Gaming is no longer just for the boys. According to the 2023 Global Gamer Study, women make up 45% of the global gaming audience. Of this pool, 44% consider themselves casual gamers, while 31% consider themselves gamers. Desire for competition, personal challenge and social interaction are among the primary reasons females engage in esports.
Clearly, the gaming landscape is shifting and females are staking their claim in it. What’s driving this change? And where is it going? SmartBrief Education spoke with Claire LaBeaux, chief advancement officer at NASEF, the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, and Ariel Koepp, elementary school teacher and esports coach at Moreno Valley Unified School District to get their insights. MVUSD will host its second all-girls gaming tournament on Saturday, December 7.
This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
What’s changed in girl gaming in recent years? Where are you seeing growth and evolution?
Koepp: In recent years, there’s been a noticeable increase in visibility and representation for girls in gaming. More female gamers and creators are stepping into the spotlight, as streamers, esports players and game developers. Organizations and communities dedicated to supporting women in gaming, like Girls Who Game, NASEF and the GameHERs have also grown significantly.
We’re also seeing more esports programs actively recruit female gamers, offering a sense of inclusion that wasn’t as prevalent before. The narrative is shifting from “girls who game” being an anomaly to recognizing them as integral contributors to the gaming ecosystem.
Last year, I saw a significant increase in female participation – over 50% – in my esports club because I gave girls an opportunity to explore gaming and esports in a safe, welcoming space.
LaBeaux: There’s an emphasis among leaders to ensure that everyone who loves gaming has an opportunity to participate. Intentionality is important. Girls have always been gamers, but they have often been overlooked or demeaned by other players. There’s a culture shift (not just in gaming, but in many areas of the world) that emphasizes not just saying “girls can join if they want” but instead, proactively creating an environment where they are welcomed and celebrated. This goes all the way from the World Esports Championships held last week to events like the upcoming tournament hosted in Moreno Valley.
What’s caused this transformation?
Koepp: I believe several things have driven this change. First, the rise of social media and streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube has allowed women to showcase their skills and build supportive communities. Girls are getting to see more girls game! It’s helping make the gaming community more inviting for girls. Second, game developers are creating more diverse characters and stories, which makes the industry more enticing to girls. Finally, the push for gender equality in STEM fields has also translated into gaming, as schools and organizations encourage girls to pursue interests in technology, design, and esports.
LaBeaux: Esports clubs in schools or libraries have adult mentors, which helps create a different atmosphere than playing games at home in isolation. It’s valuable to have an adult witness someone’s behavior and help them see that their words may have hurt someone else, or direct them to consider the impact of their comments and actions — both positive and negative. NASEF has established a code of conduct that sets the standard for behavior across the organization. Individual clubs are also encouraged to create a club charter with specific points for their participants.
There was a time when girls were not welcome in gaming. What changed? Is it a better environment for them now? And why is it important to get more girls into gaming?
Koepp: What’s changed is awareness. More people are speaking out against harassment and toxicity, and platforms are implementing policies to protect players. High-profile female gamers and allies in the industry have also played a huge role in breaking down stereotypes and advocating for inclusivity. The environment has improved, but there’s still work to do.
Schools and youth programs introducing esports teams with intentional recruitment of girls are also creating a safer and more welcoming atmosphere from the ground up. It’s better than it was, but achieving full equity means continuing to address bias and fostering respectful communities.
Getting more girls into gaming is crucial because diversity leads to stronger communities, better problem-solving and more innovative games. Gaming has been male-dominated for too long, which has limited the kinds of stories and experiences explored. By encouraging girls to participate, we’re ensuring that gaming reflects a broader range of perspectives.
It’s also about empowerment. Gaming can teach critical skills like teamwork, strategy and resilience. For girls, it’s a chance to build confidence and develop leadership in a space they’re passionate about. Plus, with esports scholarships and careers becoming more accessible, gaming can open doors for education and professional opportunities.
LaBeaux: I’m not sure if it’s a move to get more girls into gaming or to recruit girls; rather, it’s to welcome girls who are already gaming or have expressed interest in a club or a leadership role. Hosting all-girls events or demonstrating that there are women who work in the esports industry lets girls see the opportunities. “If you can see it, you can be it” rings true in esports as in engineering and other STEM fields. Also, NASEF’s approach focuses on all aspects of opportunity in esports. That means that young women have an opportunity to participate in an esports club with a role that they enjoy. Only a handful of players will be the best at the game skills and want to be on the competing teams. But for those who play casually or who like the esports environment, the opportunity to be a tournament organizer or streamer or design artwork or participate in cosplay broadens the appeal and the connection points (for everyone, not just girls).
Can you talk about the high school-to-college pipeline for gamers?
Koepp: The high school-to-college pipeline is becoming more defined, thanks to the growing number of esports programs at both levels. Many high schools now have esports teams where students can develop their skills, learn game strategies and compete in tournaments. These programs also teach soft skills like communication, leadership, and time management.
At the college level, the number of esports scholarships is skyrocketing! In fact, last year, a female student from our school district received a college scholarship for their amazing work in esports from the University of Redlands. Universities recognize gaming as a legitimate path, offering scholarships and structured teams just like traditional sports. For girls, these pipelines are particularly exciting because they’re helping to close the gender gap in competitive gaming.
LaBeaux: See the above graphic. The key is that it’s a massive pipeline that’s not just for gamers – it’s for the variety of opportunities connected to esports and gaming.
Esports teams, clubs, labs and classes are popping up on college campuses everywhere. The industry is projected to grow to $9 billion in the next 10 years. There are significant career opportunities connected to esports, and colleges are a key part of creating the training and knowledge to support and sustain that growth. High schools are also getting into that action. NASEF has created overviews and curricula for several CTE pathways related to esports.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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