There are several games across the spectrum that deliver a more authentic representation of nonbinary and trans experiences. “The reverse argument the developers make that they are trans-positive-and by exploiting trans bodies they portray a dystopian future to fight against-is weak and does not justify the negative representation.”

The entire point of the character designs appears to highlight their “trans” nature and in doing so reduces trans people down to their genitals,” says Kate Rayner, technical director at The Coalition, makers of Gears of War. “The game overtly fetishizes transgender women’s bodies.

Just as sexuality is simplified, so too is transness-it focuses on genitalia being the main marker of trans bodies. Arguably, it’s intensified into a fetishism of how trans bodies look. That binary continues when a character, V, is scanned, and her sexual preferences are categorized into male and female-there’s a lot of either/or.Įven with the inclusion of ranged gender expression, the either/or element is still there. We can see this in the way a lot of the environment adheres to gender norms we recognize today, such as certain clothes being for men, makeup being only for women, and so on. The LGBTQ+ games scene is “deteriorating,” Phoebe Zeitler, a trans gamer, tells WIRED. Instead, trauma mining-specifically trans trauma-is often a point of focus, an issue that could be eradicated if more trans input was brought to the table.

If developers took the time to talk with a diverse mix of LGBTQ+ gamers, they’d better appreciate the nuance needed to create well-rounded queer characters. It becomes a tired tapestry of clichés and misunderstandings, helped along by a lack of LGBTQIA+ conversations. New releases that have the opportunity to challenge the status quo often fall short, as seen in the initial feedback about Cyberpunk 2077: Fans were divided on whether the inclusion of a trans character outweighed the subtle transphobia at play in the game.Įven other so-called best efforts, like Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Last of Us 2, rely on fetishism and trauma. Change is happening, especially in the indie scene, but it’s a long process that’s creating a landscape of unpredictability. When it comes to trans and nonbinary representation, the games industry is in a state of flux.

Dragon age inquisition tapestry of fate