In recent years, it has become more and more obvious that the game industry is changing, deeply, comprehensively, and thoroughly, and the word “gamer” has begun to encompass a more diverse group. Year after year, the statistics were calling out more and more bizarre data, and thus the reactions within the game industry itself, as well as among gamers, were more and more interesting. One such example is the figure that showed that today, the majority of gamers are adult women, but also that they also make up a significant number in the industry that creates all those great games.
Hence, today we are witnessing a new reality, in which women are successful creators, award-winning players, passionate designers, and famous presenters, in a world that was once dominated by men, and entertainment that was somehow reserved for the male audience. Inspired by numerous women’s inspirational stories that come to us from the world of gaming, we bring you an article that shows the role of women in an equally impressive industry, that conquers the world and breaks numerous records every day.
Current Trends in Female Gaming
In the area of Canada and the USA, the area where the game industry makes the most money (even more than the film industry), the statistics speak of a completely new image of the average gamer, who in this case is not a stereotypical shy boy on the threshold of manhood. It is not even male anymore, and every year the numbers point more and more to adult women. It does not matter if it is PC titles, RPG titles or FPS and MMO genres, female gamers are everywhere and shows that this is not just a passing trend and that the figures of 50.2% (for female gamers in PC titles); 53.6% (RPG titles) and “only” 34% (consoles) are not negligible.
On the contrary, these numbers are very important because they show a positive trend, growing numbers, especially in the last three years, since more and more women feel more welcome in what society has so far perceived as a male interest. The trend may have started with simple games like Farmville and SIMS, but in a short time it has progressed significantly, so women have integrated into the entire industry.
A new trend is that women are extremely sought after as game designers, because their gamer empathy helps to understand the mentality, habits, desires, and preferences of women gamers, given that they do not approach games in the same way as men.
Influence on the Industry
Although they used to be much less visible in this then-“male” industry, times have changed, and women are now becoming recognized as important figures in the world of gaming. Today, they are no longer “just” gamers, but also streamers, gaming journalists, designers, and managers in this rich industry, which offers many opportunities for success. What is also interesting is that many online gaming platforms have recognized the potential of women, so some of the best ontario online casinos offer games that, according to analysis, correspond to this rapidly growing demographic group.
The presence of women brought important changes to the global gaming industry, and their successes not only enriched gaming culture but also served as inspiration for new generations of young women. Today, thanks to their older colleagues, these girls no longer know stereotypes, and can carefreely enjoy the magic of gaming while feeling welcomed and supported.
Women in Leadership
We have already mentioned that women leave their mark not only as extremely successful gamers, but also as game creators, presenters, and whatnot. One of the best examples by far is Amy Hennig, a video game writer and director who has been in the industry for over 40 years. Some of her most notable works are the Legacy of Kain series (sold in 1.5 million copies), the Jak and Daxter series (sold in over 12 million copies), and the Uncharted series (sold 41 million copies).
Another extremely successful lady is Bonnie Ross, a video game developer, who was Corporate Vice President at Xboh Game Studios and was the main person of 343 Industries. She is particularly known for having played a key role in the development of one of the most famous titles in the gaming world, “Assassin’s Creed”, which has sold over 200 million copies.
There are also Carol Shaw (designer), Tiffany Garcia (gamer and commentator), Yassmin Uddin (gamer), and many other ladies who leave a significant mark in the gaming industry every day, with their accomplishments.
Future Outlook
The number of women in the gaming industry has increased significantly in the last three years and has shown a positive trend in many aspects of this industry. In the future, it is expected that the number of women will continue to grow, given that the stereotypes that this is a man’s pastime have been broken, so today there are more and more girls who engage in the numerous challenges offered by the gaming industry.
Women have already slowly started to introduce diversification into game genres, so it is expected that they will continue with this. In addition, new titles are expected that will successfully incorporate new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality. The participation of women and their empathy make everyone feel safer and more accepted in virtual spaces because women promote respect and support among players.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it is interesting to watch how the world is changing, and how a once “male” industry is becoming completely equal for everyone. Thanks to the opportunities of the gaming industry, today there are more and more female game designers, producers, and skilled gamers, who change trends and give the industry a new perspective. The future is bright, women are getting more involved across industry, and we cannot help but wait for the next few years.