More and more developers are creating inclusive characters in video games, offering ample romance options that allow players to romance same-gender characters, or platonically roommate with adorable creatures, like Krobus from Stardew Valley. And with representation comes several identities and sexualities.
Transgender characters in the gaming scene often were used a punchlines or fillers for games, however, after so many years, there are finally some game developers that are doing justice to the LGBTQ+ community with properly showcasing transgender. Whether they are part of the main story or simply side characters who give out a few quests, these games have done great at creating an inclusive game to help show others that bringing in transgender people in games is important.
Updated on November 7, 2022 by Nikole Stewart: Inclusion is important but rarely seen in media. There is often a blatant disinterest in diversity when it comes to character creation, leaving communities wanting more than what they see on screen. This might be a reason why cozy simulations have gained such a traction because most allow players to create their own characters, and even their own sexuality.
Copy and pasting characters from one game to the next results in gamers feeling unheard or unseen. Inclusion in video games, or other sorts of media, not only bring in more players because of diversity, but show that these communities that are normally not included are actually welcomed. Like the LGBTQ+ community, that is often not listened to or even has violence directed towards them. Portraying more and more characters that include these members of the community only helps normalize, as well as creating a safe space for people to feel comfortable in.
Updating this article is crucial to show the transgender community that while there is still a shortage of games that lack that diversity, there are some that are working towards a world where it is safe to be exactly who you want to be, without the worry of prejudice and encourage more conversation. These are some more transgender characters in video games. And please note, these are characters that have been confirmed to be transgender, not assumptions.
6 Apex Legends - Catalyst
Apex Legends recently released Season 15, and with it came a brand-new map along with a new legend. Of course, Respawn has a great history of diverse Legends that fit into the LGBTQ+ community, but this will be the first transgender Legend so far. It is confirmed by the lead writer and the voice of Catalyst that she is a trans woman.
This is a huge win for the LGBTQ+ community as more and more developers are starting to create a diverse cast of characters. Catalyst not only shifts the balance on the playing field in the battle royale game, but shifts the way people are talking and seeing characters in the community.
5 The Last Of Us 2 - Lev
Lev is a character that Abby meets along her journey, and players will quickly find out that Lev is a transgender teenage boy in The Last of Us 2. While Lev is only in part of the game, he still has a pretty big role to play, and shows a great deal of diversity.
While there is an argument in the community about the fact that Lev is often called his deadname and is forced out of his community, the Scars, which encourages the fact of transgender abuse, Lev is still a great character that is loved by many.
4 Assassin’s Creed Syndicate – Ned Wynert
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is the first Assassin’s Creed game where there’s transgender representation, and even though Ned is a minor character, Ubisoft’s goal was for inclusion, and they did just that! Ned is a character based on a historical figure with the same name. While Ned was supposed to have his own chain of side missions, like some of the other side characters, it was ultimately scratched.
Since Syndicate, Odyssey did show some representation with allowing players to engage in same-sex pairings in the main game, however, soon forced the players into heterosexual relations to have a child, which complicated the representation they were trying to go for. Granted, Valhalla does allow players to choose the gender of Eivor, which has the potential for same-sex pairings. But even so, hopefully there will be more representation to come from Ubisoft.
3 Dragon Age: Inquisition – Cremissius Alcassi
Also known as Krem, Cremissius is a member of the Bull’s Chargers mercenary group. He is the Iron Bull’s second-in-command and is confirmed to be a transgender man. During a conversation with Iron Bull, he mentions that Krem fits the a Qunari concept of “born as one gender but living like another”.
As the first transgender character in a BioWare game, Krem is an inspirational character, and only helps bring more inclusion to the gaming scene. Hopefully there will be more diversity in further BioWare games.
2 Night In The Woods – Jackie
This amazing story-driven game is filled to the brim with surprises and dangers. Not only does Night In The Woods have a great story line that can draw anyone to it, but it is also an incredible representation of LGBTQ+. There are several characters in the game that represent one form or another the LGBTQ+. For instance, it’s no secret that by the end of the game, Gregg and Angus are together. And while it’s not widely announced, the main character, Mae, is in fact pansexual, meaning that she does not consider gender when seeking a romantic partner.
While the main characters do have great representation, there are side characters that are just as important. Bea’s friend, Jackie, the tan goat with black horns, is confirmed to be a transgender woman. During the release of the game, it wasn’t mentioned that she was transgender, however, Scott Benson, the creator of the game, clarified on CuriousCat that he did intend for it to come up at some point, but due to all of the rewriting and editing, the information got lost.
1 Watch Dogs 2 – Miranda Comay
When it comes to diversity in Watch Dogs 2, there is an abundance. The game features female characters, people of color, and more. One of the supporting characters, Miranda Comay, is confirmed to be a transgender woman.
Not only is there representation of the LGBTQ+ community, but there is inclusion in those with autism. In a DLC, Josh is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. The franchise checked the boxes of inclusion in so many areas, it’s truly inspiring to see how developers are taking account of who their fans are and making sure they are being represented. It’s often to see comments by fans that they feel some characters who are similar to them are made “for them”, which only brings more people to play these types of games.