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