Female Gamers are Breaking the Stigma

Women have been the underdog in the battle of the sexes for centuries. However, in the past few decades, women have been stepping up and leveling the playing field in hobbies that were presumably controlled by men. One hobby sources the problem for women to be seen as an equal: video games. Video games hold a stigma that they are male territory, and females are judged for participating in the hobby. It is a constant battle to feel accepted because a huge percentage of male players believe we females are only playing for male attention. There is even a stereotype for female gamers called 'gamer girls' that portrays us female gamers as girls playing with a full face of makeup, hair curled, with tight clothes on (or lack of clothing), and a controller in hand; except this is far from reality. Reality is, we're sitting in front of a screen, bare face, hair in a loose bun, haven't showered, and are displaying the prominent gamer face, a blank, non-blinking stare with no emotion except for the occasional yell at the TV. Video games are increasingly becoming a unisex hobby and the world better watch out because us females are ready.

"Game developers are starting to recognize that 44% of their customers are females and that in order to keep the playing field fair, they are going to have to change." -GameDesigning

"With more female developers creating games behind the scenes and women themselves joining up as players, a changing mindset towards women in the world of gaming is starting to emerge." -GameDesigning

The twenty-first century has exploded with new video game content and new innovations that have helped increase company's user base. This approach has extended directly into the games, allowing a choice between a male or female character, and games have introduced a plethora of ways to help self-expression: outfits, colors, variety of weapons, emotes. Additionally, most games no longer focus on the theme: a heroine in distress waiting for a knight in shining armor. They focus on sharing equal gender roles. You know the saying, "whatever men can do, women can do better, and in heels?"

Let's take Bungie's game Destiny for an example. Destiny, being an online multiplayer first-person shooter, takes drastic steps towards creating an environment for women to feel empowered and confident. For people unaware, Destiny is a game that focuses on saving the last remaining humanity, and three authority figures lead you to greatness. One of these figures is named Ikora Rey. Ikora is a perfect example of a woman who is intelligent, brave, strong and does these with a special grace that empowers her femininity. Bungie created her with a strength that female players can look up to and not let being in a world dominated by male energy hold us back from what's important to us. This also stresses how we can possess these attributes without diminishing our own femininity. We can be strong and beautiful.

Women are no longer afraid to venture into male territory. We are not allowing stereotypes get in the way of our happiness. We are ready to fully express ourselves and stand eye to eye with our male counterparts in any hobby, work field, the task we have, because it's been their way long enough. We are stepping up and showing the world what we got.