Is Gender Representation in Video Games Improving?
‘Yes, But Not Enough’
Over the past ten years, video games have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment across young generations.
According to research reports, more than 80% of American households have computers or other game consoles and consumers spent $30.4 billion on the video game industry in 2016 (Entertainment Software Association 2017 P4).
How is Gender Representation
from 2012 to 2022?
Game Selection Criterion
1. The games must have a storyline.
2. For games that offer a story and multiplayer modes
3. The games were selected for being top-selling or best-rated games of the year.
4. At least 5 games were selected for each year.
What about sexulization?
Sexualized clothing
Unrealistic “barbie-like” body proportions
Damsel in distress
The character in-game exists to be rescued or saved by the protagonist or the main character
Trophy
The only purpose of the character in the game is to be ‘won’ as a prize for a male character. The character is objectified.
We still need....
Balanced gender representation
Fewer sexualization
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