Online gaming has always been renowned as something of a male pastime, with games often being skewed towards male themes such as fast cars and non-stop rampaging action. For the longest time this left women underserved by the online gaming industry.
Because the sector continued to grow exponentially without catering to half the population, there were many within the industry who thought it was acceptable to barrel on with the status quo.
However, as the online gaming space became packed with games providers and the pool of potential new male players started to dry up, only those companies able to attract women gamers were in a position to continue to flourish.
This sea change in the industry means that now more than ever there are games out there which cater specifically to women, or which at least encourage men and women to play in harmony, rather than being at each other’s throats from the get-go.
Here we explore the sorts of games that are encouraging women to give online gaming a go.
Chess is now every bit as much of a woman’s game as it is a man’s, with some of the top online chess streamers being women
Classic Brain Busters
One sub-section of the gaming world that has always been open to both men and women is that of classic games, many of which have multiple master female players etched in their annals. This trend has increased yet further since the likes of chess, slots, and backgammon all made their way online, meaning that women players no longer needed to head to a club or arcade to play their favourite classic games. Some of the online providers who have made this possible include Chess.com, PokerStars Casino, and Backgammon247, all of whom have gone out of their way to offer up both games and gaming platforms that make women players feel welcome, whether they are looking to call “check mate”, spin some reels, or roll the dice.
Part of what has also driven this move towards women getting involved with classic online games is that many famous live streamers of such games, on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming, are in fact women. Just some of the ones who are making major waves in this regard are the Botez Sisters and Casinogirlz.
Games with Balanced Storylines
Another reason why many women use their brand new PC or phone screen for things other than gaming, is because they are used to high quality storylines. It is well known that women read more than men, due mainly to the fact that literature deals with more complex emotion-led narratives than the movies and video games more often targeted towards men.
Part of what is helping women connect with games again is that many gaming studios are recognising the need for better developed and more rounded storylines and plots. This has been evidenced in some recent smash hit gaming titles such as The Last of Us and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, both of which also star female protagonists.
Puzzlers with Beautiful Designs and Soundtracks
Women have always had to be adaptable, ready to balance all walks of life at the drop of a hat, and perhaps that is why women have been more receptive to mobile games than many other forms of game.
Beautiful game designs and carefully selected soundtracks have also played an important role in this regard, with games like Lumen and Monument Valley leading the way and garnering large female followings.
More and more women are picking up controllers and getting their game on in the online sphere
Sims Bring Women-Dominated Hobbies to the Fore
Another genre of game that has gone above and beyond to keep women players engaged is that of simulators. The Sims franchise is just one example of this, whereby women can build societies and communities, and shape them however they wish to, rather than being dictated to by an overarching storyline.
There are other excellent sim games out there as well, which focus on areas of interest that would more likely appeal to women than men. These include the likes of Star Stable Online and Idle Beauty Salon Tycoon.