Girls In Games
Two years ago, I submitted an idea for a contest called Ideas Happen (sponsored by Visa). My idea was to create a digital video of monkeys. For a brief moment, my idea crested at the top of the popularity for the entire site, among thousands of entries. I thought I would get money in order to create my video. Alas, the judges didn’t listen to the populace, and went with something else.
I don’t have an idea this year, but a friend of mine does. Here’s her pitch, followed by the link to vote. Just go and click a button. Feel free to click often.
Computer gaming is a global industry that rivals Hollywood in revenue, but marginalizes the female voice. Women comprise 50% of game consumers, yet hold less than 10% of the industrys leadership and development roles. The male dominated industry continues to poorly address its female audience.
I want to build a mentoring program that introduces, supports, and empowers women in the industry. It would provide projects that professional and aspiring developers would collaborate on. Participation would include all aspects of game development, from design and planning, team management, to art creation and programming. I would form a community linking interested women with industry veterans who can provide insight, support and education.
Winning Ideas Happen would allow the program to acquire the software tools it needs to be at the forefront of the industry. It would also allow the establishment of a community presence, to attract and bring together likeminded individuals.
Gaming is missing a level of creativity and innovation that women would provide. Attracting more women to the industry would ignite a new age in the games we play and the stories we tell.
Vote Here: http://ideashappen.msn.com/Entries/Default.aspx?id=36679
All in all, a noble and worthy cause. And as the game market expands, this becomes an evergrowing business opportunity as well.