Study Finds Almost Half of Women Do Not Feel Desired in Gaming Communities

It is important to note that the survey was conducted among women in the United States and Great Britain.

Nearly half of women who play games on PC and consoles feel like outsiders. This conclusion was reached by the authors of a new study by GamesRadar+, conducted in partnership with YouGov as part of the launch of the G+RLS podcast dedicated to women in the gaming industry.

According to the survey results, 48% of surveyed women from the US and Great Britain believe that gaming culture and communities do not welcome them and fail to reflect their interests. Among console players, the figure is even higher at 53%. Among women who regularly play competitive shooters, it reaches 56%.

The study also showed that the issue is not limited solely to women. Many internet players prefer to hide or limit information about their identity. 19% of respondents use neutral avatars, another 22% communicate in voice chat only with pre-formed groups of acquaintances and friends, and 19% avoid voice communication altogether.

Far from everyone who regularly plays video games calls themselves a “gamer.” Only 46% of study participants are ready to apply this definition to themselves. At the same time, 60% easily tell friends, colleagues, and even new acquaintances that they play video games.