Does the video game industry support gender inequality

 

 

Gender discrimination in video gaming is a growing topic of discussion in video game culture. Video games are indeed played by nearly three billion people worldwide and make more money annually than the film industry. Despite 41% of gamers are females, the gaming industry has chronic problems with gender bias and women exploitation, both in the representation of female characters and the treatment of female players and workers.

This is because many women have experienced sexual harassment and threats of rape, discrimination, hostility or violence, doubt about their skills, patronizing or dismissive comments, name calling or giving unsolicited advice while playing online video games.

Statistics show that nearly 75% of women still report levels of harassment playing online games, while 59% hide their gender while playing games to avoid it altogether.

Death or rape threats and online sexual harassment are reported not only by female gamers, but also by researchers, academics, journalists, game creators and game reviewers who have criticized misogyny in gaming.

In fact most video games accelerate gender inequality through the content and messages of their stories and gameplay. For example, some video games may depict women as sexual objects or victims of violence, reinforce gender stereotypes or roles, or reward players for harming or harassing women.

According to some studies, playing violent or sexual video games can increase discriminatory, aggressive behavior or attitudes towards women in some players, especially young men. This leads them to believe that women cannot play video games and then some men behave the same way in real life.

Basically, some game developers and publishers have engaged in gendered marketing strategies, promoting games as "for boys" or "for girls." This can reinforce gender stereotypes and limit the potential audience for certain games, further marginalizing women and non-binary individuals.

Kim McAuliffe is an award-winning game designer (she was the lead designer on Kinect Nat Geo TV) said - "It is a harsh reality that video games have long been viewed primarily for straight boys/men, while Tech companies can create software for any number of different audiences. So the process of developing games perpetuates gender inequality, including unnecessarily sexualized character and armor designs or female protagonists with no agency or agency. Including things like lackluster. And then sometimes you get unnecessary shower scenes awkwardly posed for the camera.

How are video game companies biased towards men?,

It is true that the video game industry, like many other industries, has faced criticism for gender-based wage disparities and a lack of representation in leadership positions. Women and non-binary individuals are often underrepresented in development teams, and they may face challenges in career advancement and equal pay, which brings issues such as harassment, oppression, and misogyny to women and other marginalized groups.

This can discourage their participation and contribute to gender imbalance in the gaming community. According to a report by Skillsearch, the global average pay gap within the games and interactive industry is around 26%, which is quite a bit higher than the estimated global average of around 19%. This means that men are earning around £12k more each year, on average, than women working in games. The report also shows that women are underrepresented in senior leadership roles within the games and interactive industry.

Although the number of female game developers is increasing, women still represent only 30% of the industry worldwide. According to a survey by Reach3 Insights, 77% of female gamers in the US, China and Germany experienced gender-specific harassment while gaming online.

Moreover, female gamers, patrons, and developers are often misrepresented in the gaming industry, which can lead to mental health issues and welfare concerns. This indicates that inequality and a culture of discrimination are deeply ingrained in the video game industry and need to be changed.

Will we ever find a solution?,

Games and gamification will continue to be a part of our modern society in more ways, but it will always be challenging for women to enter the profession of gaming industry.

Therefore, it is now imperative for the video game industry to foster a more diverse and inclusive culture for all by tackling the issues of gender discrimination, stereotyping, and violence in their products and workplaces.

Gaming publishers and companies also need to expand ways to help combat abuse and sexism. Encouraging diversity by hiring more women, addressing harassment and toxicity in the gaming community, providing mentorship, and educating employees about gender equality could be some solutions to bridge the gender gap in gaming companies.

Here are some examples that show how video games can also be a powerful medium for promoting gender equality or at least challenge the stereotypes and biases that often plague the gaming industry:

Horizon Zero Dawn: This game features a female protagonist named Aloy, who is a skilled hunter and archer. The game has been praised for its portrayal of a strong female character.

Life is Strange: This game features two female protagonists, Max and Chloe, who are best friends. The game explores themes of friendship, love, and loss, and has been praised for its portrayal of complex female characters .

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: This game features two playable characters, Jacob and Evie Frye. Evie is a skilled assassin who is just as capable as her brother Jacob.

The Last of Us Part II: This game features two female protagonists, Ellie and Abby. The game explores themes of revenge, forgiveness, and redemption, and has been praised for its portrayal of complex female characters.

Beyond Good & Evil: This game features a female protagonist named Jade, who is a photojournalist investigating a government conspiracy. The game has been praised for its portrayal of a strong female character. 

In conclusion, while video games are indeed a popular form of entertainment enjoyed by millions worldwide, the industry has a long way to go in terms of addressing gender bias and female exploitation.