Watch CBS News

Nearly Half Of All Gamers Are Female, But Industry Lacks Women Developers

By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It may come as a surprise, but figures show nearly half of the Americans playing video games are female, but there's no big change in making those games.

From the angry birds of, well, Angry Birds, to the seriously annoyed dragons of Skyrim, women and girls represent 48 percent of the players, says the Entertainment Software Association.

This comes as no surprise to Professor Frank Lee, co-director of Drexel's video game design program. He says the rise of social media has brought digital entertainment to your digits. But beyond female players, how about budding game makers?

"We have more interest among female students in making games, but the industry right now, as a whole, I think reflects the technology industry in that there is almost sad, almost criminal lack of women developers in the game industry."

Prof Lee says outcries over portrayals of women could have been avoided

Professor Lee says a tempest caused when a female player character was nixed in a upcoming Assassin's Creed game could have been avoided if women designers were there to insist on diversity.

You may also be interested in these stories:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.