Okay, listen. Just who is responsible for the idea that females -- note, no specification of age or tastes there, just the entire gender -- only like a certain type of game? And why do publishers feel the need to tell us, repeatedly, "ladies, this game's for you?" Perhaps we can't be trusted to make our own decisions about what is and isn't fun. Never mind all those chicks playing Guitar Hero and RPGs and even -- gasp -- first person shooters. If you're female, it's either Imagine Babyz if you're under fifteen, or puzzle games if you're over. That's scientific fact.So why do I feel so unimpressed by the purportedly-relaxing Zenses: Rainforest? Maybe, unlike Zenses: Ocean, it's not "designed specifically to appeal to females." Either way, this female feels a little more inclined to turn to Puchi Puchi Virus for her dot-connecting needs. Maybe it's the trippy art style. Maybe it's the fact that they're not trying to tell me to like anything (except Disgaea, apparently). Or maybe that's just my personal taste, resulting from an ability to make decisions without being guided in one way or another. Now it's your turn to do the same: check out the screenshots and see if Zenses: Rainforest is up your alley. It does look relaxing, and perhaps worthwhile, now that all the rage and bile is cleared out. See? The relaxation bit is working already.
P.S. You boys can look, too. It's okay. We won't tell.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-17-2008 @ 5:16PM
Kimiko said...
I totally agree with you on the frustration with game companies' idea of what women gamers like. Don't they understand that we just want good games (with female avatars&heroines please), not pinkified shovelware?
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7-17-2008 @ 5:44PM
Jacksons said...
See, that's their clean, fresh and stylish look specifically designed to appeal to females and their sensibilities at work. There surely isn't enough violence, swearing or fast cars to target a manly man like myself, and it certainly takes ovaries to appreciate their mélange of smooth, ambient tunes. Or possibly just the word "mélange."
I would add that it looks a little blah, but I am not the intended audience and my opinion would be as irrelevant as if I were to evaluate different tampons.
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7-17-2008 @ 5:50PM
aj said...
Female gamers really are more complex than pink packaging and barbie games. But we all know that all men really do like is sports, violence, chicks, and cars. I guess it is okay for game companies to dictate to men what they should like and be. And as such, there is no reason to be offended when they see scantily clad women parading around to advertise the latest blood-soaked kill game. That's only the way of the world.
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7-17-2008 @ 9:53PM
Sakura3210 said...
That's the thing though, the guys I know AREN'T like that and DO feel offended when pushed to like or dislike based on gender (e.g. friend who hates FPS and likes ACWW).
I think that the second a company feels they have to advertise to a stereotype is the second they've decided that their game isn't good enough to appeal to on its value alone. And if they think that, why should I think otherwise?
7-17-2008 @ 9:55PM
Sakura3210 said...
That's the thing though, the guys I know AREN'T like that and DO feel offended when pushed to like or dislike based on gender (e.g. friend who hates FPS and likes ACWW).
I think that the second a company feels they have to advertise to a stereotype is the second they've decided that their game isn't good enough to appeal to on its value alone. And if they think that, why should I think otherwise?