| While it may seem stereotypical, most girls | | | | game, girls are much more involved and gain |
| enjoy many of the same styles of games. This | | | | much more. |
| is not to say these games are exclusive to | | | | |
| females, or that these young women might not | | | | For many girls, it is not about winning or |
| enjoy the same pursuits as boys. In general, | | | | even advancing. The storylines and |
| however, it does seem that scores of girls | | | | relationships between characters can be |
| flock to the same activities time and time | | | | enough to keep them coming back for more. In |
| again for very specific reasons. | | | | many games appealing to girls, both online |
| | | | and off, characters are developed with |
| Fantasy | | | | stories and personalities of their own. |
| | | | Rarely is a game marketed to young women with |
| Girls as young as toddlers love to act out | | | | faceless entities racking up points in one |
| fantasy lives and roles. Baby dolls and dress | | | | way or another. |
| up clothes transform these girls to | | | | |
| make-believe mothers and princesses in a | | | | Friendly |
| split second. These games do not end with the | | | | |
| school years. Young girls, and even young | | | | Girls like competition, but most prefer it to |
| women, continue to enjoy creating fantasy | | | | be friendly. For most females, regardless of |
| characters and lives for recreation. | | | | age, the relationship is more crucial than |
| Electronic "pets" and online personas take | | | | the victory. If two girls are engaged in a |
| the place of the earlier dolls, but some | | | | contest online, they are more likely to |
| versions of dolls continue to live on. | | | | praise the other's creation or efforts than |
| | | | tear anyone down. This is especially true |
| While Barbie might be blasé, girls in | | | | when a young lady exposes herself to opinions |
| their teens still regularly discuss other | | | | by sharing some of her own work or thoughts. |
| forms of dolls. Online dress up games found | | | | |
| on websites such as offer these young ladies | | | | For example, doll websites, such as |
| an opportunity to create fantastical | | | | TheDollPalace.com, offer competitions and |
| creations in whatever style they desire. | | | | contests between girls to create certain |
| These games go far beyond a slightly complex | | | | styles of dolls or even stories about their |
| coloring book. The dolls take on lives of | | | | creations. Rather than criticize or insult |
| their own, guided by these same girls who had | | | | the competing stories, most girls offer |
| tea parties with water in the teapot and | | | | praise or positive comments. There are rarely |
| imaginary cookies. | | | | sore losers, either. |
| | | | |
| Multidimensional | | | | While not all girl games remain friendly, the |
| | | | vast majority of girls enjoy games without |
| Many of the more traditional games have a | | | | the rougher elements of more traditional |
| single dimension. You become a player or | | | | competition. Overall, girls may enjoy the |
| character and move through a predetermined | | | | same activities as their male counterparts, |
| number of spaces or levels. Girls might enjoy | | | | but it will usually be for different reasons. |
| these games, but they revel in opportunities | | | | Girls play games for fun, of course. To be |
| to move beyond the basics. By incorporating | | | | fun, however, these games must appeal to |
| relationships, choices, and strategy in a | | | | girls on many different levels. |