Ridiculous Life Lessons From New Girl Games

[DeadPoolX]

Wired has a new article entitled Ridiculous Life Lessons From New Girl Games.

I'm not a "girl gamer." That makes sense since I am not female (something I'm sure Maia is very happy about). However, if I were female, I'd find games such as My Boyfriend and Princess in Love incredibly insulting. As a guy, I feel sorry for younger women gamers who're exposed to this crap.

It's fascinating, really. As the percentage of female gamers rise, gaming companies cater to the idea that all girls care about is makeup, clothes and looking attractive for boys. You'd think that given the number of women playing games like World of Warcraft and Guild Wars (not to mention many single player games, such as Mass Effect or Fallout 3), these companies would realize that a lot of women like the same gaming experiences as guys do.

Maybe the problem is the intended audience. Pre-teens and teenagers are aimed at with these games. The Nintendo DS is also the platform of choice and is considered the "ultimate casual gaming" console (even beyond the Wii). The DS is light and portable, easy to use and comes in multiple colors -- including pink, which "every" girl loves!

[Datadog]

I was always aware of things like My Little Pony games and Barbie Horse Adventures (or whatever it's called,) but I always figured that some girl gamers went for that stuff and there was no problem supplying for demand. And then I find out these games exist. Yikes.

I think that some of these might be more dangerous than a GTA game. In GTA, you're still penalized for committing crimes, and naturally you get shot at or go to jail. In these ones, you're spreading rumors, enforcing negative social stereotypes, and maxing out credit cards without anyone bringing an army of tanks down on you. In fact, it looks like the only consequence girls can walk away with on some of these is that it's game over if you're not pretty enough.

On the plus side, it makes me appreciate my job more. At least I'm not a 3D Modeler working on "Babyz Fashion." I'd have to lie about my job every day.

[shellybee]

Makes me feel very fortunate that my 12 year old daughter enjoys games like Phsychonauts..God of War ...Devil May cry ..and Bio Shock....
I like to think I influenced her a bit.. especially since clothes and makeup and the like don't play a big role in my life...

[BBP]

Never have been too much into make-up, looking-good-for-boys, pink, horses, ballet etc either... not enough feminine influence in the house I suppose. But I wouldn't say it's a modern thing. Women have been stereotyped as that, and marketed as that, since, well... when did marketing start? It's actually getting better before it gets worse. Just read a 1950s woman magazine, or watch cartoons or read comics from that era, and see how much progress we're making.

[Maiandra]

Some of those definitely seem to be reinforcing negative behaviour. It's a shame to see that "popular clique" garbage actively promoted like that.

Some of them seem relatively harmless, if a bit fluffy. Even when I was a child and actually played with things like My Little Ponies and Barbies, they had way more exciting adventures than they show in the commercials. Even then, I never understood why the companies assumed we would just mess around combing their hair and using their accessories when it was possible to have so much more fun with them. I also played with Star Wars figures.

[DeadPoolX]

It's weird that toy companies have been re-releasing all the old 80s toys. I can understand Transformers and G.I. JOE given the recently released and upcoming movies. But the others?

I've seen My Little Pony and even some sort of re-release of He-Man from a "new-and-improved" cartoon. Adam still looks like a wuss, but at least he wasn't wearing pink and purple tights.

Probably the worst is Care Bears. Apparently someone had the bright idea to reintroduce those saccharin-sweet furballs.

What next? Voltron? Pound Puppies? Rainbow Brite?

[BBP]

It's weird that toy companies have been re-releasing all the old 80s toys. I can understand Transformers and G.I. JOE given the recently released and upcoming movies. But the others?

I've seen My Little Pony and even some sort of re-release of He-Man from a "new-and-improved" cartoon. Adam still looks like a wuss, but at least he wasn't wearing pink and purple tights.

Probably the worst is Care Bears. Apparently someone had the bright idea to reintroduce those saccharin-sweet furballs.

What next? Voltron? Pound Puppies? Rainbow Brite?

You kiddin'? I adore the CareBears! First film I remember seeing in cinema. But there IS a huge quality gap between the old cartoons and the new ones. The newer ones are awful, but the older ones are so sweet! And it's fun for me seeing all the cute little fuzzballs back in the toystore.

Nah, then take Strawberry Shortcake. No fun then, and absolutely horrible now.

[Qbix]

releasing 20 year old toys again.. The adults buying the toys are familiar with them and have good memories of them. Hence they are likely to sell.

[Rath Darkblade]

When do we see the Smurfs again?

[therogue]

Its freaking depressing that's what those games are. Because, everyone knows that girls like totally only like pink and gossiping

[MusicallyInspired]

I'd just like to drop in this thread and say that this 24-year-old married man with two children thinks Care Bears is awesome.

[DeadPoolX]

Bah. Care Bears make Woodstock-type hippies look like 1980s yuppies.