2022
Friman, Usva; Ruotsalainen, Maria
Gender and Toxic Meritocracy in Competitive Overwatch: Case “Ellie”
In: Ruotsalainen, Maria; Törhönen, Maria; Karhulahti, Veli-Matti (Ed.): Modes of Esports Engagement in Overwatch, pp. 135-154, Palgrave Macmillan, 2022, ISBN: 978-3-030-82766-3.
Book chapter Open access
Abstract | Links | Tags: Community, Competitive gaming, Gender, Overwatch, Toxic meritocracy, Women
@incollection{Friman2022,
title = {Gender and Toxic Meritocracy in Competitive Overwatch: Case “Ellie”},
author = {Usva Friman and Maria Ruotsalainen},
editor = {Maria Ruotsalainen and Maria Törhönen and Veli-Matti Karhulahti},
url = {https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-82767-0},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82767-0_8},
isbn = {978-3-030-82766-3},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-10},
booktitle = {Modes of Esports Engagement in Overwatch},
pages = {135-154},
publisher = {Palgrave Macmillan},
abstract = {This chapter examines toxic meritocracy in relation to gender in competitive Overwatch, asking how gender affects a player’s opportunities for engagement in that scene. It analyzes online news stories and community discussions concerning “Ellie” – a fabricated competitive woman gamer created as a “social experiment” by a man player. The confluences between gender and toxic meritocracy become visible in the assumption there must be an experienced man gamer behind the battletag, the gender-based harassment targeted at Ellie, and the reflections on the importance of setting an example as the first team taking a woman player for Contenders. The analysis shows that despite a strong belief in meritocracy upheld within the community, there are many barriers limiting the participation of those entering competitive Overwatch as women.},
keywords = {Community, Competitive gaming, Gender, Overwatch, Toxic meritocracy, Women},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
This chapter examines toxic meritocracy in relation to gender in competitive Overwatch, asking how gender affects a player’s opportunities for engagement in that scene. It analyzes online news stories and community discussions concerning “Ellie” – a fabricated competitive woman gamer created as a “social experiment” by a man player. The confluences between gender and toxic meritocracy become visible in the assumption there must be an experienced man gamer behind the battletag, the gender-based harassment targeted at Ellie, and the reflections on the importance of setting an example as the first team taking a woman player for Contenders. The analysis shows that despite a strong belief in meritocracy upheld within the community, there are many barriers limiting the participation of those entering competitive Overwatch as women.
Apperley, Thomas H.
In: Ruotsalainen, Maria; Törhönen, Maria; Karhulahti, Veli-Matti (Ed.): Modes of Esports Engagement in Overwatch, pp. 179-197, Palgrave Macmillan, 2022, ISBN: 978-3-030-82766-3.
Book chapter Open access
Abstract | Links | Tags: Gender, Misogyny, NSFW, Overwatch, Pornification, Sexuality
@incollection{Apperley2022,
title = {Overwatch to Oversnatch: The Mutually Reinforcing Gendered Power Relations of Pornography, Streaming, and Esports},
author = {Thomas H. Apperley},
editor = {Maria Ruotsalainen and Maria Törhönen and Veli-Matti Karhulahti},
url = {https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-82767-0},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82767-0_10},
isbn = {978-3-030-82766-3},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-10},
booktitle = {Modes of Esports Engagement in Overwatch},
pages = {179-197},
publisher = {Palgrave Macmillan},
abstract = {This chapter argues that the controversial policing of women’s bodies in esports and livestreaming is reflected in the pornification of Overwatch. This chapter makes three claims. First, mainstream heterosexual Overwatch pornography reinforces the assumed masculinity of esports. Second, the pornographic fantasies depicted reinforce everyday misogynistic attitudes to women in esports. Third, Overwatch porn also provides scope for more inclusive and diverse approaches to sexuality in emerging areas such as cosplay erotica. This chapter provides crucial insight into the porous boundaries between esports, mainstream pornography, and cosplay erotica which highlights how Overwatch pornography reinforces and reflects the discursive formations of heteronormative masculinity and misogyny in esports.
},
keywords = {Gender, Misogyny, NSFW, Overwatch, Pornification, Sexuality},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
This chapter argues that the controversial policing of women’s bodies in esports and livestreaming is reflected in the pornification of Overwatch. This chapter makes three claims. First, mainstream heterosexual Overwatch pornography reinforces the assumed masculinity of esports. Second, the pornographic fantasies depicted reinforce everyday misogynistic attitudes to women in esports. Third, Overwatch porn also provides scope for more inclusive and diverse approaches to sexuality in emerging areas such as cosplay erotica. This chapter provides crucial insight into the porous boundaries between esports, mainstream pornography, and cosplay erotica which highlights how Overwatch pornography reinforces and reflects the discursive formations of heteronormative masculinity and misogyny in esports.
Ruotsalainen, Maria
In: Television & New Media, vol. Pre-print, 2022, ISSN: 1527-4764.
Journal article Open access
Abstract | Links | Tags: Age, Critical discourse analysis, Gender, Streaming, Twitch, Video games
@article{Ruotsalainen2022c,
title = {“Cute Goddess is Actually an Aunty”: The Evasive Middle-Aged Woman Streamer and Normative Performances of Femininity in Video Game Streaming},
author = {Maria Ruotsalainen},
url = {http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202203211976},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/15274764221080962},
issn = {1527-4764},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-08},
journal = {Television & New Media},
volume = {Pre-print},
abstract = {In this paper the focus is on the representations of “middle-aged” or “aging” women streamers in western media. I analyze discussions in Western online media around a case of Chinese DouYu live-streamer. “Qiaobiluo Dianxia,” as her streamer name goes, became a topic in Western media after a glitch in her live stream revealed her to be a middle-aged woman, rather than young woman she was assumed to be. The discussions are analyzed with critical discourse analysis. It is argued that the aging bodies of women, both their presence and absence, should be read and understood through toxic gaming culture and geek masculinity and the hegemonic discourse they constitute.},
keywords = {Age, Critical discourse analysis, Gender, Streaming, Twitch, Video games},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this paper the focus is on the representations of “middle-aged” or “aging” women streamers in western media. I analyze discussions in Western online media around a case of Chinese DouYu live-streamer. “Qiaobiluo Dianxia,” as her streamer name goes, became a topic in Western media after a glitch in her live stream revealed her to be a middle-aged woman, rather than young woman she was assumed to be. The discussions are analyzed with critical discourse analysis. It is argued that the aging bodies of women, both their presence and absence, should be read and understood through toxic gaming culture and geek masculinity and the hegemonic discourse they constitute.
2020
Karhulahti, Veli-Matti; Saarenmaa, Laura; Brown, Ashley M. L.
Sexuality and Play: Introduction
In: WiderScreen, vol. 22, iss. 1-2, 2020, ISSN: 1795-6161.
Journal article Open access
Links | Tags: Digitaaliset pelit, Digital games, Gender, Leikit, Pelit, Seksuaalisuus, Sexuality, Sukupuoli
@article{Karhulahti2020c,
title = {Sexuality and Play: Introduction},
author = {Veli-Matti Karhulahti and Laura Saarenmaa and Ashley M. L. Brown},
url = {http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-201911154892},
issn = {1795-6161},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-17},
journal = {WiderScreen},
volume = {22},
issue = {1-2},
keywords = {Digitaaliset pelit, Digital games, Gender, Leikit, Pelit, Seksuaalisuus, Sexuality, Sukupuoli},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
2018
Ruotsalainen, Maria; Friman, Usva
In: DiGRA Nordic '18: Proceedings of 2018 International DiGRA Nordic Conference, 2018.
In proceedings Open access
Abstract | Links | Tags: Electronic sports, Gender, Hegemonic geek mascunility, Overwatch, Toxic meritocracy
@inproceedings{Ruotsalainen2018,
title = {"There Are No Women and They All Play Mercy": Understanding and Explaining (the Lack of) Women’s Presence in Esports and Competitive Gaming},
author = {Maria Ruotsalainen and Usva Friman},
url = {http://www.digra.org/digital-library/publications/there-are-no-women-and-they-all-play-mercy-understanding-and-explaining-the-lack-of-womens-presence-in-esports-and-competitive-gaming},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-11-01},
urldate = {2018-11-01},
booktitle = {DiGRA Nordic '18: Proceedings of 2018 International DiGRA Nordic Conference},
abstract = {In this paper, we explore women’s participation in esports and competitive gaming. We will analyze two different types of research material: online questionnaire responses by women explaining their reluctance to participate in esports, and online forum discussions regarding women’s participation in competitive Overwatch. We will examine the ways in which women’s participation – its conditions, limits and possibilities – are constructed in the discussions concerning women gamers, how women are negotiating their participation in their own words, and in what ways gender may affect these processes. Our findings support those made in previous studies concerning esports and competitive gaming as fields dominated by toxic meritocracy and hegemonic (geek) masculinity, and based on our analysis, women’s room for participation in competitive gaming is still extremely limited, both in terms of presence and ways of participation.},
keywords = {Electronic sports, Gender, Hegemonic geek mascunility, Overwatch, Toxic meritocracy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
In this paper, we explore women’s participation in esports and competitive gaming. We will analyze two different types of research material: online questionnaire responses by women explaining their reluctance to participate in esports, and online forum discussions regarding women’s participation in competitive Overwatch. We will examine the ways in which women’s participation – its conditions, limits and possibilities – are constructed in the discussions concerning women gamers, how women are negotiating their participation in their own words, and in what ways gender may affect these processes. Our findings support those made in previous studies concerning esports and competitive gaming as fields dominated by toxic meritocracy and hegemonic (geek) masculinity, and based on our analysis, women’s room for participation in competitive gaming is still extremely limited, both in terms of presence and ways of participation.
Butt, Mahli-Ann; Apperley, Thomas H.
Shut Up and Play": Vivian James and the Presence of Women in Gaming Cultures"
In: Harle, Josh; Abdilla, Angie; Newman, Andrew (Ed.): Decolonising the Digital: Technology as Cultural Practice, pp. 39-47, Tactical Space Lab, 2018.
Book chapter Open access
Abstract | Links | Tags: #gamergate, Gaming culture, Gender, Harassment, Vivian James
@incollection{Butt2018,
title = {Shut Up and Play": Vivian James and the Presence of Women in Gaming Cultures"},
author = {Mahli-Ann Butt and Thomas H. Apperley},
editor = {Josh Harle and Angie Abdilla and Andrew Newman},
url = {http://ojs.decolonising.digital/index.php/decolonising_digital/article/view/ShutUpAndPlay},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-10-15},
booktitle = {Decolonising the Digital: Technology as Cultural Practice},
pages = {39-47},
publisher = {Tactical Space Lab},
abstract = {The creation of Vivian James, illustrates #gamergate's function of policing participation and enjoyment of videogame culture. Through a shared embrace of an underdog status elements of gaming culture have become hostile to the inclusion of women. The design of Vivian James suggests that #gamergate is eager to present itself as including women, but presents female positionality in gaming in toxic and problematic ways that seeks to policing female 'intrusion' into digital games through the threat of violence.},
keywords = {#gamergate, Gaming culture, Gender, Harassment, Vivian James},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {incollection}
}
The creation of Vivian James, illustrates #gamergate's function of policing participation and enjoyment of videogame culture. Through a shared embrace of an underdog status elements of gaming culture have become hostile to the inclusion of women. The design of Vivian James suggests that #gamergate is eager to present itself as including women, but presents female positionality in gaming in toxic and problematic ways that seeks to policing female 'intrusion' into digital games through the threat of violence.