Almost half of women who play on PCs and consoles feel like outcasts. This was the conclusion reached by the authors of a new GamesRadar+ study, conducted in collaboration 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 women surveyed from the US and UK believe that gaming culture and communities do not welcome them and do not reflect their interests. Among console players, the figure was even higher — 53%. And among women who regularly play competitive shooters, it reaches 56%.
The study also showed that the problem is not limited to women directly. Many online 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.
Not all people who regularly play video games call themselves "gamers." Only 46% of the study participants are willing to use this definition for themselves. At the same time, 60% have no problem telling friends, colleagues, and even new acquaintances that they play video games.