Breaking the Pixel Ceiling: A Literary Zine

GAMES MAGZ

BREAKING THE PIXEL CEILING: A

WHAT IS ONLINE GAMING?

A B O U T G A M I N G

Wellknown Girl Gamers of 2023

Kyedae Alicia Shymko

Kyedae is a renowned JapaneseCanadian Twitch streamer. She began broadcasting alongside her nowfiancé, TenZ, an Esports player. She ultimately honed her gaming abilities and began broadcasting on her own Despite not being a professional Valorant player, Kyedae has amassed a considerable following base.

2.40M Twitch

@kyedae

1.89M YouTube

@alodia9

Aloda Almira Arraiza Gosiengfiao-Quimbo is a Filipina cosplayer, model, TV host, singer, YouTuber, actor, and Tier One Entertainment cofounder She is also known in the Philippines as Senpai Alodia She started streaming League of Legends and Dota 2 in 2014. She has already streamed several games such as Mobile Legends, Hogwarts Legacy, Overwatch 2, and God of War Ragnarök

GAM ING

Alodia Gosiengfiao

OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVES

THEPROJECTWASMADEWITHTHEINTENTIONTO:

1. To assess the perspective of gamers of different genders regarding a gaming environment with (a fellow) female gamer through conducting comprehensive research among gamers from across backgrounds and to provide a conclusion as to why they (all genders, including women) behave in such a way when inside the gaming world.

3. To shed light on and recognize the unfortunate experiences of female gamers who were victimized by such acts mentioned above.

2. To equip readers with profound information about the consequences of not applying gaming etiquette (i.e., committing cyberbullying, sexism, and sexual harassment among female gamers).

4. To foster a welcoming, inclusive, and respectable gaming community where it is possible for anyone to express themselves while showcasing their talent, regardless of their sexual orientation, either as a form of entertainment or a career.

THE PROJECT'S INTENTION

PRODUCTIONOF THEZINE

Using purposive sampling, a survey form was disseminated among qualified friends and colleagues.

TARGET GROUP

- Online gamers of any age and gender.

- Have experience playing multiplayer games.

- Have prior experience playing multiplayer games with people of the opposite gender.

DISCLAIMER

Responses are submitted anonymously with the full consent of the participants.

GAMERS GAMERS GAMERS

GAMERS GAMERS GAMERS RESPONSE RESPONSE RESPONSE

RESPONSE RESPONSE RESPONSE

""Kasikapagbabaeangnasaisip Kasikapagbabaeangnasaisip agadboboganunodimarunong agadboboganunodimarunong

maglaro…Parangnevernaging pantayyungtinginnilasamga pantayyungtinginnilasamga babaengplayers." babaengplayers."

""Therearedifferencesinthe Therearedifferencesinthe skillsingamingbetweenmen skillsingamingbetweenmen andwomen.Ithinkthatthis andwomen.Ithinkthatthis couldbefromthe couldbefromthe competitivenessthatmostmen competitivenessthatmostmen have..." have..."

Stereotypes Towards Women Stereotypes Towards Women Stereotypes Towards storyher

"There are still a lot of men that bully women in the game and often blame them when losing."

"They would most likely point their finger at me when the game is losing or the clash failed In chat, as a woman, when I am chatting for fun, to make friends, or to talk to my teammate or enemy, some assume that I am being flirty… What I do is I will just keep quiet... However, some people take advantage of it and just keep on throwing insults."

"Minsan kasi kailangan mo maging "malakas" para makita ka as equal ng mga kalalakihan, parang need mong laging may mapatunayan. Kapag naman you're doing bad in your games, there's a guilt or sadness ganun na nakakadagdag ka in those stereotypes…"

"My experience as a woman in gaming has evolved positively over time. I have noticed significant improvements, with increased representation and inclusivity in the industry. This has created a more welcoming environment for women and has provided opportunities for us to be heard and respected as gamers."

"

maglaro…Parangnevernaging

...there was also a time when I stopped playing since I was sexually harassed in Valorant."

GAMERS' RESPONSE GAMERS' RESPONSE GAMERS' RESPONSE

Debunking steriotypes Debunking steriotypes Debunking steriotypes

GAMERS' MESSAGE TO YOU

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Debun Debun Debun g steriotypes g steriotypes g steriotypes king steriotypes king steriotypes steriotypes

"By actively participating, demonstrating my skills, and engaging in positive discussions, I help break down the barriers and showcase that women are just as passionate and capable in the gaming world. Additionally, I support and uplift other women in gaming, promoting a more inclusive and diverse community that defies these stereotypes. "

"May lugar ang kababaihan sa kahit anong larangan. "

"I overcome challenges and barriers as a woman in the gaming community by staying confident, resilient, and persistent. "

"Proving I can win a game regardless of my gender. "

"Believe in yourself and know that your gender doesn't limit your abilities. "

Whatyouneedto Whatyouneedto know.... know....

In online gaming, gender constructions are often reinforced through the In online gaming, gender constructions are often reinforced through the In online gaming, gender constructions are often reinforced through the language, behavior, and interactions within the gaming community. language, behavior, and interactions within the gaming community. language, behavior, and interactions within the gaming community. Stereotypes about women's supposed lack of skill or interest in gaming are Stereotypes about women's supposed lack of skill or interest in gaming are Stereotypes about women's supposed lack of skill or interest in gaming are perpetuated, contributing to male-dominated and exclusionary culture. In this perpetuated, contributing to male-dominated and exclusionary culture. In this perpetuated, contributing to male-dominated and exclusionary culture. In this context, women often face both hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism context, women often face both hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism context, women often face both hostile and benevolent sexism. Hostile sexism manifests as verbal abuse, trolling, doxing, and other forms of harassment, manifests as verbal abuse, trolling, doxing, and other forms of harassment, manifests as verbal abuse, trolling, doxing, and other forms of harassment, which aim to intimidate and exclude women from the gaming community. which aim to intimidate and exclude women from the gaming community. which aim to intimidate and exclude women from the gaming community. Benevolent sexism can be seen in actions such as assuming women are less Benevolent sexism can be seen in actions such as assuming women are less Benevolent sexism can be seen in actions such as assuming women are less skilled, offering unsolicited help, or treating them as objects of desire rather skilled, offering unsolicited help, or treating them as objects of desire rather skilled, offering unsolicited help, or treating them as objects of desire rather than fellow gamers. These forms of sexism contribute to a hostile and than fellow gamers. These forms of sexism contribute to a hostile and than fellow gamers. These forms of sexism contribute to a hostile and unwelcoming environment for women in online gaming. From a feminist unwelcoming environment for women in online gaming. From a feminist unwelcoming environment for women in online gaming. From a feminist perspective, the targeting of women in online gaming reflects larger systemic perspective, the targeting of women in online gaming reflects larger systemic perspective, the targeting of women in online gaming reflects larger systemic issues of gender inequality. It is rooted in the objectification and issues of gender inequality. It is rooted in the objectification and issues of gender inequality. It is rooted in the objectification and marginalization of women, both in gaming culture and society at large. marginalization of women, both in gaming culture and society at large. marginalization of women, both in gaming culture and society at large. Feminist theorists argue for the need to challenge and disrupt these gender Feminist theorists argue for the need to challenge and disrupt these gender Feminist theorists argue for the need to challenge and disrupt these gender norms, advocate for inclusive and diverse representation in gaming, and norms, advocate for inclusive and diverse representation in gaming, and norms, advocate for inclusive and diverse representation in gaming, and create safe spaces where women can fully participate without fear of create safe spaces where women can fully participate without fear of create safe spaces where women can fully participate without fear of harassment or discrimination. In short, it emphasizes the need to harassment or discrimination. In short, it emphasizes the need to harassment or discrimination. In short, it emphasizes the need to challenge and reshape these gender norms to create a more challenge and reshape these gender norms to create a more challenge and reshape these gender norms to create a more inclusive and equitable gaming environment. inclusive and equitable gaming environment. inclusive and equitable gaming environment.

CONCLUSION

W O M E N

BREAKING THE PIXEL CEILING