Barbie Fashion Designer
| Barbie Fashion Designer | |
|---|---|
| Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). Mac OS cover for the game | |
| Developer(s) | Digital Domain |
| Publisher(s) | Mattel Media |
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| Designer(s) | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Programmer(s) | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Artist(s) | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Writer(s) | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Composer(s) | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Series | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Engine | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows Mac OS |
| Release | November 1996 |
| Genre(s) | Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 665: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
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Gameplay
Players can print their designs using a computer printer with paper-backed fabric, which prints a template that players can color in with markers, fabric paint and other materials packaged with the game.[1]
Development and release
The concept for Barbie Fashion Designer was developed and pitched by Mattel designer Andy Rifkin. Rifkin's daughter, Elizabeth Joy, who had been using markers, paper and staplers to design clothes for her Barbie dolls, prompted the idea by suggesting to create patterns on fabric using a computer printer.[2][3]
Reception
Sales
Barbie Fashion Designer was a commercial success.[5] The game sold around 500,000 copies in 1996,[6][7] and over one million units in 1997.[2] In monthly sales, the game outperformed titles including Command and Conquer: Red Alert in monthly sales.[6]
Critical reception
Retrospective reception and legacy
Barbie Fashion Designer has been retrospectively praised as the first example of a commercially successful game for girls, and a milestone for the increasing inclusion of girls in the design and marketing computer software.[8] The commercial success of the game prompted wide coverage from media about the rise in sofware for girls,[6][1] and stimulated interest in the production of software for girls as publishers attempted to recreate its success. This trend has been described as helping catalyse the games for girls movement, a trend of software targeted at girls from the 1990s.[9]
Several authors opined on what about Barbie Fashion Designer made it commercially successful, with several critics speculating the game's . A study of the game by Subrahmanyam and Greenfield argued that the game succeeded as it promoted activities typically appealing to young girls, including dress-up as an "accessory in girls' pretend play", which is realistic and person-oriented.[10] Ann Stephens of PC Data stated the game did well as it's a "good product that incorporates girl play and a strong franchise".[1] However, describing the game as a "fluke", Sweedyk and de Laet stated the game's popularity "reflects girls' interest in Barbie, not their interest in computer play".[11]
Some critics discussed whether Barbie Fashion Designer was a traditional video game, with some characterising it as "interactive entertainment".[1]
However, the game also received criticism. It has been described as representative of a 'pink' segment of games for girls, with Patricia Hernandez of Kotaku characterising it as a trend of games "dependent on traditional values of femininity [such as] addressing concerns about appearance".[9] This approach to game design has been criticised for reinforcing gender stereotypes.[11]
The success of the game prompted Mattel to expand its interactive media franchise, publishing Barbie Magic Hair Styler, Adventures with Barbie: Ocean Discovery and Barbie: Party Print 'n Play in the following year.[2]
In 2023, the game was one of four included in the World Video Game Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in New York.[12]
See also
Further reading
- Justine Cassell & Henry Jenkins, ed. (2000). From Barbie to Mortal Kombat : gender and computer games. MIT Press. Search this book on
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Beato, G. (April 1997). "Girl Games". Wired. p. 98.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sarasohn-Kahn, Jane (1998). "Cyberspeaking About Barbie". Contemporary Barbie Dolls: 1980 and Beyond. Antique Trader Books. pp. 203–5. Search this book on
- ↑ Carpenter, Nicole (3 July 2023). "The untold history of Barbie Fashion Designer, the first mass-market game for girls". Polygon. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ↑ Carter, Justin (4 July 2023). "Iconic game Barbie Fashion Designer faced incredible technological hurdles". GameDeveloper.com. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Krantz, Michael (9 June 1997). "A Rom of Their Own". Time. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Sisters Are Doing It: Barbie heads the charge as women storm the PC". PC Review. No. 65. February 1997. p. 11.
- ↑ Gahr, Evan (30 October 1998). "Computers Are for Girls". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ↑ Martin, Nancie S. (September 1997). "Take the Y Out of Computer Games". Game Developers Magazine. pp. 54–55.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hernandez, Patricia (28 May 2012). "She Tried To Make Good Video Games For Girls, Whatever That Meant". Kotaku. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ↑ Subrahmanyam, Kaveri; Greenfield, Patricia M. (2000). "Computer Games for Girls: What Makes Them Play?". In Justine Cassell & Henry Jenkins. From Barbie to Mortal Kombat : gender and computer games (PDF). MIT Press. p. 63. Search this book on
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Sweedyk, Elizabeth; de Laet, Marianne (2010). "More Computer Game Designs Should Appeal to Women". In Laurie Willis. Video Games: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press. Search this book on
- ↑ "Games join the Hall of Fame". The Week Junior. 26 May 2023. p. 22.
- ↑ Kenney, Mary (21 December 2022). "A Generation of Gamers Started Out Playing Barbie Fashion Designer". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 15 November 2025.
- ↑ Slayton, Joyce. "The Games Girls Play: Who Says Girls are Afraid of Mice?". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 6 February 2004. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
External links
Category:1996 video games
Category:Barbie video games
Category:Children's educational video games
Category:Classic Mac OS games
Category:Mattel Interactive games
Category:Software for children
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games featuring female protagonists
Category:Windows games
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