The gaming industry is an exciting part of the entertainment sector. It is growing every day and creating new jobs for people who can take up specific roles to contribute to its growth. They have also added special technology to make the job easy for those who take up these roles.
Despite this growth and advancements, the gaming industry encounters issues of inclusivity that need to be addressed as quickly as possible. Let’s go through some of these problems.
The Gaming Industry and Problems With Inclusivity
Society, due to stereotypes, views men to be more interested in games than women. Although this is true, recent statistics taken in the U.S. every year show that the percentage of women showing interest in video games every year is rising. As of 2022, the video game audience in the U.S. was 52% male and 48% female. This percentage disproves that men are way more interested than women in the gaming industry.
Many top companies and online casino platforms operate within these stereotypes and of course, fail to show equality when making recruitments. These companies would rather employ a male, who is less qualified, than a female who showed promises during the recruitment process. This has reduced the participation of women in the industry.
Not just women are affected, non-binary genders are also affected. Many companies in the gaming industry do not practice inclusivity and diversity, therefore, not being a man already puts you at risk of getting disqualified. This has killed the dreams of many who hope to be a notable figure in the industry.
Because of these stereotypes and lack of diversity, studies show that the percentage of women in the gaming industry is around 24% and is even way lower for non-binary individuals. This shows how slim the chances of getting a job as a woman in the gaming industry are.
How Women Can Make The Gaming Environment A Better Place
You can argue that the growth of the industry would have been much better if there were more women. The recruitment process has disqualified women with bright ideas that could boost the industry’s growth. Also, the lucky women who get in may face intimidation from the large population of men and feel that their voices might not be heard. This creates a less comfortable environment for them to work and express themselves. Avoiding all of these can create a more positive environment and increase the growth of the industry.
By avoiding stereotyping and creating a less recruitment process, you can increase the participation of women in the industry. When there is a fair recruitment process, all the company will ever care about is the capability of the workers they want to employ. This opens more doors for women who are vast and talented. And with more women gaining opportunities, the ratio of men to women is reduced, creating a more adaptable environment.
The goal of the gaming industry is to always improve. This is why the best companies employ a rich talent pool to get more ideas from them. To them, it does not matter if you are a man or woman, as long as you can provide solutions to problems, then you will be qualified.
Top Companies Who Have Helped With Inclusivity Of Women In the Gaming Industry
Women are getting more interested in the gaming industry and there is a need to make them more involved. Certain gaming companies in the world have helped to make the industry a better place for women to explore their abilities. These companies have raised the voice of women in society, allowing them to play special roles in the industry.
According to the Entertainment Software Association, the percentage of gamers who are women is about 46%. This is a massive growth following the 38% that was recorded in 2006. This shows the participation of women in the industry.
Top gaming companies like Riot Games have worked towards helping women achieve their dreams in the gaming industry. They preach against stereotyping and have created rules to make the gaming environment more easy for women. Also, they have made certain changes to the recruitment processes by employing more females than they normally used to.
Blizzard Entertainment is another gaming company that helped with the growth of women in the industry. This company prioritizes diversity and inclusion. Blizzard is all about making everyone feel seen. To encourage more participation, Blizzard has increased the quota of women they hope to employ.
To have maximum development, only the best hands are needed. Therefore, companies must ensure they recruit individuals who are truly qualified for the system so they can bring their talent and versatility to the table. This inspires women who are willing to take active roles and promotes the growth of the industry.
