Female Game Players: 2020 Bryter Report

Bryter's 2020 survey on female game players is the subject of a Research Review episode from psychologist Rachel Kowert, published by the mental health nonprofit Take This in February 2021. The review examines player behaviors, toxicity in games, and the state of women in esports, and argues that women's play patterns reflect the historical mistreatment of female players more than genre preference alone.

Bryter has produced the study for several years. The 2018 edition surveyed only women in the UK, the 2019 edition added US respondents, and the 2020 edition expanded to cover both female and male gamers, with deeper exploration of esports and toxicity. The survey collected basic demographics such as age, ethnicity, average play time, and consoles owned, though the review does not detail sample sizes or specific methodology.

The most notable findings concern gaming behaviors. Fewer women than men play online multiplayer games (51% versus 67%), while more women play alone offline (32% versus 24%). Women also reported playing fewer tactical shooters and battle royale titles, genres typically played online with others.

Kowert acknowledges that genre differences may account for part of the gap, but she contends that intimidation and a history of mistreatment in gaming cultures are the more significant drivers. She points to her earlier research reviews on the "girl gamer" stereotype and on toxicity in games to support this interpretation. She describes the Bryter report overall as thorough, offering useful insight into how games and gaming communities are perceived and experienced, particularly regarding female participation in esports. The full analysis is presented in a video, with the underlying Bryter report available for further detail.