It is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated film releases of 2023: the film Barbie by Greta Gerwig, this July 19 in theaters. Foolproof marketing, a false rivalry with the other blockbuster of the day oppenheimer et un casting 5 étoiles (dont Margot Robbie et Ryan Gosling en Barbie et Ken) qui ont su créer l’évènement et feront sans grand doute de Barbie de nouveau une icône du cinéma, en plus d’être une référence cultissime dans l’univers toys.
But beyond these areas, Barbie has also been able to mark the history of video games over the years. In 2023, one of the 75 video games and software in the Barbie universe, Barbie: Fashion Designer, He was thus included in the pantheon of video games, the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
A sanctuary that brings together all the outstanding games in history based on four selection criteria: the game’s iconic status (almost everyone knows and remembers it), its longevity (it had a long-term popularity), its extension geographical (it is known in several countries) and finally its influence, that is, if the game has had an impact on other games, other universes and on society in general.
First game “for girls”
Released in 1996, Barbie: Fashion Designer marks a turning point in the history of video games. At that time, most commercial games were made for children. The Barbie game, however, achieves a sensational launch with 500,000 copies sold in two months and more than a million during 1998 according to Billboard. A success for this period that is confirmed in the long term with 120 million dollars generated in one year.
However, the beginning is complicated, since you have to convince young women that computers are not reserved for men: then the game is positioned in Barbie department stores (and not video games) and an advertisement is made with he. Kunis, who claims that “computers are great for girls.” Then comes success and Barbie shows that a game “for girls” can be successful, starting a real revolution in the field.
And beyond its commercial aspect, Barbie: Fashion Designer It is also a real technical feat as the real and the virtual are combined so that players can first create their clothing designs in the game before seeing a parade of Barbie in 3D with said clothes but above all printing the bosses to dress up. their dolls. In fact, the set was sold with a special printable paper, the effect of which was close to fabric, markers and paint to perfect the creation of a true wardrobe.
You can be… a game developer
Mattel has also always defended in its approach with Barbie that each child can be “whoever they want”, highlighting all professions on their dolls: astronaut, chemist, beekeeper or even soccer coach. And in video games this has also been felt since Barbie has camped in many professions: explorer in barbie explorer (2001), detective in Detective Barbie 1 and 2 (1998 and 2000), secret agent in secret agent barbie (in 2001, on PC and Game Boy) or jockey on many occasions.
And since 2016, Barbie can also be… a video game developer. In fact, the brand had presented a doll that was certainly still a bit cliché (dyed hair, glasses and military jacket) but with recognizable elements of the trade, such as the gaming headset and, of course, the computer.
Xbox pink and driveable convertible
You can also play Barbie but also play “through” Barbie. Since the commercialization of the Greta Gerwig film had no limits, the famous doll has also ventured into the world of video games. Xbox has teamed up with Barbie to create an unmissable fuchsia pink console and multi-face controller. Let fans of the franchise not be too optimistic, though: this ultra-collector’s edition of the console will be available only through a contest.
However, the less fortunate will be able to console themselves by taking control of the pink convertible and the Barbie Hummer in the fifth installment of the famous game. Force Horizon. Like what, Barbie is always where you least expect it, even in the world of video games.
Source: BFM TV
