Tangentially related to BABD’s subject matter, but very important point for the gender in gaming discussion.

Just as the association of colors pink and blue with femininity and masculinity, the link between certain game mechanics and gender is a result of completely arbitrary choices made fairly recently, while the mechanics were being developed.

Therefore, marketing different types of games to “opposing” gender demographics does NOT prove that men and women are inherently attracted to different facets of aesthetic or forms entertainment.

~Ozzie

I think this is also worth remembering not just in terms of game mechanics but those assigned to female characters.  Limiting female characters to support roles, femme fatales or rewards means that the designs of female characters limited to just those that serve these purposes.

– wincenworks