BAC BO Game may not be the term most associated with the universe of digital games, but it reminds us of how the gambling and skill games share a space that has long been considered masculine. However, the latest statistics opened a different scenario: women already represent 51% of the gamer audience in Brazil, according to the Game Brasil 2022 . This data, by itself, already dismantles any stereotype about who really plays.
Women dominate Mobile space, with 60% of players preferring the smartphone as the main platform. But it doesn't stop there - on computers, the female presence reaches 41.1%, while in consoles it reaches 36.1%. This shows that even in the face of a history of exclusion, they are occupying all available spaces.
On the other hand, in electronic sports-the so-called e-Sports-the female presence is still shy. This is not due to lack of skill, but for cultural and structural barriers that still limit women's access and permanence in these highly competitive environments. Fortunately, this scenario has been changing, driven by female figures who stand out professionally and initiatives that seek to create safer and more egalitarian spaces.
In addition to pixels: prejudice, harassment and resistance with women in games
Childhood shapes many of our interests, and with video games it was no different. For years, the industry has fueled the myth that these products were "for boys." This directly impacted access: only 16% of women had a childhood playstation against 29% of men. The difference is not only in access, but also in the way genres relate to games from an early age.
This gap remains in adulthood. Only 25% of women recognize themselves as gamers, a much smaller number than 42% of men. Also, to escape harassment and hostility, many players adopt men's or neutral nicknames in online environments - a self -defense tactic that shows how toxic the gamer community can be for those who do not fit the “standard”.
Hostility does not stop there. More than 30% of women report that they have already been the target of misogynistic comments, sexual harassment or verbal violence while playing. An environment that should be leisure, fun and fair competition eventually becomes a minefield for those who are a woman.
One of the most notable forms of resistance is the growth of movements that fight these inequalities. #mygamemyname campaign , for example, gave voice to women who face machismo daily in the gamer. This agenda, even, has everything to do with topics covered on the 777bet.io blog .
Even in the face of adversities, women continue to play, creating content, winning championships and inspiring other girls. This is not just about games, it is about occupying spaces and demanding respect where it has always been denied. And each player who does not shut up, who continues to participate, contributes to transform this scenario.
They play, they lead
In a scenario that has long been dominated by men, more and more women have left their mark - and with authority. Names like Scarlett, Starcraft 2 champion with over 434,000 dollars in awards, are a slap in the face of those who still think it's a male territory. Scarlett began in women's leagues and today is among the most respected names of the International E-Sport.
In Brazil, the impact is equally remarkable. Teca, for example, was not only the first Brazilian world champion of Efootball, but also paved the way for other women in the scene of digital football games. And not stop there: Sher, known as transcuring, was a pioneer when becoming the first transient woman hired by a professional e-sports team, as well as idealizing the Rebecca Heineman Cup for trans and non-binary players.
There are also figures like Mayumi, a former League of Legends player who today has over 350,000 Twitch followers, and Gab, star of Rainbow Six in Brazil. Both are examples of talent and consistency, and show that there is no “female style” to play - there is a well played game, point.
And it is wrong to think that they are limited to niches. Mii Esquierdo, Loud Streamer , brings together millions of followers and plays in games like Free Fire and Fortnite. Already Liooon and Mystik represent female power in Hearthstone and several other titles, consolidating a clear message: they play and they win.
To represent is resist
When it comes to video games, female representativeness is not just an image issue. It is about seeing in a space where, for decades, the female presence has been erased or reduced to stereotypes. In recent research, it was clear that women react more discomfort to the sexualization of characters than men - and that has an explanation.
While 61% of men said they were more interested in sexualized games, only 39% of women shared this same excitement. For them, seeing a character with suitable clothes for combat and narrative protagonism makes much more sense than a cover that highlights the body as a visual appeal.
Even so, many players still value the fact that there is a female character, even if poorly represented. This desire for identification is so strong that it exceeds, in part, the discomfort with the way the character is presented. This reveals how representativeness matters - and a lot.
However, in addition to the visual aspect, there is a deeper cognitive impact: early on, girls are less encouraged to play strategy or action games that help develop logical reasoning. This may even affect career interest in science and technology in the future. Finally, a disparity that starts at the games, but echoes far beyond the screen.
