Gaming is an escapism, a creative outlet, and a shared passion for millions. But beneath this thriving global culture lies an uncomfortable truth that continues to plague the industry and its fan base—misogyny is alarmingly ingrained in gaming. From the objectification of female characters to backlash against female-led narratives and harassment of women both on-screen and off, this systemic issue affects everyone involved in gaming. Today, we’re peeling back the layers of misogyny in gaming culture to confront these issues head-on.

The Objectification of Female Characters

One of the most obvious sources of misogyny in gaming is the way female characters have long been portrayed. While male protagonists are often multi-dimensional heroes with layered backstories, female characters are too frequently reduced to eye candy. Skimpy outfits, exaggerated body proportions, and sexualized animations have historically been industry staples.

Take Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. While she’s undeniably an iconic figure in gaming, her early character design leaned heavily into male fantasies. Despite being a skilled adventurer and intellectual equal to her male counterparts, the emphasis was always on her hyper-sexualized appearance. Over the years, developers began giving Lara a more grounded look and deeper personality, especially in the reboot series. Yet, even now, online forums can be seen lamenting the "loss" of her exaggerated features.

This isn’t just about costumes—it’s about how a character's primary value is framed. Look at JRPGs or fantasy games, where "armor" for women often provides more cleavage than protection. The design choices amplify the harmful notion that a female character only deserves attention if she’s made to titillate. Such representations limit how gamers perceive women, relegating them to secondary or ornamental roles both in fiction and, by extension, in gaming spaces.

Fan Backlash Against Female Protagonists

When creators attempt to challenge these tropes, fan backlash often rears its ugly head, proving how entrenched misogyny is within some corners of gaming culture. A well-known example of this toxicity is the controversy surrounding Aloy, the protagonist of Horizon Zero Dawn.

Aloy’s portrayal breaks the mold—she’s a smart, resourceful, and capable fighter. But instead of celebrating a strong female lead, some gamers complained that she wasn’t “attractive enough.” Why? Because her appearance wasn’t designed with the male gaze in mind. A viral outcry erupted across social media when updates for the sequel Horizon Forbidden West were released, with detractors nitpicking Aloy’s supposedly “masculine” features and lack of overt glamor. The outrage highlighted the unreasonable double standards placed on women in gaming—male characters are allowed to be rugged, imperfect, and practical, while female characters are expected to remain glamorous no matter the context.

The backlash against Abby in The Last of Us Part II takes this even further. Abby, a muscular and morally complex character, received hate not just for her actions in the story, but for defying traditional femininity. Her athletic build became a point of contention, with some gamers labeling her "unrealistic" or even spreading conspiracy theories that she was transgender. This fixation on ridiculing a character’s appearance as a subtle attack on her existence shows how deeply ingrained these biases are. More than that, it sends a clear message that women are only acceptable in games if they meet narrowly defined expectations of beauty and behavior. This trend continues today with controversy over the upcoming Ghost of Yotei.

Harassment in Gaming Communities

It’s not just fictional characters dealing with misogyny. Women in the gaming industry—whether players, creators, or streamers—face astonishing levels of harassment. Online multiplayer games, in particular, reveal the toxic underbelly of the community. Female players frequently report experiencing sexist remarks, insults, or poorly veiled mockery over voice chat simply for existing in the space.

For streamers and esports competitors, the harassment becomes even more personal. Look no further than the treatment of female streamers like Pokimane or Valkyrae, both of whom have faced vile online abuse. Critics often assert that their success is based solely on their appearance, undermining their skills, creativity, and dedication. Female creators who choose to push back against misogyny can find themselves doxxed, swarmed by coordinated hate mobs, or labeled “too sensitive” by a culture that trivializes their challenges.

This toxic culture exploded into public view during the infamous Gamergate controversy of 2014. What started as a supposed critique of ethics in games journalism spiraled into an organized harassment campaign targeting women, particularly developers and critics like Zoe Quinn and Anita Sarkeesian. The venomous mix of death threats, rape threats, and coordinated smear campaigns that emerged highlighted how volatile and hostile some gaming spaces could be for women who dared to speak out.

Lack of Representation Behind the Scenes

Part of the reason misogyny persists so strongly in gaming is the lack of diversity in the industry itself. Women make up only around 30% of the workforce in game development—and an even smaller percentage hold leadership positions where major creative decisions are made. This disparity has a direct impact on the types of narratives and characters produced.

When predominantly male teams make games, it’s not surprising that female representation often gets sidelined or mishandled. When women do break into the industry, they report experiencing sexism, gender bias, and exclusionary work environments. The stories of accomplished developers like Amy Hennig, who led the Uncharted franchise before leaving Naughty Dog due to creative clashes, highlight the uphill battles women face to influence major projects.

Fortunately, indie games are starting to push back against this trend. Titles like Celeste, with its nuanced exploration of identity, and What Remains of Edith Finch, a profound narrative-driven game with deep emotional appeal, show that storytelling becomes richer when diverse voices are given a platform.

Small Steps Toward Change

Despite all of this, progress is being made. More female-led games are emerging. Franchises like Assassin’s Creed, once known for prioritizing male leads, are creating equally strong (and marketable) female protagonists like Kassandra in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Developers are also placing greater emphasis on inclusive representation, offering players more freedom in how they express themselves through characters.

Some studios are consciously reducing the over-sexualization of female characters—like how Mortal Kombat 11 redesigned its female fighters with more practical gear. Meanwhile, organizations such as Women in Games and Code Liberation are working to empower women in gaming through mentorship and advocacy.

The rise of allyship within gaming communities is also encouraging. Influencers, streamers, and prominent male developers who speak out against harassment and misogyny can take some of the weight off women who are tired of fighting alone. By calling out inappropriate behavior and championing equality, they help set a new standard for the next generation.

The Road Ahead

Gaming culture reflects broader societal norms, which means tackling its intrinsic misogyny won’t be an overnight process. It requires honest conversations, systemic changes within the industry, and a commitment to holding both developers and communities accountable.

For gamers, that might mean reassessing what kinds of entertainment are supported and how online spaces are moderated. For developers, it means pushing for inclusive representation—both on-screen and behind the scenes. Progress is happening, but only by recognizing and addressing these ingrained biases can gaming truly become the inclusive, creative haven it should be.

It’s time for the industry to level up. Representation, respect, and equality are the ultimate endgame, and if the gaming world can achieve those, it will lead to an even richer, more meaningful experience for everyone.