The gaming industry’s veneer of progress is a cruel illusion. Five years after harassment scandals exposed its rotten core, women still endure a relentless barrage of sexism, disrespect, and outright abuse. The fear is palpable: economic instability threatens to obliterate any fragile gains, sending women back into the shadows.
Elaine Gomez’s testimony—”harassment, disrespect, belittling, getting shut down”—is not an isolated incident. It’s a damning reflection of a systemic failure. Despite high-profile cases at Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard, where executives faced (or are facing) legal consequences, the industry’s response remains woefully inadequate. Ubisoft’s “changed HR processes” are a thin shield against deep-seated misogyny. Activision Blizzard’s silence speaks volumes. The “tip of the iceberg” analogy is chillingly accurate. Women are silenced, intimidated, and driven out, their voices drowned out by a male-dominated power structure.
The statistics are damning: women comprise half of gamers, yet only a quarter of studio staff. This disparity is not accidental. It’s a product of entrenched sexism that permeates every level, from entry-level positions to executive suites. Women are relegated to marketing roles while being excluded from technical and leadership positions. They face blatant discrimination from investors, are subjected to sexualized harassment, and are routinely dismissed and undermined. “Zero tolerance” policies are meaningless if they’re not enforced, and “no female candidates” is a convenient excuse for a culture that actively discourages women’s advancement.
The current economic downturn is a terrifying storm cloud. Jobs are scarce, and women, disproportionately represented in vulnerable positions, are the first to be sacrificed. DEI efforts, already under attack by reactionary forces, are being gutted. Speaking out is a career-ending risk. Blacklisting is a real threat. Women are forced into a “survival instinct,” choosing silence over justice. Some, like the developer who endured “derogatory language” and a non-consensual kiss, are driven to the breaking point, contemplating leaving the industry altogether. The gaming world’s “new generations” may offer hope, but for countless women, the present is a nightmare of persistent harassment and systemic oppression. The industry’s failure to protect them is a moral and ethical catastrophe.
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