Did you know that nearly half of all gamers worldwide are women, yet only 16% of gaming executives are female? How many of us have heard the name ‘Carol Shaw‘? Yes, probably if you are familiar with flying your jet fighter down the ‘River of No Return’ to blow up enemy tankers, jet fighters, helicopters or bridges.

Shaw was a pioneer in the gaming industry, programming the classic River Raid game that was published by Activision in 1982. The game went on to sell more than 1 million cartridges.

Gaming was initially considered more of a male leisure activity but recent statistics show otherwise. According to the Newzoo Global Gamer Study of 2023, women comprise 45% of video game players. As of 2020, 47% of the world’s total gamers, and 48% of mobile gamers are women. In Southeast Asia, 53% of the gamer population is female with the Philippines leading the way at 63%. The proportion of women gamers in Asia is growing by 11% annually, almost double the rate of men.

Who are the folks behind these games that have captivated the imagination of the masses and got them addicted to the small screens? What drives them to create the games that captivate millions?

Many would have heard phrases like ‘Arts and Culture’ or ‘Arts and Science’ but what about Arts and Gaming? Where are the connecting dots? Amy Hennig could probably provide us with some insights. She came from an arts background from the University of California, Berkeley. She entered the gaming world as a freelancer with Atari, working as an artist on a game called Electrocoop. With Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, Hennig took more leadership, serving as producer, writer, and designer at Crystal Dynamics. Hennig joined Naughty Dog in 2003 and was responsible for crafting Nathan Drake as a resourceful character with human qualities rather than a tough superhero. Hennig became director of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. These two were critically and financially successful, with Drake’s Deception selling over 6.6 million copies. As the gaming industry flourished in the US, Canada emerged as another powerhouse.

Assassin’s Creed Jade coincidentally has the name of its producer, Jade Raymond. Being a Canadian, she joined Ubisoft Montreal in 2004, where she led the creation of the seminal Assassin’s Creed game, which transformed the gaming industry with its engaging historical storytelling and gameplay. She started Motive Studios in Montreal and partnered with Amy Hennig, a well-known games designer and writer, to produce Star Wars games. Jade won multiple awards including the Develop Vanguard Award (2018) and the Pioneer Award from the Fun & Serious Game Festival (2018). From Montreal, where Jade Raymond reshaped the gaming landscape, we now turn to Paris.

This is a peculiar love story, an affair between a girl and her board games. Muriel Tramis’ passion for strategy games like Chess and Monopoly inspired her transition from player to creator. She started creating simple games like crossword puzzles, and more complex things like murder mystery parties for her friends. Muriel Tramis’ first game, Méwilo, invited players to explore the island’s history through puzzles and immersive storytelling. In 1988, Muriel released her second game, Freedom, a game about slaves fighting their masters. The company sold over a million copies of the game. In 2018, Muriel was bestowed the title of Knight in the Legion of Honor (Légion donner) in France. Muriel Tramis is the first black female game designer in the world.

While the Western gaming industry saw early pioneers like Carol Shaw, Asia has been making strides with leaders like Riris Marpaung.

Riris and her women-led team in Indonesia developed the groundbreaking game, ‘My Lovely Wife’ that revolves around a man’s grief after the death of his beloved wife. She started Gambreng Games Studio in 2013. The company continues to create a series of “My Lovely” games. Riris was appointed as one of the Advisory Board members for Asosiasi Game Indonesia (AGI) or Indonesia Game Association in 2020. Apart from this, she has also been acting as a mentor for a couple of incubator programs that help young studios make games since 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021), games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons became a global phenomenon.

In times of adversity, you need friends and when you can’t reach friends, you need games. One game that came as a saviour was Animal Crossing: New Horizons, launched on Nintendo Switch on 20 March 2020. The game’s unexpected popularity caused Nintendo Switch sales to zoom. New Horizons had sold 44.79 million units by December 2023, nearly 350% more than any other game in the Animal Crossing series, which has been running since 2001. The game was directed by Aya Kyogoku who is the manager of the Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 5. Kyogoku started working in the game industry in 2000 with Atlus and continued working there until September 2003, when she was hired by Nintendo. She began as a scriptwriter on two The Legend of Zelda titles: Four Swords Adventures and Twilight Princess, work for which she won a Game Developers Choice Award. Aya Kyogoku is a trailblazer for women in the video game industry, particularly in leadership roles. Her success has inspired a new generation of female game developers and designers.

Despite their significant presence, women’s representation within the gaming industry’s workforce remains disproportionately low. Women account for approximately 30% of gaming industry professionals and hold a mere 16% of executive positions at the top fourteen global gaming companies. This underrepresentation extends to game development roles, where creative decisions are predominantly made by men, potentially leading to content that lacks diverse perspectives.

Challenges Faced by Women in Gaming

Women in gaming encounter several challenges, including:

• Online Harassment: Female gamers often face harassment, sexism, and misogyny in online gaming environments, which can discourage participation and affect mental well-being. A 2023 survey revealed that 77% of women gamers have experienced gender-based discrimination while gaming.
• Gender Stereotypes: Persistent stereotypes question women’s gaming skills and commitment, leading to a lack of recognition and respect within gaming communities.
• Workplace Discrimination: Within the industry, women may experience discrimination, unequal pay, and limited opportunities for advancement, contributing to a gender gap in leadership positions. As of 2021, women comprised only 30% of game developers worldwide, indicating a persistent gender gap in the industry.

Progress and Initiatives

Despite these challenges, significant progress is being made:

• Advocacy Groups: Organizations like Women in Games and Women in Games International work to increase female representation and foster inclusive environments through mentorship, networking, and advocacy.
• Inclusive Game Design: Developers increasingly create games with diverse characters and storylines, providing more inclusive experiences that resonate with a broader audience.
• Esports Participation: Women are making notable strides in esports, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes in competitive gaming arenas

The Path Forward

Achieving gender equality in gaming requires concerted efforts from all industry stakeholders:

• Promoting Diversity: Companies should implement policies that encourage diversity in hiring, ensuring women have equal opportunities in all roles, including leadership positions.
• Addressing Harassment: Developing and enforcing strict anti-harassment policies can create safer online and workplace environments for women.
• Supporting Women Gamers: Providing platforms and communities where women can share experiences and support each other fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment.

The increasing participation of women in gaming enriches the industry with diverse perspectives and talents. By addressing existing issues and promoting inclusivity, the gaming world can continue to evolve into a more equitable and dynamic space for everyone.