Abstract Book of the 7th Global Conference on Women’s Studies
Year: 2025
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Examining the Representation and Inclusion of Women in Live Streaming: A Semiotic Analysis of Twitch’s Rules, Policies and Guidelines
Maria Júlia Vieira
ABSTRACT:
Due to technological advances in the video game industry over the years, new ways of entertaining and consuming content in this sector have been the subject of studies, particularly concerning new models of interaction developed by players. According to the Entertainment Software Association, women represent almost half of the gamer population worldwide; however, when we look at live- streaming broadcasts, the female presence is still disproportionately lower, which reflects in a gap of women taking on the role of players in live broadcasts. Twitch is the best-known and most popular platform among gamers who consume live-streaming video game content. This paper presents a semiotic analysis of Twitch’s rules, policies, and guidelines that examines its role in supporting the representation and inclusion of women in live streaming. We conducted a discourse analysis of Twitch’s community guidelines and user interactions as a
complementary methodology. By combining discursive and semiotic analysis, we examined the rules, visual elements and community norms of this platform to understand their impact on women’s representation and assess how these policies promote an inclusive environment for this audience. The results highlight the need for more transparent and actionable policies to create a safer and more inclusive space for female gamers and content creators on the platform. This study contributes to the online player community by highlighting the need for clearer guidelines, stronger anti-harassment policies, and proactive cultural initiatives to foster an equitable and welcoming space for its female users.
Keywords: Live Streaming, Inclusion, Semiotic Analysis, Twitch, Women in Games