Adult women are now the largest demographic in gaming--_-- Say Whaaa'h!

[Nymeria]

Soundwave said:

Yes the increase is pretty much entirely from women playing smartphone games, this is actually an article citing another source that's a few months old. 

What I've noticed with women is despite all the bruhaha that's made over Lara Croft, Samus, etc. is that most women don't like playing "character based" stage/world clearing games period. 

Women tend to really enjoy games with an invisible/non-protagonist, games that have no "main character" at all ... things like Candy Crush Saga, Tetris, Angry Birds, crossword games, brain training, fitness/dance games, etc. 

Some of that is the challenge versus entertainment issue.  Take The Last of Us.  It makes for a great film experience, but many novice or casual gamers get put off because dying and repeating areas makes it frustrating compared to a passive experience like a movie.

I think many of those games you pointed out lack narrative and that is where much of console gaming has gone compared to challenge focus of 80s arcade or even through SNES days.