Loco gamer Anjali Atheya on the rise and rise of female gamers

In this interview with Adgully, Bella aka Anjali Atheya, Loco streamer and female gamer, talks about the growth of female game streamers. She believes the recent years have seen a significant shift with a greater push towards inclusivity and diversity in this community. "It's not about gender anymore, rather gameplay. The skills we showcase and content we put out determine the success. Today especially in the streaming space it's about putting yourself out there, the aura and persona that makes you, you," she says. Excerpts:


As a female gamer and Loco streamer, how do you feel about the recent growth in female users and streamers on the platform?

It is indeed encouraging to see the growth of female gamers in India. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of female gamers, content creators, and esports players in the country, which is a positive sign for the gaming industry as a whole. The rise in female representation also provides diverse content for viewers and helps break down the gender stereotypes. The gaming and streaming space has largely been gender-skewed. Female gamers have also been subjected to more intense challenges and criticism than their male counterparts. These obstacles have made it difficult for female gamers to thrive in this industry and to create content with confidence.

However, I believe the recent years have seen a significant shift with a greater push towards inclusivity and diversity in this community. It's not about gender anymore, rather gameplay. The skills we showcase and content we put out determine the success. Today especially in the streaming space it's about putting yourself out there, the aura and persona that makes you, you!

What do you think has contributed to the increase in female viewership and content creation on Loco in 2022?

The increase in female viewership and content creation in 2022 can be attributed to various factors, such as the increasing accessibility to smartphones and high-speed internet which has given rise to social media, the growing popularity of female-centric content, and the increasing availability of technology and platforms that enable easy content creation.

Streaming platforms like Loco help and empower upcoming female streamers to reach out to a wider set of audience where you can reach out to the people with a common passion point i.e gaming and that too without any language barrier. This makes interaction for upcoming gamers easy and more engaging.

Can you share some of your experiences as a female gamer in the online gaming ecosystem, and how do you feel about the level of inclusivity in the industry?

Female gamers often have to put in extra effort to establish their identity and prove their gaming skills to the audience. The notion that women are not serious and competitive gamers has been there for a long time. In the past, this made it difficult for women to become involved in the professional gaming scene or be heard by the larger community.

However, there have been some positive changes in recent years, such as an increased representation of women in the gaming community, alongside multiple initiatives aimed at combating harassment and promoting inclusivity. Some gaming communities and platforms have also implemented stricter rules and moderation policies to ensure a positive atmosphere for all users. I believe with continuous efforts and more such initiatives, we can create a diverse and equitable gaming ecosystem for everyone to enjoy.

How important do you think it is for platforms like Loco to prioritise inclusivity and provide opportunities for female streamers to showcase their content?

Platforms like Loco act as a hub for the gaming community; be it streamers or viewers. This makes it important for such platforms to set the right practices such as inclusivity in place and provide equal opportunities to all its users. For example, chat moderation is a great tool that I frequently use to maintain a healthy environment on my streams. The discovery tab is another helpful tool for upcoming streamers.

Loco’s latest #shegotgame initiative is one such example wherein women gamers' content is boosted. This initiative provides aspiring female streamers with a prominent spot on the platform's trending feed, thereby increasing their visibility and encouraging them to showcase their skills. It would be inspiring to see more brands come forward and promote inclusivity in a similar way. This would also encourage more women to pursue a career in gaming.

Could you tell us more about the "#shegotgame" campaign launched by Loco and how it aims to support and promote female streamers?

Through the #shegotme campaign Loco will provide a high visibility spot on platforms trending feed to budding female streamers. This is to encourage them and showcase their content to the audience. Loco will boost this campaign on one Wednesday of each month, wherein a space will be dedicated just for up-and-coming female streamers. Loco takes great pride in their female gamers and aims to keep introducing such initiatives shortly.

In your opinion, what more can be done to encourage and support female gamers, especially those in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, to participate in the online gaming ecosystem?

I feel the growth of female streamers is already happening in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India is a positive trend, and shows acceptance of women in the industry. As more and more women take up gaming as a profession, we will see even greater diversity of content in gaming. To encourage more women, platforms can create a safe and inclusive gaming environment, provide training and resources, and establish mentorship programmes. Additionally, hosting events and competitions specifically for female gamers can help to promote visibility for women in gaming.