The Saudi girls who are going mad for gaming

47% of players on gaming devices are female, says US Entertainment Software Agency For Reem Al-Rashould, 15, a first year secondary school student, the game that she enjoys the most this year is “Crash Bandicoot.” As for Falwa Alsuwailem, 22, a translation specialist , “Tom Raider” is her game of preference. The types of games that attract Saudi women these days varies, from games that incorporate adventure and excitement, to those that feature elements of horror, RPG (role play games), war and strategic combat. More female gamers are determined to break stereotypes that restrict video games to a boy’s territory.
According to a study conducted by the US Entertainment Software Agency (ESA) for 2012, 47 percent of players of any type of gaming devices are female. The study reveals that 30 percent of female players are above the age of 18, while male players, which constitute only about 17 percent or less, are typically aged 17 and below. Moreover, women constitute 48 percent of the purchasing power of these games, and the study concludes that 35 is the average age of buyers from both sexes.
Reem enjoys games that require strategic planning and a wide imagination, such as “Battlefield 3” and “Assasin’s Creed”. Meanwhile, Shaimaa Alsilali, 22, a student of languages and translation, enjoys games that incorporate adventure and excitement, such as “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.” Tasneem Al-Salim, 22, who is specializing in computer science, does not enjoy hunting games, and believes that the horror game, “Resident Evil 3” was the best of the most recent games she tried, in addition to the series, “Devil May Cry.”
Game development is known in the gaming industry as the process of developing gaming software. It can involve one person or an entire company, and requires extensive time and substantial funding. Independent games, however, can be produced for cheaper and less time.
Prince Sultan University in Riyadh hosted female players at the Girls Convention last year, which was organized by Falwa, Tasnmeen, and their friend Najlaa AlOraifi. The forum was the first of its kind in the Middle East, and aimed to attract support and attention to female gamers.
Tasneem informed us that they also sought, through GCon, to encourage girls to work in areas of game development, which incorporates drawing, story writing, and finally, programming. She considers the convention an opportunity to create jobs, especially due to the fact that females constitute only a small segment in the field of development, not only in the Arab world, but in the West as well. Courses have received a wide audience, as organizations are working to create workshops for development over the course of the year.
Many girls interested in games have complained of receiving negative feedback from society regarding their hobby. Reem wryly says, “When I talk with someone about gaming, I’m immediately viewed as a boy.” Shaimaa agrees adding, “Frankly, most people deem it a total waste of time, whereas for boys it is viewed as their natural right!”
Another gamer, Farah, joins her voice to the other girls stating, “Society thinks that this hobby is only for males, but GCon has proven the opposite.”
Dealing with society’s negative opinion is a price the girls have to pay for the pleasure they receive from gaming. Falwa says, “Imagination is the main thing that attracts me to the games, as I feel I can live the experience, be the hero of the story, and enjoy venturing.”