Originally posted  by MyaSharona on February 17, 2012 at GamerFitNation

In March of 2010 Forbes online stated that ”the new face of videogaming is almost as likely to be a 30-something woman as a teenage boy”, and that “women are increasingly eager to ride the game wave.” This movement is exactly why the folks at Sony Online Entertainment are so dedicated to inspiring women’s involvement in the video game industry, as well as for providing an open gateway for those pursuing careers in the field of creative and applied arts.

Since 2008 SOE has been sponsor to The G.I.R.L—Gamers in Real Life—Scholarship. The purpose of G.I.R.L is to positively impact the way females are depicted in video games and create and influence content to be appealing to women. Another purpose is to help raise awareness of the serious female gaming audience to the media in an effort to encourage the gaming industry to positively promote women throughout all facets of games, game production and into game management. And 2012 marks the 5th pairing of G.I.R.L. and SOE to bring the scholarship to a very fortunate student. The recipient will be awarded a unique opportunity to get a foot in the door with an optional internship at SOE, plus $10,000 towards tuition and other educational expenses at the school at which the student is currently enrolled.

“The goal of G.I.R.L. has always been of opportunity, education and recruitment to get more women into the gaming industry,” said Laura Naviaux, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. “Over the last few years, we have been nothing short of impressed with the hundreds of amazing submissions from talented students nationwide. Now in our fifth year, we can’t wait to see the creativity that comes out of the G.I.R.L. program.” 

The G.I.R.L. Scholarship is for any individual who is 18 years of age or older at the time of entry and a legal resident of the United States, who is currently enrolled at an accredited school in an undergraduate program related to video games, including programs related to video game art, design, animation, production, programming or visual effects, has an average GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and will not graduate before the end of the 2012 spring term. The SOE internship is an optional ten (10)-week position at one of SOE’s studios (room, board, transportation and living expenses not included). The internship will provide invaluable real-work experience & will offer the student an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, as well as make tremendous networks for a future in gaming.

2010 G.I.R.L. Game Design Competition Winner: Sylvia Liu