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Gaming Sexism: Gender and Identity in the Era of Casual Video Games
Interviews with female gamers about structural sexism across the gaming landscape
When the Nintendo Wii was released in 2006, it ushered forward a new era of casual gaming in which video games appealed to not just the stereotypical hardcore male gamer, but also to a much broader, more diverse audience. However, the GamerGate controversy six years later, and other similar public incidents since, laid bare the internalized misogyny and gender stereotypes in the gaming community. Today, even as women make up nearly half of all gamers, sexist assumptions about the what and how of women's gaming are more actively enforced.
In Gaming Sexism, Amanda C. Cote explores the video game industry and its players to explain this contradiction, how it affects female gamers, and what it means in terms of power and gender equality. Across in-depth interviews with women-identified gamers, Cote delves into the conflict between diversification and resistance to understand their impact on gaming, both casual and "core" alike. From video game magazines to male reactions to female opponents, she explores the shifting expectations about who gamers are, perceived changes in gaming spaces, and the experiences of female gamers amidst this gendered turmoil. While Cote reveals extensive, persistent problems in gaming spaces, she also emphasizes the power of this motivated, marginalized audience, and draws on their experiences to explore how structural inequalities in gaming spaces can be overcome. Gaming Sexism is a well-timed investigation of equality, power, and control over the future of technology.
When the Nintendo Wii was released in 2006, it ushered forward a new era of casual gaming in which video games appealed to not just the stereotypical hardcore male gamer, but also to a much broader, more diverse audience. However, the GamerGate controversy six years later, and other similar public incidents since, laid bare the internalized misogyny and gender stereotypes in the gaming community. Today, even as women make up nearly half of all gamers, sexist assumptions about the what and how of women's gaming are more actively enforced.
In Gaming Sexism, Amanda C. Cote explores the video game industry and its players to explain this contradiction, how it affects female gamers, and what it means in terms of power and gender equality. Across in-depth interviews with women-identified gamers, Cote delves into the conflict between diversification and resistance to understand their impact on gaming, both casual and "core" alike. From video game magazines to male reactions to female opponents, she explores the shifting expectations about who gamers are, perceived changes in gaming spaces, and the experiences of female gamers amidst this gendered turmoil. While Cote reveals extensive, persistent problems in gaming spaces, she also emphasizes the power of this motivated, marginalized audience, and draws on their experiences to explore how structural inequalities in gaming spaces can be overcome. Gaming Sexism is a well-timed investigation of equality, power, and control over the future of technology.
- GenresNonfictionFeminism
274 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 30, 2020
Un essai beaucoup plus académique que d'autres essais sur le féminisme/théorie queer et les jeux vidéo que j'ai eu l'occasion de lire (et qui va aussi beaucoup plus loin qu'une introduction sur le sujet). L'autrice, à l'aide de témoignage d'une trentaine de joueuses à l'international (mais surtout aux États-Unis), réfléchit à l'identité du "gamer", à ses limites, à ses adaptes, à ce que ça signifie d'en être un, mais surtout une ou pourquoi cette étiquette peut être rejetée par les joueuses de jeux vidéo.
Il y a de longs (et intéressants!) développement sur les questions de "core" et "casual" games, sur ce que ça signifie d'être une femme qui joue et quel impact cela a sur le type de jeu joué ou encore les objectifs derrière le jeu, sur le harcèlement en ligne (ainsi que les stratégies déployées par les joueuses pour les éviter ou les minimiser) et les conséquences sur les joueuses à court ou long terme. On réfléchit aussi à la jouabilité (ou non) des jeux vidéo avec des dynamiques ouvertement sexistes auprès des joueuses, mais aussi à à la représentation des femmes dans les jeux vidéo de manière plus général et ce que ça apporte aux personne interviewées de jouer une protagoniste femme plutôt qu'un homme (ou même d'avoir le choix). Après les analyses des premières entrevues, l'autrice explore aussi la vague de harcèlement de joueuses de haut profil ainsi que certaines critiques ou créatrices avant, pendant et après le GamerGate.
La richesse de cet essai vient aussi beaucoup d'une deuxième vague d'entrevues plusieurs années plus tard qui revient sur les entrevues précédentes et éclairent le portrait de joueuses plus âgées, avec des enfants/une carrière/des ami·es plus occupé·es, etc. Le tout dans un paysage vidéo-ludique qui a immensément changé (après GamerGate, après une "certaine" diversification des jeux vidéo) et en fait ressortir certains constats intéressants, et parfois un peu déprimant pour être honnête. Plusieurs questions sont aussi posées aux joueuses concernant leur propre perception du GamerGate et l'impact que cela a eu sur leur propre expérience du jeu et de la présence en ligne.
Un essai très honnête dans son analyse du, comme l'indique le sous-titre, genre et de l'identité des joueuses et une belle exploration de la compréhension de ce qu'est être une joueuse il y a une dizaine d'année et les changements qui peuvent s'opérer en quelques années seulement dans le paysage vidéo-ludique ou les habitudes de jeux. On est vraiment plus dans le témoignage assez proche et fidèle (Amanda C. Cote s'assurait de faire réviser ses observations par les personnes concernées pour être sûr de ne pas déformer leurs propos ou leur authenticité [beaucoup plus de détails est donné là-dessus dans les appendices]) donc moins nécessairement dans des tendances générales qui s'observent, mais les différentes sections, notamment celles des stratégies pour diminuer le harcèlement en ligne, relève presque de l'analyse macro tellement elles sont bien détaillées et semblent exhaustives (d'un autre côté, ça semble aussi être une réalité commune réservée à la vaste majorité des femmes qui joue donc c'est probablement pour ça aussi que cette section est si fournie).
Il y a de longs (et intéressants!) développement sur les questions de "core" et "casual" games, sur ce que ça signifie d'être une femme qui joue et quel impact cela a sur le type de jeu joué ou encore les objectifs derrière le jeu, sur le harcèlement en ligne (ainsi que les stratégies déployées par les joueuses pour les éviter ou les minimiser) et les conséquences sur les joueuses à court ou long terme. On réfléchit aussi à la jouabilité (ou non) des jeux vidéo avec des dynamiques ouvertement sexistes auprès des joueuses, mais aussi à à la représentation des femmes dans les jeux vidéo de manière plus général et ce que ça apporte aux personne interviewées de jouer une protagoniste femme plutôt qu'un homme (ou même d'avoir le choix). Après les analyses des premières entrevues, l'autrice explore aussi la vague de harcèlement de joueuses de haut profil ainsi que certaines critiques ou créatrices avant, pendant et après le GamerGate.
La richesse de cet essai vient aussi beaucoup d'une deuxième vague d'entrevues plusieurs années plus tard qui revient sur les entrevues précédentes et éclairent le portrait de joueuses plus âgées, avec des enfants/une carrière/des ami·es plus occupé·es, etc. Le tout dans un paysage vidéo-ludique qui a immensément changé (après GamerGate, après une "certaine" diversification des jeux vidéo) et en fait ressortir certains constats intéressants, et parfois un peu déprimant pour être honnête. Plusieurs questions sont aussi posées aux joueuses concernant leur propre perception du GamerGate et l'impact que cela a eu sur leur propre expérience du jeu et de la présence en ligne.
Un essai très honnête dans son analyse du, comme l'indique le sous-titre, genre et de l'identité des joueuses et une belle exploration de la compréhension de ce qu'est être une joueuse il y a une dizaine d'année et les changements qui peuvent s'opérer en quelques années seulement dans le paysage vidéo-ludique ou les habitudes de jeux. On est vraiment plus dans le témoignage assez proche et fidèle (Amanda C. Cote s'assurait de faire réviser ses observations par les personnes concernées pour être sûr de ne pas déformer leurs propos ou leur authenticité [beaucoup plus de détails est donné là-dessus dans les appendices]) donc moins nécessairement dans des tendances générales qui s'observent, mais les différentes sections, notamment celles des stratégies pour diminuer le harcèlement en ligne, relève presque de l'analyse macro tellement elles sont bien détaillées et semblent exhaustives (d'un autre côté, ça semble aussi être une réalité commune réservée à la vaste majorité des femmes qui joue donc c'est probablement pour ça aussi que cette section est si fournie).
April 7, 2021
C. Cote's Gaming Sexism was exceptionally well done!
She goes into detail to explain how women are sexualised and marginalised in both games and the gaming space. I also really liked that she interviewed a multitude of people, that did not always have coherent opinions, clearly showing how she respected even opinions that went against her thesis.
It was also really important that she touched upon the #GamerGate scandal. It's horrible to her that women are really no where safe from misogyny .
She goes into detail to explain how women are sexualised and marginalised in both games and the gaming space. I also really liked that she interviewed a multitude of people, that did not always have coherent opinions, clearly showing how she respected even opinions that went against her thesis.
It was also really important that she touched upon the #GamerGate scandal. It's horrible to her that women are really no where safe from misogyny .
September 10, 2025
4/5 stars
"...interviewees linked all these issues, in games and other spaces, to the rise of the men's rights movements and to alt-right politics in the United States and worldwide...the issue was never truly games at all; rather, it was about traditional spheres of masculine power, men who felt that these were being threatened, and how they reacted to this threat.
A fascinating look into sexism within the gaming sphere but also its connection to outside influences - how the rise in red-pill content and "men's rights" movements have played a heavy hand in how men have, and continue, to treat women in masculine-heavy communities. As a gamer myself, I found my personal thoughts and beliefs resonated quite deeply with some of the interviewees, as many of their experiences were almost identical to mine; the choices that some of the women make - such as avoiding multiplayer spaces due to racist, sexist, and homophobic comments - or being unsure on labeling themselves a "true gamer" due to the games they play: "...felt as though the gaming community did not allow women to define themselves as part of it. They frequently found that other players assumed they were playing games as away to get male attention or...marked out as "female gamers" rather than just regular members". In fact, I have even left a gaming group due to the insane misogyny and harassment that I faced from the men within it.
Even within women gaming communities, though, there are women who would rather bring others down in hopes of either gaining the "attention" of other male gamers OR believing that being a pick-me (merriam-webster: a slang term for a person...behaving in a contemptible way for attention and approval, usually from male peers) will garner them true acceptance into these male-dominated communities. But we all know the truth: no matter how you disparage and mock fellow women, these men will never truly accept you as one of their own. You'll always be a "female gamer" and that label will never fall off. So in lieu of the harassment, I understand why some will either create a gender-neutral account so that label cannot be used against you - it's something that I do as well.
As a whole, this was an enjoyable read that, while nothing brand new to me and very academic, was still insightful regardless.
"...we need to move beyond focusing on large, dramatic events like GamerGate and maintain attention to the ways in which sexism permeates the everyday experiences of women who choose to enter masculinized space, as well as how they deal with it."
"...interviewees linked all these issues, in games and other spaces, to the rise of the men's rights movements and to alt-right politics in the United States and worldwide...the issue was never truly games at all; rather, it was about traditional spheres of masculine power, men who felt that these were being threatened, and how they reacted to this threat.
A fascinating look into sexism within the gaming sphere but also its connection to outside influences - how the rise in red-pill content and "men's rights" movements have played a heavy hand in how men have, and continue, to treat women in masculine-heavy communities. As a gamer myself, I found my personal thoughts and beliefs resonated quite deeply with some of the interviewees, as many of their experiences were almost identical to mine; the choices that some of the women make - such as avoiding multiplayer spaces due to racist, sexist, and homophobic comments - or being unsure on labeling themselves a "true gamer" due to the games they play: "...felt as though the gaming community did not allow women to define themselves as part of it. They frequently found that other players assumed they were playing games as away to get male attention or...marked out as "female gamers" rather than just regular members". In fact, I have even left a gaming group due to the insane misogyny and harassment that I faced from the men within it.
Even within women gaming communities, though, there are women who would rather bring others down in hopes of either gaining the "attention" of other male gamers OR believing that being a pick-me (merriam-webster: a slang term for a person...behaving in a contemptible way for attention and approval, usually from male peers) will garner them true acceptance into these male-dominated communities. But we all know the truth: no matter how you disparage and mock fellow women, these men will never truly accept you as one of their own. You'll always be a "female gamer" and that label will never fall off. So in lieu of the harassment, I understand why some will either create a gender-neutral account so that label cannot be used against you - it's something that I do as well.
As a whole, this was an enjoyable read that, while nothing brand new to me and very academic, was still insightful regardless.
"...we need to move beyond focusing on large, dramatic events like GamerGate and maintain attention to the ways in which sexism permeates the everyday experiences of women who choose to enter masculinized space, as well as how they deal with it."
August 22, 2024
This was an interesting read, even though it was difficult to read straight through because it inspired me to check out games I hadn’t heard of and revisit my favorite games along the way 😛.
Many of the key findings resonated with my own personal experience. For example, women have multiple identities, varied interests at one point in time and over time, and difficulty identifying as a “gamer” even though the term should include everyone who plays games.
I liked the ideas for improvement and the suggestion to research men’s experiences. I would also be interested in more research on women who are or might be interested in gaming but haven’t engaged with it, as well as women in other contexts like professional football fans.
Many of the key findings resonated with my own personal experience. For example, women have multiple identities, varied interests at one point in time and over time, and difficulty identifying as a “gamer” even though the term should include everyone who plays games.
I liked the ideas for improvement and the suggestion to research men’s experiences. I would also be interested in more research on women who are or might be interested in gaming but haven’t engaged with it, as well as women in other contexts like professional football fans.
December 13, 2021
A fantastic read if you’re wanting to know the intricacies and details surrounding sexism in gaming. I really liked the interviews with different women who game— I felt like I could really relate with them but also learn new perspectives from them. Highly recommend if you’re a female in the gaming scenes.
April 4, 2025
I enjoyed this one. As a “girl gamer” I’ve had very similar experiences to what some of the interviewees shared. It was a little repetitive, especially near the end.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews