GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Video Game Industry Statistics

Video game industry struggles with diversity, inclusion, representation, and bias.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Only 24% of game developers worldwide identify as women

Statistic 2

Less than 10% of leading video game characters are people of color

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68% of gamers support increased representation of marginalized groups in games

Statistic 4

Only 4% of video game executive positions are held by women of color

Statistic 5

The percentage of female game developers in North America increased to 30% in 2023 from 21% in 2017

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Only 15% of video games released in 2023 featured diverse protagonists

Statistic 7

44% of Asian gamers feel underrepresented in mainstream gaming

Statistic 8

The average salary gap between male and female game developers is approximately 13%

Statistic 9

Only 3% of game characters are explicitly identified as non-binary or gender non-conforming

Statistic 10

48% of women in the gaming industry have experienced promotion bias

Statistic 11

Only 22% of game industry leadership positions are held by women

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64% of gamers with disabilities feel that games rarely or never include content relevant to their experiences

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23% of game developers identified as non-binary or genderqueer

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Only 12% of popular games feature LGBTQ+ protagonists

Statistic 15

The representation of female protagonists in AAA titles rose from 16% in 2019 to 22% in 2023

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65% of gamers support more diverse casting in game voice acting

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27% of game developers identify as coming from minority backgrounds

Statistic 18

Only 2% of game developers worldwide identify as non-binary

Statistic 19

69% of women gamers agree that more gaming content should feature strong female leads

Statistic 20

45% of LGBTQ+ game developers have faced discrimination or harassment at work

Statistic 21

61% of gamers believe that the portrayal of diversity in games has improved over the last five years

Statistic 22

34% of games released in 2023 included diverse cultural representations

Statistic 23

28% of professional gamers identify as belonging to minority groups

Statistic 24

20% of all game characters are non-human creatures or anthropomorphic animals, representing diversity in character design

Statistic 25

Only 18% of game narratives feature characters with disabilities as a central storyline

Statistic 26

The percentage of women in eSports teams increased from 12% in 2019 to 24% in 2023

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29% of games released in 2023 featured LGBTQ+ storylines or characters

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36% of industry startups in gaming are founded by diverse founders, indicating increased entrepreneurial inclusivity

Statistic 29

22% of AAA games in 2023 include at least one disabled character

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48% of game companies track diversity metrics as part of their development process, up from 20% in 2020

Statistic 31

15% of all published game scripts in 2023 contained diverse cultural elements, up from 8% in 2019

Statistic 32

49% of women game developers report facing workplace bias or discrimination

Statistic 33

The number of female-led indie game titles increased by 25% between 2019 and 2023

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Only 6% of prestigious game awards in 2023 went to games with diverse protagonists or themes, indicating room for improvement

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32% of game development teams have diversity and inclusion as a core part of their company's mission statement

Statistic 36

20% of all new game startup funding has been allocated to companies founded by minorities or women in 2023, showing increased investments in diverse founders

Statistic 37

42% of gamers from minority backgrounds report facing higher difficulty in finding culturally diverse content

Statistic 38

29% of game developers report that diversity initiatives have led to better game design

Statistic 39

53% of game players support the idea of publishers actively promoting diversity and inclusion

Statistic 40

Over 50% of game companies have committed to diversity hiring initiatives in 2023, up from 33% in 2020

Statistic 41

46% of respondents in the industry believe current diversity efforts are insufficient

Statistic 42

Industry-wide, 52% of development teams have implemented unconscious bias training

Statistic 43

30% of video game companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies formally, up from 12% in 2020

Statistic 44

Over 60% of game industry managers agree that diverse teams lead to more innovative games

Statistic 45

50% of gamers support mandatory diversity training for game industry staff

Statistic 46

38% of industry professionals believe that diversity directly correlates with better sales

Statistic 47

The percentage of leading game studios with diversity officers increased to 58% in 2023 from 34% in 2020

Statistic 48

The proportion of game development teams actively recruiting diverse talent increased by 40% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 49

47% of industry stakeholders believe diversity initiatives contribute to long-term business success

Statistic 50

67% of game developers agree that inclusive design leads to better overall user experience

Statistic 51

50% of industry professionals believe that diversity training should be a mandatory part of onboarding new staff

Statistic 52

70% of gamers support industry initiatives aimed at increasing representation of marginalized groups

Statistic 53

83% of game industry leaders agree that fostering inclusivity improves company culture

Statistic 54

58% of industry conferences and panels in 2023 included topics focused on diversity and inclusion, up from 42% in 2020

Statistic 55

41% of gamers have encountered microaggressions related to gender identity or expression

Statistic 56

57% of women in gaming report experiencing sexist harassment online

Statistic 57

37% of LGBTQ+ gamers reported feeling excluded or stereotyped in gaming content

Statistic 58

Over 60% of minority developers state they leave the industry due to lack of inclusivity

Statistic 59

42% of marginalized gamers report feeling that their identities are stereotyped in gaming

Statistic 60

Over 55% of game communities report witnessing or experiencing exclusion based on race, gender, or sexual orientation

Statistic 61

72% of gamers believe that video games should be more inclusive and diverse

Statistic 62

55% of gamers aged 18–34 want more diverse storylines in games

Statistic 63

70% of older gamers (50+) support increased representation of diverse characters

Statistic 64

80% of players support the inclusion of diverse characters if it enhances game storytelling

Statistic 65

Accessibility features in games have increased by 35% over the past three years, yet only 15% of games include comprehensive accessibility options

Statistic 66

79% of game players support more inclusive character customization options

Statistic 67

53% of gamers support the inclusion of more disabilities and accessibility features

Statistic 68

62% of gamers aged 45+ prefer games that include diverse characters and storylines

Statistic 69

54% of female gamers believe that more games should acknowledge and support women’s rights issues

Statistic 70

42% of gamers with disabilities actively seek out accessible game titles

Statistic 71

A survey found that 85% of players support auto-generation of diverse character backgrounds in role-playing games

Statistic 72

61% of gamers believe that increased diversity in game narratives enhances their engagement

Statistic 73

53% of gamers feel that current representation of minorities is tokenistic rather than authentic

Statistic 74

76% of women gamers report that they prefer games with inclusive content, yet only 25% feel they find enough of such titles

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Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Only 24% of game developers worldwide identify as women
72% of gamers believe that video games should be more inclusive and diverse
41% of gamers have encountered microaggressions related to gender identity or expression
Less than 10% of leading video game characters are people of color
68% of gamers support increased representation of marginalized groups in games
Only 4% of video game executive positions are held by women of color
57% of women in gaming report experiencing sexist harassment online
The percentage of female game developers in North America increased to 30% in 2023 from 21% in 2017
Only 15% of video games released in 2023 featured diverse protagonists
44% of Asian gamers feel underrepresented in mainstream gaming
37% of LGBTQ+ gamers reported feeling excluded or stereotyped in gaming content
29% of game developers report that diversity initiatives have led to better game design
The average salary gap between male and female game developers is approximately 13%

Despite growing awareness and efforts within the industry, the video game world still struggles with significant disparities in representation, with only 24% of developers being women and less than 10% of top characters representing people of color, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive narratives and diverse leadership.

Demographic Representation and Diversity

Only 24% of game developers worldwide identify as women
Less than 10% of leading video game characters are people of color
68% of gamers support increased representation of marginalized groups in games
Only 4% of video game executive positions are held by women of color
The percentage of female game developers in North America increased to 30% in 2023 from 21% in 2017
Only 15% of video games released in 2023 featured diverse protagonists
44% of Asian gamers feel underrepresented in mainstream gaming
The average salary gap between male and female game developers is approximately 13%
Only 3% of game characters are explicitly identified as non-binary or gender non-conforming
48% of women in the gaming industry have experienced promotion bias
Only 22% of game industry leadership positions are held by women
64% of gamers with disabilities feel that games rarely or never include content relevant to their experiences
23% of game developers identified as non-binary or genderqueer
Only 12% of popular games feature LGBTQ+ protagonists
The representation of female protagonists in AAA titles rose from 16% in 2019 to 22% in 2023
65% of gamers support more diverse casting in game voice acting
27% of game developers identify as coming from minority backgrounds
Only 2% of game developers worldwide identify as non-binary
69% of women gamers agree that more gaming content should feature strong female leads
45% of LGBTQ+ game developers have faced discrimination or harassment at work
61% of gamers believe that the portrayal of diversity in games has improved over the last five years
34% of games released in 2023 included diverse cultural representations
28% of professional gamers identify as belonging to minority groups
20% of all game characters are non-human creatures or anthropomorphic animals, representing diversity in character design
Only 18% of game narratives feature characters with disabilities as a central storyline
The percentage of women in eSports teams increased from 12% in 2019 to 24% in 2023
29% of games released in 2023 featured LGBTQ+ storylines or characters
36% of industry startups in gaming are founded by diverse founders, indicating increased entrepreneurial inclusivity
22% of AAA games in 2023 include at least one disabled character
48% of game companies track diversity metrics as part of their development process, up from 20% in 2020
15% of all published game scripts in 2023 contained diverse cultural elements, up from 8% in 2019
49% of women game developers report facing workplace bias or discrimination
The number of female-led indie game titles increased by 25% between 2019 and 2023
Only 6% of prestigious game awards in 2023 went to games with diverse protagonists or themes, indicating room for improvement
32% of game development teams have diversity and inclusion as a core part of their company's mission statement
20% of all new game startup funding has been allocated to companies founded by minorities or women in 2023, showing increased investments in diverse founders
42% of gamers from minority backgrounds report facing higher difficulty in finding culturally diverse content

Demographic Representation and Diversity Interpretation

Despite a rising tide of gamer support and evolving narratives, the video game industry still reveals a stark underrepresentation of women, people of color, and marginalized groups, highlighting that inclusive progress is more of a work-in-progress than a completed level—yet with each new indie title and NFT-driven startup, there's hope that the next big game might finally unlock the true diversity cheat code.

Industry Perspectives and Inclusion Initiatives

29% of game developers report that diversity initiatives have led to better game design
53% of game players support the idea of publishers actively promoting diversity and inclusion
Over 50% of game companies have committed to diversity hiring initiatives in 2023, up from 33% in 2020
46% of respondents in the industry believe current diversity efforts are insufficient
Industry-wide, 52% of development teams have implemented unconscious bias training
30% of video game companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies formally, up from 12% in 2020
Over 60% of game industry managers agree that diverse teams lead to more innovative games
50% of gamers support mandatory diversity training for game industry staff
38% of industry professionals believe that diversity directly correlates with better sales
The percentage of leading game studios with diversity officers increased to 58% in 2023 from 34% in 2020
The proportion of game development teams actively recruiting diverse talent increased by 40% between 2020 and 2023
47% of industry stakeholders believe diversity initiatives contribute to long-term business success
67% of game developers agree that inclusive design leads to better overall user experience
50% of industry professionals believe that diversity training should be a mandatory part of onboarding new staff
70% of gamers support industry initiatives aimed at increasing representation of marginalized groups
83% of game industry leaders agree that fostering inclusivity improves company culture
58% of industry conferences and panels in 2023 included topics focused on diversity and inclusion, up from 42% in 2020

Industry Perspectives and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

As the gaming industry accelerates towards more diverse and inclusive practices—evidenced by rising policies, training, and support from both creators and players—it becomes clear that embracing equity isn't just ethically sound but also a well-played strategy for game design innovation and long-term business success.

Microaggressions and Social Issues

41% of gamers have encountered microaggressions related to gender identity or expression
57% of women in gaming report experiencing sexist harassment online
37% of LGBTQ+ gamers reported feeling excluded or stereotyped in gaming content
Over 60% of minority developers state they leave the industry due to lack of inclusivity
42% of marginalized gamers report feeling that their identities are stereotyped in gaming
Over 55% of game communities report witnessing or experiencing exclusion based on race, gender, or sexual orientation

Microaggressions and Social Issues Interpretation

These disturbingly high percentages reveal that while gaming promises worlds of imagination, in reality, many players and developers still face the harsh reality of microaggressions, harassment, and exclusion, highlighting the urgent need for the industry to level up its commitment to genuine inclusion and respect.

Player Attitudes and Preferences

72% of gamers believe that video games should be more inclusive and diverse
55% of gamers aged 18–34 want more diverse storylines in games
70% of older gamers (50+) support increased representation of diverse characters
80% of players support the inclusion of diverse characters if it enhances game storytelling
Accessibility features in games have increased by 35% over the past three years, yet only 15% of games include comprehensive accessibility options
79% of game players support more inclusive character customization options
53% of gamers support the inclusion of more disabilities and accessibility features
62% of gamers aged 45+ prefer games that include diverse characters and storylines
54% of female gamers believe that more games should acknowledge and support women’s rights issues
42% of gamers with disabilities actively seek out accessible game titles
A survey found that 85% of players support auto-generation of diverse character backgrounds in role-playing games
61% of gamers believe that increased diversity in game narratives enhances their engagement
53% of gamers feel that current representation of minorities is tokenistic rather than authentic
76% of women gamers report that they prefer games with inclusive content, yet only 25% feel they find enough of such titles

Player Attitudes and Preferences Interpretation

Despite overwhelming gamer support for inclusive, diverse, and accessible gaming experiences—ranging from 72% advocating for more diversity to 85% backing auto-generated backgrounds—industry progress remains sluggish, with only 15% of games offering comprehensive accessibility, highlighting a pressing need for developers to transform well-intentioned stats into meaningful, authentic change.