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In 2015, a three-year German study of 824 gamers found, when controlling for age and education, that there was no correlation between sexist attitudes and time spent playing video games, or with preference for video game genres. The [[longitudinal study]] was based on [[cultivation theory]], and the results broadly showed that playing video games did not lead to gamers becoming sexist.<ref name="BreuerKowert2015">{{cite journal|last1=Breuer|first1=Johannes|last2=Kowert|first2=Rachel|last3=Festl|first3=Ruth|last4=Quandt|first4=Thorsten|title=Sexist Games=Sexist Gamers? A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship Between Video Game Use and Sexist Attitudes|journal=Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking|volume=18|issue=4|year=2015|pages=197–202|issn=2152-2715|doi=10.1089/cyber.2014.0492|pmid = 25844719}}</ref> The authors Johannes Breuer, Rachel Kowert, Ruth Festl and [[Thorsten Quandt]] have, however, been keen "to make clear that [their] study does not show that sexism is not an issue in/for games and gaming culture. There are many content analyses of popular games that show that female characters are underrepresented or presented in an overly sexualized manner and there is also ample evidence that many players, particularly female, have experienced sexism in their interactions with other players."<ref name=TotiloKotaku>{{cite web|last1=Totilo|first1=Stephen|title=What To Make Of A Study About Gaming And Sexism|url=http://kotaku.com/what-to-make-of-a-study-about-gaming-and-sexism-1698543308|website=Kotaku|accessdate=20 August 2015|ref=What To Make Of A Study About Gaming And Sexism}}</ref>
In 2015, a three-year German study of 824 gamers found, when controlling for age and education, that there was no correlation between sexist attitudes and time spent playing video games, or with preference for video game genres. The [[longitudinal study]] was based on [[cultivation theory]], and the results broadly showed that playing video games did not lead to gamers becoming sexist.<ref name="BreuerKowert2015">{{cite journal|last1=Breuer|first1=Johannes|last2=Kowert|first2=Rachel|last3=Festl|first3=Ruth|last4=Quandt|first4=Thorsten|title=Sexist Games=Sexist Gamers? A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship Between Video Game Use and Sexist Attitudes|journal=Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking|volume=18|issue=4|year=2015|pages=197–202|issn=2152-2715|doi=10.1089/cyber.2014.0492|pmid = 25844719}}</ref> The authors Johannes Breuer, Rachel Kowert, Ruth Festl and [[Thorsten Quandt]] have, however, been keen "to make clear that [their] study does not show that sexism is not an issue in/for games and gaming culture. There are many content analyses of popular games that show that female characters are underrepresented or presented in an overly sexualized manner and there is also ample evidence that many players, particularly female, have experienced sexism in their interactions with other players."<ref name=TotiloKotaku>{{cite web|last1=Totilo|first1=Stephen|title=What To Make Of A Study About Gaming And Sexism|url=http://kotaku.com/what-to-make-of-a-study-about-gaming-and-sexism-1698543308|website=Kotaku|accessdate=20 August 2015|ref=What To Make Of A Study About Gaming And Sexism}}</ref>

== Diversity in Video Game Culture ==
Despite the overall lack of equal representation in the video game industry and design, as well as in regards to treatment of female and other minorities in video game culture, there has been a growing trend for developers, publications, and critics to address these issues. On top of this, creatives in the community that do not fit the general
demographic have been gaining popularity, adding to the diversity of video game culture and allowing more people to find spaces to feel welcome.

=== Publications ===
Amongst general video game journalism, there is an increasing presence of publications calling for better treatment and representation in both the video games industry, as well as treatment of female gamers and other minorities in video game culture. These include, but are not limited to, professional publications and independent blogs.

==== Rock, Paper, Shotgun ====
Rock, Paper, Shotgun is a UK based gaming publication that is focused almost exclusively on PC gaming. After its launch in 2007<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2007/07/13/the-website-that-saved-the-world/|title = The Website That Saved the World|date = 13 July 2007|accessdate = |website = Rock Paper Shotgun|publisher = Rock Paper Shotgun|last = Staff|first = }}</ref>, it then partnered with Eurogamer<ref>{{Cite web|title = RPS Announces Partnership With Eurogamer {{!}} Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/06/01/rps-announces-partnership-with-eurogamer/|accessdate = 2015-12-08}}</ref>. In addition to to providing mainstream game coverage, '''''Rock, Paper, Shotgun''''' reports on many independent and niche games, communities, and developers, as well as provides clans for large games such as [[PlanetSide 2]]. Despite not describing themselves as a feminist publication, they have consistently addressed issues such as female representation in game design, harassment of female journalists, and harassment of women and minorities in video gaming.

In April 2013, '''''Rock, Paper, Shotgun''''' posted an article affirming their stance against sexism and misogyny in video game culture titled ''"Misogyny, Sexism, and why RPS Isn't Shutting Up"''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Misogyny, Sexism, And Why RPS Isn’t Shutting Up {{!}} Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/04/06/misogyny-sexism-and-why-rps-isnt-shutting-up/|accessdate = 2015-12-08|first = John Walker on April|last = 6th|first2 = 2013 at 3:00|last2 = Pm}}</ref> It highlighted the different ways women were objectified in the community, and the consistent denial that these were issues.

When one of their own authors, [[Cara Ellison]], posted a photo of herself in her article<ref>{{Cite web|title = Rhi, Light My Fire: Rhianna Pratchett On Tea, Cakes & Lara {{!}} Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/03/22/rhi-light-my-fire-rhianna-pratchett-on-tea-cakes-lara/|accessdate = 2015-12-08}}</ref>, some RPS readers responded negatively to the realization that '''''Rock, Paper, Shotgun''''' employed female authors. Within the week, RPS Senior Editor [[John Walker (journalist)]] responded with a sarcastic article titled "''Rock, Paper, Shotgun Apology For Using Female Writers"''<ref>{{Cite web|title = Rock, Paper, Shotgun Apology For Using Female Writers {{!}} Rock, Paper, Shotgun|url = http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/03/27/rock-paper-shotgun-apologies-for-using-female-writers/|accessdate = 2015-12-08}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 12:13, 8 December 2015

Sexism in video gaming refers to prejudiced behavior or discrimination based on sex or gender as experienced by people who play and create video games, primarily women. This may manifest as sexual harassment or in the way genders are represented in games, such as when characters are presented according to gender-related tropes and stereotypes.

The demographics of video game culture have changed since the 1980s and 90s, when video games were perceived as something of interest mainly to young men. Women make up about half of all game players as of the 2010s.[1] This change, as well as publicized incidents of harassment such as in the 2014 Gamergate controversy, have contributed to industry professionals and media increasingly paying attention to issues related to sexism in video gaming.

Harassment

Form

Harassment can involve sexist insults or comments, death or rape threats, demanding sexual favors in exchange of virtual or real money, or criticism of the presence of women and their interests.[2] In some cases, female players are also stalked, whether online or offline.[3]

Women can also be considered intruders, as it is assumed they do not play video games, except games associated with female players such as the Sims, music video games or casual games. Conversely, insults towards men focus mainly on their alleged lack of manliness for playing "girl games" or disliking violent games.[4] As a result, women may face offensive behavior at conventions, competitions or in video games stores. It may affect female gamers, journalists or game developers, even when they are invited to talk at a conference or to present a game.[5][6][7][8] Since the release of the NES, video games advertisements have been accused of strengthening this tendency by targeting only men.[9][10] In the 1980s, women stopped being represented playing video games in advertisement and scantily clad women started being used on game covers and ads.[9] Some women saw their non-sexualized female character designs rejected, and others reported sexual harassment in the workplace.[11][12]

According to a 2014 survey created by the International Videogame Developers Association about the satisfaction of working in video game development, results show that females claimed insubordination from subordinate male colleagues, a preference for white males in management position, and a preference for males in hiring and promotion.[13][14] In the same survey, many female developers complained about how peers did not take their video game credentials into serious consideration and reported invitations to "meetings" that were actually romantic dates. There was also a small number of men feeling discriminated against in favor of women.[15]

Sexual harassment occurs frequently in many online settings relating online video games. Specifically, 65% of women report harassment and statistically receive three times as much derogatory or insulting remarks than men. With anonymity masking gamers, women are susceptible to extreme misogynistic and violent remarks.[16]

Video games conferences have been criticised for using sexualised advertising such as 'booth babes', creating a demeaning image of women, and for failing to stop harassment of female attendees. This has led some to adopt or share codes of conduct for managing these issues.[17][18][19][20][21]

Frequency

Although insults are frequent in online gaming or on internet, women are, according to Stephen Toulouse, moderator of the Xbox Live between 2007 and 2012, the most frequent target of harassment,[3] but data from Riot Games list racism and homophobia at the top.[22] Derogatory words for gay are used almost constantly in online gaming.[23]

In 2012, a study of the Ohio University showed that the same person playing Halo 3 online with a male and a female profile using recorded voice messages received three times more negative comments with the female profile, despite similar game scores. Even welcoming everybody at the beginning of a game could lead to sexist insults against the female profile.[7][24] A 2015 study of Halo 3 player interactions found that less skilled male players display a tendency to make frequent, nasty comments to female gamers.[25] The researchers suggested that the poorly performing men "attempt to disregard a female's performance and suppress her disturbance on the hierarchy to retain their social rank."[26]

A study from 2006 showed that 83.4% of gamers had seen the words "gay" or "queer" used as derogatory names, and that 52.7% of gay gamers perceived the gaming community as "somewhat hostile" while 14% perceived it as "very hostile".[27]

Another study about online harassment in gaming, also from 2012, said that to date, there had been very little empirical research into online harassment and few existing studies have been focused on the motivation behind the harassment.[28]

Examples

Events in 2012 to 2014 brought sexual harassment in video gaming to mainstream media's attention in the United-States,[3] United Kingdom and Germany:[5]

  • In February 2012, the behavior of a Tekken team coach against a female player of his team during a Capcom competition named Cross Assault provoked an outrage.[2] He interrogated her about her bra size, asked her to remove her shirt, took a webcam to film her breasts and her legs, smelled her and discussed her appearance during the live broadcast of the tournament on internet.[3] He then stated that sexual harassment and the fighting game community are "one and the same thing" and that it would be "ethically wrong" to remove sexual harassment from the community.[29] After a few days without any reaction from the sponsoring company, the female player eventually gave up the competition.[30] Capcom later issued an apology and stated that "any inappropriate or disrespectful comments will not be tolerated during filming".[31] The team coach also apologized afterwards.[3]
  • In May 2012, the Kickstarter crowdfunding of videos on female representation in video games received wide coverage due to the cyber-bullying of its founder, the feminist video-blogger Anita Sarkeesian. Her Facebook, YouTube and email accounts were subsequently flooded with hateful and sexist comments, death and rape threats, and photoshopped pictures of her getting raped by video game characters. A game was created, inviting players to beat her up.[3][6][32] She eventually collected $160,000 out of the requested $6,000.[33] The most recent threat against Anita Sarkeesian was in Logan, Utah on October 15, 2014. She was scheduled to deliver a speech on a Wednesday evening until an anonymous email message arrived a day before, stating that there would be a mass shooting if the event was held.[34]
  • In France, the female blogger Mar_Lard brought attention to the sexism in the video gaming community in May 2013 by publishing a blog post named Sexisme chez les geeks: Pourquoi notre communauté est malade, et comment y remédier, a compilation of sexism problems in the geek community.[7][8][35]

Effects

A study performed by Jesse Fox, et al. suggested that due the Proteus effect, manifesting a sexualized character in a video game can have adverse mental effects. They found that women who used sexualized characters that looked like them had a higher rape myth acceptance, which is the validation of incorrect and stereotypical ideas about rape that blame the victim, and increased body-related thinking which can lead to increased self-objectification. It can be suggested that those who use sexualized characters in video games are more likely to develop harsh attitudes in regards to women and their own selves in reality. They state that it may prompt a kind of safeguard for the self, or that they are more likely to blame a rape victim for the act due to avoiding imagining themselves in the same position.[36]

Karen E. Dill and Kathryn P. Thill state that adolescents, particularly boys and those who play games, are ignorant of the adverse impacts of detestable media content, and therefore ignorant of the when they are affected adversely. Theories such as the Cultivation Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, Ambivalent Sexism Theory, and Hegemonic Masculinity Theory all aid Dill and Thill in discussing the repercussions of perpetuating gender stereotypes in media like video games. These theories also illustrate the ways prominent video game characters are gendered and what is received by the user or viewer. They write that “Gender portrayals of video game characters reinforce a sexist, patriarchal view that men are aggressive and powerful and that women are not healthy, whole persons, but sex objects, eye candy and generally second-class citizens.”[37]

According to Jeffrey Kuznekoff and Lindsey Rose, the fact that gamers experience misconstrued portrayals of appearance, violence, and sexual objectification can impact their understanding and communication with other gamers, especially female gamers. In addition, these gender portrayals become increasingly prominent because of the mass appeal and number of users of online multiplayer games. They found that the female voice received nearly three times as many directed negative comments than the male voice or control. They also found that there was no correlation between the number of directed negative comments and the skill level of the other player. On several occasions, the female voice received strong sexist replies for phrases such as “hi everybody” or “alright team let’s do this” despite the female voice having almost the same win percentage as the male voice (56% to 61%, respectively). Additionally, they found that when the other player responded with a positive remark, they were more likely to ask questions. Overall, Kuznekoff and Rose found that there were hypernegative effects with hostile targeting of the female voice.[38]

In 2015, a three-year German study of 824 gamers found, when controlling for age and education, that there was no correlation between sexist attitudes and time spent playing video games, or with preference for video game genres. The longitudinal study was based on cultivation theory, and the results broadly showed that playing video games did not lead to gamers becoming sexist.[39] The authors Johannes Breuer, Rachel Kowert, Ruth Festl and Thorsten Quandt have, however, been keen "to make clear that [their] study does not show that sexism is not an issue in/for games and gaming culture. There are many content analyses of popular games that show that female characters are underrepresented or presented in an overly sexualized manner and there is also ample evidence that many players, particularly female, have experienced sexism in their interactions with other players."[40]

Diversity in Video Game Culture

Despite the overall lack of equal representation in the video game industry and design, as well as in regards to treatment of female and other minorities in video game culture, there has been a growing trend for developers, publications, and critics to address these issues. On top of this, creatives in the community that do not fit the general demographic have been gaining popularity, adding to the diversity of video game culture and allowing more people to find spaces to feel welcome.

Publications

Amongst general video game journalism, there is an increasing presence of publications calling for better treatment and representation in both the video games industry, as well as treatment of female gamers and other minorities in video game culture. These include, but are not limited to, professional publications and independent blogs.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Rock, Paper, Shotgun is a UK based gaming publication that is focused almost exclusively on PC gaming. After its launch in 2007[41], it then partnered with Eurogamer[42]. In addition to to providing mainstream game coverage, Rock, Paper, Shotgun reports on many independent and niche games, communities, and developers, as well as provides clans for large games such as PlanetSide 2. Despite not describing themselves as a feminist publication, they have consistently addressed issues such as female representation in game design, harassment of female journalists, and harassment of women and minorities in video gaming.

In April 2013, Rock, Paper, Shotgun posted an article affirming their stance against sexism and misogyny in video game culture titled "Misogyny, Sexism, and why RPS Isn't Shutting Up"[43] It highlighted the different ways women were objectified in the community, and the consistent denial that these were issues.

When one of their own authors, Cara Ellison, posted a photo of herself in her article[44], some RPS readers responded negatively to the realization that Rock, Paper, Shotgun employed female authors. Within the week, RPS Senior Editor John Walker (journalist) responded with a sarcastic article titled "Rock, Paper, Shotgun Apology For Using Female Writers"[45]

See also

References

  1. ^ 2014 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry (PDF). Entertainment Software Association. April 2014. p. 3. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b Fletcher, James. "Sexual harassment in the world of video gaming". BBC News. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f O'Leary, Amy. "In Virtual Play, Sex Harassment Is All Too Real". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  4. ^ Emily Matthew (2012-06-06). "Sexism in Video Games: There Is Sexism in Gaming". Price Charting.
  5. ^ a b Süddeutsche.de GmbH, Munich, Germany. "Frauenrollen in Computerspielen - Sexspielzeug - Digital - Süddeutsche.de". Süddeutsche.de. Retrieved 9 September 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b Süddeutsche.de GmbH, Munich, Germany. "Sexismus in Videospielen - Wo Feminismus als "Terrorismus" gilt - Digital - Süddeutsche.de". Süddeutsche.de. Retrieved 9 September 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b c "Jeux vidéo: une étude confirme le sexisme des joueurs - Slate.fr". Slate.fr. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Les Inrocks - Le milieu geek, bien trop sexiste ?". Les Inrocks. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  9. ^ a b "No girls allowed - Polygon". Polygon. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Playstation 4 (PS4) et Xbox One: la surenchère sexiste - L'Humanité". L'Humanité. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  11. ^ Mary Hamilton (November 28, 2012). "#1reasonwhy: the hashtag that exposed games industry sexism". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  12. ^ "#1ReasonWhy: Women Take to Twitter to Talk about Sexism in Video Game Industry". Time Newsfeed. November 27, 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  13. ^ Edwards, Kate; Weststar, Johanna; Meloni, Wanda; Pearce, Celia; Legault, Marie-Josée. "Developer Satisfaction Survey 2014 Summer Report" (PDF). gameqol.org.
  14. ^ Burrows, Leah. "Women remain outsiders in video game industry". Boston Globe. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  15. ^ http://gameqol.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IGDA%20DSS%202014-Summary%20Report_released.pdf
  16. ^ Digitized Lives, T.V. Reed
  17. ^ "Booth Babes and the Expo". Eurogamer.net. 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
  18. ^ Silverstein, Jonathan (2006-02-02). "Sexy 'Booth Babes' Under Siege - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
  19. ^ "PAX Code of Conduct". Penny Arcade. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  20. ^ Duhaime, Arielle (2014-01-10). "Why can't CES quit booth babes?". The Verge. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  21. ^ Kelion, Leo (2013-02-10). "BBC News - CES 'booth babe' guidelines revised but ban rejected". Bbc.com. Retrieved 2014-07-20.
  22. ^ http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/05/using-science-to-reform-toxic-player-behavior-in-league-of-legends/
  23. ^ http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/01/13/homophobia-and-harassment-in-the-online-gaming-age
  24. ^ "Study: Female Gamers Receive Verbal Abuse From Male Gamers - Pacific Standard: The Science of Society". Pacific Standard. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  25. ^ Dewey, Caitlin (July 20, 2015). "Men who harass women online are quite literally losers, new study finds". Washington Post.
  26. ^ Kasumovic, Michael M.; Kuznekoff, Jeffrey H.; Ponti, Giovanni (15 July 2015). "Insights into Sexism: Male Status and Performance Moderates Female-Directed Hostile and Amicable Behaviour". PLOS ONE. 10 (7). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131613.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  27. ^ http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Gay-rights-group-plans-talk-on-silencing-slurs-by-3224946.php
  28. ^ http://www.igi-global.com/article/exploratory-study-trolling-online-video/75169
  29. ^ Kuchera, Ben (2012-02-28). "Sexual harassment as ethical imperative: how Capcom's fighting game reality show turned ugly". The Penny Arcade Report. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  30. ^ "Cross Assault sexual harassment controversy overshadows on-screen combat - GamesBeat - Games - by Marcos Valdez (Community Writer)". VentureBeat. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  31. ^ "When Passions Flare, Lines Are Crossed [UPDATED] - Giant Bomb". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  32. ^ "Digitaler Sexismus ǀ Emanzipation der Trolle — der Freitag". Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  33. ^ "Lara Croft et le sexisme des gamers". Le Monde.fr. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  34. ^ "Anita Sarkeesian Cancels Speech Over Utah State University Allowing Firearms To Her Event". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  35. ^ "Le jeu vidéo est-il sexiste ? - France info". France info. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  36. ^ Fox, Jesse; et al. (2013). "The embodiment of sexualized virtual selves: The Proteus effect and experiences of self-objectification via avatars."". Computers in Human Behavior. 29: 930–938.
  37. ^ Dill, Karen E. (2007). "Video Game Characters and the Socialization of Gender Roles: Young People's Perceptions Mirror Sexist Media Depictions". Sex Roles. 57: 851–864.
  38. ^ Kuznekoff, Jeffrey H. (2012). "Communication in multiplayer gaming: Examining player repsonses to gender cues". New Media & Society. 0 (0): 1–16.
  39. ^ Breuer, Johannes; Kowert, Rachel; Festl, Ruth; Quandt, Thorsten (2015). "Sexist Games=Sexist Gamers? A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship Between Video Game Use and Sexist Attitudes". Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 18 (4): 197–202. doi:10.1089/cyber.2014.0492. ISSN 2152-2715. PMID 25844719.
  40. ^ Totilo, Stephen. "What To Make Of A Study About Gaming And Sexism". Kotaku. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
  41. ^ Staff (13 July 2007). "The Website That Saved the World". Rock Paper Shotgun. Rock Paper Shotgun.
  42. ^ "RPS Announces Partnership With Eurogamer | Rock, Paper, Shotgun". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  43. ^ 6th, John Walker on April; Pm, 2013 at 3:00. "Misogyny, Sexism, And Why RPS Isn't Shutting Up | Rock, Paper, Shotgun". Retrieved 2015-12-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "Rhi, Light My Fire: Rhianna Pratchett On Tea, Cakes & Lara | Rock, Paper, Shotgun". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  45. ^ "Rock, Paper, Shotgun Apology For Using Female Writers | Rock, Paper, Shotgun". Retrieved 2015-12-08.
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