Once seen as a hobby for (mostly) boys in the bedrooms, gaming has exploded in the 21st century. Now, it’s a huge driver in the entertainment industry, with around 3.2 billion people gaming worldwide.
Top Games
Everyone plays now - from moms to students to lawyers to football coaches. Of course, not everyone likes the same thing, and developers are aware of this.
In Europe alone, there are 715 million gamers. Of that number, the female contingent is rising.
Whenever a market trend is changing, game developers pay attention and create for that market. This helps attract more of that demographic to the sector and makes it more enjoyable for them.
Why do women play games?
Some women like the same games as men but may play for different reasons. Some female gamers play:
- For escapism, to get their mind off the daily grind
- For competition, it’s a good way to feel achievement
- As a stress coping mechanism, to burn off steam
- To socialise - some find it a good way to meet people with similar interests
As it has been a male-dominated industry from a workplace perspective, focus on females hasn’t been prioritised. Now, there’s a shift in that culture, as the industry needs to cater to more female players.
Types of games available
There are many different genres of games available, so if you’re looking for something new, the choice seems endless. It’s good to decide based on the interests you have already.
For instance some people may like to play games where fashion or makeovers are a focus. Others may like gardening or DIY-based games.
There truly is something for everyone! Consider games in the following genres:
- Puzzle solving
- Strategy
- Sandbox games, which are open-ended
- Adventure
- Battle
- Goal-based
- Role-playing
- Multiplayer arenas
- Horror
- Themed - movies, TV, music
If you use a search engine and pop in your interest + games, you will get thousands of results.
The games popular with females this year
So which games are females playing in 2022? Although this list is by no means definitive, it covers the main trends seen in female players this year.
1. Slots
One of the easiest games to access and play online, slots are popular with both sexes. However, some research has shown that women are more likely to play them.
Slots require no skill and can be played pretty much immediately on devices such as smartphones. All you need is an internet connection.
One of the reasons women like playing slots is that there is plenty of variety. When you find a casino site such as Megaways Casino, you can choose from dozens of games.
2. The Sims
A real-life simulator and a sandbox game, where there are no defined goals. First released in 2000, this game has sold over 200 million copies in total and remains popular.
It is available as a PC game. There are many spin-offs of the original and a free play mobile version too.
In the Sims, you have a virtual world where you decide what happens to your characters. You can even change their moods.
If you’ve ever wanted to be Big Brother, this is your chance.
3. Farmville
This game was released in 2009 and became popular with players because of access through Facebook. As the social media platform is widely used by females between the age of 20 - 40, they tried Farmville.
The premise is simple - you need to maintain your farm. You complete tasks such as:
- Planting crops
- Harvesting crops
- Plowing the land
- Raising livestock
All in this virtual environment. However, you can reach different levels and play games within the game.
Created by Zynga, it also has a few spin-offs available. Now you can play Farmville via an app from the PlayStore.
4. Poker
Females make up a generous portion of online poker players, and some women have made a name for themselves. Victoria Coren-Mitchell has beaten some of the world’s top players to become two-time winner of the European Poker Tour.
However, many quietly play behind the scenes. Many free games are available on mobile, but you can also sign up to different casinos to play.
A little bit of knowledge is required to play poker, learning the different winning hands is important. You can have a strategy, but only luck determines what cards come out.
5. Prince of Persia
Developed by Ubisoft, this adventure game has been a hit with women since his release. The prince must navigate traps and battle enemies to achieve his goals.
There are different adaptations of the game, but currently The Sands of Time is a female-preferred option. It is available for:
- Windows ⅞
- Xbox
- Playstation (3 onwards)
Games made by women
Females are choosing to support their sisters in 2022 by playing games made by women. Some of these include:
- Child of Light, a fantasy role playing game available on Playstation 3, 4 and Vita, Xbox 360, Windows and Nintendo.
- Tomb Raider, featuring the iconic Lara Croft, available on Playstation 3,4, Xbox 360, MacOs and Linux
The fantastic thing about all the options on the market means that every taste is catered for. Although females can play any game they want to, it’s helpful that developers are now taking them into account.
Roll on 2023, when it’s likely that the 43% of females playing will grow even further.
Tagged in Games