How Do Players Perceive Gender Discrimination? On the Differences of Harassment in Online Games

Competitive environments, whether in traditional sports or competitive online gaming, often foster intense emotions and harsh language. In Competitive Online Multiplayer Games, where players are not physically present together, verbal toxicity primarily manifests through voice and text chat. As online gaming remains a predominantly male-dominated space, much of this toxicity disproportionately targets non-male players. Behind the veil of anonymity, non-male players frequently face gender discrimination, hate speech, and unwanted sexual advances. To effectively address these issues, game developers must first understand how such harassment manifests and how it is perceived by players. This work examines gender discrimination in Competitive Online Multiplayer Games through two online surveys. The first survey gathered reports from 61 non-male players who had experienced harassment, resulting in 171 coded statements describing gender discrimination. A second survey presented these statements to 281 players across all genders, who rated their perceived severity and authenticity. Our results indicate that gender discrimination is generally perceived as equally severe across all gender groups. However, notable differences are visible in how players respond to harassment, with those from marginalized groups exhibiting higher levels of rumination. This highlights the compounded impact of gender-based toxicity in online gaming. These insights provide valuable direction for game developers seeking to create more inclusive and supportive gaming environments.