Contexts, gaming pleasures, and gendered preferences

Carr, Diane

doi:10.1177/1046878105282160

Cited by 110 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…These findings suggest that assumed gender differences in playing styles are often based on socially constructed ideas of male/female preferences and do not necessarily reflect what, where, and how individuals are really playing. For example, previous research has indicated that "gendered preferences" are often based on assumptions that disregard previous playing experience and acquired access to certain game types (Carr, 2005;Hayes, 2005). It must be noted, however, that people enjoying typical genres allied to their gender should not be dismissed as this would re-install a hierarchical distinction between games that belong to gamer subcultural capital and those that do not (Shaw, 2013;van Zoonen, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“I Play So I Am?” A Gender Study into Stereotype Perception and Genre Choice of Digital Game Players

Vermeulen

Looy

2016

Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media

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Over the past decade, a growing number of women have started playing digital games. However, stereotypes are still prevalent in game culture. This study aims to gain insight into these practices by looking at gaming stereotypes on two different, yet interrelated, levels. First, we inquire into perceptions of gamers regarding gender-related and general gamer stereotypes and how these relate to playing frequency. Second, game genre choice is investigated in light of player's gender and how this is associated with playing motivations. Results of a survey study (N = 962) suggest that high frequency male players hold the least stereotypical ideas about digital gamers, while high frequency female players disagree the most with gender-related stereotypical beliefs. Additionally, we found that high frequency female players are more strongly drawn towards specific game genres, suggesting that playing motives of these gamers are higher than their beliefs that gaming is a typically male pursuit.Keywords: digital games, game genres, game motivations, gender, stereotypes GAMER STEREOTYPES AND GENDER 3 "I Play So I Am?" A Gender Study into Stereotype Perception and Genre Choice of Digital Game Players As digital games become more widespread in the lives of many people, game culture persists to hold and distribute several stereotypical beliefs about who counts as a gamer and who does not (Shaw, 2011). Many of these stereotypical practices, in which differences are articulated and thus reproduced, are based on the player's gender (Hayes, 2005). This is rather odd given that gaming as a pastime is now more or less equally distributed across gender. The annual report of the Entertainment Software Association (2013), for example, demonstrates that the American gamer population consists of 47% female and 53% male players. The Interactive Software Federation Europe (2012) further notes that 43% of all women aged 16 to 64 are playing digital games. What these growing numbers do not explicate, however, is how cultural and social contours of game culture are defining the game experience of female players. Throughout this paper, we discuss how and which stereotypes are limiting women to play digital games, and look at so-called gender differences in playing styles and preferences from a social constructionist stance. Moreover, we look at the interplay between gender and motivations for playing games. The aim of this study is thus twofold: first, we explore player's gender and playing frequency in relation to perception of gender stereotypes in game culture.Concretely, we argue that stereotypical beliefs about gaming not only depend on player's gender but interact with playing frequency. Second, stereotypical gender preferences are investigated in light of playing motivations and game genre frequencies. We specifically aim to provide a nuanced understanding of gender effects on intrinsic playing motivations for determining game genre frequencies. This further allows us to investigate whether women who often play "masculine" game ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Carr (2005) talks about "the alignment of gaming technology with one gender" (p. 468) as a result of historical practices and economic decisions contributing to the association between masculinity and digital games.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Play So I Am?” A Gender Study into Stereotype Perception and Genre Choice of Digital Game Players

Vermeulen

Looy

2016

Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media

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“…Despite a significant increase in online gaming research, much of the research into online gaming has tended to concentrate on MMORPGs apart from studies that have examined gender and type of game played (e.g., Carr, 2005;Ko, Yen, Chen, Chen & Yen, 2005;Feng, Spence & Pratt, 2007;Jansz & Tanies, 2007;Hartmann & Klimmt, 2006;Joiner, Iacovides, Owen, et al, 20011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Cross-Genre Study of Online Gaming

Ghuman

Griffiths

2012

International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning

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One key limitation with the contemporary online gaming research literature is that much of the published research has tended to examine only one genre of games (i.e., Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games). Three relatively little studied online games are First Person Shooter (FPS) Games, Role Play Games (RPG) and Real Time Strategy (RTS) Games. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine player behaviour and characteristics in these three different online gaming genres. More specifically, the study examined the differences between the three different game genres in terms of: (i) the demographic profile, (ii) the social interactions of players including the number and quality of friends, and how gaming related to real life friendship, and (iii) motivations to play games. The sample comprised 353 self-selected players (156 who played FPS, 119 who played RPG and 78 who played RTS). The RPG genre had the highest percentage of female players.The number of hours played per week varied significantly between the genres. RPG players played significantly longer hours than FPS or RTS players. In relation to playing motivation, achievement levels were highest for the FPS genre with RPG genre having the lowest achievement levels RPG players had the highest immersion levels. RTS players were significantly less likely to report having made friends than players of the other two genres.3

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“…Ok further adds to this observation noting, "Many women see online and offline game worlds as constructions of masculine space and feel social restraints or societal pressure in navigating these worlds, and they feel comfortable with mobile games" (Ok 2011: 334). Bryce and Rutter (2002) and Carr (2005) similarly note the gendered nature of many public game spaces as potentially con-tributing to the lower visibility and/or uptake of gaming by female players. Social games by contrast are most frequently played alone and on private devices such as tablets, smart phones and computers and therefore are potentially more discrete and private activities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Situating social games in the everyday: an Australian perspective

Willson

2015

J. Contemp. East. Asia

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Contexts, gaming pleasures, and gendered preferences

Cited by 110 publications

References 8 publications

“I Play So I Am?” A Gender Study into Stereotype Perception and Genre Choice of Digital Game Players

“I Play So I Am?” A Gender Study into Stereotype Perception and Genre Choice of Digital Game Players

A Cross-Genre Study of Online Gaming

Situating social games in the everyday: an Australian perspective

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