The silent few: An ethnographic study of gender perceptions in the Syracuse University esports community

Abstract As Syracuse University's esports players continue to strive for greater notoriety and national collegiate representation through the new multi‐million dollar 3‐track academic esports program launched in August 2024, the underrepresentation of women in collegiate and professional esports spaces has become even more apparent. This disparity is reinforced by gendered communication styles, particularly within in‐game dialogue, colloquially known as “comms,” which maintain the male homosocial relationship. By utilizing participant observation within the physical gaming spaces of esports arenas and tournaments, the nuances of gender discrimination beyond the anonymity and avatar‐based gameplay of the digital realm are revealed. These nuances reveal the normalization of toxic male behaviors and bonding practices which mirror those rooted in the foundation of gaming culture, perpetuating gendered stereotypes and exclusion. Observations and interviews align with the existing literature and the experiences shared by women gamers, revealing persistent gender inequity in competitive gaming circles. The men interviewed, while conditioned to the male homosocial dynamic favored in esports, expressed confusion over the origins of these gendered norms. The ethnographic data underscores the pervasive influence of social gender expectations and behaviors within competitive gaming culture, revealing crucial insights surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the emerging collegiate esports market.