GI alumÌýEmma Vossen published anÌýessay entitled "" in response to 's new eSports-inspired dress design and theirÌýtweet announcing the product. Vossen's thought-provoking and powerful essay argues that the eSports dress and Cranium's accompanying tweet representÌýtheÌýpervasiveÌýgender discrimination in games culture that disenfranchisesÌýfemale gamers.
The offending tweet:
The was designed forÌýfemale eSports playersÌýand isÌýpriced at $53 USD. When asked if any women were consulted in the design of the dress, Cranium Apparel responded "".
Vossen discusses how the dress is a manifestation of the idea that female gamersÌýare onlyÌýacceptable if they conform to aÌýdichotomy imposed on them of being 1) sexual objects, or 2) unfeminine. She says the accompanying tweet further conveys the idea that men are still the gatekeepers of the gamerÌýidentity.
This tweet is saying 'sorry our toxic pit is so toxic! Here is a dress for you to wear while you swim in the toxic pit: also it shows off your tits and ass!'
-ÌýEmma Vossen, from ""
Vossen's essay follows an auto-ethnographical form - sheÌýdiscusses a handful ofÌýher personal experiences as a female gamer in order to help us understand the underlying issues that the eSports dress represents. Her experiences areÌýexamples of "that unique flavour of sexual harassment female gamers are subjected to", which Cranium's dress and tweet perpetuate.
Vossen concludes the essay with aÌýcall-to-action for whatÌýinfluencers and membersÌýof games culture should be doing in order to make the culture more inclusive for female gamers:
That something should be constantly including women in work and discussions about games at every level, it should be speaking back against the bigotry in games culture, it should be changing your own language and behaviour to make women feel more welcome, it should be supporting and amplifying the voices of those speaking out about these problems, it should be simply respecting the continued existence and visibility of women gamers themselves, no matter who they are, what they play, or what they wear.
-ÌýEmma
Vossen,
from
""
Ìý
For more about the eSports dress, check out GI alum Alexandra Orlando's .