# Empowered Gaming The gaming industry makes attempts to become more gender inclusive. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Apr 23, 2018 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/empowered-gaming ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.7/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Empowered Gaming trend? **Empowered Gaming:** The video game industry has faced a lot of criticism for both its depiction of women, and for its lack of inclusivity for, and at times hostility towards, women and girls. It is slowly making attempts to change these perceptions by bringing women into the fold – most notably by creating female-only spaces in which they can thrive. This shift comes as women and their allies seek out all-encompassing strides towards gender equality. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: May 4, 2017 to Jun 12, 2018 - Published: Apr 23, 2018 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Empowered Gaming trend ### Inclusion Initiatives The gaming industry is making attempts to become more gender inclusive by bringing women into the fold and creating female-only spaces. ### Customization and Creation Fans are increasingly able to create custom skins in their favorite games, giving rise to a new industry of battle royale skin creators. ### Inclusive eSports Festivals Competitive eSports is becoming more inclusive with the creation of women-only esports race competitions and the GIRLGAMER eSports Festival. ## What the Empowered Gaming trend means for industry ### For Gaming Gaming companies can take advantage of inclusion initiatives to create female-only spaces and make video games more gender inclusive. ### For Design The rise of custom skins in video games is creating opportunities for designers to work on popular video game titles and create their own businesses. ### For Sports The gaming industry can work with the sports industry to increase inclusivity and drive up participation rates among women with the creation of women-only esports race competitions and all-female sports playsets. ## Workshop question How can your brand make moves to become more inclusive in its targeting, marketing, or in the initiatives it supports? ## Trend signals for Empowered Gaming Trend score 3.7 out of 10, from popularity 60%, activity 43%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 60% - Activity: 43% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Empowered Gaming trend 5 featured examples from May 4, 2017 to Jun 12, 2018. - [Battle Royale Skin Creators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fortnite-skin-creator): A Fortnite Skin Creator Has Been Developed by Fans for Fans (Category: Tech) Implication: Game developers may find opportunities to incorporate user-generated content into new releases, and leverage customization and personalization as new revenue streams. - [All-Female Sports Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sports-playset): Subbuteo Launched a Special Football Set for the Women’s FA Cup Final (Category: Marketing) Implication: Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the growing demand for diverse and inclusive playsets by creating innovative and unique products that cater to different interests and preferen… - [Women-Only eSports Race Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/women-and-wheels): SimBin Studios Caters to Women with Women and Wheels (Category: Tech) Implication: Gaming companies have the opportunity to tap into the underrepresented market of female gamers and create more women-friendly gaming experiences. - [Inclusive eSports Festivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/girlgamer-esports): The GIRLGAMER eSports Festival Focuses on Inclusiveness in Gaming (Category: Tech) Implication: There is an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the esports industry by actively promoting and supporting inclusivity. - [Feminist Gaming Avatars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/games-with-female-avatars): The Creators of 'Dots' are Releasing a Game with a Female Protagonist (Category: Tech) Implication: Game developers are tapping into the demand for female-centric and gender-inclusive games, disrupting the male-dominated gaming industry and providing more opportunities for diver… ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)