What's been the most exciting work you've done at Good Game?
For me it's meeting all these great people in the industry designers, students, journos, researchers and of course gamers. It really is an exciting industry, which is constantly evolving and getting better. I love talking about games with their makers!!!
As more and more women are discovering the joys of gaming, how do you think this will affect the industry?
Well hopefully more women will get into the industry and break a few traditions of how games are made. I think women have a lot to offer game design and development and I believe the more diverse people are in the industry, the more interesting and sophisticated games will become. We might even see a few changes to how woman are often portrayed in games.
What do you think of games being developed specifically for a female audience?
I believe the best games are inclusive of both sexes, just like films, books or music. A good game will be one that can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their background. However that's not to say that “pink” games don't necessarily have their place, hardcore female gamers might hate them, but let’s face it, they were never designed for us. I know we hate to acknowledge this, but little girls love ponies, kittens and dancing and that's okay. Just as long as game developers’ efforts to engage women don't stop there.
Do you have anyone you particularly admire in the industry?
Some Australian women in the games industry that I tip my hat to are: Janet Carr, the Good Game Series Producer who has been the back bone of the show. Without her vision, dedication and energy the show would cease to exist. Through her genuine love of games she has managed to bring Good Game into its fourth season, and whilst the show has evolved over time, she still cares so much about staying connected and true to the gamer audience. Helen Stucky, the games curator at ACMI Melbourne who has been active in getting gamers and the wider public to consider games on a much deeper level and to consider the merit of indie games and the powerful messages games can convey. Eve Penford-Dennis teaches games animation and it over seeing the Women in Games group in Australia, she is currently organising an event for young women to attend in March in relation to careers in the games industry and is incredibly passionate about forging career pathways for women in the industry, and removing barriers that make it difficult for women to sustain careers in games and finally Katharine Neil, a games programmer and designer who has a fierce voice when it comes the politics of both games and the industry in Australia and across the world.
How do you see the Wii's impact on bringing in more women to games?
The Wii has been an awesome way to engage people from all walks of life, people who would normally shy away from gaming. My Wii goes on many adventures with me and has lured many girlfriends and family members into my world of gaming. The Wii feels much more instinctual to use, women seem to much less intimidated by it. I also think the Nintendo DS is also very appealing to women and girls – I gave my boyfriends mum one for her birthday a few weeks ago, she LOVES it!!!