Inclusive Gaming

     While in more recent years, inclusive gaming has become an important factor for game players and makers, there is still work to be done. Gaming has fostered a divide for users based on different factors such as race and gender. I would not label myself as a gamer, however, I do have many friends and family members who play games often. A study I wanted to discuss was my sister. During the pandemic, she got her first Xbox and started playing games after a friend had got her into the realm. Their favorite games to play were Rainbow 6 Siege and PUBG. After months of being locked in our houses and countless nights watching them play, it was evident to me that she had gotten significantly better. She was winning all the time and even made friends online that would play squad-style rounds. Occasionally she would have her microphone on and I remember certain comments that players would make when they found out she was a girl. They were usually derogatory or over-sexualizing in some way or just flat-out disrespectful. Once certain players would find out she was a girl they would aim for her even harder, and she had to work more just to prove that she deserved to be in that space. 

    This instance in my own life relates to the article, "Video game industry grapples with a murky track record on diversity", because it shows how women are the minority in a field that is dominated by men. There is also a comment to be made on how the video game industry typically sexualizes women through their characters and appearances. Women face more barriers when playing online multiplayer, and one article suggests that cracking down on disruptive players can help. (2019, Shi) Race also has a part in this issue. There have been many conversations of players being racist in chats and I believe it is up to the company to be monitoring these slurs and shut them down. The more initiative these companies take to protect individuals, the more people will feel safer playing video games.