LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Other) communities have faced many challenges throughout history. These include legal discrimination, societal prejudice, and lack of social acceptance. Interactive media such as video games may offer an opportunity to better understand these communities and promote greater awareness and understanding. This article will explore how games can be used to create positive representations of LGBT+ individuals and experiences, foster empathy for them, and encourage critical engagement with their stories.
One way that video games can foster empathy is through immersive storytelling. Many games feature characters who are either explicitly or implicitly LGBT+, allowing players to experience their lives from within.
'Life Is Strange' features a lesbian protagonist named Max Caulfield, who must navigate her high school life while dealing with her own identity. Players can see things through her eyes, experiencing her relationships, struggles, and triumphs. Similarly, 'The Last of Us Part II' follows Ellie, a transgender character, as she navigates a post-apocalyptic world full of hostility towards those different from the norm. Through this lens, players get a glimpse into what it means to live in a world where gender expression is not always accepted.
Another way that video games can foster representation is by including diverse options for player customization. Games like 'Mass Effect', 'Fallout', and 'Skyrim' allow players to choose their own character's race, gender, sexual orientation, and appearance. This allows players to feel more connected to the game and its characters, seeing themselves reflected in the game world. It also encourages players to consider the challenges faced by people who do not fit traditional societal norms, promoting greater empathy.
Some games include LGBT+ characters and stories as part of their narrative. 'Batman: Arkham Knight' features a character named Harley Quinn who has a complicated relationship with The Joker, exploring themes of abusive relationships and mental illness. By presenting these complex issues, games may inspire critical engagement and reflection on difficult topics.
Interactive media can also foster empathy by allowing players to experience other perspectives.
In 'Gone Home', players take control of a young woman returning home after an extended absence to find her family missing. As they explore the house, players learn about the experiences of each member of the family, including one who identifies as queer. This allows players to understand the struggles of someone living in a conservative society while also highlighting the importance of acceptance and understanding. Similarly, 'What Remains of Edith Finch' follows several generations of a cursed family, each with unique traits and life experiences. By experiencing each person's story, players are able to better appreciate their lives and motivations.
Interactive media can encourage critical engagement by prompting players to reflect on their own beliefs and attitudes. Games like 'Dishonored' ask players to make tough decisions that have moral implications. In one scene, players must decide whether or not to kill a transgender man being harassed by guards. These types of moments force players to consider the nuances of gender identity and expression, encouraging greater awareness and compassion for others.
Video games provide a unique opportunity to explore LGBT+ identities and experiences, fostering empathy, representation, and critical engagement. They offer immersive stories, diverse options, and thought-provoking moments that challenge players to consider new perspectives. By using these tools effectively, developers can create positive representations and promote greater understanding of this often marginalized community.
How can interactive media, particularly video games, foster empathy, representation, and critical engagement with diverse LGBT experiences?
Research shows that interactions with interactive media, such as video games, can foster feelings of empathy, representation, and critical engagement with diverse experiences, including those related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Incorporating elements of LGBT identities into video game characters and storylines can help players gain a better understanding of their experiences and perspectives. This can lead to greater awareness, acceptance, and respect for LGBT individuals.