The Influence Of Women In The Gaming Industry

The gaming industry has historically been male dominated, but it is now being modified by the voices and vision of women who are not just participating, but leading it. According to an Entertainment Software Association 2022 study, 48% of video game players across all ages identify as female, with 62% of the female population actively participating in gaming. 

From fostering connections to holding executive leadership titles, women are influencing one of the fastest-growing industries, as a PwC survey predicts the entertainment and media industry to rise to $3.4 trillion by 2028. Here are four women trailblazers that are creating space and whose impact reflects where the gaming industry is heading.

Jay-Ann Lopez has created a worldwide network and welcoming space for black women in gaming. She is the founder of Black Girl Gamers, which has grown to over 10,000 members and over 120,000 online followers.

Through Twitch streams, workshops, and brand partnerships, she’s raised attention to the seriousness of breaking the racial and gender gaps in gaming. Jay-Ann shared in a Refinery29 interview the key to longevity in equality is to “decenter, listen, understand, then support.” Her voice has become a mobilizing statement gaming players and leaders to prioritize belonging as much as gameplay.

Imane “Pokimane” Anys has millions of followers across Twitch and YouTube, and is easily one of the most well-known faces for women in the gaming industry. Imane spent 10 years dedicated to creating live stream content until last year when she shared a post on X, that her consistent streaming on Twitch has become “[an] end of an era.” Since then, Imane has co-founded RTS, a consulting firm in which she helps other creators and streamers maintain a successful and growing career, especially women who face harassment and exploitation.

Imane has been vocal in the past about her journey in prioritizing her mental health and peace, as she shared a post back in 2022 announcing her break from content. Imane’s decision to take a break inspired larger conversations around wellness, boundaries, and harassment. A Reach3 Insights’ study revealed that 59% use a non-gendered/male identity to avoid harassment while gaming. This has highlighted the true effect of perception on women in the gaming industry.

The woman behind some of the biggest gaming platforms, is executive leader Leanne Loombe who has a ruse for strategic vision. She was the head of Riot Forge and executive producer of EA before being hired as the VP of External Games for Netflix Games. Leanne shared in an interview that, “the long-term goal was to have a game on Netflix for every one of our members and their taste.” She is closing the divide between visual narratives and interactive experiences. 

According to a 2024 Xsolla report, women account for approximately 30% of gaming industry professionals and hold a mere 16% of executive positions at the top fourteen global gaming companies. Leanne recently accepted the role of as executive vice president, head of games for Annapurna’s gaming operations. Her arrival comes as a renewal since then-president and other staffers resigned after business dealings fell through.

When Danielle “Ebonix” Udogaranya couldn’t find characters that looked like her in The Sims 4, she decided to create her own. The creative technologist has gained worldwide recognition for designing custom hairstyles, skin tones, and accessories that reflect the beauty of Black and Brown communities. 

She recently collaborated with hair care line, Dark & Lovely in partnership with Sims 4 for a campaign called “Play In Color”

Danielle’s impact on the gaming industry goes beyond altering program codes to make it function differently than the original gaming version. She shared in an interview that, “collaborating with creators is exceptionally important. It’s inspiring their communities, supporting their journey, uplifting their voices and helping to craft the game around the community, who are the changemakers and game changers that make the game what it is today!”

Danielle is a beacon for bringing diversity and showing that not only women, but black women can thrive in excellence in the industry when you work together.