marketing; inability to address the need for time-saving solutions; inability to provide a meaningful hook and differentiation, and failure to develop community.”

Leadership Development Forum

2009-07-11T23:38:00.001-04:00

The Leadership Development Forum, held the day before Casual Connect Seattle, is a special one-day event organized by Women in Games International, Women in Games Vancouver and the IGDA Women in Games and is focused on personal development. All registered attendees to Casual Connect Seattle 2009 have access to the LeadershipDevelopment Forum. If you will not be attending Casual Connect

Women in Games Lunch at Develop Conference

2009-07-10T14:21:00.001-04:00

Time: Thursday 16th July, 12:00 onwardsVenue: Good Friends restaurant (Chinese), 24-25 Preston St.How to get there: 0.2 mi from Develop. Exit the Hilton and turn right,take the 4th right into Preston St. 4 mins walk.A chance for women working in the industry to meet and network, just astone's throw away from the Hilton. Open to women of all gamesindustry sectors and disciplines, and to anyone

Game Developers Gunning for Girl Power

2009-06-25T12:41:00.001-04:00

"In the U.S. alone, video games for girls ages 2 to 12 generated sales of $1.4 billion for the 12-month period through April, according to sales tracker NPD Group. The girls segment represented about 7% of the total video game market for the period."

Luna Online - FTP MMO-Date-RPG

2009-06-10T12:27:00.001-04:00

"This level of compatibility is shown to the players via a heart alarm. A heart alarm works the same as emote animations. It’s visible to all players and only activates when 2 characters are over 90% compatible. This Alarm lets both characters know that they have the possibility to date. To go on a date, the characters go to an NPC and after having a conversation with the NPC, they are teleported

Industry comes clean on crunch

2009-06-08T15:00:00.001-04:00

Results from Develop's Quality of Life in 2009 survey:"Ninety-eight per cent of game developers across the world do not receive paid overtime, despite being frequently asked to work an extra ten to fifteen hours per week."

Deadline Extended for Womengamers.com Scholarship

2009-05-19T11:08:00.003-04:00

The deadline for the WomenGamers.com - National Computer Camps Scholarship for Girls application has been extended to Friday, May 22. WomenGamers.Com and National Computer Camp (NCC) are offering a scholarship valued at $985 to a female student (age 8-18) for one week. The National Computer Camp is America's original computer camp with locations in

WIGI/BIG E3 Mixer

2009-05-14T18:16:00.000-04:00

Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pmLocation: ESPN ZoneStreet: 1011 S. Figueroa StreetCity/Town: Los Angeles, CAThis event is sponsored by Disney Interactive Media Group and Sony Computer Entertainment.Be sure to RSVP and bring your E3 pass for admission. (No admission without E3 pass.)Click here for info on how to RSVP.

Video Game Girls Burlesque Show

2009-05-09T18:38:00.003-04:00

Hmm. I suppose this is a natural extension of cosplay. Since male video game characters are not included in this show, which ones would you want to strip for you?

Beyond 'Sweetie'

2009-05-08T13:36:00.003-04:00

New York Times Article that looks at female learning styles. Does the Socratic method put women at a disadvantage? How can we incorporate knowledge of female learning styles into our games? Now that there are more women in higher education, classroom dynamics have changed..."The criminal lawyer Alan Dershowitz, an advocate of the Socratic method who has taught at Harvard for four decades, has

WIGI Mixer at GDC Canada

2009-05-07T15:29:00.001-04:00

Date: May 13thTime: 6-9 pm Where: Uber Lounge @ Steamworks (375 Water Street)Plus, discount code for WIGI members attending GDC Canada.Register and receive CDN $100 Discount on GDC Canada All Access and Main Conference passes. Enter code GCA09WIGI during the registration process.

Action-Packed Short-Form Games: An Ideal Date?

2009-05-03T14:41:00.001-04:00

This blog entry originally appeared on Game Design Aspect of the Month for April 2009's topic Designing Quality 2 - 3 Hour Games. At GDC 2005 and GDC 2006, as co-founders of the non-profit, Girls in Games, Inc., Michelle Sorger and I conducted the popular "Attracting Women to Game Development" roundtables, which focused on recruitment and retention of women in the game industry. One comment

Women in Games U.K. @ DIGRA 2009 Call for Papers

2009-04-25T12:09:00.000-04:00

In partnership with DIGRA 2009, Women in Games U.K. are honored to issue a general call for papers to be presented at this year's DIGRA event at Brunel University, London, September 1-4. http://digra2009.newport.ac.uk. The submission form is available at: http://digra.newport.ac.uk/openconf.php. Submission deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2009.Currently in its fifth year, Women in Games U.K. is an

Microsoft Recognizes Game Industry Women

2009-04-19T21:56:00.001-04:00

This article originally appeared as part of Edge Online's coverage of GDC 2009.Microsoft held its first ever Women in Gaming Awards Luncheon on Wednesday during GDC, an intimate event recognizing the accomplishments of all women in an industry currently dominated by men. Winners in the four award categories were: ArtKiki WolfkillExecutive producer, director of art, Microsoft Game Studios, working

GDC: We Need More Women in Games

2009-04-18T11:48:00.002-04:00

This article originally appeared as part of Edge Online's coverage of GDC 2009.It's more critical than ever for women to get into games, whether it's as a player or as a developer.That's according to a panel comprised primarily of women on the closing day of GDC. But women don't always recognize or even have confidence in their ability to be game designers.“The game industry has created a box

Play Games to Work Smarter: Why It is More Critical than Ever that Women Play and Develop Games

2009-04-15T15:26:00.004-04:00

This article originally appeared as part of GameDev.Net's coverage of GDC 2009.by Sande ChenIn this panel put together by the IGDA Women in Games SIG, academics and business leaders came together to discuss the importance of video game literacy for women in the upcoming years. In addition, the leadership skills involved in playing some video games can help women succeed in their jobs."

National Computer Camp Scholarship

2009-04-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

WomenGamers.Com and National Computer Camp (NCC) are once again offering a scholarship valued at $985 to a female student (age 8-18) for one week. The National Computer Camp is America's original computer camp with locations in Connecticut, Georgia, New York, and Ohio. Applications are due by May15th, 2009.

2009 G.I.R.L. Scholarship

2009-03-31T17:54:00.000-04:00

Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 G.I.R.L. Scholarship to help educate and recruit more women into the field of video game production and design. Sponsored by Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) a global leader in online gaming, and administered by Scholarship America®, a leading non-profit educational support program, applications are available at https://

Call for Submissions: Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund

2009-03-31T14:45:00.000-04:00

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has announced the call for submissions for the 2009 Dr. Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund, established to support students in pursuit of careers in game design, development and production. The AIAS will award four $2,500 scholarships to students attending accredited universities.The scholarship fund honors Dr. Randy Pausch, professor of computer

Girls in Tech NYC Relaunch Party

2009-03-18T10:51:00.002-04:00

The NYC chapter of Girls in Tech has relaunched with a new Managing Director and organizing team. Our goal is the enrich the experience of women in technology in the New York metro area, helping them to make connections, learn valuable career and life skills, and, above all, have FUN with other like-minded women in the thriving New York tech community.(Pssst...this event is co-ed. Gents are

Could You Imagine "Blind" Interviews?

2009-03-17T12:44:00.000-04:00

from Women for Hire newsletter: Before blind auditions became common in the 70s, just 10% of new hires at major U.S. orchestras were women. The theory was that women weren't very good musicians. But labor unions protested the hiring process and pushed for blind auditions where

Paid Maternity Leave is a Win-Win Formula

2009-03-04T17:35:00.002-05:00

In this op-ed for the Financial Times, Michael Skapinker argues that even in these times of economic downturn, it is more beneficial to companies and to society to have paid maternity leave than to force a mother to resign if she wants to stay with her baby. Some say that it imposes extra costs -- but on the other hand, perhaps in these times, companies may want a valued worker who comes in

Why Women Managers Shine in a Downtown

2009-03-02T20:00:00.003-05:00

In this article, Michel Ferrary, Professor of Management at Ceram Business School in France, finds that his research shows that companies with more women in management seem to be better protected against financial crisis. In contrast, companies with mainly male management had their stock prices decrease more than the French CAC 40 stock exchange index. The more women in the management, the less

WIGI Community Mixer at GDC 2009

2009-02-21T10:07:00.002-05:00

Location:The Art Institute of California - San Francisco 1170 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94102 (Just a few short blocks from Moscone center at 7th & Market Streets)Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009Time: 6:30 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.RSVP through Facebook, LinkedIn, or Evite

Women who hit glass ceiling are pushed to start new businesses

2009-01-24T23:00:00.003-05:00

"New research from the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Business Administration suggests Parry is correct. Professors found that the perception that women will have more family-work conflicts than men exists today, even when evidence runs to the contrary.They also found the stereotype affects women's upward mobility, said Jenny Hoobler, an assistant professor of management who led

Petition to Congress for Equal Pay Remedy

2009-01-07T11:34:00.001-05:00

Dear Friend,Last year, the Senate failed to get the 60 votes necessary to force an up-or-down vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would mandate that women receive equal pay for equal work. Now, with a new session of Congress in place, the House is ready to take up the fight again.With President-elect Obama soon to take office, we now have a real chance to pass this legislation that

Animation Army WIGI Mixer in L.A.

2009-01-06T13:10:00.001-05:00

Date: Sun, Jan 18, 2009Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pmHosted by: Animation Army & WIGIThis month's PRESENTER: Richard Taylor - EA GamesRichard has been working on the cutting edge of visual CG production for decades. From directing effects on Disney's TRON to winning CLIOs and HUGOs for directing huge commercial campaigns like the 7 Up "Spot." Richard is now the Cinematic Director at Electronic

WIGI Vancouver Fundraiser

2008-12-05T12:24:00.001-05:00

Tuesday, December 9, 20086 pm to 9 pmCo-hosted by Wired Woman & Women in Games International$25 members (visit www.wiredwoman.com > -membership is free! so subscribe and then register) / $35 non-membersSpecial $10 student rate:email mentorship.van@wiredwoman.com to obtain your student rate! (Pleaseshow valid student ID at the door).Secretly wanting to expose your inner Rock Band? Have a

Women in Games International Launches Online Auction

2008-11-25T15:55:00.001-05:00

eBay Auction Raise Funds for National Games Non-ProfitWomen in Games International (WIGI) presents their WIGI Celebrity Ebay Auction, a collection of over a hundred video games and game-related merchandise items -- much of it signed by industry leaders -- being auctioned to raise funds for Women in Games International. If there's one thing gamers love more than games themselves, it's awesome

Recession dents image of macho management

2008-11-14T19:48:00.000-05:00

"It has been suggested these women will be able to guide the banks through tough times without taking the kind of aggressive risks that brought the country's banking system to its knees. One government official said at the time: "The men make the mess and the women come in to clean it up."Yet, according to analysis of British companies carried out by the Financial Times, troubled companies would

Where Are the Video Games Women Really Want?

2008-10-25T00:01:00.001-04:00

"The notion, however, that men alone rule the gaming realm is as outdated as the Atari 2600. Men, women and children alike have answered the call to play. While the gaming industry has long tailored its approach to gaming for young men and boys, women and girls have been largely left out."

Female Representation In Games Across Genres, Consoles

2008-10-23T13:14:00.002-04:00

Which Genres Provide Male-Only, Female-Only Protagonists?

2008-10-23T12:56:00.003-04:00

Women left on sidelines in video game revolution

2008-10-23T09:49:00.000-04:00

L.A. times article looks into glass ceilings and the gender gap in salaries."Those who do land game-related jobs make less money on average than their male counterparts. Women at all levels of the field earned an average of $64,643 last year, while men earned $74,459, according to the survey."

Co-worker hobbies encourage synergy, productivity

2008-10-14T14:10:00.003-04:00

Staff sing from one hymn sheetTake a leaf out of these corporate bibliophiles' book, FT, Oct 14, 2008"Reading, especially high quality reading, is the mental equivalent of losing weight, eating better or going to the gym and has similar benefits."2 articles from the Financial Times highlight that corporate programs done for seemingly frivolous entertainment have led to synergy and increased

New Video Game Aimed At Teen Girls Made In MN

2008-10-09T11:36:00.000-04:00

PopStar - a Guitar Hero clone for teenyboppers

Meeting The Needs Of Hispanic Girls With Hip Chicas

2008-10-06T14:09:00.000-04:00

"Hip Chicas recently launched a beta for its Latina-themed virtual world hoping to change that. It's a Latina-themed virtual world for tween girls with a strong theme of "helping improve the planet" -- instead of the "traditionally negative" themes Fuentes has noticed in products targeting Hispanic girls, like "bling-bling, shopping or lipstick."

If Women Were More Like Men: Why Females Earn Less

2008-10-05T22:32:00.004-04:00

Evidence of sex discrimination in the workplace?The first ever transgender study of the wage gap shows that men who become women do not do as well financially as women who become men.In addition, when musicians auditioned behind a screen, this increased the likelihood of a woman getting hired for the symphony."He told Schilt that after he transitioned from female to male, another lawyer

Hand over the controller, girl gamers say

2008-10-03T22:32:00.001-04:00

Females accounted for 21% of the total sales growth last year:In the U.S. economic slowdown, much is riding on the female gamers said Edward Williams, managing director of equity research at BMO Capital Markets."Publishers and developers need to create the right content that appeals to more girls in order to maintain the health of the industry," Williams said.

Special Edition Pink Madden NFL

2008-10-03T14:36:00.000-04:00

"EA is supporting charitable efforts by releasing a limited-edition version of Madden NFL 09 that displays a pink ribbon logo in support of breast cancer awareness. Proceeds from "Madden NFL Pink" will support the Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation."

Study Reveals Women Choose Video Games Instead of Sleep

2008-09-27T15:22:00.001-04:00

"According to the E for All / PoshMama survey, more than one-third of those surveyed say that they play video games when they should be sleeping. Women in the survey also say they play video games in other unusual circumstances, including: while on the phone (32%); while at work/in a meeting (20%); and, while preparing for work (12%). When it comes to spare time, nearly twice as many women say

Commentary on NY Games Conference

2008-09-27T13:30:00.002-04:00

I've just returned from the first annual NY Games Conference in NYC, which was held on September 25 - 26, 2008.Reality Check! Q&A with our Panel of Gamers from the Millennial GenerationWhat struck me about the teenage girls' comments was that they mostly found out about games through their brothers... and did not have much of an idea of how their brothers found out about games. As for the

A Bad Boss Can Send You to an Early Grave

2008-09-27T13:28:00.003-04:00

Fear the seagull manager!"Then—-instead of getting the facts straight and working alongside their staff to realize a viable solution-—seagull managers come swooping in at the last minute, they squawk orders at everybody, and deposit steaming piles of formulaic advice before abruptly taking off..."

WIGI/GamerVixens Mixer at E for All

2008-09-23T17:48:00.000-04:00

From 8 pm to 11 pm, the Angels & Vixens party will take place at the Broadway Bar. Please RSVP for the party at the following link. RSVPs are required.http://www.gamervixens.com/party/

Games Women Play

2008-09-20T18:51:00.001-04:00

Robert Norton, Managing Director, North America of King.com, reveals research on female casual game players.

Is Lara Croft Sexist?

2008-09-07T20:11:00.001-04:00

"The question of whether or not Lara is sexy or just plain sexist is not such a cut and dry issue. With Eidos' introduction of a new living, breathing (gymnast) Lara Croft model, we asked women of the games industry about Lara's evolving role as the iconic front-woman of the hit Tomb Raider franchise..."

WIGI Celebrity Ebay Auction

2008-09-07T12:25:00.003-04:00

For those of you attending the Austin Game Developer¹s Conference, WIGI ishaving a fabulous celebrity auction to raise money for the group. The WIGICelebrity Ebay Auction is a collection of over a hundred video games andgame-related merchandise much of it signed by industry leaders auctioned offto raise money for the Women in Games International. Please watch out forthe items on display and bid

WIGI Community Mixer - Vancouver

2008-09-05T22:04:00.001-04:00

Join us for the highly anticipated Women In Games International - Vancouver BC - YALETOWN FUSION MIXER!!!Come fuse & mingle with current and future game pros,in conjunction with the SIGGRAPH/SPARK Animationevent in Vancouver, British Columbia.HOSTED BAR/HOSTED APPETIZERS & DOOR PRIZESAll genders welcomeSponsored by Big Fish Games. Thursday, September 11, 2008Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pmLocation:

Tecmo Settles Overtime Suit

2008-09-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

"The suit, which was filed with the Tokyo District Court in June 2008, claimed that under Tecmo’s "flexible hours" work scheme, employees were not paid appropriately for their overtime hours, which often exceeded 100 hours per month. The suit also alleged that the company created false documents to cover up the accounting documents..."

Maternity leave in the U.S.

2008-08-26T16:05:00.003-04:00

from New York Times article "Give a Break to Americans Giving Birth," November 4, 2006According to a 2004 study by Jody Heymann, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, more than 160 countries offer some sort of leave for new mothers, paid by the government. Those that don't include Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, Lesotho - and the United States.The Family and Medical Leave

Women in Games Conference

2008-08-26T15:58:00.001-04:00

Women in Games ConferenceUniversity of Warwick, Coventry, UK10-12th September 2008 This year’s conference will be looking at such things as what the perception of the games industry is to outsiders and reasons why girls are turned off technology at a young age. Sign up rates of students studying Computer Science have fallen in recent years and women are very much in the minority. This is why Jane

Why Women Must Self-Promote

2008-08-26T15:42:00.001-04:00

Fiona Cherbak of Game Recruiter gives advice on the job search."Through social conditioning that has nothing to do with our industry, but simply our society, women are less inclined to be assertive in such situations because they’re afraid of being judged or told "no." Meanwhile, there are men who quite easily put themselves out there and say, “Here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I can do and here

Woman to Woman, Online

2008-08-14T17:40:00.001-04:00

"Heather Armstrong’s wickedly funny blog about motherhood, Dooce, is more than just an outlet for the creativity and frustrations of a modern mother. The site, chock full of advertising, is a moneymaking machine — so much so that Ms. Armstrong and her husband have both quit their regular jobs...."This article isn't about the game industry, but it does show advertiser interest in reaching the

Women and Games: What We Know and Don't Know About the Casual Link

2008-08-08T19:50:00.000-04:00

"A recurring topic of discussion among casual game developers is Women Game Players. When casual games are taken into consideration, adult women make up more than half of all video game players by some measures. And when looking at only casual games, most authorities say their audience is predominately female by a shot... "

The Growing Role of Women in Gaming

2008-08-07T13:00:00.002-04:00

This short article has quotes from Arkadium and Rebel Monkey about designing games for women and the growing presence of women in game companies.

Researchers Study Software Gender Gap

2008-07-24T23:21:00.003-04:00

"For more than a decade, academics and technology executives have been frowning at the widening gender gap in computer science....Now, some computer science researchers say one solution may lie in the design of software...."

Girls Bridge Gender Divide in Math

2008-07-24T23:18:00.000-04:00

"Researchers looked at standardized test scores of more than 7 million students, ranging from the second grade to high school junior. Whatever gender differences there once existed between girls and boys in terms of math performance are gone..."

You’ve Played ‘Em, Now Make ‘Em: Careers In Game Development

2008-07-17T10:48:00.003-04:00

Who:Lance Powell, Electronic ArtsTim Trzepacz, softegg.comBill KroyerAnne Toole, Writers CabalWhat:Women in AnimationWhen:Thursday, July 17, 2008, 7pmWhere:DreamWorks campusRSVP and for more info:Women in Animation

Video game industry tries to broaden its appeal

2008-07-17T00:20:00.002-04:00

"These video games don't sound like anything that would grab a teenage boy's attention, and that's the point. They are part of an important expansion of the video game industry as it works to pull in women, girls and other demographics and cement its place as mainstream entertainment..."

Video Games It's a Girl Thing

2008-06-26T16:49:00.001-04:00

"The two middle school girls had never had a lesson on video game creation before this week, but on Tuesday they were learning how to make their ideas appear on a computer screen at the free Tech Savvy Summer Girls Camp run by Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology...."

WIGI Community Mixer - Seattle

2008-06-20T17:31:00.001-04:00

Women in Games International and Big Fish Games invites casual games professionals and those wanting to break into the industry to their first annual social event at Casual Connect ‘08.Casual Connect is an annual conference for the casual games industry with over 3,000 professionals attending. The Women in Games International (WIGI) mixer will be held Thursday, July 24, at 7 pm at Dragonfish

More "Chick Flick" games on the way?

2008-05-30T10:07:00.000-04:00

""Chick flick" games may become more prevalent as game makers begin to wake up to new opportunities, Rebel Monkey CEO Margaret Wallace tells Next-Gen...."

Aspiring Women Game Artists Competition

2008-05-09T12:16:00.000-04:00

Open for EntriesDeadline Friday, June 20thSomething is terribly wrong with the Game Development Industry and you can fix it… but only if you are a woman.9% of game artists are women and they make on average over $10,000 less per year than their male counterparts. (Source: Game Career Guide, 2007.)Notes on Game Dev invites all women aspiring game artists to submit an essay to the 2008 NoGD

Women in Games Conference Call for Papers

2008-04-07T17:37:00.000-04:00

Women in Games ConferenceUniversity of Warwick, UK10-12th September 2008Call for papers and participationThe Women In Games conference encourages research and seeks to promote careers for women within the games industry. If games are to become a true sibling medium to music and cinema, the industry needs greater balance in its audience and its workforce. The Women In Games conference welcomes

Call for Girl Games

2008-04-07T17:33:00.001-04:00

Synaptic Gaming & Simulation, LLC will soon launch an exciting newwebsite focusing on games specifically designed for girls between theages of 10 and 18. Independently developed games for tweens and teenagegirls are being sought. While all games will be considered, games whichcontain some educational element in one or more of the following areasare preferred. Of special interest is the

How stereotyping affects testing and performance

2008-04-03T08:53:00.002-04:00

The group is developing an online game called Trait Mate to measure and modify children's stereotypical beliefs. By the age of 5, stereotypes about gender have been indoctrinated.Excerpts:"“Stereotype threat can be induced by a variety of subtle cues in thetesting environment,” McGlone said, “such as the gender composition of aclass or being asked to indicate one’s ethnicity or gender on a

Pair Programming and Women

2008-04-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

ABSTRACT:Pair programming, when used as a form of collaborative learning, has beenshown to increase the number of women (and men) persisting in theirpreviously stated intent to pursue degrees in computer science. Inaddition, paired teams have been found to significantly outperformindividual programmers in terms of program functionality and readability,to report greater satisfaction with the

Surprise Surprise Video Game Study Discounts Girls

2008-04-02T10:50:00.000-04:00

Surprise, Surprise...video game study discounts girlsby Suzanne Freyjadis-Chuberka"Two Harvard researchers have just released a book based on a study aboutthe nature of violent games and their effect on youth...In an interview the lead researcher, Prof. Cheryl Olson says, "Since we bought into the myth that girls don't like violent games, we didn't recruit them for focus groups in this set of

Diary Girl

2008-03-19T17:14:00.002-04:00

Konami sent out the following press release for well, it's not really a game, more of a social networking tool: KONAMI SHIPS DIARY GIRL TO RETAIL STORES NATIONWIDEMake Friends Around the World With New Children's Title on Nintendo DS™EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - March 18, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Diary Girl™ has shipped to retail stores in North America. Developed

Little Girl Games

2008-03-02T14:27:00.002-05:00

This article from the Escapist, while titled "Little Girl Games," seems to be more about working with licensed IP.An excerpt"It's easy to see how these kinds of elements might get overlooked by a development team comprised primarily of young men. But as Corbetta explained, one of the first things he learned in working on licensed titles is you're not making a game for yourself."

Interview with Per Rosendal of Guppyworks

2008-02-29T15:03:00.004-05:00

Interview with Per Rosendal, CEO, Guppyworks. Guppyworks is working on Guppylife, a MMO for girls. This interview was conducted in behalf of GameDev.Net

Sony Scholarship

2008-02-24T14:43:00.002-05:00

Wed Feb 20, 7:37 PM ETSAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) said Wednesday it is luring women into video game design with a 10,000-dollar scholarship and paid internships."We are under-represented," Devra Pransky of SOE told AFP after the announcement of the scholarship at a major Game Developers Conference in San Francisco."Video game making is male dominated and we need to