Video games are a fantastic way to communicate with your friends. They allow players to take control of the character’s lives and lead them on adventures that aren’t possible with any other medium that range from creating a new city to beating the ultimate battle. They’re an art form, a kind of art and are to be treated accordingly. That’s why it’s vital for game designers to include characters in their games that represent a diversity of experiences and people that range from minorities to gay people to those who have disabilities.
Games with character creation and romance
The gaming industry is making significant advancements towards inclusion, with companies like Bethesda, Ubisoft, and many others taking bold and risky commercial decisions to slowly introduce LGBT characters to their games. The inclusion of characters like Tracer and Soldier: the 76 in the wildly popular multiplayer shooter Overwatch has proved that the risks taken are beginning to pay dividends. The addition of these characters has made gamers feel like Overwatch is more relatable and offers more depth due to their inclusion.
Anime games with character creation and romance
It’s not only big budget titles that are beginning to incorporate LGBTQ characters, smaller independent game developers are also pushing the envelope in the direction of inclusion. Dream Daddy, a dad-dating simulation game that was released in 2017 has been praised for its inclusion of both male and female characters who aren’t confined by gender boundaries. Other independent titles such as Fire Emblem, which has numerous LGBTQ characters that are not limited by their sexuality have been praised for their inclusion of characters from a variety of backgrounds.
Mobile games where you can customize your character
Mass Effect, released in 2007 was among the key milestones of LGBTQ inclusion in video games. The game introduced a huge universe with different species and also the possibility for players to form relationships with characters regardless of gender. It was a significant advancement in the field of gaming and set the standard for the future of games.
Recent games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey include LGBTQ characters that are not defined by their sexuality. The game’s Xenia character is a vibrant pirate who is openly bisexual, and does not show signs of repression or guilt. Her inclusion was a welcomed change from the standard portrayals of LGBTQ in video games.
In a similar fashion BioWare’s next game Dragon Age Inquisition allows players to marry V who is not a woman or transgender. The option is entirely voluntary, however the possibility that BioWare allowed it to be available at any time shows that they’ve made the effort to ensure that their games reflect the diversity of the community.
These games prove that LGBTQ inclusion in gaming isn’t just acceptable but is highly desired. The addition of these characters help bring about a more normalization of LGBTQ relations, and helps bigotry and prejudice become an outdated notion. It’s ultimately up to the players to make sure that they select games featuring LGBTQ characters that match their personal identities and preferences. We urge our students and faculty to play these games, as well as to search for more games that include LGBTQ characters.
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