Women have made remarkable contributions to the fields of science, mathematics and sports. But there is one place where women have yet to find equality: the video game industry.
The gaming industry, a male-dominated world, should have equal interest and participation from men and women.
Guys need to learn to respect women in the industry. Without the respect and support of men in the video game industry, women will continue to be criticized and be judged harshly on their skill level when playing games.
Also, more women need to get involved so the industry will change. If female participation increases, the industry will begin to recognize their involvement by producing more games that appeal to women.
Currently, the role of females in video games is mostly restricted to the damsel in distress. Princess Peach and Princess Zelda are both examples of the soft and helpless female victim who needs to be saved by the strong and powerful male hero.
Characters in games that women should be relating to are Samus from Metroid, Alyx Vance from Half Life 2 and Tombraider’s Lara Croft, who dispel the stereotype that women are weak and vulnerable.
The industry needs to promote a more powerful and skillful character set for women. Take pro gamer Ciji “Starslay3r” Thornton for example. It is unfair that she sticks out not because of her accomplishments as one of the top Guitar Hero players in the world, but because she is a female pro gamer in a male-dominated competition.
The producers and consumers of video games need to re-evaluate the way video games are produced and attempt to appeal not only to the video game guys but video game girls.
It is the responsibility of the industry, and both male and female players, to change the stereotypes that hinder women from making a big name for themselves in the gaming industry.