A new study found roughly one-third of male video gamers prefer to play as female characters. In contrast, only about one-tenth of female gamers prefer playing as male characters.
The new study by Quantic Foundry, a market research company that specializes in gamer motivation, used a sample of over 500,000 gamers to examine player preference in the context of character selection. Participants came from across the globe and played a wide range of genres including MMOs and RPGs. After a survey of these participants, analysts found the majority of players prefer to play characters that match their own gender identities. The preference was found to be stronger for female gamers (76 percent) than male gamers (48 percent). However, male gamers appeared more open to playing as female characters than female gamers were to playing as male characters. 29 percent of male gamers disclosed a preference for female avatars, while only 9 percent of female gamers indicated they favored male avatars.
The research also analyzed the preferences of nonbinary gamers. Their responses demonstrated a higher rate of preference for nonbinary (38 percent) and female (33 percent) characters than male (10 percent).
The findings align with previous research. For example, a 2001 study of EverQuest players found male gamers were between four and six times more likely to play as female characters than female gamers were to play as male characters. Similarly, the results of a 2005 study of World of Warcraft indicated that 55 percent of female avatars in the game are likely controlled by male players.
Much of the research's discussion focused on why so many male gamers prefer playing female characters. One theory posited that female avatars may have a tactical advantage in games because other gamers expect them to be weaker or less skilled. Another suggested that female avatars are treated better than male avatars in social aspects of gameplay, being more likely to receive "freebies" or be invited to groups. The study also offered the explanation that anonymous, digital environments provide a safer space to explore gender identity than the real world.
It was also pointed out that the preference for female characters may have a more misogynistic root. Male gamers controlling female characters (that are typically designed to cater to the male gaze) may be another means for men to objectify and devalue women's bodies. This explanation appears to be supported by anecdotal evidence; as the research described, when directly asked why they play as female characters, many male gamers provide an answer along the lines of, "If I have to stare at a butt all day, I would rather it be a female butt."
This study highlights the fact that research focusing specifically on gamers tends to be male-centric, prioritizing the experiences and desires of male gamers over other demographics. It also appears to acknowledge this bias to a degree; towards the end of the article, the study asked if the better research question is not, "Why do male gamers play as female characters?" But rather, "Why do women have such a strong preference for only playing female characters?"
Source: Quantic Foundry