Video games have long been an outlet for expression. They allow players to direct the lives of their characters and let them go on journeys that aren’t possible with any other media such as creating a brand new city to winning the most elusive final boss. In essence, they’re an art and should be treated with respect. That’s why it’s crucial for game developers to incorporate characters in their games that reflect a variety of people and experiences including minorities, queer people, to people who have disabilities.
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Gaming companies are making huge leaps in the direction of inclusion. Companies such as Bethesda and Ubisoft have taken bold and commercial risks by slowly introducing LGBT characters into their games. Characters such as Tracer Soldier:76, Tracer and more are included in the wildly well-known multiplayer shooter Overwatch. This has shown that the risk is paying back. The characters have made players feel that Overwatch is more real and feels more relatable.
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Not only are big budget games starting to include LGBTQ characters. Smaller independent developers are also pushing the boundaries with inclusion. Dream Daddy, a dad-dating sim that came out in 2017 has been praised for including both male and female characters who do not have to be confined by gender binary. Other games from independent developers like Fire Emblem, which has an impressive number of LGBTQ characters who are not identified by their sexuality, have been lauded for its inclusion of characters from a variety of backgrounds.
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Mass Effect, released in 2007, was one of the major milestones for LGBTQ inclusion in video games. The game introduced a vast universe with different species and allowed gamers to establish relationships with characters irrespective of gender. This game was a huge leap forward in the field of gaming and set the benchmark for the future of games.
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More recent games such as Assassin’s Clead Odyssey have also included LGBTQ characters who aren’t identified by their sexuality. Xenia, the game’s bisexual pirate character, is a flamboyant and exuberant pirate. She shows no sign of oppression. Her inclusion in the game was a welcome change from the standard portrayals of LGBTQ in video games.
Similar to this it is the case with the forthcoming BioWare game Dragon Age: Inquisition includes the option to romance V who is transgender or non-binary. This is a completely optional choice however BioWare has taken the initiative to include it in their games.
These games demonstrate that LGBTQ inclusion in games is not only an option but also highly desirable. The addition of these characters aids in mainstream LGBTQ relationships, helping bigotry and hatred become an outdated notion. It is ultimately up to the players to choose games that feature LGBTQ characters that match their personal interests and identity. We encourage our students as well as faculty to participate in these games, and to seek out even more games with a diverse range of characters.