Gender Breakdown of Video games Featured at E3 2019 – Feminist Frequency

2019 represents our fifth 12 months doing a statistical breakdown of the video games featured at E3, and analyzing what the information tells us in regards to the illustration of girls in video video games. This 12 months, we ran the numbers on E3 occasions from Microsoft, Nintendo, Ubisoft, EA, Bethesda, and Sq. Enix, in addition to the annual PC Gaming Present, and we partnered with WIRED to current our information.

Briefly, what the numbers this 12 months show is that the general share of video games that heart feminine characters shouldn’t be getting any larger, and that it stays constantly and considerably outstripped by video games that heart male heroes. As we remark in our evaluation:

Of the 126 video games we tallied from the E3 occasions held by Microsoft, Nintendo, Bethesda, Ubisoft, Sq. Enix, and EA, in addition to the annual PC Gaming Present, a paltry six centered completely feminine protagonists, whereas nearly 5 occasions as many, 28, centered male characters. (When you think about that we place role-playing video games wherein you management a celebration of heroes in our “a number of choices” class, the numbers are much more dire, since a major variety of these video games, together with the Last Fantasy VII remake, Last Fantasy VIII, Dragon Quest XI, The Final Remnant Remastered, and others, clearly heart male heroes.)

It’s true that the variety of video games wherein you both management characters of various genders or get to decide on the gender of your hero character considerably outstrip these with established male or feminine protagonists. And naturally, as a normal development, the liberty to decide on or create your individual character is a welcome one. Nevertheless, it’s basically completely different from being requested by a recreation to tackle the position and experiences of a particular character. A male participant who’s extra snug with experiences that heart males can and can merely play as males in video games that supply him the selection. Alternatively, each participant who involves a recreation equivalent to Wolfenstein: Youngblood should step into the sneakers of a feminine character in an effort to play.

For our full statistical evaluation of the video games of E3 2019, in addition to on-stage presenters and a take a look at violent vs. nonviolent gameplay mechanics, visit WIRED

Take a look at our breakdowns of E3 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.