Empowered by the Experience

Playing as Female Characters in Video Games

Bibliographic Data

ID21225614
AuthorsTeresa Lynch (0000-0001-9949-6445, The Ohio State University), Annie Dooley (0009-0008-8047-5159, The Ohio State University), D M Markowitz (0000-0002-7159-7014, Michigan State University)
Year2025
Volume13
Publication date2025-02-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedia and Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2183-2439 • E-ISSN: 2183-2439
PublisherCogitatio (PUBLISHER • PT)
DOI10.17645/mac.8733
OpenAlexW4404332672
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited32

Research on female video game characters often investigates negative outcomes of playing as stereotyped characters. Yet, video games increasingly offer people opportunities to play as capable, prominent female characters that may be meaningful and promote positive outcomes (e.g., feelings of empowerment). This manuscript shares the results of a mixed methods survey of individuals ( N = 751) recruited via online forums who recalled their experiences playing as female game characters. We analyzed qualitative response data using a traditional, top-down approach to identify themes. We focus our analysis and discussion on the results of a human-derived analysis, which indicated both positive and negative dimensions of experiences that participants found meaningful. Participants reported that taking on the role of a female character was often very important to them, but the reason for this significance varied across players. Often, these reasons involved their own gender identities and the context in which the gameplay occurred (e.g., online multiplayer). We consider findings as evidence of eudaimonic media effects

Advertising · Aesthetics · Art · Business · Media studies · Multimedia · Sociology · Video game · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Media Influence and Health · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Psychology · Social Psychology