6533b82dfe1ef96bd12909ac
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Gender and Toxic Meritocracy in Competitive Overwatch: Case “Ellie”
Usva FrimanMaria Ruotsalainensubject
toxic meritocracynaisetelektroninen urheiluverkkoyhteisöt518 Media and communicationscompetitive play113 Computer and information sciencespelikulttuurisukupuolimoninpelitsukupuoliroolitgendercommunitymeritokratiawomenverkkopelithäirintädescription
AbstractThis chapter examines toxic meritocracy in relation to gender in competitive Overwatch, asking how gender affects a player’s opportunities for engagement in that scene. It analyzes online news stories and community discussions concerning “Ellie” – a fabricated competitive woman gamer created as a “social experiment” by a man player. The confluences between gender and toxic meritocracy become visible in the assumption there must be an experienced man gamer behind the battletag, the gender-based harassment targeted at Ellie, and the reflections on the importance of setting an example as the first team taking a woman player for Contenders. The analysis shows that despite a strong belief in meritocracy upheld within the community, there are many barriers limiting the participation of those entering competitive Overwatch as women.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-03-10 |