Women account for nearly half of the gaming community, making Razer’s advertisement, which features a man blocking out a woman’s voice using noise-canceling headphones, particularly jarring. The ad showcases a male gamer turning on Active Noise Cancellation while his companion, a woman, is talking. The tone-deaf portrayal perpetuates outdated stereotypes and has incited a wave of backlash online.

“Don’t let yapping get in the way of your winning.”

This line, included in the ad, has been criticized as reflective of casual misogyny. Many commenters have expressed outrage, claiming it alienates women gamers.

The controversy underscores a disconnect between gaming culture and real-world dynamics, where women are an integral part of the audience. Reports indicate that women often spend on gaming products and mark a significant portion of gaming communities across various platforms.

In response to the criticism, many are calling for brands, specifically those like Razer who have marketed products towards women, to reconsider how they present their advertisements to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.