Cultural Gender Issues · Gender Issues • Color in computer games…. – Western culture • Red...
Transcript of Cultural Gender Issues · Gender Issues • Color in computer games…. – Western culture • Red...
Cultural & Gender Issues
in
Game Design
Maja & Paul Pivec © 2008 - 2013
Gender Issues
• Guy Gamers versus
Girl Gamers
• Gender Neutral Game Design
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Gender Issues
• Guys - like to “Win” • Girls - like Adventure
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• Guys - enjoy “Violence”
• Girls - don’t
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Gender Issues
• Guys - like “buxom” females
• Girls - don’t
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• Guys - Punished for failure
• Girls - Forgiven for failure
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Gender Issues
• Guys - want “fun”
• Girls - enjoy problem solving
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• Guys - want competition
• Girls - want low frustration
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Gender Issues
• Guys - want Combat
• Girls - want Relationships
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• Guys - fast moving
• Girls - aesthetics; colors, images
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Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter
Half life 2
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Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter • Real time Strategy
Warhammer
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Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter • Real time Strategy • Role Playing Game
City of Heroes
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Gender Issues
• Male preferred games…
• First Person Shooter • Real time Strategy • Role Playing Game • Racing Games
Need for Speed
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• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games
The Sims 2
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• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games • Adventure Games
Tomb Raider
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• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games • Adventure Games • Activity Games
Sing Star
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• Female preferred games…
• Sims Games • Adventure Games • Activity Games • Animal Games
Nintendogs
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Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral features – Fantasy – Humor – Rewards not punishment – Complex storyline, Complex activities – Curiosity – Emotions
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• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure
Monkey Island
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Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play
World of Warcraft
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Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play • Simulation
Zoo Tycoon
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Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play • Simulation • Puzzle
Super Collapse
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Gender Issues
• Gender Neutral Genres
• Adventure • Role Play • Simulation • Puzzle • Activity
Buzz
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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)
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Lara Croft “Tomb Raider”
(Crystal Dynamics)
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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)
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Aion (Aion Development)
Spore (Maxis)
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“Nearly 80% of the students emotionally connected with the virtual characters.”
(Dias, et al., 2006)
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Coca-Cola (Superbowl Advertisement)
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• 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.
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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”.
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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.
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Gender Issues