We can do it, can we? Women’s experiences in the Czech video game industry and their coping strategies for ambivalent sexism

This article examines the experiences of women working in the Czech game industry, highlighting the structural inequalities, sexism, and organizational challenges they face. To this end, seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted. The research identifies both benevolent and hostile forms of sexism, with women frequently relegated to tokenistic roles, experiencing heightened scrutiny, impostor syndrome, and unequal pay. As a result, respondents adopt a range of coping strategies, including ignoring the problems, openly expressing dissatisfaction with the work environment or forming support networks. The aim of this article is to better understand the complex and multilayered nature of sexism in the context of game industry and game culture. It represents one of the pioneering studies on women in the gaming industry, providing valuable insights into their position within the Central European context.