Casual gamers, who are often female, face exclusion and harassment in the gaming community.

Casual gamers, who are often female, face exclusion and harassment in the gaming community.YPulse’s Gaming Report found that 61% of young females agree with the statement “I am a gamer” compared to 79% of males, and the kinds of games they play are likely one reason behind the disparity. Since the pandemic, there have been a growing number of casual gamers, who play to destress, unwind, and partake in a healthy escape from reality, and often choose non-competitive games like Animal Crossing. But these games, and their majority female players, are highly stigmatized and it’s affecting a lot of women who wish to be a part of gaming culture. As one casual female gamer explains, “Excluding women is damaging to the gaming industry that does in fact have women fans.” While the majority of female gamers don’t play competitively, they are still engaging in challenging, thought provoking, and strategic games they feel should be represented just as much as esports and warfare. Some are actively working for inclusion, with platforms like Paidia and TheGameHERS making “​​a space for girls to game without stigma or feeling judged.” (Refinery29)