Category Girls Games

Girls' games represent a genre of video games developed primarily for young female players, emerging as a distinct category in the 1990s during what's known as the "girls' games movement" . This movement sought to serve young girls who were considered underserved by a video game industry primarily catering to boys' tastes . Today, these games encompass a wide range of experiences beyond traditional stereotypes, offering unique blends of creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving that appeal to many players .

Historical Development

The development of girls' games as a distinct genre includes several key milestones:
Early beginnings in the 1980s with titles like "Barbie" for the Commodore 64 
The "girls' games movement" of the 1990s with dedicated development studios 
Purple Moon (founded 1995) as a notable developer creating "coming-of-age games" featuring teenager Rockett Movado 
"Purple games" segment based on market research into girls' preferences and interests 
Criticism from feminists who considered some games too focused on stereotypically feminine interests like gossip, relationships, and makeup 
Preservation efforts through organizations like FEMICOM Museum (founded 2012) to document and raise awareness about these games 

Key Characteristics

Modern girls' games typically feature:
Strong female characters and diverse storylines that provide representation 
Creative expression through customization, design, and personalization 
Narrative-driven experiences emphasizing storytelling and character development 
Problem-solving elements that encourage critical thinking 
Social interaction facilitating connection with other players 
Safe, inclusive spaces for self-expression and exploration 

Major Categories and Subgenres

Girls' games span numerous genres and themes:

Fashion and Design Games
Games revolving around outfit creation, character styling, and fashion design 
Notable examples include "Barbie Fashion Designer" (1996) which allowed players to design and print Barbie clothes 
Online platforms like "Stardoll" focus on dressing up dolls and participating in fashion challenges 

Life and Farm Simulations
Popular titles like "The Sims," "Harvest Moon," "Animal Crossing," and "Stardew Valley" 
These games allow players to manage virtual lives, relationships, and environments 

Adventure and Mystery Games
The "Nancy Drew Series" focuses on solving puzzles and mysteries 
These games develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills 

Puzzle and Casual Games
"Three in a row" games like "Candy Crush Saga," "Bejeweled," and "Farm Heroes Saga" 
Board games and other puzzle-based experiences 

Media Franchise Games
Games based on popular franchises like "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" 
Series like "American Girl," "Angelique," "Barbie," "Imagine," "Jewelpet," "Mary-Kate and Ashley," "Powerpuff Girls," "Sailor Moon," and "Strawberry Shortcake" 

Platform Preferences

Research shows distinct genre preferences across different gaming platforms:

Mobile Devices (85% of female gamers)
Puzzle games (88%) 
Board games (80%) 
Racing (47%) 
Simulators (47%) 
Action games (39%) 

PC Games (60% of female gamers)
Racing (54%) 
Life simulators (53%) 
Strategies (47%) 
Shooters (46%) 
Social games (42%) 

Console Games (23% of female gamers)
Racing (62%) 
Sports simulators (48%) 
Life simulators (48%) 
Shooters (47%) 
"Sandbox" games (43%) 

Popular Titles and Player Preferences

Research reveals specific preferences among female gamers:
Assassin's Creed: Syndicate is cited as a favorite open-world game 
Dragon Age: Inquisition is highlighted as a favorite Western RPG 
Star Wars: The Old Republic has a higher percentage of female players (29%) than World of Warcraft (23%) 
High fantasy is preferred by more female players (36%) than sci-fi (16%) 
Recent favorites include Roblox, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Senua 2 

Impact on Gaming Industry

Girls' games have significantly influenced the broader gaming landscape:
Market expansion by attracting a broader audience (48% of gamers in the USA are women) 
Increased diversity in characters and storylines 
Merchandising opportunities through toys, clothing, and accessories 
Community building through online forums and social platforms 
Mainstream influence with customization and social features adopted by other genres 

Educational and Cultural Benefits

These games offer numerous developmental advantages:
Creativity enhancement through design-focused gameplay 
Problem-solving skills development via puzzles and challenges 
Social skills improvement through multiplayer interactions 
Time management learning through task-based gameplay 
Academic reinforcement with reading and math elements 
Role modeling through positive character representation 
Empowerment by allowing players to take leadership roles 

Current Trends and Future Outlook

The girls' games genre continues to evolve with:
Greater inclusivity featuring more diverse characters and storylines 
Enhanced interactivity through technological advancements 
Cross-platform accessibility allowing gameplay across multiple devices 
User-generated content encouraging creativity and community engagement 
Expanded genre boundaries as games blend elements from multiple categories 
Continued growth with traditional franchises and new innovative titles 

Despite early stereotyping, girls' games have evolved into a diverse and influential segment of the gaming industry, providing meaningful experiences that develop skills while entertaining players across age groups, platforms, and interests.