The digital adoption of popular real-money games has brought about a sea change in gender disparities. More and more women are participating in online card games now. But let us recall a game of rummy or poker before it found its way into a popular presence on smartphones.
It was a male-dominated recreation, be it in the casinos, clubs or living rooms. The physical game rooms have been high-adrenaline environments that gave very little leeway for female participation. Even in scenarios where female participation was welcomed, the traditional lack of participation meant that the knowledge of poker and rummy rules proved to be a deterrent.
Gender-based Participation in Gaming: A Look Back:
Gender appropriateness has been a factor when it comes to various activities in India and in many other parts of the world. Certain activities were deemed to be suitable for men, while certain others were for women. When it came to card games, the aggressive and demanding nature of a physical real-money game environment meant that it grew to be typically male-dominated.
This is true for card games in most other places in the world as well. It was estimated that only 5% of professional poker players in the world are women. The skewed gender dynamics in a professional card game environment discouraged aspiring female participants. However, the online avatar of popular card games like rummy and poker has helped the gender gap to repair itself organically.
The Online Gamechanger:
Once the popular card games and innovative gaming ideas started to appear online, female participation saw signs of improvement. As a result, there is a world of difference in the way female gamers participate in an offline environment vis-à-vis an online environment.
One of the major reasons for this is the rise in mobile gaming. While female gamers may not have embraced the idea of owning a gaming PC or a console, mobile is something that everyone owns. Thanks to the digital adoption of gaming, female participation has conjured encouraging numbers of late.
A Participation Surge Among Women:
It has been observed that 41% of online gamers in India are female. And it is not an urban phenomenon either. 66% of the Indian female gamers are from non-metro locations. This was 57% in the year before. Last year, it was reported that a poker event in India saw a 33% increase in the participation of female poker players. It may be noted that the growth rate of female participation in gaming is much higher than that of male gamers almost everywhere in the world.
The year-on-year growth rate for female gamers was 11% in Asia, nearly twice the growth rate of male participants. Going back to the contribution of mobile gaming in closing the gender gap, 95% of Asian women gamers prefer playing on a phone. In some countries, women have outraced men in participation numbers. Southeast Asia as a region has 53% female participation, led by countries like the Philippines where it is 63%.
Drivers of Female Presence in Gaming:
We have mentioned how mobile game apps have made gaming more conducive for women. Another important reason for the surge in female participation, at least in India, is the privacy and flexibility that online games offer. Women who are new to a game, say rummy, can now learn rummy rules. Platforms like Rummy Time offer free tutorial content on the rules of the game, along with free tournaments to hone your rummy skills.
Further, the online gaming titles have accommodated creativity and storytelling into their narratives, which appeals to a wider audience. Earlier, many popular gaming titles were about violence and machismo, which typically appealed to the young male audience only.
Take the example of Otome Games, a popular gaming option for Asian women. It combines anime aesthetics, romantic narrative, puzzles, and even socialising. This may seem like an attempt to reinforce stereotypes. However, it is undoubtedly an attempt to cater to the preferences of an untapped female gaming community.
Sunil Yadav, a top executive of a gaming platform, noted that more women are also participating in the animation, visual effects, gaming and comic sectors. With increased women’s participation in the development processes, we may see more women-centric game themes and characters in India, like Otome.
Girl Power Play in Gaming to Rise:
The gender gap in the early days of video games as well as in offline card games used to be glaring. The emergence of online gaming apps and platforms has created a renewed interest among women. The rising popularity of mobile gaming has further aided their participation.
Consequently, female participation in the gaming community is reaching new highs every day. One can expect to see gaming platforms coming up with women-oriented developments and engagements as they prepare to cater to a more gender-balanced audience.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
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