cultural gender issues · gender issues • color in computer games…. – western culture • red...
TRANSCRIPT
Cultural & Gender Issues
in
Game Design
Maja & Paul Pivec © 2008 - 2013
Gender Issues
• Guy Gamers versus
Girl Gamers
• Gender Neutral Game Design
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - like to “Win” • Girls - like Adventure
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - enjoy “Violence”
• Girls - don’t
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - like “buxom” females
• Girls - don’t
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - Punished for failure
• Girls - Forgiven for failure
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - want “fun”
• Girls - enjoy problem solving
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - want competition
• Girls - want low frustration
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - want Combat
• Girls - want Relationships
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Guys - fast moving
• Girls - aesthetics; colors, images
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter
Half life 2
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter • Real time Strategy
Warhammer
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter • Real time Strategy • Role Playing Game
City of Heroes
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter • Real time Strategy • Role Playing Game • Racing Games
Need for Speed
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games
The Sims 2
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games • Adventure Games
Tomb Raider
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games • Adventure Games • Activity Games
Sing Star
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games • Adventure Games • Activity Games • Animal Games
Nintendogs
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral features – Fantasy – Humor – Rewards not punishment – Complex storyline, Complex activities – Curiosity – Emotions
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure
Monkey Island
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play
World of Warcraft
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play • Simulation
Zoo Tycoon
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play • Simulation • Puzzle
Super Collapse
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play • Simulation • Puzzle • Activity
Buzz
Gender Issues
Gender Issues Gender Issues
Gender Neutral Design • Role Play Games • Fantasy & Humor • Rewards not Punishment • Complex Activities and Storyline • Likeable central Character
Gender Issues
• Color in computer games….
– Males prefer warm colors and saturated colors.
– Females prefer cool colors and softer colors.
– Females have a higher sensitivity to color than males.
Gender Issues
Gender Issues • Color in computer games….
– Under 10 years - Strong bright colors to promote happiness.
– 10 - 25 years - Warm colors. Intense color to attract attention.
– 25 - 50 years - Cool and intermediate colors, more realism.
– Over 50 years - Warm saturated color with differentiation.
Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Color in computer games….
– Western culture • Red signifies danger or anger. • Yellow is cowardice or caution. • White is purity or goodness. • Blue is calmness or coolness.
– Eastern culture • Red signifies joy or festivity. • Yellow is Honor or royalty. • White is Death and mourning. • Blue is strength and power.
Cultural Issues
Gender Issues Gender Issues
Faith Conners “Mirrors Edge”
(EA Digital)
Gender Issues Gender Issues
Lara Croft “Tomb Raider”
(Crystal Dynamics)
Gender Issues Gender Issues
Samus Aran “Metroid Prime”
(Retro Studios)
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Master Chief “Halo”
(Bungie)
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Duke “Duke Nukem”
(3D Realms).
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Mario “Mario Series”
(Nintendo)
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World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)
Star Wars Galaxies (Sony Online)
Gender Issues Gender Issues
Aion (Aion Development)
Spore (Maxis)
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“Nearly 80% of the students emotionally connected with the virtual characters.”
(Dias, et al., 2006)
Gender Issues Gender Issues
Coca-Cola (Superbowl Advertisement)
Gender Issues
• Design for Gender – Topic, Genre, Style. – Gender specific, gender appropriate.
• Design for Age group – Topic, Genre, Style. – Preference awareness, age appropriate.
• Design for Culture – Topic, Genre, Style. – Culturally sensitive.
Cultural &Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Successful games come from original ideas. – Not another FPS or SIMS clone!
• Target games lacking in popularity and analysis why. – Good games fail for the wrong reasons.
• Analyze strengths and weaknesses of similar games. – Research your competition.
Cultural &Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Must be easy yet interesting, obvious not confusing.
• Minimal frustration, Maximum feedback.
• Attractive graphics and sound.
• Well designed tutorial, can be within gameplay.
• Scaffolded gameplay and create the “hook”.
Cultural &Gender Issues
Gender Issues
• Design for target audience • Test early and often • Innovate don’t imitate • Mixed gender design team
Cultural &Gender Issues
Gender Issues Practical Work - Session 5
§ In your groups, discuss the following and document the outcome in your development blog: – Which genre is your game?
– Who is your target audience?
– Why will your game appeal to this audience?
– Which features of your game are gender specific?
– How could you make your game Gender Neutral?
Gender Issues
Gender Issues Practical Work - Session 5 cont…
§ Swap one group member with another team. Explain your game concept without telling them who your intended target audience is. Ask them which gender your idea would suit and why.
§ Reflect on their answers and document in your blog any changes you may wish to make as a result of this exercise.
Gender Issues
Gender Issues