Lately, I’ve been getting into playing more video games as a way to pass the time and enjoy a new hobby. I’ve played a handful in my life: The Bioshock franchise, Minecraft, Slime Rancher, Detroit: Become Human, and your typical New Super Mario Bros games. I have plans to play both Little Nightmares games soon enough and other games I’ll eventually get my hands on.
Basically, I enjoy a strange array of genres and growing up I was enraptured by different content creators creating playthrough videos. To me, it was so amazing to watch a story unfold and having the content creator being a buffer between you playing and the game itself. It’s a way to see if you might enjoy playing it yourself.
However, I was never into actually playing much despite being surrounded by video games as a little girl. I was never really sure why. I definitely could identify as a casual gamer if I wanted to, but why don’t I?
That’s an easy answer. It’s because the video game industry is horrifically sexist, but thankfully, things may finally be changing for the better,
It’s no secret that women often face ridicule for daring to enjoy video games but women in the industry are faced with harassment from their own co-workers or employers.
In June 2020, there was a huge influx of mostly women gamers and streamers coming out with allegations of harassment and sexism in the industry on Twitter, citing abuse that occured and pushing for change.
These outcries of abuse have actually led prominent figures in the industry to resign from their positions, like CEO Omeed Dariani of Online Performers Group. He was accused by Molly Fender Ayala, a Twitch streamer, who alleged that Dariani harassed her when she released a public statement about it on Twitter.
Dariani responded to the Twitter thread saying while he doesn’t remember the harassing conversation that took place, he feels a responsibility to believe women and said that because he wants to believe women, the conversation happened. He later resigned and due to this public statement, many streamers have cut ties with the company.
Before, things like this would lead women to receive more harassment and bullying, but many people believe that this was a big push for real change.
With CEO’s and other big figures in the industry stepping down, as well as pressure from Twitch streamers to force Twitch to make a statement against harassment, the CEO, Emmett Smith did respond on Twitter and cited they will be working with law enforcement to resolve the incidents.
It seems like real change is on the way in the gaming industry and it’s long overdue. Women should not be harassed, abused, or assaulted simply for enjoying and appreciating a video game. Even if it’s just Twitch and some streamers so far that’s been addressing the bigger problem, potentially this will be the jump the industry needs to change and be more accessible and welcoming for women.
I do hope maybe one day I can better appreciate being a part of a fun hobby like gaming and not grimace at the thought of calling myself a “gamer.”