A more inclusive New Eden

Women now make up a growing share of the global gaming community, particularly within social and multiplayer experiences. According to recent studies, they now constitute about 45% of the global gaming population, with 45% considering gaming an important part of their lives, dedicating up to 12 hours per week to gaming on average.

Three in four women engage in online gaming regularly, which highlights a strong preference for social and cooperative gameplay. As the gaming industry is increasingly embracing multiplayer and social gaming experiences, we can see that games can serve as platforms for social connectivity.

EVE Online

EVE Online is a vast, player-driven MMO where trust and community power everything, from alliances to wars to entire economies. In a galaxy this socially complex, understanding how different players experience the game is critical to making it more inclusive for all. The game has long embraced multiplayer social dynamics in its world, New Eden, and is referred to internally as a 'Friendship Machine'. Unlike many competitive online games, EVE Online thrives on trust, diplomacy, and collaboration. Whether leading massive alliances, navigating high-stakes battles, or forging trade empires, players rely on each other, and relationships are incredibly valuable. Creating an inclusive New Eden starts with the people behind the scenes. In recent years, we’ve taken intentional steps to make our workforce more representative of our player base. These efforts are bearing fruit: in 2024, 25% of our global workforce identified as women or non-binary, up from 19% in 2023, and over half of our new hires came from these groups. While there is still work to do, these milestones reflect our long-term commitment to inclusion not just in the game, but at the heart of CCP itself.

Women of EVE

Creating an inclusive EVE also means listening to players. In August 2023, the “Women in EVE” survey was launched to gain insight into how gender influences playstyle, social dynamics, and overall experiences in New Eden. Below are some key insights from the survey and how they are being used to make New Eden more inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all.

The Survey

The “Women in EVE” survey gathered insights from 8,833 active capsuleers, combining player-reported data with in-game telemetry to paint a clearer picture of how different demographics engage with New Eden. Respondents identified their gender as follows:

• 89.3 % male

• 1.9 % non-binary

• 3.5 % female

• 5.2 % prefer not to answer (excluded from further analysis to avoid data skew)

While female and non-binary representation in the sample was relatively small, the results still offer valuable insights and trends worth exploring. As with all surveys, results may be influenced by response bias, who chooses to participate and sampling limitations, i.e. underrepresentation of certain groups. However, the dataset still provides meaningful insights into how gender shapes the EVE experience. The questions were targeted toward understanding the differences in player behaviour, as well as social interactions between genders. Responses were color-coded by gender to better illustrate trends: purple for male, pink for female and yellow for non-binary.

Friendship & Social Engagement

EVE Online is known for fostering deep social bonds among players. When asked whether they had made friends in New Eden, the vast majority responded yes:

• 86 % of female players

• 83 % of non-binary players

• 80 % of male players

Notably, female players were the most likely to form friendships, reinforcing research that suggests women often engage in gaming through social connection and cooperation.

As Greygal, a veteran EVE Player, explains: “The only way a fleet really does succeed is if everybody trusts not just what the Fleet Commander is saying and deciding but everybody they’re flying with and of course that’s the root of where most of the friendships are built! [...] The fleet is the core of the social experience in EVE”

Playstyle preferences

This social inclination among non-male players extended to playstyle preferences. When asked whether they preferred playing solo or in a group, female players showed the strongest preference for group play:

• 30% of female players

• 26% of non-binary players

• 22% of male players

This reinforces findings from broader gaming research, which suggests that women and non-males are more likely to engage in cooperative play than men.

When asked about the most appealing aspects of EVE, social interaction ranked highest among female players (34%), compared to male (29%) and non-binary players (24%). This further reinforces the trend that women in EVE prioritize cooperative and community-driven experiences.

“We can do it just like everybody else” - [Kshal, EVE Online player], while talking about only having two female fleet commanders (the rest being male) and that she would like to have more women in leadership positions.

Surprisingly, our female respondents were more likely to engage in PvP (Player vs. Player) combat than other groups:

• 22% of female players preferred PvP

• 19% of non-binary players preferred PvP

• 18% of male players preferred PvP

While this challenges the stereotype that women favour non-combat roles in games, the sample size for female players was smaller, so these findings should be interpreted with caution.

“I just like blowing people up” - [Dylana, EVE Online player], after being asked how a typical day in new Eden looks for her.

Player identity

Next, participants were asked what type of gamer they associated themselves most with. The choice was between Hardcore, Competitive, Social, and Casual.

Interestingly, female respondents were more likely than male players to identify as both “hardcore” and “social” gamers, challenging assumptions about how women engage in games like EVE. While 45% of female respondents identified as social gamers, 33% also chose hardcore, compared to 24% of male players. The non-binary players landed in the middle between female and male players. So, it seems that female players are more likely to identify as hardcore and social players than their male counterparts.

Trust & comfort in the community

A strong majority of players, regardless of gender, reported feeling comfortable asking for help in-game.

But the experience isn’t equal for everyone. Nearly 63% of women and non-binary individuals said they had experienced "Only Girl Syndrome", a term describing the isolation and pressure of being one of the only women in a male-dominated group, where they may be seen as exceptions, competitors, or representatives of all women.

The results provided meaningful insight into the lived experiences of women and non-binary players. In response, we initiated a series of community discussions to translate these findings into action.

Fanfest panels: an opportunity for real-life discussion

At Fanfest 2023, the world’s largest gathering of EVE players, we hosted a panel to open dialogue around the survey’s findings. Players and industry experts came together to share perspectives and propose ways to make EVE more inclusive and welcoming. Watch the full panel discussion here.

In 2025, we took things further by organizing an inclusivity-focused panel at Fanfest 2025 (EVE for EVEryone) with players and EVE developers. The session brought together developers, including CCP Okami, our Game Design Director and CCP Mercury, a Senior UI/UX Researcher, alongside notable EVE players who lead or participate in initiatives that make the game more inclusive.

The discussion covered a range of topics: gender-based inclusivity, accessibility, localization, and how in-game corporations and alliances can create safer, more supportive environments for their members. By highlighting both developer perspectives and lived player experiences, the panel offered practical insights into making New Eden more welcoming for all.

What made the panel impactful was the open dialogue with the audience. Players shared personal stories and candid reflections on inclusion within EVE, while developers listened, took notes, and committed to continued improvement. It was a valuable moment of mutual learning and reflection.

This panel was a significant step in the ongoing effort to build a stronger, more inclusive New Eden, where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered. It encouraged us to keep focusing on asking players for their opinion and insights, so that together we can co-create a kinder, more accessible environment for all.

Conclusion

The “Women in EVE” survey highlighted what sets EVE Online apart: a thriving social ecosystem, where friendship, teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of the experience. It also reminded us that inclusion doesn’t happen by default and takes intention.

EVE Online has always been shaped by its player community, and understanding these trends is just the beginning. As the game evolves, so does its role as a platform for meaningful connection and collaboration. This is an opportunity to foster an even more inclusive culture in the game and ensure that all players feel welcome and valued. By encouraging more diverse leadership, more inclusive hiring practices, amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, and continuing to explore the social dynamics of EVE, we aim to build a stronger, more inclusive New Eden, where every player has the space to carve their own path and leave their mark on the universe.

Do you have ideas for shaping a more inclusive New Eden? Get in touch!

Your voice helps us make EVE better. If you’d like to contribute to future conversations, stay tuned for upcoming surveys and panels.

The EVE Online dev team