Gender Neutral Gaming: Why All Players Are Equal

Gender Neutral Gaming: Why All Players Are Equal

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The internet has brought social divides to the fore in recent years. Twitter spats and Facebook showdowns have created warring factions out of previously placid groups for no other reason than anonymity. Under the veil of an avatar, people often feel as though they can say anything they want. Indeed, things that are said online would rarely be uttered in real life. Now, that’s not to excuse bad behaviour. It’s simply a comment on how the internet has fostered a culture of outspokenness.

But, and this is important, it’s not all bad. Aside from any debates regarding free speech, the anonymity of the internet has actually broken down barriers. Yes, a minority might want to verbally fight with “the other side” on Twitter. However, the vast majority don’t. In fact, it’s this majority that actually sees the potential of the internet and virtual anonymity. In world where appearances often shape behaviour, it’s nice to have a platform where people don’t have to show their face if they don’t want to.

When Interactions Become Mental Instead of Physical

When you can interact with people on a mental level, rather than physical, it opens up new opportunities. A great example of this is online gaming. In this industry, stereotypes could be seen as a barrier to entry. Images of young men hauled up their bedrooms playing video games doesn’t appeal to a lot of women (or some men). Of course, there’s a certain amount of presumption in that statement. However, there’s always been the idea that video gaming is more popular with males than females, especially since quite a lot of the content is targeted towards a male demographic.

Or, that’s how things used to be. Thanks to the internet, there are now more than 2.5 billion gamers, and an air of equality has spread across the industry. Because no one has to know who you are or your gender, there’s no need to be intimated or pressured to act in a certain way. This is particularly true at a casino online sites. On signing up, Mr Green, for example, asks you to specify your gender but it’s not necessary. Once you’ve created an account, you become a screenname and nothing else. It doesn’t matter if you’re female or male, you can play classic casino titles and slots, along with live casino title that see you interact anonymously with other players.

Gaming Proves the Internet is the Great Leveller

Why is that important? Well, throughout history, casinos have often been the domain of males. That’s no longer the case. The internet has levelled the playing field. Today, both genders can play side-by-side and no one feels out of place. It’s a similar story in the video gaming sector. In fact, the anonymity of the internet has made some women feel so comfortable that they’ve chosen to throw off their veils. Bethany Bates, aka Sqaishey Quack, and Tiffany Garcia, aka iHasCupquake, are just two of the top YouTube gamers. These women have not only proved that females can play, they’ve done it in style.

With millions of followers and billions of views, they’re online celebrities. That, if nothing else, is a great example of how gaming knows no boundaries. Regardless of your gender, you can not only have fun playing games online but, if you so desire, make a career out of it. That’s fantastic, and it’s all down to the power of the internet. Even though anonymity can be problematic, it’s also a great leveller. The gaming industry has shown that and, hopefully, we see this trend happen in more industries as the internet grows and evolves.