Inside the Video Games Women Can’t Get Enough Of

Modern video gaming has become one of the biggest sectors in the entertainment industry. Worldwide, gamers battle it out in highly competitive eSports leagues for a chance at winning a global championship. Meanwhile, indie gamers continue to stream their exploits on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, racking up millions of subscribers and lucrative sponsorship deals. 

While video gaming is often clumped under the category of a male hobby, the industry is incredibly diverse. There are female-only leagues designed to help train the next generation of fem gamers, along with female-only teams. FaZe Clan, for example, just announced an all-female Valorant team. 

The same goes for female streamers—they’re talented, they’re competitive, and they’re taking their place in the male-dominated industry. In fact, they’re also helping reframe the industry as one that isn’t specific to men or women—just to gamers. 

However, it’s still true that most women prefer casual games over competitive eSports. As the industry grows to include more lady gamers, their tastes will start to steer game development and even game mechanics. Stepping away from eSports and streaming, let’s count down some of the games that women are gravitating toward in 2023.

Slots

Over the last decade, online slots have become the world’s most popular casino game. But what makes them such a popular choice? It seems that online slots deliver on accessibility, simplicity, and excitement. In other words, the short-form games offer a bit of plot and intrigue without over-complicating the gameplay.

Depending on the game, players can access bonus rounds, unlock new levels, and adjust the number of places on the reel. Some games even have cult followings because they’ve been around for a while, including Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest.

Simulations

Simulations are one of the most varied and complex genres in gaming. Most people think of The Sims, which borrows its name from this type of game. However, most simulations today are played straight from a smartphone. They run the gambit, too, allowing players to step into a variety of new experiences.

For example, dating and celebrity sims are popular because they let players imagine how they’d handle fame, fortune, and unbelievable good looks. Some are even treading the line of dating apps. Similarly, other simulations like interior decorating, have let women express their creativity—and even compete with other designers on a global leaderboard.  

Puzzles

According to research giant NewZoo, women also gravitate toward mobile puzzle games. The study found that 35% of women play puzzle games at least five days a week compared to 29% of men. Specifically, it seems that jigsaws and match-three puzzles are highly engaging for female gamers.

Additionally, many puzzle games have social aspects, which allow players to interact with friends either during live play or by comparing their results.

A Look at the Classics

So far, we’ve outlined which types of casual games women prefer. Overwhelmingly, the emphasis is on thought-provoking mobile titles that deliver excitement and, at times, social features. But what about in terms of the industry’s most popular games? Which games do women prefer? 

Back in 2019, one study from Statista polled gamers who preferred to play mega-popular titles across a variety of platforms. These included Pokémon GO, Call of Duty, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto, and Super Smash Bros. The study found that 39% of respondents playing Pokémon GO were female—which isn’t a surprise given the emphasis on casual mobile games. 

However, a staggering 36% of respondents playing Call of Duty were women. This game is a first-person shooter and one of the toughest martial games on the market—one that isn’t usually associated with female gamers. 

Only two years before, in 2017, a study from Quantic Foundry discovered that women are also gravitating toward RPGs, open-world games, and sci-fantasies. These results were taken from a study of 270,000 gamers, of which almost 20% identified as female. The study found that some of their favorite titles on the market were Assassin’s Creed and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which are open-world RPGs.