The first LGBT+ video games characters

[χKai]

I don't believe I am familiar with that game?

It's a hack of Zelda Link to the Past. Fantastic game with a great premise, just tired of the LGBT (mainly the "T") only ever present in media as the butt of a joke.

 

[Yousef]

It's a hack of Zelda Link to the Past. Fantastic game with a great premise, just tired of the LGBT (mainly the "T") only ever present in media as the butt of a joke.

? agree
Aldi didn’t know about that hack

 

[χKai]

? agree
Aldi didn’t know about that hack

It is seriously on the level with Parallel Worlds, perhaps even slightly better.
I thought PW was  fantastic, don't know why people needed a remodel though. ?

 

[Clippy]

Now that time for seriousness is over.

 

[AnonymousCookieMonster]

The sexuality of the characters is unknown until you start selecting the right choices in conversation. Then when it gets relevant the characters start talking about sex. Like Liara explaining the sexual attitudes of her culture only becomes relevant when you talk to her on the ship multiple times. She doesn't show up and announce: "Hey guys, I'm pansexual!".

Exactly. Unless it's time for it to be an important factor or you're seeking it out, it shouldn't be present (or at least in very subtle yet fun ways/hints). Shoving it in your face as an introduction is just wrong.

Actually other than BG3 (with the 'you can fuck a bear' shock value thrown out there before release) i didn't know there were romance options for any of those classic games. (Not referring to mass effect or Dragon age)

There are a lot of RPGs and Dating Sims where sexuality comes into play with specific romance scenes.

Dating sims where it's all about getting to know the person, certainly. But it shouldn't be one of the first sentences they say (unless they are say autistic and don't know how to communicate at all). But no doubt you would be getting into those details (especially if it's eroge) a lot faster than say an adventure game.

Visual novels... well written can do whatever, it's a linear story like reading a book. (well there may be branching paths, but they don't branch that much)

 

[tropicalavera]

I think this idea of "don't ask - don't tell" is fairly dull. I appreciate that some characters are written poorly, and the idea of someone just immediately stating their sexual orientation or queer identity might be unusual to some - but I bet y'all don't bat a lash when Ezio Auditore is sleeping around town with pretty young ladies at the start of Assassin's Creed 2; when Morte makes passes at every woman you encounter right from the start in Planescape Torment; when Panther Curaso immediately flirts with Krystal in Star Fox; when FF6 Edgar is introduced as a self-proclaimed ladies' man (despite being pretty bad at it); when we hear all about Travis Touchdown's DVD rentals in NMH; when Master Roshi EXISTS????. We accept the trope of the cishet cassonova; the lovable pervert; the dirty old man; the chick magnet; the guy who is VERY happy to tell everyone just how straight he is - but ofc it's WEIRD when the queers do it. You have to accept that love, sex, attraction, family, community are all big factors to just about anyone's self-identity, goals and aspirations - and that a person might reveal things about themselves in any number of ways.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

I think this idea of "don't ask - don't tell" is fairly dull. I appreciate that some characters are written poorly, and the idea of someone just immediately stating their sexual orientation or queer identity might be unusual to some - but I bet y'all don't bat a lash when Ezio Auditore is sleeping around town with pretty young ladies at the start of Assassin's Creed 2; when Morte makes passes at every woman you encounter right from the start in Planescape Torment; when Panther Curaso immediately flirts with Krystal in Star Fox; when FF6 Edgar is introduced as a self-proclaimed ladies' man (despite being pretty bad at it); when we hear all about Travis Touchdown's DVD rentals in NMH; when Master Roshi EXISTS????. We accept the trope of the cishet cassonova; the lovable pervert; the dirty old man; the chick magnet; the guy who is VERY happy to tell everyone just how straight he is - but ofc it's WEIRD when the queers do it. You have to accept that love, sex, attraction, family, community are all big factors to just about anyone's self-identity, goals and aspirations - and that a person might reveal things about themselves in any number of ways.

Edgar and Master Roshi were always offputting to me. Not because of the cassanova thing, but the subtle pedophilia. Something that we shouldn't be normalizing as a culture. So don't assume that everyone loves those types of characters.

To me its not so much about the "Don't ask don't tell", but it is a sign of those who give their sexual identity far too much importance. To a small segment of the audience those characteristics are extremely important because they want to read stories about queer characters and their struggles. That's why shows like "Queer as Folk" and "Orange is the new Black" are popular. But there's a larger amount of people who simply don't care about those issues. Just like there's nothing wrong with liking those types of stories, there's nothing wrong with rolling your eyes at someone who thinks their story is really deep because the protagonist is a pansexual, non-binary person.

 

[DeeboDeebo's icon]

I think this idea of "don't ask - don't tell" is fairly dull. I appreciate that some characters are written poorly, and the idea of someone just immediately stating their sexual orientation or queer identity might be unusual to some - but I bet y'all don't bat a lash when Ezio Auditore is sleeping around town with pretty young ladies at the start of Assassin's Creed 2; when Morte makes passes at every woman you encounter right from the start in Planescape Torment; when Panther Curaso immediately flirts with Krystal in Star Fox; when FF6 Edgar is introduced as a self-proclaimed ladies' man (despite being pretty bad at it); when we hear all about Travis Touchdown's DVD rentals in NMH; when Master Roshi EXISTS????. We accept the trope of the cishet cassonova; the lovable pervert; the dirty old man; the chick magnet; the guy who is VERY happy to tell everyone just how straight he is - but ofc it's WEIRD when the queers do it. You have to accept that love, sex, attraction, family, community are all big factors to just about anyone's self-identity, goals and aspirations - and that a person might reveal things about themselves in any number of ways.

100%. The “just don’t shove it down our faces” argument is so easy to see through and doesn’t make a lick of sense.

 

[Yousef]

100%. The “just don’t shove it down our faces” argument is so easy to see through and doesn’t make a lick of sense.

I agree with you and tropical. People really overreact :/. It’s just double standards and basic queerphobia from people who feel the need to sound important by objecting to the inclusion of a gay or trans character.

 

[DRAKKO]

100%. The “just don’t shove it down our faces” argument is so easy to see through and doesn’t make a lick of sense.

and yet is the only personality trait that they have, it really shows in modern gaming a lot, just give the gays some actually personality. ( > _ O )

 

[Yousef]

and yet is the only personality trait that they have, it really shows in modern gaming a lot, just give the gays some actually personality. ( > _ O )

One small thing I’ll add to your comment (and this is obviously just my opinion) and also adding to what I said earlier, the gay reps issue is way bigger. Literally. I’ve mentioned not liking life is strange and I really don’t, so it’s hard to care it has good lesbian reps when I don’t like the actual game.
Guilty gear is a franchise I enjoy and it has decent reps on the virtue of guilty gear itself being a fun and engaging series.
Just my two cents.

 

[DeeboDeebo's icon]

What do you mean by 'not good representation'? Yes, they happen to be bad people but it's not because they're gay. This sort of thing is why I hate the modern trend of making characters gay and shoving it down our throats. YOU CAN HAVE GAY CHARACTERS WITHOUT MAKING THEIR GAYNESS THE ONLY NOTABLE THING ABOUT THEM. The few gay people I know are more than just their sexual preferences and gaming (or other media) plots could stand to take that into account and write deep and complex characters who aren't defined by not being straight.

They meant that there’s a storied history of gay characters being depicted as deviants and criminals—this is largely because of the Hays Code being introduced (at least in the US). There wasn’t really any room, by code of law, to depict gay or trans individuals as people that existed with normal lives. When examples of early queer representation in media largely include killers, creeps and other violent criminals, this is what we mean by “bad representation”. It’s why being able to depict, or ever center, LGBTQAI+ lives and experiences means so much to so many.

I hadn’t even seen your post though, until I saw a reply to it ;-)

 

[Yousef]

They meant that there’s a storied history of gay characters being depicted as deviants and criminals—this is largely because of the Hays Code being introduced (at least in the US). There wasn’t really any room, by code of law, to depict gay or trans individuals as people that existed with normal lives. When examples of early queer representation in media largely include killers, creeps and other violent criminals, this is what we mean by “bad representation”. It’s why being able to depict, or ever center, LGBTQAI+ lives and experiences means so much to so many.

I hadn’t even seen your post though, until I saw a reply to it ;-)

Well said ?

 

[tropicalavera]

Edgar and Master Roshi were always offputting to me. Not because of the cassanova thing, but the subtle pedophilia. Something that we shouldn't be normalizing as a culture. So don't assume that everyone loves those types of characters.

Ahh, my apologies - I wasn't trying to suggest that these are all likeable characters. I was moreso responding to the sentiment of:

No disrespect intended, but if you can point out that someone is LGBTQ-whatever, then you've just failed.

Just trying to point out that being able to 'point out' an aspect of a character that probably paints their entire world view; the people they love; the company they keep; their goals and aspirations etc. is not bad writing or otherwise inherently flawed. Sorry for any confusion!

Also, after some further research it seems that OP was correct and that Le Crime du Parking is the first clear example of a gay character in videogames all the way back in '85! We have to skip ahead to '89 to find our first openly queer text though:

with inadvertent transfem icons Birdo and Poison appearing in '88, and '89 respectively!

 

[SuperGamer61499]

Dating sims where it's all about getting to know the person, certainly. But it shouldn't be one of the first sentences they say (unless they are say autistic and don't know how to communicate at all). But no doubt you would be getting into those details (especially if it's eroge) a lot faster than say an adventure game.

Visual novels... well written can do whatever, it's a linear story like reading a book. (well there may be branching paths, but they don't branch that much)

My point is people are complicated. sexuality is a part of people. I'm not asking for it to be the first sentence but if you can have straight characters like Lupin in anime and manga openly love specific women I don't think gay people being openly in love is a bad approach. (I figured the VN example or dating sims would be good examples of how sexuality has to be integral to the writing beyond just personality traits.)

Character writing can often openly impact plot. I feel like Persona 4's for example is all about finding the truth enshrouded in fogs. But that also means you have to accept the parts of yourself to be able to awaken to your power. (Like Kanji) The reason why it doesn't matter for examples like Luke Skywalker or Kyle Reese is because the story chooses not to focus on those specific thematic parts of the character.

Luke and Kyle's journey have more to do with fighting a grand evil that visibly destroys the balance of peace. And Luke has guidance through a former Jedi to get more curious beyond Tatooine on the farm and explore the grander part of the universe. Naturally, it wouldn't lead to sexuality being part of the story or character writing. (But not all stories operate the same. Or have the same narrative intents.)

And don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of subtle character writing given Cowboy Bebop is my favorite anime. And that has a lot of subtext and visual symbolism to convey like what the characters are thinking. But I think that's why it's an execution thing primarily with subtle vs open with any type of sexuality. And is not tied to a certain way of writing characters being weak or poor. Just like how Lupin is a cool guy but he does love women openly. It's just not the whole extent of Lupin ya know.

 

[Strategist's iconStrategist]

Just trying to point out that being able to 'point out' an aspect of a character that probably paints their entire world view; the people they love; the company they keep; their goals and aspirations etc. is not bad writing or otherwise inherently flawed. Sorry for any confusion!

Agreed, it is not inherently flawed for sure. Like I said before, there are games I've enjoyed with queer characters. I mentioned a few of them. Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, Witcher, etc... but those characters were characters first and their sexuality was second. It seems like in some modern games you are supposed to like characters without knowing much about them aside from their sexuality or minority status and that is simply not effective writing for a lot of people.

Personally, I find it off-putting when people make sexuality their personality and it has nothing to do with gay or straight. Like the guy whos like all macho and talks constantly about how many women they sleep with. The same for the gay person who things who they sleep with is the only important thing about them. That's not a characteristic that would make a character likeable in my opinion, but modern games want you to like personalities like these.

 

[DeeboDeebo's icon]

Not to my knowledge

Yes. He told me.
Edit: LOL I’m sorry I meant to reply to “Is pac man gay?”

 

[NobodyHere]

Agreed, it is not inherently flawed for sure. Like I said before, there are games I've enjoyed with queer characters. I mentioned a few of them. Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect, Witcher, etc... but those characters were characters first and their sexuality was second. It seems like in some modern games you are supposed to like characters without knowing much about them aside from their sexuality or minority status and that is simply not effective writing for a lot of people.

Personally, I find it off-putting when people make sexuality their personality and it has nothing to do with gay or straight. Like the guy whos like all macho and talks constantly about how many women they sleep with. The same for the gay person who things who they sleep with is the only important thing about them. That's not a characteristic that would make a character likeable in my opinion, but modern games want you to like personalities like these.

Totally agree, it’s easier for people to point it out when the character isn’t present as straight. Heterosexual relationships are the expected, so it’s presented as normal for example a male character’s whole personality to be that he gets a lot of ladies vice versa. I think it’s also the label that makes queer relationships stand out more, I mean just the title queer is a good example in it’s self. What’s normalized and what isn’t really shapes people’s perspective of things.

 

[Zemus]

Copying what I said here:

Spoiler: Hotel Dusk Chapter 7

As someone who doesn't tend to care for diversity initiatives, the "only kiss I've known in years" line was brilliant and even went over my head on my first playthrough. That's how you show people can get along despite deep-seated differences, if you ask me: taking their acceptance for granted.

 

[Leon]

I will allow this topic to remain open out of respect for the OP's genuine intent to have a discussion on it, but please keep it civil, guys.

Best of luck of keeping it civil, it's arguably a political topic.

---
Honestly the first game i can think of that had openly gay characters was a rpg on the snes but the name escapes me.

 

[χKai]

Best of luck of keeping it civil, it's arguably a political topic.

---
Honestly the first game i can think of that had openly gay characters was a rpg on the snes but the name escapes me.

If you find out, please let us know!
I'm sure the LGBT forum members would appreciate experiencing some representation in early gaming. ?

 

[faceless0man]

What do you mean by 'not good representation'? Yes, they happen to be bad people but it's not because they're gay. This sort of thing is why I hate the modern trend of making characters gay and shoving it down our throats. YOU CAN HAVE GAY CHARACTERS WITHOUT MAKING THEIR GAYNESS THE ONLY NOTABLE THING ABOUT THEM. The few gay people I know are more than just their sexual preferences and gaming (or other media) plots could stand to take that into account and write deep and complex characters who aren't defined by not being straight.

Bro who let you FOCKEN COOK LIKE THIS ! thats what i been saying to my buds for ages , just make the gay characters acuel people rather then average Steve that likes d , cmon now they be making character either godlike beings or "never can do wrong" type stuff which is so weird saying or thinking there is no evil gay people or bad ones , give us gay villains with good Backstory,i don't want the villain to mention he is gay every 5 mins into the game

Good example
Chris red Field from resident evil , there are many scenes where he is implied to be homosexual or at least not interested in woman in the games , especially look at resident evil revelations where Chris is CLOSE with that one specific soldier guy in game,

Summary wanna make good representing and good LGBT characters? Make them like acuel people, normal people don't yell out what they like nor they need to prove themselves 24/7 to everyone around them

My good friend who is gay i didn't even knew bro was gay ?? he told me after i asked him whats his type was lol

Post automatically merged: Jan 11, 2025

Is pacman gay?

Duh ? eating all that ghost ahh and shi bro is freaky like that ,but he bi i think homie goes after the pink one as well

 

[DeeboDeebo's icon]

Duh ? eating all that ghost ahh and shi bro is freaky like that ,but he bi i think homie goes after the pink one as well

I think the Pac-Man series would have been more well-received if he wasn’t always throwing his sexuality in everyone’s face ?

 

[χKai]

I think the Pac-Man series would have been more well-received if he wasn’t always throwing his sexuality in everyone’s face ?

He's a glizzy gobbler

 

[faceless0man]

He's a glizzy gobbler

Ectoplasm swallower ??