Q: How did you come to the conclusion of what game characteristics women would in fact be interested in?

A:I have great respect for Laura Groppe, president of Girl Games and the women at Purple Moon for their pioneering efforts. I know their research and studied numerous other reports along with observing first hand the differences of how girl vs. boy "play" on computers from the ages of 10 - 17. Many of the "girl" play factors carry on to "womenhood."

I think the WomenGamers.Com audience are pretty sophisticated computer game players. And most, I dare say can get past the "women's thing" or gender issues of gaming. There are lots of women who can beat the pants off the guys when it comes to the shooters and revel in it.

My female testers on The Legend of Lotus Spring highly rated the story line; exquisite, detailed and colorful graphics and enjoyed that this is NOT a dark environment. Women enjoyed seeing animated eye candy rewards within short time periods. The cursor and navigation are intelligent, intuitive and for the most part the interface is seamless. Game play is not frustrating and you don't need a manual to figure things out. If you want details on the culture and customs, it's all there to be read in the Diary.

It's just plain fun and a "time waster" with great satisfaction.

Many of the comments are applicable to all games regardless of gender. I know my audience. If people agree with the above, then this title is for them.

Q: Briefly describe your current project, Legend of Lotus Spring.

A: The Legend of Lotus Spring is an adventure story based on a romance that happened over 100 years ago. Historians have worked with our developers to recreate the Garden of Perfect Brightness, a 60-thousand acre, secret hideaway for the privileged elite outside of Beijing. The story is between a ruling emperor and the women he loves until she tragically disappears.

Throughout the adventure one travels within the garden and collects objects central to the story. Beautiful Softimage animations and eye candy occur among detailed and colorful graphic representations of the buildings and art, all surrounding the once existing turquoise lotus pond in the recreated Garden of Perfect Brightness. As the story unfolds, a diary fills with the poems and mysteries of the forbidden romance, along with interesting rituals of goddess worship, courtship and Chinese legends.

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