Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
Fall 12-4-2024
Faculty Advisor(s)
Micol Hebron
Abstract
This research examines the roles of women in video games (both in characters and the gaming industry), the stereotypes which influence their portrayal, as well as the authorship of their narratives. In my research I will be investigating three aspects of gender representation in video games, particularly regarding the role of women: 1. the disproportionate ratios of male/female programmers in relation to the ratios of male/female players, and the effect this lack of diversity has on a woman's role under the male gaze leading to the use of stereotypes in games, 2. the gendered aesthetics of video games and their characters, and 3. game development in relation to target audience. Using the methods outlined in the Information Literacy portion of the FFC program, I will be researching this topic using a variety of methods including use of the Leatherby Library database. Through this database I have found a variety of sources including journals and a master's thesis, leading me to other online sources such as THE GAMER. Other sources include those addressed in my FFC class, Gender Bias in Social Media. I will also use ChatGPT as an experiment, asking the chatbot to describe a female video game character. I expect to find that women's stories and perspectives in games are and will largely continue to be produced by male developers as they hold the majority of the gaming industry; no significant change can be made until diversity in the gaming industry is properly addressed and acted on, allowing women the space to create and share their stories and perspectives how they choose to. Evidence of this will be seen in the development of new games and the transition to supporting women in gaming.
Recommended Citation
Werner, Maia, "Examining The Roles of Women In Video Games: An Investigation of Gender Representation" (2024). Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters. 717.
https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/cusrd_abstracts/717
Comments
Presented at the Fall 2024 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.