INTERVIEW: Gamegirl.com

Speaking to CasualGaming.biz, site manager and lead writer for GameGirl.com Raychul Moore explains why she’s rather explore tombs and shoot stuff than imagine at being a teacher or ballet dancer…

CG.biz: If games truly are for everyone, then why is there a need for a site specifically targeting female gamers?

RM: I don't think games are for everyone. Just like movies, TV, sports and other types of entertainment are not for everyone. Some enjoy it, some don't. I don't think there is a problem with targeting certain games to females. Games like Call of Duty, Dead or Alive and Halo are marketed towards guys and no one seems to have a problem with that. I am going to play what I want to play, no matter what sex or race that particular game is marketed to.

CG.biz: How has the industry’s attitude toward the female consumer changed in recent years?

RM: It's changed for the good and the bad. Because gaming is the ‘cool’ thing to do right now, we see a huge influx of girls getting into gaming trying to make it into Hollywood or trying to get the attention. So even though the industry seems to have become more accepting, it's also more wary of girls who claim to be gamers. When this popularity contest in the gaming industry is over we will see who are the ones left standing and who moves on to the next ‘in’ thing.

CG.biz: Do you think there are still problems with how females are depicted in most mainstream games?

RM: Nope, I like girl characters with big boobs and tiny outfits. Gaming allows our imagination to run wild, gaming is all about doing the impossible, so why do I want a normal, average female character in my games? I want the over-the-top gore, the muscled men and the top heavy females. Sure, realistic characters are fun too, but nothing wrong with some over-exaggeration.

CG.biz: What’s the worst ‘female-friendly’ game you’ve encountered?

RM: Again, I don't play games based solely on if they are marketed towards me or not, I play games that look interesting to me. Honestly, I haven't really played many ‘chick games’. It's funny – girls don't complain when movies like How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days or The Devil Wears Prada or Legally Blonde is marketed towards them, but they get all pissy when a game looks targeted to them even in the slightest. Kinda silly what people will get worked up about.

CG.biz: In your experience, what is the single most popular title amongst girl gamers?

RM: Probably Final Fantasy 7 or pretty much any Final Fantasy game. Girls seem to love RPG's.

CG.biz: What’s the single most important piece of advice you would give to a publisher who was looking to pitch a new title to the female market?

RM: If you think it's a game females would enjoy then go for it. Honestly, girls will find something to complain about most of the time, so you can't let kinda stuff bother you. Market your game to who you think would enjoy it the most and if it's good, they will buy it even if they are complaining about it.

Seriously, talk to any girl and ask them which games they think were offensively targeted towards them and they will tell you which games, but they will also tell you that they bought it and loved it. Why should a publisher worry about pissing off female games if they are still buying the particular game and proving the publishers right by loving it? Publishers care about the money, if they are still getting it, then why stop?