Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.

Girls Just Want to Game

Almost 50% of all gamers are women. Does this mean: a) The apocalypse? b) The end of the video game industry? c) Girls just want to game? If you answered anything other than "c", you should read this article. Actually, you should read this even if you did answer "c".
This article is over 11 years old and may contain outdated information

The stereotypical gamer that people usually imagine is male. However, that’s not necessarily an accurate depiction of the real demographics. Females make up almost half of the gaming population.

Recommended Videos

The latest statistics from the Entertainment Software Association tell us that about 45% of gamers are, in fact, female. Shocking as it may be to some, women over the age of 18 account for a whopping 31% of all gamers. That outnumbers males under 17 (19%) by quite a bit. Pretty incredible, right?

These numbers highlight a problem in the video game industry. There are so many games that are marketed almost exclusively toward a male demographic. A few, however, have broken down that barrier and have given females a voice in gaming.

A classic example of a female protagonist is, of course, Samus Aran in the Metroid series. Who can forget that shocking revelation at the end of Metroid?

Mirror’s Edge, a first-person action-packed platformer that’s had some awesome reviews, is another example. It’s got free-running, fighting, snipers, and an engaging storyline. The kicker? The protagonist is a young woman named Faith.

Faith in Mirror's Edge

Women are gradually asserting themselves more and more into the gaming community as a whole, both in development and as fans. We don’t want special treatment, and we don’t need to be singled out. All we want is to game and have fun doing it.


GameSkinny is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of J Nicole Miller
J Nicole Miller
GameSkinny Intern-Survivor Phase Gamer, Geek, Harry Potter fangirl