Video games have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple pixelated graphics. They are now multi-million dollar industries that offer gamers an immersive experience beyond what was possible before.
There is still room for improvement when it comes to representing the full spectrum of human experiences, especially regarding gender and sexuality. This article explores how video games can be designed to foster critical reflection on these topics and challenge stereotypes while providing authentic representation of LGBT experiences.
Gender Representation
Games often rely on stereotypical gender roles for characters, such as men being strong and aggressive and women being passive and submissive. This can perpetuate harmful beliefs about masculinity and femininity. Designers can instead create characters who defy traditional gender norms and encourage players to question their assumptions about gender.
A character could express emotions typically associated with the opposite gender or engage in nontraditional activities like cooking or dancing. The game should also allow players to customize their avatar's appearance and clothing choices to reflect their identity.
Sexuality Representation
Many video games feature heteronormative relationships between male and female characters. This reinforces the idea that love and romance only occur between cisgender individuals. Instead, designers can include same-sex relationships and explore different types of attraction, including asexuality and pansexuality. The game should also address issues related to sexual violence and consent without overly sensationalizing them. Players should feel comfortable exploring their own sexuality through gameplay without judgment or pressure from other characters.
Authentic LGBT Representation
Representation matters because it allows marginalized groups to see themselves reflected in media. Game developers can work with LGBT advocacy organizations to ensure that their games accurately portray the community's experiences. This includes exploring topics like coming out, family acceptance, dating, and healthcare access. Players should be able to choose which pronouns they use, and characters should not be judged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The game should also offer options for players to play as transgender or nonbinary individuals.
Video games have the potential to create meaningful dialogues around gender and sexuality. By challenging stereotypes and providing authentic representation of LGBT experiences, games can help break down barriers and promote understanding. Designers must take care when creating these narratives to avoid harmful tropes and misrepresentations while still offering players an engaging experience. With thoughtful design, video games can become powerful tools for social change.
How can video games be designed to foster critical reflection on gender and sexuality, challenge stereotypes, and provide authentic representation of LGBT experiences?
A study by Javier Fernandez et al (2017) suggests that the designers should focus on creating video games that incorporate characters with diverse genders and sexualities. They argue that this could help promote critical reflection among players about gender and sexuality, challenge stereotypes, and provide authentic representation of LGBT experiences.