Sexism in video games: A literature review of research in the domains of game creation, content and community/culture

This literature review synthesizes 30 years of research on sexism in video games, focusing on three key areas: game creation, content and community/culture. Based on an analysis of 137 academic publications, the review highlights the persistent underrepresentation and marginalization of women in the video game industry, both in workforce composition and in leadership roles. It also examines the pervasive sexualization and stereotyping of female characters in games and explores the broader gaming community’s exclusionary practices towards women. Despite some evidence of gradual improvement in female representation, sexist portrayals remain widespread. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding these dynamics to address gender inequality in video gaming. Future research should adopt intersectional approaches to investigate the experiences of marginalized groups beyond gender, while expanding the scope to different cultural contexts and gaming communities.