Beyond the Saree: How Female Characters Are Depicted in Indian Gaming!

Are you a game-lover and have played hundreds of games across various till date? Have you ever thought of biasedness amongst male and female characters in games? Doesn't sound like an interesting yet important topic for discussion? So, dive deeper into this article for more updates on the matter.

The online video game industry has been widely increased since the pandemic and since then, there has been no looking back. Interestingly, the expected revenue that can be generated from the gaming industry by the end of 2025 is around $260 billion.

With this major hit, gamers are noticing several issues, like privacy problems, hacking, unusual tax rates, etc. However, one of the biggest loopholes in the Indian gaming market revolves around male and female characters.

Current Situation of Female Characters in Indian Online Games

In the gaming industry, characters are essential pillars that help players to progress. Without them, the games will be of no use, resulting in a lesser player’s attention. Characters, being a pivotal element, players often choose characters of their gender.

Importantly, several reports have shown that gender portrayal in online games affects player retention. Additionally, according to some reports, most games consider male characters and fewer female characters. Female-centric characters sell at low costs and have less budget for marketing.

Recent Indian games like Raji: An Ancient Epic have featured female protagonists, opening a brand-new interesting approach in the Indian gaming industry.

Evolution of Female Characters

The 1980s “Pac-Man” has more female characters despite featuring and starring a male protagonist. Moreover, Ms. Pac-Man of 1982 finally starred a female protagonist, tributing the female characters who played the Pac-Man game. Till then, many games were released led by female characters, but, soon, this approach separated from its path.

When looking closely, it was found that female characters were used for supporting purposes. Besides, numerous games got backlash for showing violence against women, while other games portrayed them as victims.

Loopholes in the Female Characters Presentation

If we talk generally, it can be seen that female characters are given less dialogue compared to male characters. Additionally, female protagonists are shown as helpless victims, requiring male characters to act as a savior for them.

The inclusion of male and female characters in Indian games plays a vital role in framing today’s generation. As many Indian gamers tend to play games nowadays, they will learn gender-specific behaviors and traits from there. For example, male protagonists are often shown as violent and dominant in games that might encourage young males to behave similarly and vice-versa for females.

To Sum Up

Indian games, like Raji: An Ancient Epic, mention and pay tribute to the female players, giving a different unique approach. However, the stereotypes of presenting male characters over females have been changing gradually and are expected to grow further as per player’s needs.

How will you react to the representation of female characters in Indian games? Drop down your opinions about this situation within the gaming industry in the comment section.