For many of us, games play an important role in our daily lives. For example, we find ourselves playing an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) to buy equipment. Or we get our tactical skills trained in a real-time strategy game (RTS), shoot ourselves in our favorite shooter, or earn our money with play-to-earn (P2E) games on the blockchain. There is no shortage of variety for people of all ages.

Video games are also a great way to meet other people, share special experiences, and form lifelong friendships. While the world of games offers numerous benefits, there is another side to the coin. Toxicity has long worsened the climate in the gaming community, especially toxicity against women.

If you’re an avid gamer, you probably know this – and if you’re not, it’s time to adjust. Gaming, especially on the blockchain, is the future. And we need to find a way to make it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Female gamers – an example of what’s happening

If you want an example, here’s a POV video from Valorant. It was recorded by female gamer Molly Barker. The clip below shows what often happens to women while gaming. The constant lewd comments are unbearably annoying.

Here’s the uncensored version, #NSFW!

An everyday problem

According to recent reports, women around the world are sexually harassed, bullied and discriminated against online every day. In a 2021 study by Reach3 Insights and Lenovo, 900 women were surveyed about their experiences online. An astounding 77% admitted to having been harassed for a variety of reasons. About 59% of these women actively hide their true gender identity. Or they pretend to be male to avoid these unwanted comments and more.

Even professional gamers struggle with these issues. In a recent report, Jasmine Jada, a 23-year-old full-time streamer from Leeds, explains, “Men have been talking to me, trying to guess what my body looks like, what I’m wearing.” And much more, including sexist comments and remarks about me spending time in the kitchen.

“There isn’t a girl I know who hasn’t experienced some kind of sexism or sexual harassment while playing a harmless game.”

If that’s not enough to get you thinking: There was a two-year investigation at Activision Blizzard (developer of World of Warcraft, Overwatch, the Diablo franchise and more). Female employees spoke out about the same kind of abuse in the game development industry. We’re talking about humiliation and sexual harassment, among other things.

Personal experience

Personally, I’ve spent more than 15 years navigating the sexist waters of the gaming industry. I’ve experienced everything from unsolicited, revealing images to confronting gatekeepers and severe discrimination.

One of the most common cases I faced was sexual harassment. For example, a man who approached my female character in an MMORPG. And then he told me that he wanted me to “lean over the fence and [Dinge mit mir machen]…”. I think you can get the picture. This was 100% unsolicited, and from a complete stranger.

Voice chat brings a whole new set of problems. When a woman enters the lobby, behavior often changes, and I’ve found that there’s suddenly a competition to see who can impress her the fastest. Sometimes the men just send lewd messages or pictures – of which I have already received all sorts.

This kind of behavior not only makes the gaming experience unpleasant, but also leaves me feeling lewd, embarrassed, and frustrated. This is not okay. Why should I be afraid to play the games I love?

How women enrich gaming

It’s not just a myth that women bring unique ideas and perspectives to everything they do – and that includes video games. Whether it’s game development or hard-hitting competitions, it’s important for women to be an integral (and respected) part of the community.

This is not to say that we are better or worse than their male counterparts. Rather, women are simply different and have unique skills that will create a healthier gaming environment and economy. We need full-fledged games and an all-around solid gaming experience.

There are many talented women behind some of the world’s most popular game series, including Bonnie Ross and Kiki Wolfkill (Halo), Kim Swift (Portal, Left 4 Dead, and Half-Life 2: Episode 2), and Jade Raymond (Assassin’s Creed I and II). Without them, these and other games would not be the award-winning masterpieces they have become today.

Bonnie Ross, vice president of Microsoft and head of Halo 343 Industries, said, “From an industry perspective, games will continue to evolve and grow with the help of a variety of different perspectives and creators. We’ve made a lot of progress, and I look forward to watching the industry continue to embrace new ideas and new people for the betterment of all… I hope others in the industry can learn from this approach and strive to continue to evolve the industry for the better.”

Women and gaming: hitting the reset button

It is imperative that we all work together to reduce the number of toxic incidents in the gaming industry towards women, both in blockchain and in other areas. The absolute best way is to hold people accountable.

We need to hold our peers accountable for their actions. And game developers must continue to find new ways to handle these unpleasant incidents. This includes both temporary and permanent account suspensions. I realize it may never be perfect, but we can do better. We have to do better.

As I continue to build my work experience in blockchain gaming, I am excited because I recognize the rare opportunity to reshape and reinvent the way we all work together. We can reshape it to be inclusive and supportive of everyone.

Women and gaming: support from the top

WAX CEO William Quigley and the leadership team, for example, have gone to great lengths to build an organizational structure that is diverse and open-minded. This includes the addition of Jassy Jackson as VP of Operations. Her years of expertise and focus on inclusion create an inspiring atmosphere that brings everyone (men and women) together. She is also working to create Women on the Block by WAX. Here we can all share our experiences and dive into blockchain and gaming on an equal footing and without worry.

Jackson explained, “It’s imperative to have an inclusive workforce that encourages independent, out-of-the-box thinking to create a culture where everyone belongs. I am very proud to work with some extremely talented people from all walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. The wide diversity can be challenging at times, as each of us sees things in a different light, but ultimately it’s our differences that make us strong.”

It is safe to say that we all need to learn to look out for each other, men and women alike. Let’s keep learning, growing, improving, and fighting for our right to be heard, respected, accepted, and valued on the Blockchain and beyond.