130°

Is the Time Right for an Openly Gay Main Character in a Game?

VGR: Last week was a week for freedom.

I’m not just talking about it being the 4th of July, I’m talking about freedom for two people in media who decided to come out of the closet and announce their homosexuality (or in one case, bisexuality).

News icon Anderson Cooper and up and coming R&B star Frank Ocean both decided to allow the world into their bedrooms last week, each announcing in their own unique way their love for people of the same gender. It was a big step for both men, as each had been constantly dogged by rumors of their homosexuality (or bisexuality, in Frank’s case) for some time, and they each felt it was time to put the rumors to rest, each in a written letter.

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vgrevolution.com
CustardTrout4740d ago

Right behind this, no issues on my part.
Think it would be good to see this.

Silly Mammo4740d ago

Wasn't FemShep from Mass Effects gay? At least, I played here that way! ;0P

StanLee4740d ago

Why should any character in fiction have a sexual orientation if it isn't important to the story? Sexual orientation rarely comes up, during the course of a video game's narrative so gay or straight isn't of any relevance. Context is more important than political correctness. It shouldn't be done just to prove how tolerant a developer is.

Thatguy-3104740d ago

I don't really care. As long as gay sex/interactions aren't force. Most game characters dont even bring up their sexual orientation because the story isnt asking for it. I'm fine with a gay main character.

joab7774740d ago

It will always b a money issue so I am sure it's not time yet to have a character that is only gay. Watching two woman have a sex scene is every man's dream, not a game with a gay protagonist. Someone will do it and be lauded for their courage and heroism...and make no money. So, until it can be financially successful, it will not happen on the regular. I would love to know what percentage of the gaming community is gay. Someone has internals somewhere.

Mainsqueeze4740d ago

lol "Right behind this" atleast we know his position on homosexuality. Just kidding and on a more serious note i don't think its the right time unless you wan't the game not to sell well or something. Alot of homophobes out there that would protest the living hell out of it. I personally couldn't get into a game where i'm a gay dude it would kill the immersion, i just wouldn't be able to get into it.

SPAM-FRITTER-1234740d ago (Edited 4740d ago )

as long as

1. he is not a "girly" kind of gay who calls everyone "girlfriend".

2. he doesn't steal peoples watch when they're asleep.

3. there is a straight MOD.

4. he is the giver not the receiver.

5. he dies at the end.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4740d ago
VanillaBear4740d ago (Edited 4740d ago )

Even if it was a character who acts "gay/Bisexual"...but it's never actually confirmed, if you catch my drift.

Karen Walker is like that from Will and Grace, Stewie from Family Guy and Roger from American Dad

Look at JD from Scrubs, he acts pretty gay especialy his bromance with Turk but we all know he's not...it's just part of his characters charm and why we all like him so much

I would love to see that kind of character in a videogame but at the same time somehow manages to be the hero.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

It happened...

KwietStorm_BLM4740d ago

What more confirmation do you need from Stewie and Roger? An anal sex scene?

Thatguy-3104740d ago

Lol also his lust for Brian, him dressing up as a girl when getting the chance and let's not forget the banana scene Haha

VanillaBear4740d ago

...and

He's lusted after women aswell, just like Roger.

He's never came out though and said "I'm gay, lets make a big deal out of it"

bootyCheese1164740d ago

+2 for raping aliens & babies

MadLad4740d ago

All depends on the game and it's story.

Creating a gay character for the sake of creating a gay character . . . that's unneeded.

To be fair, I see things in the same vein as normal relationships in games. Don't even implement it if it doesn't serve an actual purpose.

If it's there just to be there, just cut it. It serves no real purpose.

I am more than happy to see this happen. It's more than time. Just handle it properly.

Seventh_Blood_Reborn4740d ago

I completely agree. If done properly I' m fine.

a08andan4740d ago

It would actually be really refreshing. As long as they don't portray that person in a very stereotype way. No way near all gays walk around talking like girls, wear makeup and listen to Mariah Carey.

Apex134740d ago

To be honest who cares? how many game characters get the girl like they do in a hollywood flick?

How many game characters do we grow close to and have some empathy for?

So it's neither here or there until it becomes more than DRake, Mario or Bowser getting the chick.

You have not even conquered ethnic characters yet and you want to discuss gay ones...get in line mate lol

Fierce Musashi4740d ago

"You have not even conquered ethnic characters yet and you want to discuss gay ones...get in line mate lol"

I was just thinking the same.

Anyway, I believe SlapHappyJesus above said it best on this matter.

Smashbro294740d ago

I think making a character gay or ethnic or whatever for the sake of filling some politically correct quota is stupid.

Apex134740d ago

Agreed and my point exactly...sort of

LightofDarkness4740d ago

Not enough people look at it this way. If you can't naturally or organically include ethnic characters in your game, then don't force it; you're going to end up creating a stereotype or at least a mildly offensive character. Don't try to shoehorn it in there because of societal pressure - do what comes naturally.

If you're trying to think of ways to integrate a black character into your game, for instance, because you feel like you need one, stop: you are already on the path to destruction. You will probably create some "jive-talkin MF'er" under the pretence that this authentic in some way, or that this character will be viewed as a positive stereotype (never a good idea). It happens quite commonly in literature and film too, it's just a problem that occurs when people who do not truly understand other ethnicities attempt to imagine them. I'm Irish, for instance, and we have pretty horrific representation in all media that is not Irish. Some times it's kind of funny (an "all you can do is laugh" situation), and sometimes it's groan-inducing.

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180°

Xbox Mass layoffs Are Expected To Hit On July 2, 2025

The previously rumored mass layoffs at Xbox are expected to happen on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, according to a new rumor.

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twistedvoxel.com
11h ago
lukasmain7h ago(Edited 7h ago)

They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really

January 2023:
Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees, which was a significant workforce reduction.

January 2024:
Approximately 1,900 gaming employees were laid off following the Activision Blizzard acquisition.

May 2025:
Microsoft announced a further 6,000 layoffs as part of an organizational shift.

June 2025:
Additional layoffs, including 650 in the gaming business, focused on corporate and support functions

6h agoReplies(2)
Obscure_Observer6h ago

"They will have fired close to 20,000 people all up after this round of lay-offs coming, since the ABK deal announcement in January 2022. Shocking really"

It's not that shocking considering these numbers aren't just Xbox numbers as you're deliberately trying to make it seem for some reason.

Interestingly, another no shocking fact is that whenever Microsoft releases its quarterly earnings reports, you're quick to point out that those numbers aren't exclusive to Xbox. Yeah... go figure.

Ganif3h ago

They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it, and before they closed down 4 studios including Arkane and Tango.

I remember Satya boasting about how compassionate he was for splitting the list 50/50 across the two companies.

3h ago
Obscure_Observer1h ago

"They also fired around 2500 people across Microsoft's gaming divisions and Zenimax shortly after buying it"

Bring your sources. I´ll wait.

Hereandthere4h ago

Let's hope its not as bad as socials are making it, good luck to those that unfortunately lose their jobs.

4h ago
Lightning773h ago

Could be not as bad could be horrible. But it's Ms so I'm expecting the absolute worst.

-Foxtrot3h ago

Sometimes I feel like they brought in Sarah to take the heat away from Phil.

Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs.

The person who should be let go is Phil himself.

RhinoGamer881h ago

Phil and his inner circle of circle jerk bros like AG.

Obscure_Observer54m ago

"Phil has always stuck his nose into everything Xbox related when it's something positive or at least neutral but as soon as they went the multiplatform root he's stood back and let Sarah do most of the talking in terms of PR. Now they are doing the same with layoffs."

You have no idea what you´re talking about.

*IF* Microsoft decides to address the upcoming layoffs, Matt Booty will be the one in the spotlight since he is the president of XGS.

Phil will probably be on some bs drama later doing interviews telling people how "devastated" and "sorry" he is for those affected while wiping away his tears with money.

Sarah is the President of Xbox (hardware) so she will be better off taking care of hers business and let both Matt and Phil face the backlash.

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300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils3d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent752d ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

4d ago Replies(1)
isarai4d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning774d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher3d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor3d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde3d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey862d ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

3d ago Replies(2)
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90°

The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative is close to its final deadline

Ross Scott—also known as Accursed Farms on YouTube—has been fighting tooth and nail for almost a full year to help spearhead game preservation. Starting after it was announced that Ubisoft's The Crew would be shutting down, permanently ending support for the game, Scott launched the "Stop Killing Games" initiative.

That makes a twofold deadline for the Stop Killing Games initiative. Or, at least, one headed up by Scott: The UK petition, which ends July 14, and the EU Citizens' Initiative, which ends July 3.

M3talDiamond7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

If you live in the EU then Please sign this or our game ownership rights and game preservation is
at stake. I know there isnt much time left but please consider signing the petition

-Foxtrot6d ago

I never knew Ross Scott was doing this

I love Freemans Mind

Inverno6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

People whine and in the end don't do a thing. Then whine more when they get screwed some more smh. If this makes it then it'll be monumental for consumers. That Pirate software guy was no help either smh.

GazCBG5d ago

The EU Date is the 31st July not the 3rd

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