Why Are Video Games Targeted Towards Men? Unpacking the Gender Bias in Gaming
The simple answer to why video games are so often targeted towards men is multifaceted, rooted in a complex interplay of historical marketing decisions, perceived market profitability, societal gender roles, and the deeply ingrained biases within the technology and gaming industries themselves. Initially, the gaming industry, seeking rapid growth, identified young boys and men as the primary demographic most likely to embrace this new form of entertainment. This led to marketing strategies heavily skewed towards male preferences, reinforcing a cycle where games, characters, and narratives primarily catered to male interests. While the gaming landscape is slowly evolving, the legacy of this early male-centric approach continues to shape perceptions and influence the industry today.
The Genesis of Male-Dominated Gaming
A Toy Industry Legacy
The foundation of the video game industry’s targeting of males can be traced back to the way gaming consoles were initially marketed. The provided text notes how Nintendo made a deliberate choice to market the NES as a boy’s toy in America. This decision stemmed from the observation that the “boys’ toys” aisle in American toy stores was generally more lucrative. This simple economic calculation set a precedent, influencing subsequent marketing campaigns and product development decisions.
STEM and the Perception of Skill
Another contributing factor is the association of video games with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, which have historically been male-dominated. The article highlights the “belief that men are naturally better at mathematics,” a harmful stereotype that reinforces the idea that gaming, requiring technical skill and strategic thinking, is inherently a male pursuit.
Early Game Design and Male Fantasies
Early video game design often catered to traditionally masculine fantasies. The stereotypical depiction of male characters as “big and muscular” and the slow inclusion of LGBT characters reflected the heteronormative perspective prevalent within the industry. Games focused on action, combat, and competitive gameplay further cemented this masculine image.
The Persistence of Bias
Gender Representation in Games
The article highlights a significant disparity in gender representation in video game dialogue. Studies show that a significant portion of games contain a substantially larger amount of male dialogue compared to female dialogue. While more dialogue does not always equate to better or more nuanced characterization, the lack of substantial female representation in games can alienate female players and reinforce the notion that gaming is predominantly a male domain. A recent study on gender in games can be found on Games Learning Society‘s website. https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
The “Essential Pastime” vs. a “Less Significant Leisure Activity”
The provided text suggests that men are more likely to view video games as their “essential pastime,” while women are more likely to consider it a “less significant leisure activity.” This discrepancy can be attributed to a variety of factors, including societal expectations, time constraints, and the perception that gaming is a predominantly male activity, making it less appealing or accessible to women.
Toxic Gaming Environments
The article mentions that online video games can be host to extreme sexism towards women, with a large percentage of women reporting instances of sexual harassment. Such toxicity contributes to a hostile environment that discourages female participation and reinforces negative stereotypes.
Shifting Tides: Progress and Challenges
The Growing Female Gamer Base
Despite the historical bias, the number of female gamers has been steadily increasing. As the article notes, in the United States, the gender split among gamers is nearly 50/50. This demographic shift indicates a growing demand for more inclusive and diverse gaming experiences.
Changing Game Genres
The article also points out differences in game genre preferences between men and women. While certain genres, like first-person shooters, remain male-dominated, others, such as simulation games like The Sims, attract a larger female audience. This suggests that offering a broader range of game genres can help to attract a more diverse player base.
Increased Representation and Inclusivity
There is growing pressure on game developers to create more diverse and inclusive characters and narratives. While progress has been made, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of representing a wide range of genders, sexual orientations, and ethnicities.
The Economic Argument and Shifting Marketing
The growing recognition of the female gamer market is prompting some companies to adjust their marketing strategies. However, overcoming ingrained biases and stereotypes requires a concerted effort to actively challenge traditional gender roles and promote inclusivity.
Game Design and Socialization
The article rightly points out that the social construction of gender roles plays a significant part in how people perceive gaming. The idea that “video games” are seen as an activity with a more male connotation leads to the misconception that girls may not be interested in computer games or have the skills to develop them. Changing this perception involves actively challenging gendered stereotypes and promoting inclusive game design.
The Future of Gender in Gaming
The gaming industry is at a crossroads. While the historical bias towards targeting men remains a significant factor, the growing female gamer base and increasing demand for inclusivity are driving change. The future of gaming depends on a conscious effort to create more diverse and welcoming experiences for all players, regardless of gender.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is gaming really dominated by men?
While early on gaming was seen as a male dominated space, no, gaming isn’t as male dominated as previously assumed. While we do see differences in the genres being played, there is no real difference in the actual amount of gaming being done. 86% of both men and women are gaming at a rate of at least once a week.
2. What is the gender bias in video games?
Gender bias in video games manifests in several ways, including a lack of female characters, underrepresentation of women in narrative roles, and stereotypical portrayals of both male and female characters. Additionally, online gaming environments can be toxic and hostile towards female players.
3. Are there fewer female gamers?
No, the number of female gamers is substantial and continues to grow. Recent statistics show that women comprise nearly half of all gamers.
4. Why are there fewer female characters in games?
Historically, the industry focused on male protagonists, leading to fewer female characters. However, there is a growing awareness of this imbalance, and developers are increasingly creating more diverse and representative characters.
5. What games are female-dominated?
The gaming marketplace also revealed which games were more popular amongst women in 2020. Leading the way was the life-simulation game Sims 4, while Minecraft, Rust, Fortnite, and Call of Duty rounded out the top five. These were followed by Ark, Lego Star Wars, Planet Zoo, Anno 1800, and Skyrim.
6. What percentage of gamers are male?
The majority of gamers in the US are male (55%). In terms of raw numbers, there are approximately 1.7 billion male gamers and 1.39 billion female gamers worldwide.
7. How is gaming divided by gender?
While women make up around half of all gamers, the gender ratio differs significantly between game genres. Women are highly underrepresented in genres such as first-person shooters and grand strategy games.
8. What game has the most female players?
During a 2019 survey, 39 percent of female gamers stated that they played Pokémon Go, while a further 34 percent played the battle royale game Fortnite.
9. Is gaming still considered as having a woman problem?
The gaming community itself has long been accused of breeding a toxic and hostile environment for women and female gamers specifically.
10. Why are video games predominantly male?
Video games are technology, which places them in the male-dominated domain of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The belief that men are naturally better at mathematics is still common.
11. How do video games affect masculinity?
Indeed, in the present results, amount of time spent playing games that the respondents themselves described as violent predicted beliefs that masculinity should entail aggression, toughness, dominance, and restrictive emotionality but not that masculinity should entail negativity toward sexual minorities, self-
12. Are female gamers increasing?
The Current Landscape. Ironically, female gamers are more prevalent than ever. According to recent statistics, women represent half of all gamers globally. The latest stats segment the video game industry as 61% men and 30% women, showing an increase in women playing a role.
13. Do boys game more than girls?
In 2020, 96% of boys and 76% of girls reported playing video games regularly, while the corresponding figures were 96% and 63% in 2018.
14. Do video games cause sexism?
Online video games can be host to extreme sexism towards women, with 65% of women reporting an instance of sexual harassment in this setting. In comparison to their male counterparts, women are subject to three times the amount of derogatory or offensive remarks, which can be made anonymously by gamers.
15. Is gaming addictive by gender?
Research generally indicates that males are more likely to experience gaming addiction.
It is crucial to acknowledge that gender dynamics in gaming are constantly evolving. Overcoming the historical biases and promoting greater inclusivity requires a concerted effort from developers, publishers, and the gaming community as a whole. This involves creating more diverse characters, challenging harmful stereotypes, and fostering a more welcoming and supportive environment for all players. A greater understanding and the use of inclusivity can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.