Porter la diversité dans un milieu masculin : contestation et reproduction des stéréotypes de genre chez les artistes du jeu vidéo

Abstract

Both academic literature on video game production and professionals in this sector share a diversity rhetoric with the idea that a diverse team necessarily create more diverse and inclusive characters. Based on a qualitative investigation using interviews, observations and archives, this article challenges this assumed link by illuminating the importance of professional routines in reproducing gender stereotypes. Breaking these habits and convincing one’s team to transform standardised representations requires a substantial effort, which only a few women seem to be willing to make. Diversity then becomes an additional cost for them in an industry that is often hostile to women. The obstacles they encounter reflect men’s resistance to effective change, both in their personal practices and in their work environment. More generally, this article encourages to study in greater depth the power relationships behind the manufacture of stereotypes.

Keywords

• work
• inequalities
• artist
• video games
• diversity
• cultural industry