• September 16, 2008

New data from comScore finds that the female audience for online games is growing, particularly among girls ages 12-17 and women ages 55-64.

Nearly 43 million females played online games in August 2008, up 27% from a year ago. On the younger end, there were 55% more girls ages 12-17 playing online games, and 43% more women ages 55-64.

Insiders say that the influx of older and younger female gamers is likely the result of a wealth of new game-based content, including blogs, portals and virtual worlds geared toward their demographic. For example, dress-up sites like Stardoll.com and virtual worlds like Nickelodeon's Neopets attract younger girls, while partnerships between portals and game sites (such as iVillage.com's deal with Pogo.com) are exposing older women to games. --Tameka Kee