Article: In the new, gender-tracked world of children's computer games, Girls get Barbie, boys get skills, thrills

Matthew Brelis is the Globe's Focus writer.

Not long ago, the creation of computer games was heralded as a fresh chance to break out of the gender-tracking mold and create entertainment designed for boys and girls, equally.

But all one need do is look at the top-selling girl games today to know that the opportunity is passing us by. The market is dominated by a plastic doll that has been around for 40 years. In fact, the top six selling computer games for girls in 1998 were all Barbie games. PC Data, a market research firm, says that among the top sellers are Barbie Nail Designer and Barbie Magic Hairstyler. And then there is the computer game juggernaut, Barbie's Fashion Designer, which ...

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