From Barbie to Mortal Kombat
Subtitle: gender and computer games
By: edited by Justine Cassell and Henry Jenkins.
Contributors: Cassell, Justine, 1960-; Jenkins, Henry, 1958-
Publisher: MIT Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Cambridge, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 360
Subjects: Computer games -- Social aspects -- Congresses; Games for girls -- Congresses
Description: Many parents worry about the influence of video games on their children's lives. The game console may help to prepare children for participation in the digital world, but at the same time it socializes boys into misogyny and excludes girls from all but the most objectified positions. The new "girls' games" movement has addressed these concerns.

The contributors to From Barbie to Mortal Kombat explore how assumptions about gender, games, and technology shape the design, development, and marketing of games as industry seeks to build the girl market. They describe and analyze the games currently on the market and propose tactical approaches for avoiding the stereotypes that dominate most toy store aisles.

The lively mix of perspectives and voices includes those of media and technology scholars, educators, psychologists, developers of today's leading games, industry insiders, and girl gamers.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.