Do Video Games Designed for Training Still Preference the

Male Model?

• Lee Brasseur• Illinois State University

• Normal IL

Microsoft’s Rise of Nations Game: Sample Characters

Deus Ex Invisible War

Game Show Training Game

Food Force

• Designed by the United Nations• Free on the Internet• Teaches users about real world

methods of addressing problems of hunger in the world

Sheri Graner Ray

Criteria for Gender-Friendly Game

1. Can players assume their own roles instead of assuming the role of ready-made characters? (Graner-Ray)

2. If a female avatar is used, is she portrayed in non-sexualized ways? (Graner-Ray)

Food Force Introduction

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Gender-Friendly Criteria

3. Does the conflict style offer alternative indirect methods as well as direct conflict methods? If there is violence, is there a reason for it? (Graner-Ray)

Missions

Negotiation Scenario

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Gender-Friendly Criteria

4. Does the game offer an emotional tie-in or social aspects? (Graner Ray)

Applying Lessons from Food Force

Gender-Friendly Criteria

5. Are female character’s sexual characteristics exaggerated or are female characters depicted as objects to be retrieved or rescued or other stereotypical roles? (Graner Ray)

Food Force Character: Miles

Food Force Character: Carlos

Food Force Briefing

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Food Force Character: Joe

Food Force Character: Angela

Angela talking to user

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Food Force Character: Rachel

Rachel in conversation

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Jen SunWhyville.Net

Gender Friendly Criteria

6. Is it multiplayer and competitive?

Gender-Friendly Criteria

7. Does it have elements of personification? (Jen Sun)

Gender Friendly Criteria

7. Does it offer opportunities to create avatars? (Jen Sun)

8. Is it a multiplayer game? (Jen Sun)

Constance Steinkuehler, University of Wisconsin-

Madison

Gender-Friendly Game Criteria

9. Does it provide an opportunity to explore? (Constance Steinkuehler, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

What conclusions can we reach?