Girls In Tech

I have always had a passion for video games. Since I was a child, I played them whether I was with friends or alone. I loved games so much that I started an online social network for female gamers. Yet despite all that, when I’m faced with the question of “what do you do?” I seem to get the same premature response every time: “Really? Girls play video games?!?”

Now I know what you’re thinking: “This isn’t the 18th century anymore, people don’t really still think that, do they?” Well… the good news is… they don’t.

As much as men (and the occasional woman) like to crack jokes about females not being into technology, or gaming, I’m happy to say that these people are now few and far between. This is a time of change, and the ones leading the way are the ones who have familiarized themselves with all things tech around them. Women who could barely enter the menu options on their cell phones just five years ago are now adding friends and family to their Facebook App on their smartphones. Forget sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper in the mornings, moms today use the Kindle to stay in touch with the news before the paper can even reach the doorstep. Young girls are asking for the upcoming iPhone 4G for their birthdays before the boys on their block knew there was a new iphone on the way.

The transition happened so fast one could barely see it coming. And the gaming industry is no different. Today, whether you game, work, or know someone that does, it’s hard to walk through a mall and not be surrounded by people and media of video games. This is especially true for women. More women play video games today than they have ever in the history of the industry. In fact, the numbers are split almost 50/50.  With so many platforms, genre’s and choices available today, it’s no wonder we’re now seeing those kinds of numbers.
Whether you’re a friendly Solitaire player, or a competitive player at parties or with friends, or an avid game developer, women are flooding the halls with gaming influence. And I, for one, am raising my glass to the prospect of this growth continuing.