Girls just wanna have fun (too)

SA publisher Finweek has uploaded the latest edition of its Money Matters insert, which discusses popular topics in the week’s edition of Finweek magazine.

The South African gaming industry was up for discussion, and the conversation covered topics such as SA market growth, gamer demographics, and challenges for the SA industry.

On the panel were local gaming developer, Travis Bullford, of Celestial Games (Toxic Bunny); Colin Webster of the MSSA; Finweek Journalist, Jessica Hubbard; and Finweek editor, Marc Ashton.

Within the constraints of 20 minutes, the conversation, while interesting, didn’t delve into much detail. However, a comment regarding SA female gaming demographics caused a bit of a stir on twitter among SA journalists, including female gamer, Pippa Tshabalala.

MyGaming contacted Tshabalala, who explained the issue at hand:

In the introduction they specifically state that they’re “Fighting perceptions against reality today” in this discussion, and yet the stereotypes are so present here. After a conversation with Finweek [following the] Twitter debate, they specifically stated they were focussing on economics not demographics; but if you’re going to bring demographics into it and discuss the role of women in the gaming market, you need to make sure that you’ve researched your topic.

Marc Ashton says he understands guys who go and spend money on their gaming setup, but he can’t imagine a woman doing that.

Jessica Hubbard, who is contributing to the conversation, while perhaps she’s an expert in her field, openly admits she’s not a gamer. This is a discussion about gaming; you mention women in that conversation; and yet the woman contributing to it is approaching the conversation from an outsider’s perspective.

Marc Ashton mentions his wife and the Facebook games she plays, and while it seems like he meant it innocently enough – coupled with Hubbard’s comment about the social networking aspect of gaming and puzzle games – makes it appear as if women really only occupy this space.

I don’t think the slight was intentional at all, but I think the conversation is inherently white and male, and as a media broadcaster, especially a news programme, you have a social responsibility to attempt to do your research and engage with people that are aware of that.

Women already face so much opposition in this market, in journalism, online, etc, that to see the stereotype still so present in a discussion such as this quite disheartening.

Female gamers are far more prolific than many believe, and just because some of us don’t play BF3 or COD that doesn’t mean that we automatically play Facebook games, or feel the need to tie our games into these social networks. In fact, while I might not be a big COD player, I know plenty of girls that are, and the implication that we would only play fighting or shooting games to get out our frustrations is patronising and insulting, even if that was not the intent.

Lastly, I have to say upfront that Finweek have been very open to discussion with regards to redressing the issues I raised, which is essential in a debate of this kind and have in fact invited me onto their show, along with other people involved in the discussion in order to address this issue. The fact that they’re willing to discuss it is essential, because they haven’t been defensive or tried to ignore the conversation, they’re actively engaging and explaining their intent and acknowledging that perhaps they made a mistake in their approach there.

Finweek Money Matters: SA gaming industry discussion

South African gaming market

Finweek describes SA gamers as a high earning, fiercely loyal, and highly intelligent target market.

Bulford outlines that developers are interested in how much gamers are spending, and how many hours they spend playing. Globally, people aged 36+ are the highest spending gaming target market, said Bulford, with females 33+ a growing market segment.

Ashton said that the high-end demographics of gamers means that it is a somewhat recession proof market; the logic being that because there are many prerequisites to the hobby (hardware and equipment), those who can afford it generally remain able to afford it – I.E. employed and able to purchase new games.

Bulford added that big-name, AAA games from large publishers are increasingly going up against cheaper alternatives from small developers and publishers. Hubbard said that social games are driving uptake of the hobby, especially among female gamers.

The panel also touched on South African infrastructure and how it needs to be improved to support the development of the local industry. As MyGaming readers will no doubt already know, our local Internet services are rather lacking in comparison to international markets, and this is hampering local developers and gamers.

A previous report outlined the size of the SA gaming market, which has an estimated spend exceeding R1.7-billion by 2016.

As for 2013, the gaming spend is estimated at R1.41 billion, up from the R1.33 billion in 2012. The 2013 market should generate R784 million in console and handheld games, R123 million in the PC games market, and R168 million in online gaming, with R312 million going towards mobile gaming.

You can read the article that was the foundation of this Finweek Money Matters show here: DEBATE: The female gamer