Have you ever been discriminated against while gaming? Do you know what discrimination in gaming is? Have you ever wondered how many others experience this when gaming? Want to find out some solutions to discrimination in gaming? Well, read on, because that’s what we’re discussing in this article.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is a very broad subject, but when defined, it means the unfair treatment of someone based on certain attributes, this can include discrimination based on race, gender and sexuality amongst other things. For example, it can manifest as exclusion in activities and events towards a particular group of people, whether regarding gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, or even small things such as eye and hair colour. Sadly, in most worldwide communities, some forms of discrimination are very much present, in one way or another. All the time people are being discriminated against, and many of us are constantly questioning, ‘Why, why me? Who would do such a rude thing?’. So really, what impact does it have on people?

What impact does discrimination have on the gaming community?

Discrimination isn’t only at an individual or community level, it is also present on a more systemic level in our society. This often leads to stress, anxiety, depression, and eventually physical health issues like high blood pressure and weakened immunity. In extreme cases, it can also increase the rate of suicide in certain groups of people that are more prone to discrimination. Discrimination divides people and can destroy their relationships and sense of self and make them feel undervalued. 

“Speaking from personal experience when I was finishing primary school, I was often discriminated against due to the colour of my skin which made me feel less valued than other kids. I was often the target of discrimination and was often picked on and treated negatively. This harmful experience taught me to never disregard people based on something they have no control over such as personal characteristics or attributes. “

On what basis are people discriminated against?

Now that it is clear what discrimination is and its impacts, let’s look at the factors that can make people act in a discriminatory way.  Discrimination within gaming communities can be based on several factors such as biological sex, sexual orientation,socio-ecenomic status, ethnicity, perceived disability, and even things such as gaming skill amongst many other things. Often, people may be victimised with other gamers displaying prejudiced behaviours against certain groups of people, initiating discriminatory attacks or activities against them. 

For example, a person’s biological sex or sexual orientation can be a key factor that influences people to discriminate against them. Studies have shown that women are more likely to be targets of discrimination, most likely due to widespread sexist ideas from toxic gaming communities. Those who identify as transgender, gay or lesbian are also more prone to be targets of discrimination.

A gamer’s ethnicity can also come into play when looking at what basis people are discriminated against. We are all well aware of the racist ideas that are prevalent within society, and even more so in certain gaming communities or platforms. Toxic gamers discriminate mainly against people from different minority groups who occupy a lesser status in these gamers’ eyes.

People with disabilities may also be targets of discrimination. People often follow the same logic they have with other minority groups, making people with disabilities the targets of online hate and discrimination.  This can often be due to a lack of understanding and awareness.

In gaming, even differing personalities and skill levels can also lead to hateful comments and behaviours and can affect how players are treated. While not a form of discrimination based on personal attributes it is worth mentioning as this is a common experience for many gamers.  Extroverted individuals may be outgoing, while in contrast, introverts can be overlooked or misunderstood, sometimes creating a toxic environment for them. Likewise, highly skilled players may receive admiration or praise, but lower-skilled gamers often face negative stereotypes and harassment, discouraging participation. This skill gap often creates some of the most toxic ideas and acts that people carry out, which can stifle diversity and inclusivity, ultimately detracting from the overall gaming experience.

How does discrimination manifest in Gaming?

Discrimination in gaming is most commonly manifested through exposure to stereotypical, biassed attitudes and behaviours that target individuals or groups based on their characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, or socioeconomic status. This can lead to gamers adopting these discriminatory views by mimicking the toxic language and stereotypes they encounter in online environments, where anonymity and competitive pressures can amplify these negative behaviours. Additionally, influences from older players, online forums, or gaming influencers who normalise hate speech, bullying, or biassed attitudes towards others also contribute significantly to the manifestation of discrimination.

Prevalence of discrimination in gaming

Discrimination in gaming remains a prevalent issue, with people frequently encountering discrimination based on their race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. Sources reveal that women and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately targeted, often facing verbal abuse and exclusion in gaming communities. For example, in a study conducted by Bennett University, 77% of interviewed female gamers reported being the target of gender-based discrimination. In another survey conducted by ADL (anti-Defamation league), 30% of the interviewed Black/Hispanic/Latino(a) gamers reported being discriminated against. Toxic behaviours and biases not only alienate affected individuals but also perpetuate inequality in gaming industries. While some efforts have been made such as introducing community guidelines and reporting systems, the continuation of constant discrimination continues to go unchallenged on many platforms and gaming spaces. 

What can be done to fix discrimination in gaming?

Almost all forms of discrimination are in some way present in gaming communities. This area needs to be focused on if we want to create an inclusive gaming community. Here are some ideas for what you, on an individual and communal level can do about discrimination in gaming.

1. Give people a chance!

If you are playing a game with your friends, or strangers, and you notice that there is a person whose skill level is not the same as yours, give them a chance! Give players of all skill levels and backgrounds a fair go to make gaming more inclusive. It’s not all about winning, it’s about having a good time!

2. Report!

This one might seem obvious, but surprisingly, around 40% of targeted individuals do not report sexist or racist behaviour, because they think it doesn’t do anything, and that the player will simply keep being toxic after the ban/suspension. This is, of course, not true, and if you have tried to reason with whoever is making discriminatory comments, and it did not work, you should always report these kinds of behaviour. 

3. Join a movement

If you feel strongly about these issues, you should consider joining a campaign, which aims to raise awareness about biassed harassment in gaming, and hopefully lower how many people experience it. If this sounds like you, you should consider joining, because the more people raising awareness about these things, the faster it will improve. Also, along this line is protesting and signing petitions for developers to make games more diverse and with better security.

4. Become a Moderator in a chat platform like discord.

One of the reasons people don’t think reporting will work is because they think the people checking the servers don’t care, but you can change that. By becoming a moderator, you can check online servers in which you are a moderator for toxic language and help whittle away at the toxic gaming community.

Conclusion 

The impact discrimination can have on those who are targeted can be extremely detrimental. So, we all need to try not to discriminate against fellow gamers regardless of any of their characteristics. Also, if you witness anyone being discriminated against, or are being discriminated against yourself, you need to try to diffuse the situation or report the incident immediately. Raising awareness and moderating servers is also a good way to counteract the discriminatory actions of some gamers. Try to remember these tips next time you encounter discrimination or want to try and make a difference. Together we can make gaming spaces less discriminatory and more diverse and inclusive!

Sources:

• https://antidiscrimination.nsw.gov.au/discrimination/what-is-discrimination.html 
• https://www.adl.org/resources/report/hate-no-game-hate-and-harassment-online-games-2022 
• https://www.bennett.edu/news/the-plight-of-the-gamer-girl-women-and-girls-share-experiences-fighting-in-game-sexism-racism