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Study finds ways to create ‘gender-affirming experiences’ for trans players

Scholars from a Massachusetts polytechnic university recently partnered with an Australian institution to study “gender euphoria” in video games for transgender players.

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Monash University published the study titled “Insights from Trans-Femme Players’ Experiences of Gender Euphoria in Video Games.” It defines “gender euphoria” as “satisfaction and relief stemming from self-actualization and gender congruence.”

The researchers developed ways to promote “gender euphoria” in video games based on a study of 25 games, with a detailed look at four. The study blends the authors’ experiences as trans gamers with an analysis of the games.

The authors state that while the phrase “gender euphoria” is new to academia, it has “long been used by the transgender community as a way of highlighting the distinct joys that can come from gendered experience by trans (and cis-) people.”

They also state that most discussions and research about trans people are “damage-centered” and address content that “cause[s] harm.” This “hardship” signals a need for “inclusive design.”

“We contribute an operational understanding of gender euphoria to support design, in-depth case studies of particularly euphoric game experiences, and identify themes that designers and researchers can use to develop new games and analyze existing ones,” the authors state.

The researchers found specific ways to ​​intentionally create games that reduce stigma, promote inclusion, and encourage “self-expression and self-disclosure.”

“This work focuses on what joy looks like for trans players – how games can help us feel affirmed, empowered, and even euphoric,” Monash Professor Phoebe Dugas said, according to Monash University.

“Our study shows that games can create joyful, gender-affirming experiences for trans players when they include authentic, non-stereotyped trans characters, integrate them into gameplay rather than treating them as exceptions, and offer tools like character customisation and safe exploration,” she said.

She described “gender euphoria” as an in-game moment when a player’s identity and experience of that identity align, creating “bright, intense moments, wonderful moments.”

This is something that cisgender people experience often but may not notice, Dugas said.

“Looking to the future, the researchers hope this study gives game developers and other human-computer interaction (HCI) researchers a headstart and the right tools to further delve into exploring diverse ways of creating gender affirming spaces for everyone,” according to Monash University.

The research was presented this month at a major conference on technology and human interaction in Japan.

MORE: Polytechnic university rolls out DEI initiatives for 20 campus divisions

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Man playing video game; Robert Nagy/CanvaPro

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