Is Pokémon GO Feminist?: An Actor-Network Theory Analysis

Pokémon GO functions as a complex digital ecosystem that simultaneously democratizes gaming and reinforces traditional gender hierarchies. By employing Actor-Network Theory alongside cyberfeminist frameworks, the analysis reveals that the game’s success stems from its gender-neutral marketing and its ability to foster offline social bonds. These elements successfully broaden the demographic reach of the title, effectively normalizing the presence of female players within public, location-based gaming spaces. However, this integration of digital play into physical environments also exposes female participants to unique risks, including real-world harassment, which complicates the game’s potential as an inclusive space.

Despite its progressive marketing, the game remains constrained by rigid design choices that perpetuate binary gender stereotypes. Avatar customization options, while offering some androgynous choices, largely rely on hyper-feminine or hyper-masculine aesthetics that fail to represent non-binary identities or move beyond traditional beauty standards. These design limitations suggest that the game’s underlying architecture is not inherently neutral but is instead built upon social constructions that prioritize binary categorization. Consequently, the game falls short of achieving a truly inclusive utopia, as its technical and social networks continue to mirror existing societal power imbalances.

Ultimately, the intersection of human players, non-human game mechanics, and physical geography creates a multifaceted power dynamic that traditional game studies often overlook. By mapping these relationships, it becomes clear that while the game offers significant feminist potential through its accessibility and social connectivity, its reliance on binary-coded systems and the inherent dangers of augmented reality gameplay limit its transformative impact. The study underscores the necessity of using Actor-Network Theory to critically evaluate how digital play spaces actively shape and are shaped by the gendered realities of the physical world.