Games on video have long served as a way to express yourself. They allow players to take control of the lives of their characters and take them on journeys that would not be attainable in any other medium such as creating a brand new city, to achieving the ultimate battle. They are a form of art, and must be treated as such. It’s crucial that developers use characters that reflect a variety of people and experiences. This includes minorities, queer people and people with disabilities etc.

Games with character creation and romance

The gaming industry has made huge advancements towards inclusion, with companies such as Bethesda, Ubisoft, and many more taking on creative and commercial risks to gradually introduce LGBT characters to their games. The introduction of characters like Tracer and Soldier: the 76 in the wildly popular multiplayer shooter Overwatch has shown that the risks taken are beginning to pay dividends. The addition of these characters has made gamers feel like Overwatch is more relatable, and also has more depth due to their inclusion.

Anime games with character creation and romance

It’s not just the big budget games that are beginning to feature LGBTQ characters, smaller independent developers are also pushing the boundaries with inclusivity. Dream Daddy, a dad-dating sim that came out in 2017 has been praised for its inclusion of both male and female characters who are not restricted by gender binaries. Fire Emblem has been praised for having characters with diverse backgrounds, for example many LGBTQ characters.

Mobile games where you can customize your character

Mass Effect, released in 2007, was one of the most significant milestones in LGBTQ inclusion in video games. The game introduced a huge world of diverse species as well as the ability for gamers to establish relationships with characters regardless of their gender. The game was an important step forward in the world of gaming and set the standards for future games.

Recent games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey have included LGBTQ characters who aren’t identified by their sexuality. Xenia, the game’s bisexual pirate character is a lively and ebullient pirate. She doesn’t show any signs of resistance. Her inclusion was welcomed contrast to the typical depictions of LGBTQ in video games.

Similar to this the upcoming BioWare game Dragon Age: Inquisition includes the option to be romantically involved with V who is transgender, or non-binary. It’s an option that is completely voluntary however BioWare has decided to make their games inclusive.

These games show that LGBTQ inclusion is not just possible, but extremely desired. The characters aid in normalizing LGBTQ relationships, while eradicating prejudice and prejudice. It’s the responsibility of the player to pick games that include LGBTQ characters that are a reflection of their own interests and values. We urge students and faculty members to play these games, and to seek for more inclusive games.