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.

[CustardTrout]

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

[Silly Mammo]

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

[StanLee]

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-310]

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.

[joab777]

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.

[Mainsqueeze]

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-123]

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.

[VanillaBear]

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_BLM]

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

[Thatguy-310]

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

[VanillaBear]

...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"

[bootyCheese116]

+2 for raping aliens & babies

[MadLad]

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_Reborn]

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

[Gamefan12]

can an "alien" be gay?

[JellyJelly]

Of course. A gaylien.

[a08andan]

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.

[Apex13]

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 Musashi]

"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.

[Smashbro29]

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

[Apex13]

Agreed and my point exactly...sort of

[LightofDarkness]

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.

[ziggurcat]

good god, if that happened it'd be an endless barrage of homophobia and narrow-mindedness.

people had a difficult enough time coming to grips with just the *option* to allow your character to have a same-sex relationship...

[Coltrane_C]

lol @ Anderson Cooper

[Skateboard]

That guy is sooooo annoying, his fame and fortune all comes from his mommy.

[Skateboard]

I don't know what to say about this. LOL. Sure if the story is done right. I feel bad for the gay community cause they get insulted for being who they are, disgusting human behavior to insult someone because of that.

I hope all bigots get ball cancer or breast cancer.

[JBSleek]

No. Society isn't ready for that to be honest. It would have backlash and Fox would be going crazy and Christians would flip and those who hate them would boycott.

Also to create someone to be gay just to cause a stir isn't really smart. Now if there was a reason for him to be gay sure but gay for the sake of gay, I say no.

[dillydadally]

Ug, no. This is so stupid. I's so sick of all this shoving your sexual orientation in your face just to make some sort of point. This is a video game, not some public service announcement. What does who the main character like to have sex with have anything to do with gameplay? I wouldn't want a game where the main character goes around saying "Hey look sir, just so you know, I like to have sex with men!" I don't go around telling people I like to have sex with women. Who you like to have sex with is your business and I'm sick of it getting shoved in everyone's face!

Now if it was just mentioned in a very appropriate place in a game, that's fine. I have a LOT of respect for Anderson Cooper - why? Because of the reason he said he didn't think it was important to come out until now. He wasn't hiding it. He said, frankly, it was nobody's business and wasn't applicable to what he was doing at his job, but in the current circumstance, he thought it was important. That's how it should be if it was in a video game.

[MetalProxy]

Dude that Crystalis avatar ****ing rocks!One of my favorite games that I still have with its box...sorry got excited, but Iam also so sick of people shoving there sexual preference in my face. Almost seams like its the thing to do these days. I guess it can be a magical experence to come out the closet and feel like they have to tell people :/ . Thats great and all but its none of my business. I feel better not knowing.

[dillydadally]

Thanks MetalProxy :) Definitely one of the greatest games ever made. I'm just glad someone recognized it! For such an incredible game, it's sad how many people have never even heard of it!

And I agree about the pushing sexual orientation thing. I mean, I completely understand they are fighting for their rights and acceptance, and I respect that. I also like how all the conversation has eliminated a lot of the bigotry and misunderstandings surrounding gay people. But I just feel like there's something wrong when the very first time I talk to a person their sex life comes up as a major topic in the conversation. It's getting to be where I can't do anything without having a message or agenda shoved down my throat and I'm hoping that if they do have a gay character in a video game, it will be more tasteful than that.

[Jadedz]

It's a Nintendo Wii game, developed by Monolith Soft.

[pinwheelherman]

Does anyone remember the controversy surrounding Rockstar's Bully when it was discovered that you could kiss a boy? Just this one action, which has no bearing on the story, caused a media frenzy. As much as I like publishers taking risks, I'd hate to see a great game get negative press because homophobes can't handle the main character's sexuality. Then again, I suppose someone has to break the ice.

Oh, and by the way, Bully rules. Go play it.

[Veni Vidi Vici]

I really couldn't care less about if a person is gay or not but I don't want to see it. If a game came out with a character that was gay, they'd probably show them kissing or worse. Sorry, I DON'T want to see that. I know most people probably don't want to see it either.

So unless the character being gay is an integral part of the story, what's the point of making the lead character gay? The only thing I can think of is if it's a gay female and they want to fulfill some stupid girl-on-girl fantasy for immature guys. Otherwise, there's no reason to do it other than just trying to shove some agenda down our throat to try to include every minority out there.

If it's relevant to the story, it's fine. If not, don't do it unless the game's target audience is gay people.

[refocusedman]

I'm sorry but, I think this article is exploitive. Why would a characters sexual preference have any bearing on a videogame. I for one play games for entertainment, I just don't see what being gay or straight has to do with Videogames

[LewisDenby]

Because sexual identity reaches far beyond the act of sex and relationships. Games are steeped in heteronormativity, there's no denying that. But more tangibly, games are increasingly story-driven, and enjoy featuring romantic subplots. The LGBTQ community - as with many ethnic groups - is horrendously under-represented. This stuff matters.

[limewax]

No it doesn't. You claim it matters but you don't speak for the majority and nor do I.

Please explain to me how it would be hugely beneficial?

Basically a game based around gay love is going to cater only to a minority. Certain genres of games are being completely neglected and you suggest shoehorned gay love?

I'm up for seeing changes in gaming but this is just unnecessary. A characters sexual orientation is the last thing I think about and I believe many would agree that it's completely irrelevant to the core game experience.

And I truly fail to see a way to design a game that requires a gay character without restricting the gaming and turning it into an interactive romantic movie.

I play for gameplay and sexual orientation is not going to affect that unless the gameplay revolves around what happens in the bedroom to begin with.

[ChunkyLover53]

I think most men are fine with gay women being in video games, I suspect it'd be a different tune if it were men though.

I probably wouldn't want to play as a gay character if they were forcing that fact down your throat simply for exploitation.

The funny part is that we've already played games where the developers or creators envisioned the character as homosexual. I'd say that 80-90% of the time a characters sexuality doesn't even come up.

[CyrusNightshade]

Why?

I dont see any reason to do so. This is just another way people are trying to push their agenda. I really dont care who you have sex with, and at the same time dont really want to know, Gay or Straight.

Besides there are already games where you can make your character Gay/Bi.

[George Sears]

Raiden lulz

[Fyflin]

I don't think the games industry is mature enough, by a long shot. What mature games do we actually have, outside of say, Heavy Rain? The Witcher 2? Mass Effect? The Metal Gear series? Slim pickings.

Writing in games needs to come on a long, long way before an openly gay protagonist would work.

That's assuming their sexuality has any impact on the game. You can be bisexual/gay in Mass Effect and that basically only affects the interaction between the characters outside of the missions/gameplay. It doesn't alter the gameplay in any way and that's where the problem lies. At the moment, gameplay (for the most part) always comes ahead of storytelling. If a game isn't enjoyable to play, most people won't play it, regardless of the story, or in this case, the protagonist's sexuality.

[UnsoberSamurai]

Time for Fear Effect 3 and full on gal on gal relationships!

[clarkjudo]

It is never a good time to push something many people feel is an unnatural and or offensive life style agenda. To be fair to everyone, if people need it so bad for some reason. Offer it as DLC only.

[DigitalRaptor]

If it meant that character would be a overtly camp irritating drama queen stereotype, then no. That would be dreadful and an embarrassment towards the medium. If they mean a person who lives their life like a regular person and simply likes a penis then I have nothing against that.

[2pacalypsenow]

why are people trying to push gays so much ? why doe everything have to have gay in it damn!

[Smokingunz]

The answer is no! And we will never be ready to see that!