by Jean A.
The gaming industry has traditionally been highly male-centric, with the types of games created and the advertising used to promote them catering to a male audience. Think back to the PC ROM gaming days when images of fighting tanks, action games, and car racing were the most prominent themes. Which at the time were known as interests that only males had.
Yet, fast forward to the current time where perceptions have changed drastically, and what was once considered an interest-only fit for a male is now no longer the case. While we’re not yet living in a perfect world when it comes to gender equality, today’s gaming industry now caters to both a male and female audience, without gender stereotyping games for just one sex.
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Below, we’ll take a look at how the gaming industry has shifted its focus to enable a more gender-neutral target market.
A MALE-CENTRIC INDUSTRY
Whether it is views adopted from previous generations or stereotypes from Hollywood movies, the consensus in the past has been that males enjoy activities like watching wrestling, car racing, and gaming, while women enjoy the arts, shopping, and beauty. However, thanks to shifting attitudes in society, these viewpoints towards what activities are appropriate for men and women are no longer the case.
As a result, the gaming industry has needed to adapt to make room for a new age of gamers. Today’s gamers want an equal experience, no matter their sex. This not only reflects in the way the game is designed but also in the way they are advertised.
WHY IS GAMING BECOMING MORE POPULAR FOR WOMEN
Shifting viewpoints are just one part of the consensus as there have been several factors involved in the shifting target market for the gaming industry. Let’s take a closer look at some of these factors below:
Ease of Access
Thanks to modern technology, there is now an abundance of quality online casinos ranging from new online casinos to established providers. This means that people do not need to visit a physical casino venue to play their favorite casino games. Whether it was time restraints or an intimidating atmosphere, today’s female gamers can now easily participate online from the comfort of their own home, on the commute to work, or even on the beach while on vacation.
The Social Aspect
Playing casino games online doesn’t mean you need to play alone. Many of today’s online casinos have a social area where players can visit chat rooms and discuss their similar interests, or even join in with leaderboards if they enjoy competition.
While many people may struggle to fit in time to socialize or be held back by other social factors, it is easier to connect with people online and become part of a community of similar-minded people.
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Range of Games
While physical casinos are limited to the types of games they can offer due to space capacity, online casinos can offer much more variety, in which many now offer new types of games like online bingo, lotteries, and interactive scratch cards.
While many women enjoy traditional casino games like poker and blackjack, research also shows that women enjoy the social aspect of gaming, in which online communities and multiplayer features cater to these interests.
Ease of Games
Walking into a casino and trying to play poker for the first time can be intimidating, especially when most of the crowd is male. For women who have always wanted to get into casino games but have felt intimated to do so as a first-time player, there are now a range of games available online that are suitable for new players with low stakes.
One of the most popular types of online casino games that women play are online slots. These can be found with many exciting themes, from retro games to the latest hit tv series or blockbuster movie.
Casino Game Marketing
Traditionally, casino games were marketed in a way that would appeal to a male audience. However, thanks to shifting views and today’s advertising laws, the way games are marketed are much more friendly to both sexes. Adverts appeal to women by using language and imagery that does not exclude certain groups of people.
Overall, while casino games have traditionally appealed to the male audience, this is changing dramatically. Many of today’s online casino gamers are now made up of female players thanks to more accessible games, more variety, and better standards of equality.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to try the latest casino games out for yourself.