Representation of LGBTQ+ characters in video games is just as important for LGBTQ+ youth. While you might expect real-life celebrities to hold more value, seeing this type of representation in your favourite video game can be so validating and important.
If you love video games yourself and are looking for inclusive games with LGBTQ+ characters, this list is definitely for you. Here are some of the most favourite LGBTQ+ video game characters you might or might not know about.
1. Tiny Tina – The Borderlands Series
After her first appearance in Borderlands 2, Tiny Tina quickly became a favourite fan character for her feisty and fearless attitude. Despite the fact that she had a rough start in life, after losing both her parents due to a tragic car accident at a young age, she didn’t let the hardships bring her down.
Her creator, Anthony Burch, has indeed confirmed Tiny Tina is a lesbian, something you can see from most of her interactions in the games. In her earlier years, she is a queer kid openly confidently exploring her identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. In Borderlands 3, where she is finally an adult, she talks about her experiences and relationships a lot more openly.
2. Ellie – The Last of Us
Ellie is the main character in the famous The Last of Us games, and she is one that many fans have resonated with after playing the game. Not only is she a very complex character, but she is very relatable, too, as her coming-out story played a very important role in the game and the lives of fans.
Ellie and her father, Joel, go through different stages in their strained relationship as he works on accepting her identity as a gay woman. At the same time, Ellie has to work on herself after facing the guilt of the death of a past lover while falling in love with someone new.
3. Zagreus – Hades
When it comes to rogue-like, action RPGs, Hades is a game loved by many for its fun dungeons in the underworld, overall compelling story, and the relationships of and between characters. One of the characters that represent that is Zagreus, the main character of the game.
Zagreus is a bisexual character, something you find out by the option to form a romantic relationship with Thanatos, the personification of death and a close childhood friend of his. If you’re a gamer yourself and would like to meet a significant other online, you can consider pansexual dating, as it will help you find someone who’ll truly appreciate who you are.
4. Alex Chen – Like is Strange: True Colors
Alex is a very interesting and relatable character appearing as the protagonist of Life is Strange: True Colors. When it comes to her abilities, she is able to see, absorb and manipulate the emotional auras of the people around her, oftentimes becoming influenced by those strong emotions herself.
Alex is a bisexual character which is something you discover through having the choice of romancing either male or female characters in the game. This was a very important addition to these games, as they showed that her romantic decisions had no impact on the progression of the story.
Video games are sending important messages to LGBTQ+ youth
Encountering inclusivity in all types of media is important and can help shape a more loving and accepting society of people in the years to come. While some might think that video games are for kids, there are so many amazing titles that can make you think and help you spend your time in an amazing way.
Tech expert fresh from the Australian Coast. Been in the tech industry more than 9 years, as part of a Business Growth Group. His out of office days are 100% for freestyle surfing and waves chasing.