Female gamers 'feel guilt and shame' about playing despite making up 50% of players

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Female gamers feel guilt and shame about their hobby, a study has revealed. ‌

Data found 29 per cent of women experience guilt, while one in six kept gaming a secret for fear of judgment and a third were embarrassed to even call themselves a gamer. ‌

Despite 51 per cent of women now gaming compared to 53 per cent of men, many are still underrepresented and excluded from the traditionally male pastime. ‌

Nevertheless, 41 per cent of women surveyed said they felt playing games was a daily highlight in their lives.

The research was led by Dr Steph Rennick, lecturer in interactive media at the University of Stirling, and Dr Seán Roberts, lecturer in communication at Cardiff University, in partnership with Swedish gaming studio Undone Games. ‌

Dr Rennick said: “Th