5 Most Important Queer Characters in Video Game History
Video games are set up as a storytelling medium meant to grab the attention of as many audiences as possible and, within the process, provide representation to people in ways that few other art forms can. Now it's the turn of the LGBTQ+ community.
Gaming comes in many different forms. It enables different types of storytelling. As an industry, voices can come from the major studios of AAA games as well as bedroom-based indie developers released self-funded games – especially within Canada with its diverse population and world-class gaming scene. Within that context, the representation of different communities can vary in depth, too. For instance, these recommended Ontario online casinos all contain online slot games that have themes that range from Greek gods to Jumanji to Pirates. The themes are diverse and don’t necessarily need to cater to representing one single idea and thought. It’s a great basis for exploration.
And it’s in this spirit that video gaming’s recent history has taken to crafting queer narratives and characters. Below, we'll look at 5 of the most important queer characters in video game history.
Ellie Williams – The Last of Us Series
The Last of Us is one of the best video games ever. With Ellie Williams at the helm, it's safe to say she is one of the most significant queer characters out there.
Drean Foster, or Ellie, debuted in the original game, and they later explained her story in the Left Behind DLC, when Ellie and Riley became lovers during the great American zombie apocalypse.
It is Ellie's journey throughout The Last of Us Part II that undergoes an extensive rewrite. She comes to terms with loss, vengeance, and her own identity. The bond that Ellie shares with Dina is also a warm touch that attempts to bring out the emotional side of Ellie's character. And with Ellie's strong sense of self and the intricate representation of her sexuality, she becomes an icon of what LGBTQ+ representation should be.
Lev – The Last of Us Part II
Another interesting character in The Last of Us Part II game is Lev, who reveals another aspect of sexual diversity in video games: transgender people.
Known as 'Lily' in the oppressive Serraphite society, Lev transitions to a male-presenting character and eventually becomes hunted by the tyranny of which he was a part.
The uniqueness of Lev's story is in the way his personal life is intertwined with the rest of the world he inhabits. He encompasses the identity of a trans man and the qualities of being courageous and loving, transcending him beyond just his gender. Lev's journey in his pursuit of identity is crucial to the gaming industry and trans people.
Dorian Pavus – Dragon Age Inquisition
One of the most adored characters in the Dragon Age: Inquisition series is Dorian Pavus.
He is a Tevinter mage who is best known as a gay character, who happens to be the first one in the entire series. His story is intricately woven around the fabric of a gay character and looks at topics like bearing a family legacy, his perception of his family, and overcoming his own insecurities about himself.
Dorian's experience is written with his character in mind. He is an empowered masculinity - Bioware wrote him well. He's a strong representation of LGBT in video games.
Tyler Ronan – Tell Me Why
Thanks to Tyler Ronan from Dontnod Entertainment's Tell Me Why, we have a trans protagonist who can be found in this notable AAA title, and this, in itself, is quite groundbreaking.
The storyline revolves around a village in Alaska where Tyler and Alyson, his twin sister, try to explore the truths of their childhood. Tyler's character is focused throughout the entire story as a key aspect, making him a trans character who is not simply boxed in.
Tyler's portrayal is unforgettable because it is real. The game developers worked with GLAAD so that his character would be treated with respect and dignity. Tyler's story of self-awareness and coming to terms with who he is, for the first time, gives players a chance to understand trans issues and enhances the scope of LGBTQ+ representation in the games.
Madeline—Celeste
Madeline, a trans character, is one of the protagonists of the critically acclaimed indie game Celeste, who deals with the dangers of climbing a massive mountain and her mental health. Trans identity orientation is hinted at over the game and creator endorsement but remains buried under gameplay and her insecurities and development.
Madeline's character is a metaphorical representation of men and women who have struggled through hardships and succeeded in life. She is part of the queer representation that adds depth and meaning to any game without a surplus of clichés or cringe expositions.
Why Diversity Matters
It would be unfair to say that queer characters in the video games are there merely to tick a box. It's absolutely not true.
There's no such thing as representation/identification, truth, or reality. The inclusion of characters along with their queer, transgender, bisexual, and lesbian peers only modifies the pre-existing set of pretend circumstances depicted in the video game.
These additional features are not added for the 'sake' of it; their sole purpose and objective is to strengthen gay pride and its truths. For example, consider the cases of Ellie, who was unrepentantly gay, or Lev, who was proudly a trans man. Their roles in video games should have greater emphasis. It demonstrates how their expertise can create exciting opportunities and experiences within the gaming industry.
It's essential to remember that it is the hope and dream of many to be unashamed of who they are and what they accomplish.
You can imagine how the gaming industry will transform what can only be described as a pale depiction of LGBTQ+ characters into a more definitive, sophisticated, and realistic representation. Let's see how many new characters video games introduce!
