How LGBTQ Communities Influence Gaming Culture and Design

These days, gaming is all about being inclusive, and video games have become an amazing way to tell diverse stories. That's largely thanks to the massive influence of LGBTQ+ communities in the past few decades. Character diversity was unthinkable just a few years ago, and we're now witnessing more and more video games including it as a part of the gameplay. There are also inclusive game mechanics, and the influence can be seen throughout the entire video game creation process - from development to marketing.

In this article, we will explore how LGBTQ gamers and voices have driven these changes, how the gaming culture has been influenced by them, and why these contributions matter.

LGBTQ+ Friendly Game Design Features

Modern gaming is all about inclusive design, and not just when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, but all marginalized communities. People want characters they can feel connected to. They want characters they can identify with. Thankfully, modern games have embraced these changes and have influenced features like customizable characters, nonbinary pronoun options, and even open-ended relationships.

This inclusivity in modern video games applies to game mechanics as well, where the different choices have an effect on the gameplay and promote immersion. Online game developers have received a fresh perspective with the newfound inclusivity. For example, exploring a compilation of roulette tips and tricks offers has been linked to strategic thinking and gaining fresh ideas about playing games on sites like Ruleta77k, much like LGBTQ players contribute fresh perspectives to game design.

Let's take The Sims 4 as an example. It's been leading the way in offering players the ability to craft and develop their characters in a way that reflects their own identity. Cyberpunk 2077 is another example. It's a role-playing game in which players can customize their character any way they want - including their face, voice, body type, body modifications - whatever they want.

Representation in Game Characters and Stories

Modern video games are much more than simple games designed to just waste time. Many of them have their own storylines, and we're seeing LGBTQ characters and storylines becoming increasingly present in video games. That's, for the most part, thanks to advocacy from within the community.

The Last of US Part II is a great example of a modern (and very popular, for that matter) video game featuring complex and well-developed openly LGBTQ characters who have their own storylines that go beyond stereotypes.

Another great example is Life is Strange, a game in which the main protagonists can choose different paths for their lives. Max, the lead protagonist, develops feelings for their classmate Chloe, so it's up to the player whether these feelings will develop into something romantic or they'll remain just friends. Here are some of the most impactful openly LGBTQ game characters:

Tracer — Overwatch - Tracer is one of the most iconic characters from Overwatch and is well known for being open and out as a lesbian. Even Blizzard games confirmed this in their comic Reflections, where we can clearly see Tracer in a loving relationship with her girlfriend Emily.

Tyler Ronan — Tell Me Why - Tyler is the main protagonist of Tell Me Why, and they're one of the first openly transgender characters in a video game. Dontnod Entertainment, the company that released the game, collaborated with GLAAD to ensure that Tyler was portrayed in a respectful and authentic way.

Kaine — NieR Replicant: Kaine is one of the most complex video game characters, and one of the main protagonists in NieR Replicant. She openly identify as intersex, which is a first in the gaming world. Even in the game, she is marginalized, but she manages to navigate and thrive in the world due to her resilience and willingness to fight the norms.

LGBTQ Communities in Gaming Culture

LGBTQ+ gamers have made a deep cultural impact on gaming that resonates in the online sphere through Discord, local conventions, and other meetups. Twitch is a hyper-popular OTT streaming platform where gamers often stream their live game sessions, but it has also become a space for LGBTQ+ gamers to share their experiences. The service has also seen its use in activism for inclusivity, as many openly LGBTQ+ streamers have gained millions of followers.

If you're new to gaming, we should also introduce you to in-game events. They're events that happen in games like World of Warcraft, Fortnite, and many others, and in these events, players participate with their game characters. Thanks to the advocacy from LGBTQ communities, there have been pride-themed events in the games as well, showing the community's influence even in the virtual worlds.

Besides representations, LGBTQ gamer communities also play a role in challenging the industry norms, making video games a more welcoming and inclusive space for all players. Here's how certain games have impacted video gaming and what their contribution towards inclusivity is:

What the Future Holds

The progress is evident, but there are still so many challenges. According to a recent study, almost 20% of American gamers identify as LGBTQ, yet only 2% of video games feature LGBTQ characters. This means that the fight is not over, and we need more advocacy and investment in diversity.