Diversity and Inclusion in the Esports Industry

In theory, esports should be inclusive regardless of gender, race, or ability - however, incidents in the world of esports indicate otherwise. This collection provides an examination of diversity and inclusion in esports as contributors offer a way for readers to understand the history, current issues, and potential impacts of diversity and inclusion in the industry. Through analyses of players, games, fans, and broadcasts, this book highlights the exponential growth of the industry alongside the burgeoning cultural importance of diversity and inclusion. Ultimately, Diversity and Inclusion in the Esports Industry contributes to an intersection of well-established research areas to draw new insights as the industry continues to evolve. Scholars of communication, media studies, game studies, and sociology will find this book of particular interest.

Ryan Rogers is an independent scholar.
Mary L. Sheffer is professor of media and entertainment arts at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: History of Esports and Esports Broadcasts
Steve Young and Mary L. Sheffer
Chapter 2: Evolution of Game Culture in FPS Esports
Steve Young and Mary L. Sheffer
Chapter 3: Transfixing, Transporting, and Toxic: Troubling Experiences for Gender and Racial Minorities in Esports Spaces
Joshua R. Jackson. Cameron A. Panhans, and Andrew C. Billings
Chapter 4: Characterizing Professional Counter-Strike: Media's Impact on Gamer Stereotypes
Steve Young
Chapter 5: Love and Loyalty in the Fighting Game Community
John Shrader
Chapter 6: Unleashing the Stories of Invisible Gamers in Esports
Katerina Tovia-Dufoo
Chapter 7: Black Men, STEM, and Erasing the Digital Divide- The Need for Black Male Targeted Esport Initiatives
David C. Hughes
Chapter 8: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Youth Development Through Gaming and Esports: From Theory to Pilot
Jeffrey Levine
Chapter 9: Esports and the Coed Approach
Rachel Lin, Skye Cooley, and John McGuire
Chapter 10: Surviving the Competition: Ghanaian Female Video Gamers in Male-Dominated Space
Rabiu K. B. Asante
About the Contributors