Over the past 24 hours or so, a number of women working in the game industry (and some male colleagues) have taken to Twitter to share their stories via the hashtag #1reasonwhy
They’re not motivational tales. Instead, they’re accounts of the rampant sexism and discrimination many have faced in the past, and are still facing today. The volume of the confessions, not to mention the important and prominent role of many involved, is sobering.
The tag’s name is meant to suggest people are listing the #1 reason why there aren’t more women making games. The scale and variety of responses obviously make a mockery of the whole “#1” bit.
Because I get mistaken for the receptionist or day-hire marketing at trade shows. #1reasonwhy
— Kim Swift (@K2theSwift) November 27, 2012
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273564464228470784
#1reasonwhy because there's not enough investment in AAA games about something other than war, cowboys, football, cars. sorry, but it's true
— Jane IMAGINABLE McGonigal ❤️ (@avantgame) November 27, 2012
The worst sexism is the "harmless" assumptions. I'm sick of being told art is the only appropriate career for a woman in games. #1reasonwhy
— Anthea Smith (@AntheaCreative) November 27, 2012
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273307863110270976
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273319505004998656
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273348528187777024
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273302692837867520
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273247451157241856
I've had prominent designers compliment my games, while complimenting my wife's appearance, when we develop together. #1reasonwhy
— Olivia Hill (@machineiv) November 26, 2012
Because conventions, where designers are celebrated, are unsafe places for me. Really. I've been groped. #1reasonwhy
— filamena young is typing… (@filamena) November 26, 2012
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273207118465740800
#1reasonwhy Once heard an Art manager say 'We don't need any more women, they're more trouble than they're worth' as he viewed applications
— Gabrielle Kent (@GabrielleKent) November 27, 2012
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273361014924382208
#1reasonwhy Basically, it would just be nice if people were more aware of how others felt. I try to be considerate of others' feelings.
— Laura Shigihara (鴫原ローラ ) 🍰🧋 (@supershigi) November 27, 2012
Being mistaken for male co-founder's assistant …three times? four? #1reasonwhy
— Caterina Fake (@Caterina) November 27, 2012
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273357163764789248
After being told she was hired to "look pretty & make the guys happy", my old boss got him to repeat this in an email to HR. #1reasonwhy
— TransformEnt. (@Transform_Ent) November 27, 2012
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273356630035410945
https://twitter.com/embed/status/273354422770356224
If you’re a guy, and have never really “got” why women face an uphill battle in many parts of the game industry—or why people make a big deal out of it—try and imagine it’s you facing this kind of crap in your workplace. See how insignificant it would be then.
UPDATE – If this has got you down, the flipside hastag #1reasontobe is collecting the reasons women do want to be working in the games business
https://kotaku.com/and-heres-why-women-in-the-games-business-put-up-with-s-5963755
