Online Games, Gender and Feminism in

Abstract

Gender and feminism are inextricably linked, as a feminist approach has gender as an analytical focal point. In games, this has meant challenging persisting biological determinist approaches that cast women and girls as less able than their male counterparts when it comes to both making and playing games. It has also meant tracing and documenting the marginal roles women play both as players and designers of games. This entry focuses on five significant areas of inquiry by researchers studying North American and European player populations: player participation, gender representations in games, pink games, gender and the video game industry, and gendered harassment in games.