Fractured Gaming Cultures

Christine Tomlinson demonstrates how embracing and engaging with personal identity-both positively and negatively-has led gaming culture to evolve past the monolith of the stereotypical "gamer" image that exists within the popular imaginary to offer marginalized players safety and community online. In light of the dichotomy between the hegemonic ideals of who a "gamer" should be-stereotypically young, heterosexual white boys and men-and the reality of diverse gaming audiences, Tomlinson observes how marginalized players have formed their own communities grounded in shared identity and experience. These communities, she contends, allow players to produce new individual and shared gaming identities and cultures as acts of resistance and resilience, through which they can reclaim a position in an often-hostile environment and a slowly changing industry. Ultimately, Tomlinson argues that while these alternative communities should not need to exist, they have paved the way for a fracturing of gaming culture that provides marginalized players with safe and productive outlets for discussion and community.