How can interactive media, including video games, promote empathy, challenge stereotypes, and authentically represent LGBT experiences?
Video games have become an increasingly popular form of entertainment in recent years, with many people spending countless hours playing them every day.
They are also being used for more than just passing time - they are now recognized as powerful tools for promoting empathy, challenging stereotypes, and authentically representing LGBT experiences. Interactive media can provide immersive and engaging stories that allow players to connect with characters who may be different from themselves and gain understanding of their perspectives.
One way that interactive media can promote empathy is through representation of diverse characters. Many video games feature protagonists who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBT), giving players the opportunity to explore these identities from within the game world. By allowing players to experience life from another point of view, they can develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be LGBT and understand how discrimination and prejudice affect those who identify as such.
The character Elliot from the game Life is Strange is openly gay and faces bullying and harassment from his classmates due to his sexuality. Players must help him navigate this difficult situation while dealing with other issues in the game's storyline. This allows players to see the world through Elliot's eyes and experience the challenges he faces, helping them build empathy towards him and others like him.
Another way that interactive media can challenge stereotypes is by portraying nuanced and realistic representations of LGBT individuals. Stereotypes often depict LGBT people as one-dimensional characters whose identities are defined solely by their sexuality.
Many LGBT individuals have complex lives and interests beyond their sexuality, just like anyone else. Interactive media can help break down these stereotypes by presenting diverse and layered characters who do not fit into neat categories.
The game The Last of Us Part II features several LGBT characters who defy traditional gender roles and express themselves freely without fear of judgment. Their stories show that there is more to being LGBT than just relationships - they also face everyday challenges and struggles just like everyone else.
Interactive media can also authentically represent LGBT experiences by allowing players to engage with them directly. Many games now include options for customization that allow players to create their own avatar or choose a character with an LGBT identity. This gives players agency over their gaming experience and lets them explore what it means to be LGBT in various contexts.
The game Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows players to design their avatars however they want, including choosing from a range of hairstyles and clothing items that reflect different genders and sexualities. Players may also interact with other villagers who identify as LGBT, providing opportunities to learn about different perspectives and form connections based on shared interests rather than sexual orientation alone.
Interactive media has the power to promote empathy, challenge stereotypes, and authentically represent LGBT experiences. By featuring diverse characters, portraying nuanced identities, and allowing for player choice, video games can give players insight into the lives of those who identify as LGBT and help break down barriers of understanding. While these games are just one aspect of the larger conversation around LGBT representation, they offer a unique way to engage with this topic and foster greater awareness and acceptance.
How can interactive media, including video games, promote empathy, challenge stereotypes, and authentically represent LGBT experiences?
Interactive media such as video games have been found to promote empathy by allowing players to explore diverse perspectives and experience different identities through character customization options and narratives that feature diverse characters. This can foster greater understanding of other people's experiences and reduce prejudice against marginalized groups. Additionally, many games now incorporate challenges to stereotypes within their stories, encouraging players to see beyond surface differences and consider more complex factors that contribute to individuals' identities.