EQ2_Bloggers
07-07-2010, 12:14 AM
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Terry Redfield became interested in games quite young, has worked in a number of companies and roles in the game industry, and has recently founded her own company, Real Life Plus, with the intent to develop a compelling multiplayer game with a strong focus on the social environment.* Terry talks to us about her gaming background in this blog post (http://www.realifeplus.com/blog/12-development-blog/69-from-soe-to-ceo-how-sony-put-me-on-the-path-to-girl-gamer-greatness.html), and took time out of her extremely busy schedule to answer some questions for the G.I.R.L. blog!
[Emily] Tell us a bit about the area of gaming you’re currently involved in – for example, where are you working, what is your job title, what do you do on a day-to-day basis?
[Terry] I’m founder and chief creative officer for a casual MMO company called Real Life Plus.* Day to day I oversee the team, make sure we are on schedule, pitch to potential investors with my CEO and am keeper of “the vision,” and very occasionally I get time to sleep and stuff.
[Emily] How common is it to find women working in your specific area of gaming?
[Terry] Very rare.* The percentage of women-owned companies getting funding is under 10%.* Multiply that with the low percentage of women with over 10 years experience in the game industry and the numbers drop even lower.
However, I’ve actively noticed more women in creative positions over the last few years and that makes me very happy.
[Emily] How do you feel that being a woman helps or hinders you at work, if at all?
[Terry] Well, being the boss has its advantages.* In my case, part of my nature is a great empathy for other people.* It keeps me in tune with my team, my audience and people who want to invest in what I’m building.* It makes it easier to know what my team needs and add in their suggestions and ideas into the direction of the project.
Also, over 60% of the casual audience is female and there are things thattend to be easier for me to translate that some of my male employees have a hard time understanding.* It works visa versa too.
My lead designer Russ is often telling me when I start designing a feature for the fellas that is skewing “too pink” and I love that kind of feedback.
[Emily] What types of games do you enjoy playing, and what games have you most enjoyed recently?
[Terry] I enjoy all types of games.* RTS, FPS, RPG, MMOs and various casual games on social networks.* Specifically I wind down at the end of the day playing League of Legends and Team Fortress 2, at least lately.
Before I got this crazy idea of starting a company and I had more time I had a real passion for MMOs.* EverQuest was my first love affair with those. *In fact, all the skills I use today as a company founder I learned as a raid leader in EQ.
[Emily] What gaming work have you done that you are most proud of?
[Terry] Psychonauts was my labor of love.* I got to do design, art and level layout for it—a *little bit of everything really and that was a whole lot of fun!* Not to mention working with the team was a blast, especially Tim Schafer.* He’s just as hilarious in person as he is in the writing you see in his games.
[Emily] Can you describe any particularly positive or negative experiences working in the industry that you feel are specifically related to your being female?
[Terry] I always grew up with boys, so a lot of immaturity you see in the industry never bothered me much.* In fact, I’d have a good laugh with the rest of the boys.* I didn’t have a negative experience until my last gig that was outside of the game industry a bit.
For the first time I experienced a lot of head patting.* For example, when I asked to learn something I’d be told that “scripting is a bit too hard for you.” and so I’d have to learn it on my own.* At first I thought I was alone but then one day I asked the other two females in the company about their thoughts and they felt the same way.
I think it was just a bad experience though.* Overall I would say with the rise of casual games, the industry has gotten a lot better.* This last gig was when casual gaming and virtual worlds just started to blossom and was still new.* It was really considered on the fringe of the game industry.
[Emily] Which issues (if any) do you feel are most important to women either working or playing in gaming these days?
[Terry] I would have to say the issue of identity is important.* The biggest complaint that I’ve heard from female friends and co-gamers is that it’s hard to find an avatar or virtual representation of a woman that isn’t either A) oversexed B) little girl-ized or C) a combination of both (can you say Lolita?).* Women are looking for strong yet sensual characters in games, with compelling roles within the story.
[Emily] How do you think that the game industry in general might attract more women, both to work within the industry, and to play more games in general?
[Terry] Casual games will go a long way into bringing more women into the industry and in playing games in general.* You see it already on Facebook and on the web.* For instance, the audience for Diner Dash is primarily female.* Women relate to the main character Flo, because she’s a girl next door who is taking her destiny into her own hands and opening her own restaurant.* It’s great game design and empowerment, all wrapped up into one digital delight.* I sincerely hope that this type of game will encourage more girls to take a job in the game industry as a career, because this in turn will affect what breadth of games are ultimately created.* After all, if you can appeal to both women and men, that is a much healthier bottom line business wise.
[Emily] What specific actions (if any) would you encourage women working in gaming to take in order to make the industry more friendly to women?
[Terry] If it’s one thing I learned in starting my own company, it’s to be bold.* If someone compliments you, then TAKE IT and thank them.* If you feel you deserve a raise, then ASK FOR IT.* Women tend to be more demure, strive to do more and not ask for what they want in business.* I feel this applies to the game industry too.* If women are more outspoken, then how can their co-workers, bosses and girls looking to enter the industry not take notice?* Not to sound like the Dread Pirates Roberts or anything, but it’s time the industry saw more features about women working right alongside their guy co-workers and making amazing products.* They are there already, you just rarely hear about them.* That’s one of the many reasons I am so happy about the G.I.R.L. program.
[Emily] Are there any particular blogs, sites, books, twitter feeds, or other sources that you would recommend as particularly relevant or helpful to women in the gaming industry, or looking to get into it?
[Terry] I would highly encourage them to join the IGDA.* They provide so many opportunities for women and men.* They also have a list of developers and companies willing to provide mentorship to those interested in getting into the industry.* Don’t be shy to call the contacts that relate to the job you’re interested in and ask them for an informational interview.* You will find that not only are they willing to challenge you, look at your portfolio and give you an idea about what they do day-to-day, but they will also make a valuable contact.* Start building your network NOW.* It’s never too early or late to start.* I’d also recommend the Conference Associate program for the Game Developer Conference.* This is how I built my network in college.* I worked the show for a week pass and as a result met many developers.* Not to mention your peers who are just fresh out of school today, may be the Vice Presidents of some big publisher of tomorrow.
[Emily] Any other thoughts you’d like to share about women, gaming, or what it means to you to be a woman in gaming?
[Terry] It’s a great time to be a woman in gaming.* When I started, there were so few in the industry.* I’d constantly be told that “girls don’t game” and that there would never be a casual game market.* I’m so pleased that today I am running into more women in the industry all the time and that I can make my dream projects, games that are best of both worlds.* I can merge being social with elements from my beloved MMOs and the platform games I grew up with to create a new genre.* It’s a very exciting time, and ladies, I do believe it just gets better from here!
However, I have one comment to add. It’s based on my favorite comment by Sun Tzu:* “Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”
I’ve been running into both young women and men the past few months who have spent an appalling amount of cash on their education, but who have only weak portfolios to show for it. I want them to remember that these schools are tools, but they are also businesses.* Make sure that throughout your school process you find an industry mentor to show your work to as you get your education: someone who is going to kick your butt and tell you the hard truths about your work.
You can only get better by putting yourself out there.* Again, women tend to be quiet about themselves.* Don’t be silent! Put yourself out there, take the knocks and work three times as hard!* You will be so happy about it later when you have a thriving career.
- Emily “Domino” Taylor
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Terry Redfield became interested in games quite young, has worked in a number of companies and roles in the game industry, and has recently founded her own company, Real Life Plus, with the intent to develop a compelling multiplayer game with a strong focus on the social environment.* Terry talks to us about her gaming background in this blog post (http://www.realifeplus.com/blog/12-development-blog/69-from-soe-to-ceo-how-sony-put-me-on-the-path-to-girl-gamer-greatness.html), and took time out of her extremely busy schedule to answer some questions for the G.I.R.L. blog!
[Emily] Tell us a bit about the area of gaming you’re currently involved in – for example, where are you working, what is your job title, what do you do on a day-to-day basis?
[Terry] I’m founder and chief creative officer for a casual MMO company called Real Life Plus.* Day to day I oversee the team, make sure we are on schedule, pitch to potential investors with my CEO and am keeper of “the vision,” and very occasionally I get time to sleep and stuff.
[Emily] How common is it to find women working in your specific area of gaming?
[Terry] Very rare.* The percentage of women-owned companies getting funding is under 10%.* Multiply that with the low percentage of women with over 10 years experience in the game industry and the numbers drop even lower.
However, I’ve actively noticed more women in creative positions over the last few years and that makes me very happy.
[Emily] How do you feel that being a woman helps or hinders you at work, if at all?
[Terry] Well, being the boss has its advantages.* In my case, part of my nature is a great empathy for other people.* It keeps me in tune with my team, my audience and people who want to invest in what I’m building.* It makes it easier to know what my team needs and add in their suggestions and ideas into the direction of the project.
Also, over 60% of the casual audience is female and there are things thattend to be easier for me to translate that some of my male employees have a hard time understanding.* It works visa versa too.
My lead designer Russ is often telling me when I start designing a feature for the fellas that is skewing “too pink” and I love that kind of feedback.
[Emily] What types of games do you enjoy playing, and what games have you most enjoyed recently?
[Terry] I enjoy all types of games.* RTS, FPS, RPG, MMOs and various casual games on social networks.* Specifically I wind down at the end of the day playing League of Legends and Team Fortress 2, at least lately.
Before I got this crazy idea of starting a company and I had more time I had a real passion for MMOs.* EverQuest was my first love affair with those. *In fact, all the skills I use today as a company founder I learned as a raid leader in EQ.
[Emily] What gaming work have you done that you are most proud of?
[Terry] Psychonauts was my labor of love.* I got to do design, art and level layout for it—a *little bit of everything really and that was a whole lot of fun!* Not to mention working with the team was a blast, especially Tim Schafer.* He’s just as hilarious in person as he is in the writing you see in his games.
[Emily] Can you describe any particularly positive or negative experiences working in the industry that you feel are specifically related to your being female?
[Terry] I always grew up with boys, so a lot of immaturity you see in the industry never bothered me much.* In fact, I’d have a good laugh with the rest of the boys.* I didn’t have a negative experience until my last gig that was outside of the game industry a bit.
For the first time I experienced a lot of head patting.* For example, when I asked to learn something I’d be told that “scripting is a bit too hard for you.” and so I’d have to learn it on my own.* At first I thought I was alone but then one day I asked the other two females in the company about their thoughts and they felt the same way.
I think it was just a bad experience though.* Overall I would say with the rise of casual games, the industry has gotten a lot better.* This last gig was when casual gaming and virtual worlds just started to blossom and was still new.* It was really considered on the fringe of the game industry.
[Emily] Which issues (if any) do you feel are most important to women either working or playing in gaming these days?
[Terry] I would have to say the issue of identity is important.* The biggest complaint that I’ve heard from female friends and co-gamers is that it’s hard to find an avatar or virtual representation of a woman that isn’t either A) oversexed B) little girl-ized or C) a combination of both (can you say Lolita?).* Women are looking for strong yet sensual characters in games, with compelling roles within the story.
[Emily] How do you think that the game industry in general might attract more women, both to work within the industry, and to play more games in general?
[Terry] Casual games will go a long way into bringing more women into the industry and in playing games in general.* You see it already on Facebook and on the web.* For instance, the audience for Diner Dash is primarily female.* Women relate to the main character Flo, because she’s a girl next door who is taking her destiny into her own hands and opening her own restaurant.* It’s great game design and empowerment, all wrapped up into one digital delight.* I sincerely hope that this type of game will encourage more girls to take a job in the game industry as a career, because this in turn will affect what breadth of games are ultimately created.* After all, if you can appeal to both women and men, that is a much healthier bottom line business wise.
[Emily] What specific actions (if any) would you encourage women working in gaming to take in order to make the industry more friendly to women?
[Terry] If it’s one thing I learned in starting my own company, it’s to be bold.* If someone compliments you, then TAKE IT and thank them.* If you feel you deserve a raise, then ASK FOR IT.* Women tend to be more demure, strive to do more and not ask for what they want in business.* I feel this applies to the game industry too.* If women are more outspoken, then how can their co-workers, bosses and girls looking to enter the industry not take notice?* Not to sound like the Dread Pirates Roberts or anything, but it’s time the industry saw more features about women working right alongside their guy co-workers and making amazing products.* They are there already, you just rarely hear about them.* That’s one of the many reasons I am so happy about the G.I.R.L. program.
[Emily] Are there any particular blogs, sites, books, twitter feeds, or other sources that you would recommend as particularly relevant or helpful to women in the gaming industry, or looking to get into it?
[Terry] I would highly encourage them to join the IGDA.* They provide so many opportunities for women and men.* They also have a list of developers and companies willing to provide mentorship to those interested in getting into the industry.* Don’t be shy to call the contacts that relate to the job you’re interested in and ask them for an informational interview.* You will find that not only are they willing to challenge you, look at your portfolio and give you an idea about what they do day-to-day, but they will also make a valuable contact.* Start building your network NOW.* It’s never too early or late to start.* I’d also recommend the Conference Associate program for the Game Developer Conference.* This is how I built my network in college.* I worked the show for a week pass and as a result met many developers.* Not to mention your peers who are just fresh out of school today, may be the Vice Presidents of some big publisher of tomorrow.
[Emily] Any other thoughts you’d like to share about women, gaming, or what it means to you to be a woman in gaming?
[Terry] It’s a great time to be a woman in gaming.* When I started, there were so few in the industry.* I’d constantly be told that “girls don’t game” and that there would never be a casual game market.* I’m so pleased that today I am running into more women in the industry all the time and that I can make my dream projects, games that are best of both worlds.* I can merge being social with elements from my beloved MMOs and the platform games I grew up with to create a new genre.* It’s a very exciting time, and ladies, I do believe it just gets better from here!
However, I have one comment to add. It’s based on my favorite comment by Sun Tzu:* “Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”
I’ve been running into both young women and men the past few months who have spent an appalling amount of cash on their education, but who have only weak portfolios to show for it. I want them to remember that these schools are tools, but they are also businesses.* Make sure that throughout your school process you find an industry mentor to show your work to as you get your education: someone who is going to kick your butt and tell you the hard truths about your work.
You can only get better by putting yourself out there.* Again, women tend to be quiet about themselves.* Don’t be silent! Put yourself out there, take the knocks and work three times as hard!* You will be so happy about it later when you have a thriving career.
- Emily “Domino” Taylor
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