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[kittens]

Polygon just published this piece by Jonathan McIntosh, who has worked as a producer on Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes vs. Women in Video Games series. As the centerpiece of the article, McIntosh provides 25 examples of "male gamer privilege". I quoted the list below, along with some explanation and context from the author. Make sure to read the full piece!

Working towards solutions requires that, as male gamers, we become aware of the ways in which we unconsciously benefit from sexism. We can't work to fix something unless we first see and understand its effects. When women as a group are systematically targeted by discrimination, it means that men are elevated by default.

This phenomenon is often referred to as Male Privilege... many men [remain] blissfully unaware of what roughly half of all gamers experience on a daily basis. We have been taught and socialized not to see it and to think of our own experiences as universal. So when men, even well meaning men, hear the term male privilege it can sometimes be difficult to understand exactly how it relates to our everyday lives.

...this checklist is my attempt to identify some of the concrete benefits and bonuses my fellow male gamers and I are afforded simply by virtue of being male.

I’ve decided to chronicle only those benefits granted to men regardless of our individual actions. However, impunity for the overt sexist behavior some men engage in is also a core part of how male privilege operates.

For the purposes of this list I’m referring primarily to straight men who are not transgender. Similar lists could be created for white, straight, cis, or able-bodied privilege and there would certainly be some overlap with the conditions identified below.

1. I can choose to remain completely oblivious, or indifferent to the harassment that many women face in gaming spaces.
2. I am never told that video games or the surrounding culture is not intended for me because I am male.
3. I can publicly post my username, gamertag or contact information online without having to fear being stalked or sexually harassed because of my gender.
4. I will never be asked to "prove my gaming cred" simply because of my gender.
5. If I enthusiastically express my fondness for video games no one will automatically assume I’m faking my interest just to "get attention" from other gamers.
6. I can look at practically any gaming review site, show, blog or magazine and see the voices of people of my own gender widely represented.
7. When I go to a gaming event or convention, I can be relatively certain that I won’t be harassed, groped, propositioned or catcalled by total strangers.
8. I will never be asked or expected to speak for all other gamers who share my gender.
9. I can be sure that my gaming performance (good or bad) won’t be attributed to or reflect on my gender as a whole.
10. My gaming ability, attitude, feelings or capability will never be called into question based on unrelated natural biological functions.
11. I can be relatively sure my thoughts about video games won’t be dismissed or attacked based solely on my tone of voice, even if I speak in an aggressive, obnoxious, crude or flippant manner.
12. I can openly say that my favorite games are casual, odd, non-violent, artistic, or cute without fear that my opinions will reinforce a stereotype that "men are not real gamers."
13. When purchasing most major video games in a store, chances are I will not be asked if (or assumed to be) buying it for a wife, daughter or girlfriend.
14. The vast majority of game studios, past and present, have been led and populated primarily by people of my own gender and as such most of their products have been specifically designed to cater to my demographic.
15. I can walk into any gaming store and see images of my gender widely represented as powerful heroes, villains and non-playable characters alike.
16. I will almost always have the option to play a character of my gender, as most protagonists or heroes will be male by default.
17. I do not have to carefully navigate my engagement with online communities or gaming spaces in order to avoid or mitigate the possibility of being harassed because of my gender.
18. I probably never think about hiding my real-life gender online through my gamer-name, my avatar choice, or by muting voice-chat, out of fear of harassment resulting from my being male.
19. When I enter an online game, I can be relatively sure I won’t be attacked or harassed when and if my real-life gender is made public
20. If I am trash-talked or verbally berated while playing online, it will not be because I am male nor will my gender be invoked as an insult.
21. While playing online with people I don’t know I won’t be interrogated about the size and shape of my real-life body parts, nor will I be pressured to share intimate details about my sex life for the pleasure of other players.
22. Complete strangers generally do not send me unsolicited images of their genitalia or demand to see me naked on the basis of being a male gamer.
23. In multiplayer games I can be pretty sure that conversations between other players will not focus on speculation about my "attractiveness" or "sexual availability" in real-life.
24. If I choose to point out sexism in gaming, my observations will not be seen as self-serving, and will therefore be perceived as more credible and worthy of respect than those of my female counterparts, even if they are saying the exact same thing.
25. Because it was created by a straight white male, this checklist will likely be taken more seriously than if it had been written by virtually any female gamer.

I want to emphasize that this list is not meant to suggest that everything is always a cakewalk for male gamers. Male critics, developers, and gamers are also at times bullied or subjected to online nastiness, but it is not based on or because of our gender. This is a critical distinction. The pattern of unearned advantage also does not mean that all men are powerful as individuals or that all women are powerless as individuals. It simply means that men in gamer culture can, on average, count on these advantages, whereas women can not.

If this list does make you feel uncomfortable, that can be a positive step towards recognizing sexism as a real problem. In order to make change we need to first acknowledge it, and then take responsibility for it so we can actively work to dismantle the parts of gaming culture that perpetuate these imbalances.

So, what do you think? What have your experiences been -- regardless of your gender -- with the scenarios listed above?

I like this piece because, as McIntosh notes, realizing privilege exists is the first step in working to undermine it. Feeling guilty or ashamed of male privilege -- while understandable -- isn't the point. We need to just be cognizant of the privilege and power we hold so that we can be more sensitive. Sensitivity is good! It means you understand systems of oppression and privilege, where you and others sit in those systems, and how you can then act to make sure you don't perpetuate those systems. Which is cool, cause then it means you're a more respectful, caring, safe person, and it means the spaces you're in are those things, too. Even if those "spaces" are just Xbox Live or NeoGAF.

 

[EvB]

I think many of these things extend way beyond just gaming and the way people behave within the gaming world, is simply a visible indicator of our gender biased society

 

[McDougles]

So, what do you think?

I think that many accounts will be banned during this thread.

 

[Mr.Squirrel]

I think that many accounts will be banned during this thread.

I hope you're right.

 

[kittens]

I think many of these things extend way beyond just gaming and the way people behave within the gaming world, is simply a visible indicator of our gender biased society

Totally. I don't think McIntosh is trying to assert otherwise. We need to work to be aware of these things in all communities / spaces we inhabit, including gaming communities.

 

[Tigress]

I think many of these things extend way beyond just gaming and the way people behave within the gaming world, is simply a visible indicator of our gender biased society

I agree with this.

I think that many accounts will be banned during this thread.

Most likely. I usually try to bite my tongue or not even bother reading when it comes to this topic honestly. I'm a very argumentative person and even when I really don't want to argue (I'm tired of it), I tend to feel compelled to argue if I strongly disagree. So I find I'm happier usually not reading (I was telling myself, don't open the thread, don't open the thread <- you see how well that worked ). But, then I go I might miss reading something I really like too.

 

[Dark Octave]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

As a black male gamer, I got many racist comments thrown at me whenever I went online, that have left a scar so deep in me to the point that the rare times I do go online, I don't even bother to mic up.

 

[TheHall]

That whole checklist can be summarized as

- 1. Being anonymous online turns some people into terrible assholes.

I think Microsoft is on to something with their mandatory Kinect though.

It would be great if there was some tool for the people who are on the receiving end of this douchebaggery could use a command that would snap a frame from said douchebag on the other side of the Internet and forward it to the abusee.

"TITS OR GTFO you casual fake gamer whore"

*snap*

"Oh please, you cheetos covered neckbeard, take it out on your waifu instead"

 

[IdreamofHIME]

3,7 and 18 for sure, but that's not just gaming...that's anywhere a woman tips her toes into a forum of lonely males. In a game, on facebook, at a club or even at the work place.

As for woman only getting images of genitalia sent to them, obviously he never played Uno on the 360 back in the day.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

Most of those points seem very fair and valid to me.

 

[keeblerdrow]

Is there literally anywhere I can go as a white male without being concerned about privilege?


I'm genuinely curious.

 

[KJRS_1993]

I agree with this article completely.
"Gaming doesn't have an equality problem!" insist straight, white males all over the internet.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

As a black male gamer, I got many racist comments thrown at me whenever I went online, that have left a scar so deep in me to the point that the rare times I do go online, I don't even bother to mic up.

That is a damn shame.

 

[And_Gignac]

I think point 3, 6 and 7 are kind of a stretch but I agree with most of the points raised.

There´s an obvious problem with sexism is gaming due to the juvenile nature of the hobby itself and, in consequence, the players.

 

[hawk2025]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

As a black male gamer, I got so many racist comments thrown at me whenever I went online and it has left a scar so deep in me to the point that the rare times I do go online, I don't even bother to mic up.

Precisely why the article mentions "white". It's trying to separate the list of gender from the list of race.

You could make a very similar list for race, I'd guess -- and I see some VERY strong racism online to this day, as you correctly point out.

Overall, the behavior of online communities is nothing short of an embarrassment, in my opinion.

I don't have to agree with all of the 25 points of this list (the list itself is immaterial to its main point) to believe, like the author, that more and more people should be keenly aware of the things that happen in online communities, and at the very least try to lead by example by avoiding these behaviors.

Actually, being anonymous doesn't turn people into "cunts" (which, by the way, if we're talking about sexism that's kind of an ironic word to use ), but that being anonymous causes people to show their true self (basically, what they would truly be like without having to worry about what society would think of them). Plenty of people are considerate and good people even when they are anonymous. I think it more is a test of your true character how you act when you are anonymous.

And I mostly agree with this. The behavior under anonymity only serves to highlight how a lot of the "good" behavior is actually a result of social norms which are prevalent elsewhere, which brings up two important points:

1) Claiming "racism is dead" or "sexism doesn't exist anymore, get over it" goes directly against this.
2) Even if it may not be reasonable to expect that people will completely change their minds, we CAN help create an online social norm that adheres to at least a much better basic level of behavior.

 

[Tigress]

- 1. Being anonymous online turns some people into terrible cunts.

Actually, being anonymous doesn't turn people into "cunts" (which, by the way, if we're talking about sexism that's kind of an ironic word to use ), but that being anonymous causes people to show their true self (basically, what they would truly be like without having to worry about what society would think of them). Plenty of people are considerate and good people even when they are anonymous. I think it more is a test of your true character how you act when you are anonymous.

Precisely why the article mentions "white". It's trying to separate the list of gender from the list of race.

yep, the article isn't just about sexism or racism, it's about people in general who are of a subset that are more "privledged" and how their "privledge" makes it harder for them to see another group who doesn't have the same privledge's POV.

Imagine how much worse it is for those male gamers with high pitched voices!

I don't have to imagine. Most of the time if I play GTA V Online (The only game I play much online), people assume I'm some boy cause I have a high pitched voice. Even had a few who wouldn't believe I was female or was shocked. And one guy going on about how it wasn't a female gamer, just some creep guy cause female gamers didn't exist.

 

[Gaz_RB]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

As a black male gamer, I got many racist comments thrown at me whenever I went online, that have left a scar so deep in me to the point that the rare times I do go online, I don't even bother to mic up.

I'm sorry to hear that, man. Anonymity and gaming can truly be a toxic mix. Hopefully you can find a nice community here at GAF and get to enjoy multiplayer games without the disgusting things that come out of people's mouths online.

Is there literally anywhere I can go as a white male without being concerned about privilege?


I'm genuinely curious.

No. Not really. And mostly for good reasons.

 

[benny_a]

Imagine how much worse it is for those male gamers with high pitched voices!

I don't have to imagine. Most of the time if I play GTA V Online (The only game I play much online), people assume I'm some boy cause I have a high pitched voice. Even had a few who wouldn't believe I was female or was shocked. And one guy going on about how it wasn't a female gamer, just some creep guy cause female gamers didn't exist.

Sony solved gender inequality by having a pitch slider in their microphone control!

 

[Mory Dunz]

Is there literally anywhere I can go as a white male without being concerned about privilege?


I'm genuinely curious.

Nursing school.

 

[HashTag]

The article is written as if I should somehow be ashamed of being a male gamer because some other male gamers choose to act inappropriately. Give me a break.

 

[PixelNinja]

"who has worked as a producer on Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes vs. Women in Video Games series"
And.. I stopped taking it seriously here.

Although some of these are brain dead obvious some aren't.

Heck take number 16 for example, this is definitely wrong.

Number 14 as well, alot of game studios are staffed with plenty of females, even in places you don't expect; e.g. the writers of Duke Nukem Forever were females.

In terms of Online spaces, you're going to be harassed no matter what, no matter who you are. There have been times where women have trashed talked to me.

In terms of the game industry, many females are being hired today, more than ever.

 

[shandy706]

Joining an adults only, well diversified, gaming clan can help eliminate a lot of this.

It doesn't eliminate all those annoyances, but my wife and I really enjoyed the 25+ only clan we joined.

When we had more time for gaming, she would write articles for the clan-site.

 

[blitzcloud]

What about people who idolize female gamers?

I've seen people being harsher male-to-male than male-to-female, commonly.

 

[Gaz_RB]

The article is written as if I should somehow be ashamed of being a white male gamer because some other white male gamers choose to act inappropriately. Give me a break.

I didn't think it was trying to make people feel ashamed. It was meant as more of a "this exists and is a problem you should acknowledge". What parts made you feel like you should be ashamed?

Joining an adults only, well diversified, gaming clan can help eliminate a lot of this.

It doesn't eliminate all those annoyances, but my wife and I really enjoyed the 25+ only clan we joined.

When we had more time for gaming, she would write articles for the clan-site.

Yeah. It comes to the point where joining public matchmaking games and playing with randoms becomes a pretty bad experience, and you need to find a community of like minded people to play with.

 

[brinstar]

The article is written as if I should somehow be ashamed of being a white male gamer because some other white male gamers choose to act inappropriately. Give me a break.

read it again.

 

[Cassen]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

I think you misread "While" for "White" (as did I).

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

The article is written as if I should somehow be ashamed of being a white male gamer because some other white male gamers choose to act inappropriately. Give me a break.

I think your reaction says more about you than the article.

 

[Jb]

The only online games where I've encountered players that I knew were female was in MMOs and, to my knowledge, everyone was super nice and friendly with them, so this might also have more to do with the genre of the game. CoD players tend to be cunts, but I don't know that that cunt/nice ratio holds true to most genres.

 

[Tigress]

And I mostly agree with this. The behavior under anonymity only serves to highlight how a lot of the "good" behavior is actually a result of social norms which are prevalent elsewhere, which brings up two important points:

1) Claiming "racism is dead" or "sexism doesn't exist anymore, get over it" goes directly against this.
2) Even if it may not be reasonable to expect that people will completely change their minds, we CAN help create an online social norm that adheres to at least a much better basic level of behavior.

Yep, and as people said, it's not even just within the gaming society that you see stuff like this. I just saw some one the other day post on some article about Game of Thrones (spoilers) that the scene on last sunday's episode wasn't rape because she didn't say no loud enough. Yes, attitudes like that are alive and well. And she (or he) was dead serious too.

 

[TheJollyCorner]

Is there literally anywhere I can go as a white male without being concerned about privilege?


I'm genuinely curious.

North Dakota?

 

[Acorn]

I see the repeatedly bunked " anonymity is why people are dicks" myth is still going strong.

You know facebook and Twitter? Yeah...

 

[kswiston]

Even though I am a white male, I typically don't play online games with random people, because most communities are pretty terrible.

As for the non-online community stuff, it would be nice to see more representation in the industry. Like female playable characters who aren't Waifus. If Game of Thrones can manage to have a large assortment of sexualized and non-sexualized females (and males) in the same show, games should be able to do the same.

I see the repeatedly bunked " anonymity is why people are dicks" myth is still going strong.

You know facebook and Twitter? Yeah...

It's less about anonymity and more about not being in immediate risk of a punch in the face.

 

[PixelNinja]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

As a black male gamer, I got many racist comments thrown at me whenever I went online, that have left a scar so deep in me to the point that the rare times I do go online, I don't even bother to mic up.

Sorry to hear that dude, I've seen my black friend being called the n-word in online games. It's very sad that people like this still live.

 

[Gaz_RB]

"who has worked as a producer on Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes vs. Women in Video Games series"
And.. I stopped taking it seriously here.

Although some of these are brain dead obvious some aren't.

Heck take number 16 for example, this is definitely wrong.

Number 14 as well, alot of game studios are staffed with plenty of females, even in places you don't expect; e.g. the writers of Duke Nukem Forever were females.

In terms of Online spaces, you're going to be harassed no matter what, no matter who you are. There have been times where women have trashed talked to me.

In terms of the game industry, many females are being hired today, more than ever.

How is 16 wrong?

And as for women in the industry, it is starting to change, but it is still heavily skewed towards men. But time will hopefully mend this if we facilitate it.

Though I agree that not all the points in the article are as accurate as some of the others.

 

[_hekk05]

I think its less of a gaming culture thing, but more a manifestation of people's personal beliefs, magnified and aided by the internet.

You can't solve the problem by going after gamers, you gotta solve the problem in society at large.

 

[Pandaman]

you could quite easily substitute gender with age in this list, but i doubt as many people would be concerned with the plight of the 13 year old cod-kid.

 

[CyanideFuse]

My gamertag, Origin ID and Steam ID give no indication to my gender.

I play online games, mainly Titanfall at this time, and I can only assume that I would be for it if (some) players were aware of my gender. I would guess a lot would see me as the weak link?

This is why I would never entertain the notion of using a mic and speaking in-game even though communication would be nice for coordinating teamplay.

Spoiler

I am not sure if I have completely misinterpreted this thread.

 

[SmokedMeat]

I'm a straight white male so I've never encountered any harassment when gaming. Of course I play with randoms so I barely ever use the mic anyways.

But in the small amount of time I've browsed the Playstation Live stuff, I've been surprised at how rude some gamers can be in the comments they make to those on camera. Everyone's a tough guy when they're on the internet and anonymous.

 

[blitzcloud]

Sorry to hear that dude, I've seen my black friend being called the n-word in online games. It's very sad that people like this still live.

people online just try to get to you, and they'll use whatever they think can offend you. Because they can't be satisfied while being mad unless you're going mad too.

 

[Whitechocolatekrispies]

So we are too ... what?

I take it most of those fortunate enough to make it onto Neogaf ... and stay here. Are also the kind of people that will use blanket insults to portray our frustration online (i.e. idiots etc). Not resort to sexist, racist, homophobic slurs.

Aside from having any level of control over our game space, there isn't really anything we can do to combat this behaviour. We don't do it so we've already done our part. I don't think I've seen a single console game where you can kick/ban players online. I do my part in the PC gaming space, votekicking shit heads where possible.

It seems the solution to these issues lies with the developers, i.e. give us tool to ruin the assholes gamers (permabans etc) or with Sony and Microsoft to crack down on assholes (banning troll accounts etc).

 

[TheHall]

Actually, being anonymous doesn't turn people into "cunts" (which, by the way, if we're talking about sexism that's kind of an ironic word to use ), but that being anonymous causes people to show their true self (basically, what they would truly be like without having to worry about what society would think of them). Plenty of people are considerate and good people even when they are anonymous. I think it more is a test of your true character how you act when you are anonymous.

Yeah, i have been watching too much Game of Thrones.... my bad.


That being said, i think being anonymous and taking away all consequences to behaviour are sort of the same thing.

That movie "the Experiment" based on the Stanford Experiment has a great quote on the subject.

"When you take away the possibility of getting punched in the head, people turn into real assholes".

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

Why mention "white" when the article is so gender focused?

As a black male gamer, I got many racist comments thrown at me whenever I went online, that have left a scar so deep in me to the point that the rare times I do go online, I don't even bother to mic up.

It was adapted from something about white privilege, I believe.

Yeah, best to stay off the mic unless you're with friends

 

[hawk2025]

"who has worked as a producer on Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes vs. Women in Video Games series"
And.. I stopped taking it seriously here.

Although some of these are brain dead obvious some aren't.

Heck take number 16 for example, this is definitely wrong.

Number 14 as well, alot of game studios are staffed with plenty of females, even in places you don't expect; e.g. the writers of Duke Nukem Forever were females.

In terms of Online spaces, you're going to be harassed no matter what, no matter who you are. There have been times where women have trashed talked to me.

In terms of the game industry, many females are being hired today, more than ever.

Again, the actual validity of one or two of the specific points is not really the crux of the argument. I agree that the list itself is not particularly special and on-point, but that's completely missing the forest for the trees.

The fact that "you're going to be harassed no matter what" (which is VERY likely true, by the way) does not mean that we should wash the whole issue away. There are clear, relevant differences in how women and men are treated by the community in online gaming.

 

[ahuffman]

I do feel bad for those of you who are harassed anywhere, there is no excuse. However, I am getting rather tired of people trying to shame me just for being a white male.

 

[garyBig]

The article is written as if I should somehow be ashamed of being a white male gamer because some other white male gamers choose to act inappropriately. Give me a break.

I do feel bad for those of you who are harassed anywhere, there is no excuse. However, I am getting rather tired of people trying to shame me just for being a white male.

Thank you. Does anybody honestly believe we can change how stupid people behave? Efforts have been made multiple times over the centuries. It's a hopeless endeavour and I am not sure why considerate "white males" should be the ones to be concerned with this when it has the least to do with them while those who are responsible and sexist don't listen anyway. The list/topic is right in regards to systematic sexism that can and should be addressed (like more female journos and less systemic discrimination). But it has nothing to do with guilt/shame/privilege of the ones with a brain. (a brain with social capabilities anyway)

 

[spyroflame0487]

The vast majority of game studios, past and present, have been led and populated primarily by people of my own gender and as such most of their products have been specifically designed to cater to my demographic.

I think this is basically the entire reason for everything.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

You know, one situation where I've had a taste of the other side of this coin is playing FIFA online as the USA. You get matched against a lot of people from other countries and some people don't take too kindly to the idea of losing a soccer match to an American.

 

[Gaz_RB]

I think its less of a gaming culture thing, but more a manifestation of people's personal beliefs, magnified and aided by the internet.

You can't solve the problem by going after gamers, you gotta solve the problem in society at large.

Truth. Gaming and the internet just magnify problems that already exist.

 

[Cassen]

In terms of the game industry, many females are being hired today, more than ever.

More females that will be unfortunately sexually harassed at the work place.

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

Is there literally anywhere I can go as a white male without being concerned about privilege?


I'm genuinely curious.

Without being "concerned" about it? Pretty much anywhere. Part of the privilege is not having to confront these issues.