Queer characters are often portrayed in media as stereotypes, which can lead to them being pigeonholed into certain roles and behaviors that don't accurately reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
Some video games and other forms of interactive media have begun to break this trend by creating complex, multifaceted queer characters who defy these stereotypes. When players engage with these characters, they may experience cognitive and emotional effects that challenge their assumptions about gender, sexuality, and identity. This article will explore how playing through the experiences of queer protagonists can help players develop a deeper understanding of intersectional identities and create a space for self-reflection.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about an interactive media character is how they move, interact with others, and make choices. In many games, players control the character themselves, making decisions and taking actions that affect the story.
In "Life Is Strange," players take on the role of Max Caulfield, a lesbian teenager struggling with her sexuality and relationships while navigating the challenges of high school life. As she makes decisions, her feelings toward her crush Chloe grow more complicated, leading to an exploration of sexual tension and intimacy. By controlling Max, players feel like they are experiencing her emotions firsthand and developing empathy for her situation.
Another factor that influences player response is the complexity of the character's backstory and motivations. In "Night in the Woods," players follow Mae, a trans woman returning home after dropping out of college to find herself adrift in small-town America. She struggles with depression and alienation but also forms meaningful connections with other characters in the game. The game's creators have said that they wanted to avoid simplistic representations of trans people and instead portray them as multidimensional individuals who face unique challenges. When players engage with Mae, they may reflect on their own experiences with identity, mental health, and social isolation.
Queer characters can also challenge players' assumptions about gender roles and expectations. In "Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator," players control a single dad raising his daughter while trying to date other men in his town. The game subverts traditional tropes by presenting masculine-presenting queer men who reject rigid definitions of masculinity. Players may experience cognitive dissonance when their perceptions of gender and sexuality conflict with what they see in the game, leading to self-reflection and learning.
Queer characters in interactive media can help players explore their own identities and desires. In "Persona 5," players control Joker, a teenager seeking redemption after being framed for a crime he didn't commit. As he forms relationships with other characters, he explores his feelings for several male love interests and grapples with questions of consent and intimacy. By playing through these experiences, players may recognize similar situations in their own lives and gain insight into their emotional needs and boundaries.
The effects of deep engagement with complex, intersectional queer characters in interactive media are powerful and transformative. They allow players to develop empathy, learn from other perspectives, and reflect on their own identities. It is important that developers continue to create such characters in order to promote diversity and inclusivity in the gaming world.
What cognitive and emotional effects occur when audiences engage deeply with complex, intersectional queer characters in interactive media?
Audiences who are engaged with complex, intersectional queer characters in interactive media may experience a range of cognitive and emotional effects. These can include increased empathy for the character's experiences, deeper understanding of their perspectives and struggles, and reflection on one's own assumptions and biases regarding gender identity and sexuality.