For long, gaming has been a man’s domain. We have had a few women gamers who competed in professionally, and then went on to become very successful content creators, but most of them, if not all, were from southeast Asian, American or European countries. Indian women gamers were nowhere to be seen.However, this scenario has changed rapidly over the last couple of years. We have had some really successful women gamers who are competing at the highest level and are emerging as serious content creators. Furthermore, women are also participating in game development in India, which has led to some really unique and progressive perspectives in the industry. Tech brands, too, are stepping up and sponsoring more and more women gamers.
We had a chat with Sooraj Balakrishnan, Head of Marketing, Acer India and discussed what challenges women face when it comes to gaming in India and taking it up as a serious career, the inclusion of e-sports as a medal event in the 19th Asian Games, and how that will boost the Indian gaming industry. Edited Excerpts:
Gaming, be it mobile, console, or desktop, has been perceived to be a man’s domain for a long time. Is the situation changing in India?
Yes, there has been a shift in how gaming is perceived today. I believe it is no longer about gender but the opportunities and mediums that are available to people. Traditionally gaming was perceived as a male-dominated industry as most men were at the centre stage when gaming was talked about. However, today there is a change in narrative and the increasing degree of women’s participation is encouraging and a testimony that the situation is changing in India.
There is also the fact that people’s mindset has evolved over the years. Today there is acceptance, and gaming is not typecast as a male thing. Brands and even the government are encouraging women’s participation in esports and other gaming tournaments. So yes, the perception has changed and women in gaming will continue to increase in the coming future. In India, what percentage of gamers are women?
As per ‘Think with Google APAC – Play like a Girl Report 2022’, 18% of all gamers in India are women. And the interesting fact is the number of women is increasing at a faster rate than the number of male gamers in India. The same study also highlights that more than 43% of the Indian smartphone gamers population were women and this is across all age groups. This is a great and positive sign for the representation of women in the gaming industry. The rise of online gaming has proved to be a positive push for women gamers.
What are the challenges women gamers are facing in India?
The gaming industry today is witnessing an increasing number of women gamers not only at the player level but at the developer level as well. These women are equally competitive as their male counterparts and are making their presence felt in the industry. However, there is no denying that breaking the monotony of a male-dominated industry is challenging. In general, convincing, and making the family understand that you are a gamer is difficult, irrespective of gender. But I believe for women gamers it becomes more challenging because society is not used to women playing games especially if you wish to take it up as a career. So, they might face more roadblocks in comparison but again it depends on individuals. With gaming gaining visibility and recognition people will be more accepting of gaming as a career for both genders.
Other challenges that women have spoken about facing is the online harassment, the gender pay gap, and ignoring women as a target group as most of the games are designed keeping in mind the male audience. However, according to me as the industry evolves and more women take up gaming and become part of the developing games the scenario is bound to change for the better.
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