When it comes to identity and self-expression in video games, we still have a long way to go. But this Pride month, I want to celebrate where we’re at.
I, for one, remember feeling thrilled to flirt with Chloe Price after school. I was interested in creating a character that reflected my real self – or picking a different body type to my own – in games like Cyberpunk: 2077. Playing The Sims gave me a low-stakes environment to try out different kinds of families, relationships, and preferences without any pressure to make a hard-and-fast decision about who I wanted to be for the rest of the playthrough.
From the games that give you extensive character customisation to those that allow you to explore your sexuality with colourful romance options, we have a whole assortment of titles that have been pivotal in helping LGBTQAI+ players all over the world feel seen, heard, and valued.
Baldur’s Gate 3: being yourself & romantic freedom – Lauren Skinner
What race did you pick the first time you played Baldur’s Gate 3? Was it a Drow, who operate in a strict matriarchal (read: WLW) society? Or perhaps a Tiefling (strong bi/pan choice), or a High Elf (famously non-binary – just look at Astarion)?
Whatever your preference, these races only start the customisation off. From the moment your character is created, the game offers a level of modification that goes beyond traditional gaming norms.
You can choose your hair and eyes, of course, but also your body type, voice, skin colour and a variety of marks, your genitals, and even decorative options like body art and make-up. Mods give you a deeper level of personalisation that resonates hard, particularly with LGBTQIA+ players, who have historically found limited opportunities to see themselves reflected in video games. Now, everyone can create a character and ultimately an experience that feels authentic to them, making the Forgotten Realms an incredibly inclusive and welcoming world where self-expression is outwardly encouraged.
And it doesn’t stop there. The game’s romance system is flexible enough to allow repeat playthroughs and a whole intricate tapestry of romantic plots, because players can build meaningful relationships with a wide range of companions.
It doesn’t matter if you’re masc or femme – Karlach will treat you just as kindly no matter how you present. Astarion can be submissive or dominant-leaning, depending on how you want to form a bond with him (but with consent, of course – it’s key in his story). Wyll might seem straighter than a Barbarian’s rush attack, but he’s a sweetheart no matter which way you swing.
These romances aren’t just fun things to pursue at camp: they are presented as a natural part of the world. They’re woven into the broader narrative, helping players develop deeper bonds with companions and shaping how they experience the story. Treating LGBTQIA+ romances as crucial parts of the game, instead of optional side content, is incredibly validating, allowing everyone to feel like they belong in the adventure.
Hades, Zagreus, and the liberation of masculinity – Rob Booth
For decades, the ‘action hero’ blueprint in media has presented us with an array of stoic, gruff men. Enter Zagreus in Hades. Zagreus is openly bisexual (or pansexual), polyamorous, empathetic, and tender—yet also remarkably strong and capable. Through him, Hades proves that male protagonists don’t need to shed their vulnerability in order to be powerful.
Traditional gaming tropes dictate that a son trapped in Hell by an abusive, cold father should respond with pure rage. We only have to look at Kratos in the God of War series for a near-direct example of this. However, while Zagreus is determined to break free, his interactions with the world and the people around him are defined by emotional maturity rather than anger and rage.
Through his efforts to reunite Achilles and Patroclus, we see that he is actively invested in the emotional well-being of others. Countless interactions throughout the game show that Zagreus isn’t afraid to express affection. You only have to look at his gentle reassurance of the self-conscious Dusa. Even his romance paths are defined by deep mutual respect and strict boundaries.
Why This Matters
I’ve always seen Pride Month as being about the freedom to be your authentic self - breaking out of the rigid boxes that society places us in. For male players, straight and queer alike, Zagreus offers a liberating template of what positive masculinity can look like. He embraces beauty, loves openly, feels his feelings, and defies the toxic, patriarchal nature of his father’s house.
By letting us step into the shoes of a protagonist who wins through empathy almost as much as he does with a sword, Hades hasn’t just given the world a bisexual icon; it’s given us a blueprint for how to be a better, more emotionally available man.
Tell Me Why: the first major transgender protagonist in a mainstream game – Lauren Skinner
When I first booted up the episodic, narrative-driven adventure game Tell Me Why, I didn’t realise that our protagonist was a trans man.
In a way, that’s fantastic. To me, he was our outgoing main character who loves nature, calls out injustice, and struggles to trust people. And when more of his backstory is unravelled – his struggles to get his family to call him by his chosen name, his issues with his mother, his separation from his cisgender twin, Alyson – it was even more fantastic to realise the character I had emphasised with so deeply is someone with a very different life experience than my own.
Having a transgender character front and centre – not having their entire arc be about their transgender identity, but as an incidental but essential part of their character – is important. Through video games, we can tell diverse stories that resonate with a wider audience: whether by helping trans players feel valued and recognised within the gaming community, or by encouraging understanding and empathy amongst those who are less familiar with transgender experiences.
And what’s even better is that Tyler is never once treated as a victim by the plot. Historically, it has been assumed (or perpetuated) that transgenderism correlates strongly with trauma. Sure, he has significant emotional baggage now. But as we learn as we explore Delos Crossing, Alaska, and the snowy cabin at the edge of a frigid lake, he identified as trans long before the harrowing events of his childhood happened. He is a well-adjusted man, despite his trauma.
Ultimately, Tyler is witty, caring, and snarky all at once, but it’s always shown to be as a result of his personality, not because he’s transgender. And that kind of representation is absolutely vital.
Life Is Strange & the freedom of choice – Sophie Jones
Every Life is Strange game puts you at the centre of a mystery where your choices shape both the story and its cast of characters. But it's the relationships you build along the way that stay with you long after the credits roll.
For me, Max and Chloe still define the series. What begins as a childhood friendship slowly develops into something deeper, and by the latest game, Reunion, the tension’s undeniable. You can, of course, keep them as friends, but the game lets you explore their relationship however you choose, and that choice has a knock on effect on some of the game's key moments.
In Double Exposure, you follow Max beyond her history with Chloe, and the game continues to let you define her through the romances you do or don’t pursue. Both options feel authentic, adding emotional depth without one feeling more 'canon' than the other. That sense of ownership makes it easier to root for Max, even when she’s breaking reality. For me, it had to be Amanda, the complete opposite of Chloe and exactly what Max needed amidst all the chaos.
Beyond Max and Chloe, the series features a range of relationships, from Sean and Finn in Life is Strange 2 to Alex Chen's options in True Colours. These relationships are what make every choice hurt. They draw you in, get you invested and then break you when you inevitably have to make that life-or-death decision. Yes, I’m referencing Arcadia Bay here!
Life is Strange may not let you create your own character, but it gives you freedom of choice. Romances never feel forced, instead becoming a natural part of the narrative and expanding the experience beyond the main events. What makes this more meaningful is the ability to pursue relationships that resonate with you, shaping a story that feels uniquely your own.
The Last of Us & relatable queer characters – Lauren Skinner
Plenty of us have fallen in love with Ellie from The Last of Us, whether that’s more recently in the TV show, or long ago when the zombie-popping, dad-and-daughter duo exploded onto our PS3 screens, Ellie’s sassy, resilient, endearing personality has endured as a staple in video gaming.
The Left Behind expansion of the first game introduced us to her close relationship with Riley, revealing Ellie’s first romantic feelings and confirming her as a lesbian character. For just a while, the best friends can forget the horrible world around them and just be kids, exploring an abandoned mall, playing on a carousel, taking silly photos in a booth, and having a water gun fight. Ellie can explore the adolescent that has largely been denied to her – and her growing feelings for Riley – in this makeshift playground caught between time and space. The relationship resonates with many LGBTQAI+ players largely because the girls are portrayed as two teenagers discovering their feelings for one another naturally and authentically.
When The Last of Us 2 continued the story, we got to know Ellie even better. She takes centre stage as the main protagonist, and her relationship with Dina, both in Jackson and when they take to the streets, is portrayed with depth and emotional realism. For me, it helped to normalise same-sex relationships within mainstream gaming, particularly with how the writers were so willing to portray a queer relationship with the same complexity and emotional weight as a straight one.
I connected with Ellie because she is a fully formed, authentic character. She isn’t perfect; she’s not even likeable, sometimes. But that’s real, and only adds to how relatable she is as our protagonist.
Pride, all year round
However these games came to be, we’re very grateful at Zatu that the developers chose to write characters and storylines that reflect the experiences of LGBTQAI+ people all around the world. And as talent and expertise continue to grow in the video game world, we’re happy that aspects like character creators and romance systems are also being given the space to become more expansive and inclusive.
Long may this upward trend continue!
Have you got a favourite video game, or aspect of one, that has helped you feel welcomed and included, both inside these pixelated worlds and outside? We’d love to hear about them, so please let us know via the Zatu socials.
