Exploring on Gender Perception in eSports Gamers

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to investigate gender perception of eSports gamers. [Methods] 8 male gamers in the professional team were selected purposeful and snowball sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face and online interviews, and analyzed by content analysis and classification analysis. [Results] Esport gamers explained their indirect experiences with female gamers. The results are as follows. First, it was confirmed that the number of female gamers was small and they had a negative stigma image, and this consistently reproduced the gender role stereotype of female gamers in digital games. Second, in the game world, men are swearing, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment against female gamers, which suggests that female gamers are viewed as targets of sexual play from the perspective of the strongest. Third, eSports male gamers are characterized by being conservative or open to gender perceptions by age. We discussed what to need in eSports which is male dominated area should give to opportunity for equality education. [Conclusions] In-depth understanding of gender perception in e-sports players should be prioritized in order to change gender perception. Therefore, it would be an important research topic bring to discuss. This paper is expected to be a beneficial material for eSports gender studies and stimulate to discuss gender imbalance.