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2021 has already overtaken 2020 with more female-led games
While women make up nearly half of all gamers, a continued study by Buzz Bingo has revealed that only 12% of next-generation video games exclusively feature a female protagonist, with 2020 being the worst year yet for female representation.
As part of this continued study, Buzz Bingo analysed every game released on PlayStation and Xbox since 2016 to see how female representation in the gaming industry has developed, as well as how this representation is unfolding in 2021.
1. PlayStation Games Year-on-Year
- Our research showed us that 2020 was the lowest year in terms of the number of female-led games released on PlayStation consoles, with only 14 games (8.6%) released that year featuring a female protagonist.
- 2021 is already looking more promising in terms of the number of games set to be released featuring a female lead, with 23 games (18.4%) with a female protagonist having been announced so far.
| Year | Female | Male | Mixed | Ambiguous/NA/TBC | Total |
| 2016 | 27 | 120 | 97 | 62 | 306 |
| 2017 | 49 | 85 | 115 | 61 | 310 |
| 2018 | 27 | 90 | 98 | 42 | 257 |
| 2019 | 22 | 87 | 91 | 24 | 224 |
| 2020 | 14 | 53 | 67 | 29 | 163 |
| 2021 | 23 | 50 | 30 | 22 | 125 |
2. Xbox Games Year-on-Year
- In three out of the six years we analysed, only 9 of the games that were released for Xbox consoles featured a female lead.
- So far, 2021 already ranks second for the highest number of female protagonist led games for Xbox, with 14 games (12.8%) featuring a female lead having been announced or released.
| Year | Female | Male | Multiple Options | Ambiguous/NA/TBC | Total |
| 2016 | 16 | 83 | 54 | 34 | 187 |
| 2017 | 9 | 49 | 65 | 21 | 144 |
| 2018 | 10 | 46 | 56 | 29 | 141 |
| 2019 | 9 | 49 | 74 | 16 | 148 |
| 2020 | 9 | 27 | 49 | 22 | 107 |
| 2021 | 14 | 43 | 30 | 22 | 109 |
3. The New Generation: Xbox Series X/S and PS5
- Research from Buzz Bingo has revealed that only 51 games (12%) out of the 414 confirmed PS5 and Xbox Series X/S exclusively feature a female protagonist compared to 139 (34%) games with a male-only lead.
- 33% of all games had both male and female protagonists or allowed the user to customise the gender.
| Gender of Lead(s) | Xbox Series X/S | PlayStation 5 | Xbox % | PS5 % | Total % |
| Female | 21 | 30 | 11% | 13% | 12% |
| Male | 58 | 81 | 31% | 35% | 34% |
| Multiple Options | 68 | 68 | 37% | 30% | 33% |
| Ambiguous/NA/TBC | 38 | 50 | 21% | 22% | 21% |
Methodology
- We analysed every game released on PlayStation and Xbox since 2016, and then manually checked each game to find out whether the playable character was male, female, ambiguous or had mixed options.
- We then broke this down to find out the best and worst years for female representation in video games.
- To determine gender, we researched wiki pages for the individual games and searched for the corresponding pronouns when necessary.
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Big Daddy Gaming
Big Daddy Gaming® signs with Yolo Group’s Hub88 to accelerate European distribution
The post Big Daddy Gaming® signs with Yolo Group’s Hub88 to accelerate European distribution appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Fortune Factory Studios
Games Global and Fortune Factory Studios wrap up 2025 with supercharged sequel Gold Blitz Express™
Games Global and its exclusive studio partner, Fortune Factory Studios, have launched a high-voltage finale to 2025 with Gold Blitz Express
, the latest iteration of its dynamic franchise.
Building on the proven popular foundations of its predecessors, Gold Blitz Express
retains the titular cash collect mechanic and bonus choice, but amps up the sequel with a brand-new Blitz Express feature and deeper bonus progression.
The Blitz Express mechanic is activated when a train symbol lands on reel six on any spin. A train steams across the reels pulling up to 20 carts, with each awarding a cash prize or one of four fixed jackpots, the total value of which is collected and awarded.
The studio has also elevated Gold Blitz
spins with the introduction of an Accumulation Trail, which collects each Blitz symbol that hits. Every third collected awards additional spins and an increasing multiplier, with up to 14 spins and a 5x maximum multiplier, surging win potential.
Supplementing the action further is the integration of Games Global’s Rising Rewards
jackpot, where every coin boosts the prize pot up to 200x, which can be randomly paid out.
The Gold Blitz
series continues to define industry trends from a player control perspective. In addition to the bonus choice and bonus buy options, a Win Booster
doubles the likelihood of activating features, while Bonus Recharge
offers an opportunity to purchase an extra spin following feature completion.
Gold Blitz Express
represents the latest evolution of one of the industry’s most diverse, battle-tested game franchises, spotlighting Fortune Factory Studios’ continued commitment to creating products that perform.
Alexander Monsma, Team Manager, Game Sales at Games Global, said: “2025 marks the fourth consecutive year that we have unveiled a Gold Blitz
game toward the end of December – it is the perfect way to ring in the new year.
“Gold Blitz Express
is the most feature-rich upgrade to date, electrifying the environment with even more variety and potential.”
David Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy & Partner Management at Games Global, added: “The Gold Blitz
brand remains one of the strongest franchises in our portfolio, and Gold Blitz Express
builds on that success by extending the series with genuine depth. The introduction of new elements, such as the Blitz Express feature, feels like a natural evolution of the brand.
“It’s a fitting way to close out 2025, with the continued performance of the series reflecting Fortune Factory’s ability to create games with lasting appeal and sustained engagement. We can’t wait to showcase our upcoming lineup within this franchise and more as we enter 2026.”
The post Games Global and Fortune Factory Studios wrap up 2025 with supercharged sequel Gold Blitz Express™ appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
QuinnBet Expands Racing Offering to include Derivative Racing Markets
QuinnBet, a leading sportsbook and casino operator, has expanded its racing product through Pragmatic Play Sports to include new derivative racing markets, giving customers greater choice, flexibility, and engagement across a wide range of global racing events.
The new expansion, powered by Racing and Sports (RAS), introduces additional betting opportunities such as Betting Without the Favourite and Second Favourite, head-to-head and Money Back markets. These derivative markets form part of the broader Pragmatic Play Racing product, which delivers a premium, data-driven experience built on official pre-race and race-day data.
Through Pragmatic Play’s racing solution, powered by Racing and Sports, QuinnBet customers enjoy comprehensive global coverage across 20+ racing jurisdictions; live greyhound racing featuring over 100,000 live events from 80+ tracks; official pre-race and race-day data for accuracy and transparency; and a complete suite of live video streaming and enriched racing content including racecards, previews, and editorial insights.
Stephen Kelly, MD, QuinnBet, said: “Horse racing sits at the heart of QuinnBet, and we are always looking for ways to elevate our customers’ experience. Derivative markets bring a new level of strategy and excitement to horse racing betting, and we’re proud to deliver this enhancement in partnership with Pragmatic Play Sports and Racing and Sports. It reinforces our commitment to real horse racing fans and the continued evolution of our product.”
Gareth Crook, SVP of Sports at Pragmatic Play, said: “We were immensely proud to partner with QuinnBet earlier this year following their successful migration to our platform, and we are confident that this latest expansion of their racing product will help the QuinnBet team realise their ambitious growth plans now and into the future. QuinnBet users continue to enjoy a market-leading racing experience powered by official data through our partnership with Racing and Sports.”
Stephen Crispe, CEO, Racing and Sports, said: “We’re excited to see QuinnBet go live with Derivative Markets, powered by Racing and Sports, following a successful sportsbook platform integration with Pragmatic Play earlier this year. This marks another key step in our ongoing collaboration with Pragmatic Play to deliver market-leading racing content to sportsbook operators. QuinnBet is a perfect example of an operator providing an immersive, data-driven betting experience built on precision and innovation.”
The post QuinnBet Expands Racing Offering to include Derivative Racing Markets appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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