'I Would Pretend to be a Dude': NBA 2K Gamers' Motivations, Use of WNBA Features, and Experiences With Harassment.

This study examines the integration of Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) players into the NBA 2K video game franchise, focusing on how the absence of female avatars in NBA 2K20 influenced male players' perceptions and affected female gamers' participation in competitive gaming. Through ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with American and Canadian players, the research found that male players generally assumed opponents were male due to the lack of female avatars, while female players faced gender-based harassment and often concealed their identities by altering their voices or avoiding game chat. Although the inclusion of WNBA teams was seen as a positive step toward representation, the toxic gaming environment and limited in-game protections hindered female gamers’ ability to fully engage and succeed. The study highlights the need for improved game design and community safeguards to foster inclusivity and support female participation in esports.