Companies Designing More Video Games for Girl Gamers

Sept. 20, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- If you have kids, you know they love playing video games.

Boys in particular, but these days toy companies are finding out girls do too.

The "Nancy Drew" mystery video games are flying off store shelves more than any other adventure computer series. Even more than "Harry Potter," or "Lord of the Rings."

With more than four million sold over nine years, it's hard to believe retailers first refused to sell the "Nancy Drew" mystery games designed for girls.

"They told us that girls and women would never play computer games because they're computer-phobic," Megan Gaiser, of Her Interactive, said.

So the company marketed them online where they were a big hit. Retailers then got into the game.

"It wasn't at all that they were computer-phobic it was that they were critical of the current male-dominated video game culture and they had a lot to say if anyone had bothered to ask ... we did," Gaiser said.

They learned girls don't want to be portrayed as victims of violence or in a negative way, as they are in most games.

"There aren't very many clean games to play anymore, so that's why we really like the Nancy Drew games," one gamer said.

In the game you are detective Nancy Drew, out to unravel a mystery with puzzles along the way.

The series appeals to a female's natural curiosity and problem-solving skills.

The games first targeted girls ages 10 to 15. Players are now up to age 80. And they're not just females, boys enjoy playing the game too.

Because the computer games help girls get comfortable with technology and learn problem solving skills, Gaiser says it will make them more competitive in their careers.

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