Once upon a time, gaming was thought of as a male hobby. However, things have changed significantly in recent years, with female gamers making a name for themselves worldwide. Statistics suggest that almost half of gamers worldwide are female, with numbers expected to rise in the coming years.
Although there are few women in the professional gaming ranks, the tide is beginning to turn. Female gamers are increasingly making their presence known on the platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, accumulating fans worldwide. Keep reading to learn more about women’s impact on gaming.
More Female Role Models
From battle royale games like Fortnite to casino games like Poker, women have had a significant impact on gaming in recent years. Poker is one of the world’s most popular card games, and many female poker players have made a name for themselves while playing the game online and offline.
It doesn’t end there; battle royale games have taken off in recent years, with millions playing games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG. Female gamers have kept pace with the trend, with some of the top female gamers specializing in this genre.
Women’s participation in high-profile gaming events and eSports serve as role models to men and women alike, showing what’s possible in the gaming world with talent, practice, and dedication.
The Business Side of Gaming
While players are the most visible side of the gaming industry, the corporate world has a significant impact on the direction of the gaming world. More and more women are accepting jobs on the corporate side of gaming as leaders, developers, and creators. These women are challenging the stereotype that gaming is a man’s world.
Jade Raymond
As CEO of Stadia Games and Entertainment and founder of Ubisoft Toronto and Motive Studios, Jade Raymond is one of the most high-profile women on the corporate side of gaming. Raymond started her career in gaming with The Sims Online at Electronic Arts and quickly moved up the ranks.
She was the lead on Assassin’s Creed, Assassin’s Creed II, and Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines and the executive producer of The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, and Watch Dogs. If you’re a gamer, chances are Raymond has influenced a game you’ve played.
Amy Hennig
Another woman who has had a significant impact on the gaming industry is Amy Hennig, who was a scriptwriter and director at Naughty Dog. She has worked on some of the most beloved games, including Jak & Daxter, the Legacy of Cain series, and the Uncharted Series.
She left Naughty Dog in 2014 to join Skydance Media. Her work on video games has had a major impact on women in gaming and the gaming industry as a whole.
Competitive Gaming
Female gamers have earned millions of dollars competing in esports in recent years. Some of the most notable female gamers are Siobhan Bielamowicz, Katherine Gunn, and Sasha Hostyn. These gamers have participated in events with games like Halo Reach, Dead or Alive 4, and StarCraft. If trends continue, the number of women participating in the competitive world of esports will increase.