Women In Gaming

[News] [Computer Gaming]

There's an article doing the rounds about the 100 Most Influential Women in the Game Industry, which is probably worth your time to read if you're interested in game biz or in gender politics. The article doesn't do much alone - it's just a list, and the sad reality is you've probably never heard of most of the people on it. But it's just fine as a starting point for some discussion.

I remember when if you said, "It's so cool that there are women in game design," the response would be, "Oh yeah, so you've heard of Roberta Williams too?" Now there's a real cohort of talent emerging (or, for a different perspective, the talent that's always been there is getting recognition).

But how do you feel that the list features no less than three girl-gamer clan heads? Morgan "Rhoulette" Romine of the Frag Dolls, Amber "Athena Twin" Dalton of the PMS Clan, and Jamie "Missy" Pereyda of the Girlz of Destruction are all front-and-centre for the article. Honestly, if you did the 100 most influential men in gaming, would you find room on the list for even one pro-gamer?

And where's the media attention? I can't remember the last time I saw a talk about the industry given by a woman reported with anything near the fervor you hear when Ken Kutaragi or Reggie Fils-Aime talk business, or when Shigeru Miyamoto or Hideo Kojima or Will Wright discuss game design. Heck, even the blogs don't seem to break the water as often. When Raph Koster or Chris Crawford or Greg Costikyan has something to say, it's everywhere. I don't recall ever seeing that kind of net-sphere controversy happening with a woman's name attached.

The list's a little dry, but the issue certainly isn't. If you've got a blog and a few seconds to spare, it might be worth your time to put forth your thoughts.

PS: Grats to a certain Ms Taylor of Wonderland for making the list.