Women in Gaming – Partner Spotlight

Women in Gaming – Partner Spotlight Introduction

This year, we’re celebrating the importance of Women’s History month and women in gaming everywhere in the world. Women around the world bring inspiration, dedication, and empowerment including the amazing women that are a part of Nitrado. To end off the celebration of Women’s History month, we’ve had the opportunity to interview our women in gaming Partners for Women’s History month. Below, you can see the interview questions and learn more about our women Partners and their experiences!

Did you ever experience discrimination as a female gamer?

Suwey’s Response

When I was younger my online name was Gamer and then my first name. I would also play whatever games my friends happened to be playing, which often led to games such as League of Legends which had very few female players at the time. I got so sick of “Gamer Girl” comments that I ended up changing my username to something that seems androgynous at first and stopped playing those more popular multiplayer games as they often fostered a toxic community. However, I’d say the gaming scene has greatly improved over the past 5 years. I haven’t been treated unfavorably after revealing I am female in a long time. Honestly, I usually handle these types of situations with blocking the people or leaving the game because I’ve learned the hard way that people aren’t open to changing their opinions or behaviors.

Sittich’s Response

I have never had the feeling in gaming that I have been discriminated against or approached because of my gender. Quite the opposite, I often get interesting inquiries about my background and how I came to be involved in the topics I’m particularly involved in. Those with vision appreciate the energy and different perspective that a female member brings. To be sure, in male-dominated groups and especially in a military-oriented environment, there is always a bit a bit tougher, as we know, and people are more direct and confrontational.
 
That’s what I mostly experience in cooperation with other clans. In such an environment, a woman must be able to stand her ground and defend her own position, ideally with competence and knowledge, of course, but also sometimes with bite. Experience shows the groups where handbag and lipstick jokes are in which, firstly, there are no women at all and, secondly, the men are not squeamish among themselves. But this must be clearly distinguished from actual discrimination, where I, as a woman, am actively prevented from doing the things I want to do because I’m a woman. From doing the things I want to do, while the men are allowed to let off steam. But as I said, neither at TITAN nor anywhere else in gaming, have I ever felt discriminated against or disadvantaged.

DarkEdge’s Response

After giving it some thought, I can’t say I actually have! I have been innocently mistaken for a guy on plenty of occasions due to my deeper voice, and new friends who learn I livestream are often quick to make stereotypical jokes, but for the most part, I find that any well-intended joke, genuine mistake or the occasional troll is easily defused by just laughing it off and owning it. Demonstrating that I’ve seen or heard it all before tends to remove the spotlight from most comments.
 
The worst circumstance I can think of is one-on-one interactions in heavily social games like MMOs, where a very tiny minority of male players may get too excited at “the female player”. I have learned that in those situations, as harsh as it maybe, trying to avoid “hurt feelings” is the worst thing to do and you need to be quick and blunt, and potentially even block them. But for the most part, I’m grateful to say I have had a very positive experience in gaming!

Who or what inspired you to start gaming / content creation?

imKatt’s Response

I started doing Art & Content Creation full-time about 6 years ago and have loved it ever since. The main inspiration for this scary (but thrilling) jump in careers was my very own mother. She is a small business owner, and I’ve watched her go from a 1 woman start-up “pipe dream”, to a thriving, award winning business owner over the years. Her journey really inspired me to do the same with both my Art and Content Creation.
 
She’s been a great mentor and sometimes helps me brainstorm new ways to create content. My mother is probably one of the most supportive family members I have when it comes to pursuing my Art (she’s always nurtured the little budding artist in me) and Content Creation via Streaming. I think it’s safe to say that while it may sound very cliché or mushy, my mother is one of my top role models.

mshoboslayer’s Response

I started gaming with one of my aunts with Super Mario Bros on the NES and started content creation as a way to make new friends and reach new people I never would have known otherwise. I would say my mom and aunts are big role models for me in life and they all have been very supportive and encouraging to me with my gaming and content creation.

How can we make the gaming industry more inclusive for women?

Yvonne Lukanowski’s Response

More role models need to be established and this applies to all areas of the games industry: more women in technical development, in leadership positions, as speakers at gaming conferences, as well as more realistic female characters in video games that young female talent can identify with. Additionally, it helps to implement a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination, harassment and sexism in the own company, to address current and past incidents with professional support and to provide safe spaces to women to reach out to. As in other industries, salaries should be regularly reviewed for gender pay gaps. Pregnancies or part-time work should not be career brakes for women. Of course, there are many more possible measures, but these would be the minimum.

LoveJayLee’s Response

I think some of the many ways the gaming industry could be more inclusive to women, is to provide less singular focused game features such as pvp only or competitive rank systems. Adding diverse game modes could include less hostile and toxic environments. I also think more games should allow a female protagonist characters and perspectives.

Do you have any advice for women interested in getting into gaming?

CrazyDemonicWolf’s Response

Gaming definitely can be very intimidating for women who are new to it, especially with all the videos you see out there of people on games like battle Royals. However, I can say from personal experience, that is only a small percentage of the gaming world is those videos you see. You can always do as much group hopping as you like to find the perfect community or group for you. Don’t ever feel bad if you don’t feel like you belong there as there is tons of people who are wanting to play with everyone.
 
I know when I first started gaming, it was very intimidating for me. I never would let anyone hear my voice or know exactly who I am. I was too scared to let people get to know me in case they hated me. But after finding an amazing group on a game called Ark: Survival Evolved, I was definitely more comfortable to slowly talk to them and get used to them. They accepted that I didn’t feel comfortable but would always still let me join in on chats and things. Teaching me the game and just letting me enjoy the game how I wanted. After that, it was just slowly getting used to who I wanted to be online, which is where the name CrazyDemonicWolf came along! Now I have built my own safe haven for all to enjoy as well as explored the depths of modding for the game I grew to love due to the encouragement from all the people I met along the way through my ever continuing journey of gaming!
 
So the best advice I can give? Probably don’t be afraid to be who you want to be. Take your time and just take joining the gaming world at your pace! Just relax and take the time to look for a group or community that works for you, because more than likely you will find that group and then 5 years later you will still be there wondering where all the time went! Once you find that community that works for you, it will feel like a weight off your shoulders, so don’t give up and just enjoy the ride at your pace. Most do want to be your friend, I know they do 🙂

Thank you for Celebrating Women in Gaming with Us

To all of the women in the world, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything that you do! Every day, you bring empowerment and inspiration to millions. From empowerment in gaming, workplaces, and everywhere, we will continue to push toward ending the prejudices that women face every day. Join us in working towards achieving this goal and thank you for celebrating women in gaming alongside us!

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