Women are out there in significant numbers playing MMOs, action games, first-person shooters. What is lacking in the equation are women behind these games.

As soon as I've got the kids' tea sorted I go on the computer. It's a bit of me' time and a good way to relax. I play on it rather than watch TV and I suppose it's like a hobby.

The kids ask Can I have a go mum?' and I say No, this is mum's game.' I suppose I like that it's like visiting a different world. It's escapism.

I don't know exactly how it happened, but I think Ubisoft noticed the amount of press that she was getting, and they did what most companies would do, which is they exploited that. I like Ubisoft and all, but they don't care about Jade as much as they care about their bottom dollar, and they're going to do what they think works. And if the GameTrailers interviews that have Jade on them get like 20 times the hits as any other product that they put out, what are they going to do? They're going to put her in front of the camera. I think they created a lot of resentment though, both internally and maybe externally. I think a lot of men were resentful of her stature, and maybe some of them thought she didn't deserve it, and they deserved it more or whatever. It's difficult. It's complicated.

I think that's just the nature of who we are as human society. That's why there is this celebrity culture and why we revere attractive people, and then also can't wait to tear them down. [Laughs] I think it's a confluence of factors. It's the fact that Jade is attractive to the gaming press, of course you're going to write about her. And once that happens Ubisoft is going to push her more because they realize she gets press and then she's going to continue to do it because it's her job, and as a producer what do you want? You want to sell copies of your game and make sure the game is successful. You do that by going out and doing interviews, representing your game. You know, you can't fault any of them really for doing their jobs...

Celeste McWhorter could probably identify [fellow female player] Soriano in the middle of Trousdale. She said she has gamedar, like gaydar for gamers, she informed me with authority.

"Hey, it takes one to know one," she said.

We did research, and we are studying the market... that's what the girls actually like, so we should try to fulfill their needs... Those games were really designed for young girls who are just looking for fun games and ways to explore their favorite hobbies... From what we've seen, [the girls] didn't mention anything about being a police officer.

Top ten list for female gaming characters usually look like this. Old hat and mehsville. So! It's nice to see something, I dunno, different? Interesting? Over at ShinyShiny, they've put together a list of ten female game characters to idolize. They are:

• 10. Claire Redfield from Resident Evil
• 9. Yorda from Ico
• 8. Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda series
• 7. Kreia from Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
• 6. Mia Fey from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
• 5. Yuna from Final Fantasy
• 4. Samus Aran from Metroid
• 3. Jade from Beyond Good and Evil
• 2. Carla Valenti from Fahrenheit
• 1. Jill Valentine from Resident Evil

Agree? Disagree? Discuss. Brian Ashcraft

List of Characters [Shiny Shiny via Alice]

Don't judge games by their covers? Riiight. Blog Guilded Lilies has an insightful post up about doing just that.

This cover art works for me primarily because it shows a female character that isn't objectified, but instead looks capable and ready to get things accomplished in the game world. The expression on her face is confident and self-assured, with a dash of sass in her wry smile... Call me naive, but my interest in this game was based purely on it making me feel that it was a perfectly normal thing for me to want to play a fantasy RPG on my computer — and that is precisely why I think it is successful. That feeling was reinforced by gameplay that lived up the inclusive artwork on the cover...

Indeed! Good point: Do agree that it's a matter of the game creating expectations and then delivering on them. Really, that's the secret to sucess — Being inclusive and not crappy. Brian Ashcraft

Cover Girls Likes [Guilded Lilies via GameSetWatch]

Eds Note: This could either be a "Bad Wii Pun Watch" or a "Kotaku Magu."

Your #1 source for gaming and dating boys, Teen Vogue has a two-page spread on the Nintendo Wii. There's even a t-shirt involved and the French language. Reader Briana Fahey (hey, wait a second...) sends this:

While I leafing through the latest issue of Teen Vogue I came across this Wii promo. I guess this is another attempt by Nintendo at marketing to the female crowd? I've always been an XBOX girl, but quotes like "It really responds to your movements!" doesn't make want me to pick up another console. Although, I must confess that shirt is pretty sweet. I love puns.

I'm willing to bet that you guys haven't seen this yet, probably because I'm one of the few readers who love both Teen Vogue and Kotaku, hence why I am sending this...

Much appreciated. Saves us the time of scanning in our own office copy. Hit the jump for the second page. Yes, the second page. Brian Ashcraft

Maker of all things kawaii Sanrio has announced cuter than cute Hello Kitty and Charmmy Kitty decoration film for the DS Lite. The price is listed as open, but the Sanrio online shop is selling each sheet for 680 yen (US $5.90). Should go over big with little girls and Kotaku editors with pink DS Lites. Brian Ashcraft

Pink or Not, I Shall Pass [Game Watch Impress]

If you're not getting all your gaming news from Glamour magazine—and really, why aren't you— then you could've missed this big spread on the new console. Between articles on "why the wrong man can be so right for you," comes word that the Wii is fem-friendly. Here are five reasons why:

• 1. Because isn't about time we had something he wants, but can't get his hands on?
• 2. Price per play it's cheaper than a swanky gym membership
• 3. Price per laugh it's better than a night out on the town
• 4. It's one more reason for the girls to come round and the boys to go out
• 5. Forget a designer sofa, this is the only home accessory a girl needs

There are also tips on hosting your own Wii party complete with cupcakes and cocktails. Heh... Brian Ashcraft

P.S. Taking a hint from Mike, I also apologize for any dick-related Wii references. Especially in the company of small children and old ladies.

Wii For Girls [UK:R]

Eons ago, we posted something on a Nancy Drew game. And of course made fun of it. The company that made it, HerInteractive, just dropped word that there's another game for us to make fun of as well! They write:

The last time I sent a Nancy Drew trailer, you lambasted us for trying to create some ooky romance between Nancy and the Hardy Boys. We're over that now, but I wanted to give you a heads up on our latest games.

Ha! That was an ooky romance between old ladies and the Hardy Boys we were lambasting you for! Regardless, they've got a new game out, called Nancy Drew: Danger by Design. It's for computers. A big seller. And girls like it apparently. Old ladies, too. Brian Ashcraft

It's Paris With Nancy And Mysteries [HerInteractive]

A cute game like Sega's Love and Berry needs a cute DS, but this cute? The above Lite has been covered in oh-so-kawaii stickers and outfitted with a card reader that integrates DS Lite game play and Love and Berry cards. If you're able to look at this saccharine and not squeal in delight, that means only one thing: this gear isn't directed at you. Me? I'm giddy. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [NeoGAF]

Capcom's Wantame is a breeding, dress-up doggy arcade rhythm game with collectible cards that synchronize with cute portable liquid crystal peripherals. That's everything could possible appeal to a Japanese girl under the age of 8. Heck, even that man in the photo is all giddy. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Famitsu]

The latest issue of Otona Fami (Famitsu for adults, minus the hardcore gaming bit), a study's been published that gauges interest in the Wii and the PS3. A survey of 216 folks showed that 73.6 percent were interested in buying a Wii, 16.7 percent wanted a PS3 and 9.7 percent didn't want either and were content watching bad Japanese TV.

There shouldn't come as a surprise.

The interesting part were the surveys of female students and business women and housewives.

Half of the students could give a rat's ass about either the PS3 or the Wii. I blame studying, drinking and fornicating. However, 37.5 percent said they were interested in the PS3, compared to 12.5 percent that wanted a Wii.

Comparatively, 36.4 percent of business women want a Wii, while 33.3 percent are after the PS3. The rest didn't want either, focusing their energies on other diversions.

Housewives are either Wii-crazy or indifferent; 42.9 percent want a Wii, 9.5 percent hanker for a PS3 and the rest don't want either. This poll cements the Wii as the "Official Console of Japanese Housewives." Congrats, Nintendo!

This is utterly fascinating—a cross section of Japanese society as told through gaming consoles. I'd love to compare the results for men. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Next-Gen]

Late last month, we reported that Sega's popular girly card game Love and Berry was getting its own beach house. Famitsu sent a photographer out to Kanagawa Prefecture to take pics of the giant, tacky pink structure. Besides Love and Berry arcade games and branded goodies, the beach house serves up healthy food like hot dogs and curry rice. There are ice cream floats: melon for Mushi King, blueberry for the character Berry and strawberry for the character Love. Parents are bound to get headaches, but not from the ice cream. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Famitsu]

This summer, Sega's popular girly card game Oshare Majo: Love and Berry is coming to the beach. Earlier this year, a Love and Berry clothing line was launched. There are pencils, bags and loads of other pink crap. So Sega's gonna set up shop on a beach in Kanagawa Prefecture. Along with the Oshare arcade machines (which are actually more common in toy stores), there will be Love and Berry cards, bathing suits and clothes for little girls to beg their parents for, when the kids should be out doing free things like building sandcastles and swimming. The clubhouse closes August 31st. The beach is open forever. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Game Watch Impress]

Kotaku comenter and Coolest Game Room entrant Robert Summa at AOL Joystiq points to British fashion label Joystick Junkies' search for the perfect models to represent the brand. According to the label's site:

We're not just going for model looks though, we've been looking for true gaming passion as well ...

The tests included a photo shoot and a round of games "they hadn't tried before". These titles included Halo 2, Gauntlet and Streetfighter II. That right there is true gaming passion. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Joystiq]

It was inevitable. Sega's milking that Oshare Majo: Love and Berry cash cow for every last drop and has announced a DS version. The uber popular arcade/card game has captured the imagination of little girls and the wallets of doting parents. Called "Fashionable Witch: Love and Berry" in English, the arcade game features mini-games and rewards players with cards. So far, 153 million cards have been shipped, and a Love and Berry clothing line was launched this Spring.

Here's a quick run-down: the game features a self-explanatory "Story Mode", a customized dress designing mode, and there's a card reader peripheral that's to be used with the DS game. The game sports a mind-blowingly clever title: Oshare Majo: Love and Berry ~ DS Collection. Do you hear that? It's the sound of 20 million Japanese girls squealing with delight. Brian Ashcraft

Full Story Here [Watch Impress]

The hottest game here in Japan for girls is a diet sim titled Maiden Love Revolution. Players are a 220-pound former beauty queen that has blimped up. The aim: diet and exercise to get back that dating weight.

Totally forget this article was also coming out as it's the second one I have in this month's Wired. To protest the questionable message it sends young, impressionable Japanese women, I ate three bags of Oreos while writing it. They were delicious.

More Here [Wired]

Urbane Gridskipper correspondent Jean Snow points to girly Japanese mag GIRLIE, which does a big Animal Crossing issue. Cute and girly popstar Kaera Kimura graces the cover and is interviewed about the game. There are also tips on how to get in-game accessories and lists of favorite characters. How girlie!

More Here, All Manly [Jean Snow]