A scholar working at the University of Wales who has over ten years of experience working in the videogames industry has revealed that she considers it ridiculous that the industry continues to ignore the vast and ever-growing band of female gamers.

Speaking to icWales, Emma Westecott believes that the industry is missing out on substantial revenue and obvious opportunities by repeatedly ignoring women in a market traditionally dominated by men.

"Studies show that 54% of online computer games are played by women. More and more women are starting to play but there are not necessarily the titles targeted at them," exclaimed Westecott. "People tend to forget that women are the gatekeepers of household finances. They buy games for their children and lots of mothers are not happy buying their children titles that are aggressive and violent. These issues need to be addressed.”

Westecott goes on to argue against the additional fact that so very little women are employed in high-flying positions within the industry, posts where the ability to assert influence throughout a videogame company's major decisions is attainable.

"Research shows that only 18% of people in the computer games industry are women and many of these are going to be in PR. This is incredibly poor," she added. "Computer games are perceived as male. Historically programmes were made by boys for boys, the stereotype computer geeks, but more women are playing now and there needs to be more diversity."

The University of Wales is holding its annual Women in Games Conference from April 19-21, an event that Westecott helped establish as a platform for the voice of women within the gaming industry. Speakers are set to include Sharon Night, GM of Europe Online Electronic Arts, Microsoft's Karen Wikins-Mickey, and Alice Taylor, VP of Digital Content at the BBC.