Beyond the Console: The Genuine Influence of Women in Video Games
Let's talk about something that's been hiding in plain sight for way too long: the amazing women in the gaming world.
Even though there are more female gamers than ever (46% globally), it seems like the gaming community is taking its sweet time embracing and celebrating what women bring to the gaming table. This blog is here to spill the tea on the lack of representation of women in gaming, from personal stories to the big issues the industry is facing.
The Invisible Players:
So, imagine this: one of my female gamer friends is buzzing about the release of Spiderman 2. In excitement, she goes to one of the biggest social media platforms to check out reviews, when she picks up on what’s trending. In between the reviews of the game, there were trending videos of women griping about losing their partners to the game spending hours upon hours glued to their controllers. She resonated with this as her husband had the same issue! However, it saddened her not to see herself represented in the same way. She, like myself, is fully aware that there are so many female gamers who have the same love and passion as the male gamers out there, and it’s about time the world caught up.
However, it’s no wonder that female gamers are often silent when you hear about the barrage of nasty comments when venturing into male-dominated video game spaces. The gaming community, unfortunately, has a dark undertone of sexism and misogyny, leading to an environment where derogatory remarks, harassment, and belittlement are all too common. These comments often target a gamer's gender rather than their skills, creating an unwelcome atmosphere for women who simply want to enjoy the same gaming experiences as their male counterparts. From dismissive remarks about their abilities to inappropriate and offensive language, female gamers often find themselves subjected to a toxic culture that can detract from the enjoyment of the game itself.
The Silence of the Gaming Industry:
It seems to trickle down from the Gaming industry itself. Just recently PC Gamer Magazine released an article celebrating their 30th anniversary and influential voices in gaming of the last 30 years. But guess what? Not a single non-male or non-white person has made it on the list. Seriously, not one. Since this release, due to the cry of outrage, the editor-in-chief has set in motion to make things right and do better moving forward. The anger felt by a lot of people in the gaming industry will hopefully be heard and be an example to others that the silencing of the underrepresented gaming community will not be tolerated.
Despite strides in recent years, the game development industry continues to grapple with a noticeable gender disparity, as evidenced by the data revealing that 61% of those employed in the industry are men, while women make up only 30%. The industry's got this ongoing challenge to open doors wide for women, getting more women into the mix isn't just about fairness; it's a ticket to a wilder, more diverse gaming universe. We're talking about games that speak to everyone, from every angle.
Unsung Heroes:
So let's take a moment to shout about the incredible women in the gaming industry. Being new to the industry myself and wanting to make my ambassadorship with Women in Games matter, I did some research on some of the biggest female names in the industry.
From game developers to big-shot executives, these trailblazers have kicked stereotypes to the curb and paved the way for a more inclusive future. We're talking about legends like:
Brenda Romero - A game designer and developer. She is most well known for the Wizardry series, where she provided game design, level design, system design, writing and scripting.
Amy Hennig - Director and Script Writer, formerly for the video game company Naughty Dog, where she worked primarily on the Jak and Daxter and Uncharted series.
Jade Raymond - Video game developer, best known for helping create the Assassin's Creed and Watch Dogs franchises, and for building Ubisoft Toronto and EA Motive Studios
Rhianna Pratchett - Video game writer and journalist. She has worked on some big games such as Tomb Raider (2013) and its follow-up, Rise of the Tomb Raider (2015), among others. Also - She is the daughter of fantasy writer Terry Pratchett!
And there are so many more!
Women in Games Ambassador:
Enter the Women in Games organization – the superhero of inclusivity in gaming. They've got ambassadors on deck, actively fighting the gender gap and working towards a gaming community that's balanced and supportive. There are regular events to help spread awareness and if you’re unsure what it is they are fighting for, I highly suggest a read of their manifesto.
Recruiting Women in Gaming:
If we want to close the gender gap in gaming, it's time to roll out the red carpet for women in the industry. Let's get some killer initiatives going – education, mentorship, equal opportunities – you name it. It's all about creating a gaming world where everyone can thrive.
Over the coming months, we will be shining the spotlight on female leaders within the industry. Sharing their stories, discussing career highlights and challenges, and thoughts on what on earth can be done to address this gender imbalance going forward. Keep your eyes peeled for this exciting series!
If you would like to consider taking part in this series, please contact Stephanie@lab8recruitment.com for more information.
As we navigate the wild world of women in gaming, it's clear that we've made some progress. But hey, there's still a long road ahead.
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Stephanie Orchard | Principal Consultant
Stephanie@lab8recruitment.com