GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Diversity In The Video Game Industry Statistics

Increase in diversity in the video game industry can lead to more innovative and inclusive games that appeal to a broader range of players.

Highlights: Diversity In The Video Game Industry Statistics

  • Women account for nearly half (41%) of all video game players in the U.S.
  • Only 22% of the game industry is made up of women.
  • Less than 2% of video game developers are Black.
  • Approximately 70% of video game creators are white.
  • 32% of video game companies are working actively to increase diversity in their hiring.
  • LGBTQ characters made up just 5% of video game characters in 2019.
  • Women make up only 13% of esports players.
  • Only 3% of characters in the top-selling video games of 2019 were portrayed as Hispanic.
  • Native/Indigenous people comprised less than 1% of playable characters in mainstream games as of 2020.
  • 60% of the video game industry's workforce believes that the industry lacks diversity.
  • 79% of game designers are male.
  • Only 1 in 10 game designers identify as LGBTQ+.
  • 56% of people in the gaming industry say there is not enough diversity in video game characters.
  • Minority groups are 26% less represented in video game industry employment than in the general U.S. tech sector.
  • 53% of Asian-Americans say they have experienced racism in the video game industry.
  • There was no significant growth in racial and ethnic diversity in the gaming industry between 2009 and 2019.
  • In a 2019 survey, only 16% of game developers identified as female.
  • According to a 2021 study, only 2% of video game industry employees are Black women.

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The Latest Diversity In The Video Game Industry Statistics Explained

Women account for nearly half (41%) of all video game players in the U.S.

The statistic indicates that women make up a substantial portion of video game players in the U.S., representing almost half of all gamers. This challenges the stereotype that gaming is predominantly a male-dominated activity. The percentage of women playing video games is significant, highlighting the growing diversity within the gaming community. This data is essential for game developers, marketers, and the industry as a whole to consider when creating and promoting games, as it shows the importance of catering to a broad audience that includes both men and women.

Only 22% of the game industry is made up of women.

The statistic “Only 22% of the game industry is made up of women” highlights a significant gender disparity within the gaming sector. This figure suggests that women represent a minority within the industry, with men comprising the vast majority of professionals. The statistic raises important questions about gender diversity, inclusion, and representation within the gaming space, indicating potential barriers that may be limiting opportunities for women to participate and thrive in this field. Addressing this disparity is crucial for promoting gender equality, fostering a more inclusive gaming community, and harnessing the diverse perspectives and talents that women can bring to the industry.

Less than 2% of video game developers are Black.

The statistic “Less than 2% of video game developers are Black” indicates the stark underrepresentation of Black individuals within the video game development industry. This figure illustrates a significant lack of diversity in terms of racial representation within the field. The low percentage suggests potential barriers or lack of opportunities for Black individuals to enter and thrive in the industry, which can have implications for the types of games being produced, the perspectives and voices influencing game development, and the overall inclusivity of the gaming community. Addressing and improving this representation is crucial for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the video game development sector.

Approximately 70% of video game creators are white.

This statistic suggests that the majority of individuals who create video games are white, accounting for around 70% of the total. This could imply a lack of diversity within the video game development industry, with a disproportionate representation of white individuals compared to other racial groups. The finding may raise concerns about potential biases, limited perspectives, and underrepresentation of diverse voices in the creative process of producing video games. Increasing diversity within the field of video game creation could lead to a broader range of creative ideas, experiences, and perspectives being reflected in video game content, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and representative gaming industry.

32% of video game companies are working actively to increase diversity in their hiring.

The statistic that 32% of video game companies are actively working to increase diversity in their hiring indicates that a significant portion of the industry is recognizing and taking steps to address diversity issues within their workforce. This suggests a positive trend towards fostering inclusivity and representation within the gaming sector. By proactively seeking to diversify their talent pool, companies are not only promoting equality and fairness in their hiring practices but also potentially enhancing creativity, innovation, and perspectives within the industry. This statistic highlights a growing awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in promoting a more equitable and dynamic environment within video game development companies.

LGBTQ characters made up just 5% of video game characters in 2019.

The statistic that LGBTQ characters made up just 5% of video game characters in 2019 suggests that representation of LGBTQ individuals in the video game industry is limited and not proportionate to the diversity within the broader population. This statistic highlights potential disparities in inclusivity and representation within the gaming industry, raising concerns about the underrepresentation of LGBTQ characters and the lack of diverse perspectives being portrayed in video games. Improved representation of LGBTQ characters in video games can contribute to a more inclusive gaming environment that better reflects the diversity of both players and society as a whole.

Women make up only 13% of esports players.

The statistic that women make up only 13% of esports players reflects a significant gender disparity within the competitive gaming industry. Despite the increasing popularity of esports on a global scale, women remain underrepresented in this male-dominated space. This statistic indicates a lack of diversity and inclusion within the esports community, which can be influenced by a variety of factors such as societal norms, gender stereotypes, and barriers to entry. Addressing this imbalance will require targeted efforts to support and encourage women’s participation in esports, as well as fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals regardless of gender.

Only 3% of characters in the top-selling video games of 2019 were portrayed as Hispanic.

The statistic indicates that only a small minority, specifically 3%, of characters featured in the top-selling video games of 2019 were depicted as Hispanic. This suggests a lack of representation for Hispanic individuals in the gaming industry, potentially leading to underrepresentation, limited diversity, and a lack of cultural inclusivity in the gaming content that was most popular during that year. Such statistics can highlight the need for greater efforts towards more diverse and inclusive character portrayals in video games to better reflect the diverse audience and society as a whole.

Native/Indigenous people comprised less than 1% of playable characters in mainstream games as of 2020.

The statistic “Native/Indigenous people comprised less than 1% of playable characters in mainstream games as of 2020” suggests a severe lack of representation and diversity in the gaming industry. This data indicates that individuals from Native/Indigenous backgrounds are notably underrepresented as protagonists or playable characters in popular video games. Such underrepresentation not only limits the ability of Native/Indigenous gamers to see themselves reflected in game narratives but also perpetuates stereotypes and reinforces a lack of cultural appreciation and understanding in the gaming community. To promote inclusivity and diversity, addressing this disparity by increasing the representation of Native/Indigenous characters in mainstream games is crucial.

60% of the video game industry’s workforce believes that the industry lacks diversity.

The statistic stating that 60% of the video game industry’s workforce believes that the industry lacks diversity indicates that a majority of individuals working in the video game industry feel that there is insufficient representation and inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives within the industry. This perception can have significant implications for issues such as representation in video game development, game content, and workplace culture. The statistic highlights a perceived disparity in the industry’s efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse environment and underscores the importance of addressing these concerns to promote a more equitable and welcoming industry for all individuals involved.

79% of game designers are male.

The statistic “79% of game designers are male” indicates that a significant majority of individuals working in the field of game design are male, with only 21% being female. This implies a gender imbalance in the profession, potentially reflecting underlying societal factors such as cultural norms, historical biases, or structural barriers that may limit women’s participation in the field. Understanding and addressing the reasons behind this gender disparity is important for promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in the gaming industry, as well as creating a more representative and innovative environment for game development.

Only 1 in 10 game designers identify as LGBTQ+.

This statistic suggests that within the field of game design, a minority of individuals, specifically 1 out of every 10, identify as LGBTQ+. This data indicates that LGBTQ+ representation within the game design industry is not proportionate to the overall LGBTQ+ population. It may also point to potential underrepresentation, inequality, or barriers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals looking to enter or thrive within the game design profession. This statistic highlights the importance of promoting diversity, inclusivity, and equality within the industry to ensure a more representative and welcoming environment for all aspiring game designers.

56% of people in the gaming industry say there is not enough diversity in video game characters.

The statistic that 56% of people in the gaming industry say there is not enough diversity in video game characters indicates that a majority of individuals working within the gaming sector believe that there is a lack of representation and inclusivity in the characters portrayed in video games. This suggests a perception that the current offerings may not adequately reflect the diverse range of identities and experiences present in society. The statistic highlights a perceived disparity that may impact player engagement, industry practices, and overall societal attitudes towards diversity and inclusion within the gaming community.

Minority groups are 26% less represented in video game industry employment than in the general U.S. tech sector.

This statistic indicates that minority groups are underrepresented in the video game industry in comparison to their representation in the broader U.S. tech sector. Specifically, the statistic suggests that the proportion of minority individuals employed in the video game industry is 26% lower than what would be expected based on their representation in the general tech sector. This disparity highlights a lack of diversity and inclusion within the video game industry, which may have implications for issues such as representation in game development, workforce diversity, and opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter and advance in the industry. Addressing this underrepresentation is essential to creating a more inclusive and equitable environment within the video game industry.

53% of Asian-Americans say they have experienced racism in the video game industry.

The statistic indicating that 53% of Asian-Americans report experiencing racism in the video game industry suggests a concerning prevalence of discriminatory behavior within this sector. This percentage reflects more than half of Asian-American respondents who have encountered racism in their interactions or experiences within the video game industry. Such findings underscore the importance of addressing and rectifying issues of racism and discrimination in this particular domain, as well as emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equality within the gaming community.

There was no significant growth in racial and ethnic diversity in the gaming industry between 2009 and 2019.

The statistic suggests that there was no substantial increase in the representation of individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds within the gaming industry from 2009 to 2019. This lack of significant growth implies that the industry may not have made substantial progress in promoting diversity and inclusivity over that time period. The stagnant levels of diversity could indicate ongoing challenges in creating an inclusive and representative environment within the gaming sector, highlighting the need for increased diversity initiatives and efforts to address systemic barriers that may limit opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities in the industry.

In a 2019 survey, only 16% of game developers identified as female.

In a 2019 survey on game developers, it was found that only 16% of the respondents identified as female. This statistic highlights a gender disparity within the game development industry, with a significantly larger proportion of developers being male compared to female. The findings suggest that women are underrepresented in game development, which may indicate potential barriers and challenges faced by females in pursuing careers in this field. Addressing this gender gap and promoting diversity and inclusion within the game development industry may be important for creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all individuals interested in this profession.

According to a 2021 study, only 2% of video game industry employees are Black women.

The statistic indicating that only 2% of video game industry employees are Black women highlights a significant lack of diversity within the industry. This statistic suggests that there is a notable underrepresentation of Black women in this particular sector. The low percentage of Black women in the video game industry not only serves as a reflection of systemic inequalities and barriers to entry faced by minorities, but also raises concerns about the industry’s inclusivity and opportunities for diverse voices and perspectives. Addressing this disparity is crucial for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the video game industry, ensuring equal opportunities and representation for all individuals in this field.

References

0. – https://www.www.npr.org

1. – https://www.gamestudies.org

2. – https://www.www.statista.com

3. – https://www.www.gamasutra.com

4. – https://www.www.theverge.com

5. – https://www.www.engadget.com

6. – https://www.www.gamesindustry.biz

7. – https://www.www.ign.com

8. – https://www.www.polygon.com

9. – https://www.www.pcgamer.com

10. – https://www.www.nature.com

11. – https://www.www.nytimes.com

12. – https://www.www.washingtonpost.com

13. – https://www.qz.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

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