The Church of New Game Plus
patreon
Discussion Topic: Would Adding Bigoted Character Choices Change Gaming?
🕑 Added 2024-12-26 00:02:41 +0000 UTCI am considering publishing this piece I wrote. I'm wondering about how to address the anti-wokeness that is dominating gaming discussions. It is simply a call for discussion. I don't agree with bigotry in any of it's forms and at the same time, I'd hope that all of know what it's like to believe things and have a change of mind. I'm interested in your thoughts and the infinite perspectives that can be gained from them.
I believe videogames have the power to change minds, shape opinions, and transform reality. But the reluctance to include representation for openly racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, ableist, and any other deplorable type of person in gaming is holding us back. Indeed, even allowing the main character in the game—especially in narrative-driven single-player RPGs—to have access to choices that reflect their prejudices is preventing the medium from excelling at what it does best: letting us experience the life of another person and gaining empathy and understanding for struggles we may not face directly but can see reflected in our own lives.
Right now, there is a cultural shift in gaming. Main characters are more diverse (read: not straight white men), and storylines are becoming less cliché—fewer “white savior” and “white power fantasy” narratives. This shift has resulted in considerable backlash from members of the gaming community who have never had to wonder why the default characters in games look the way they do. Or struggle with the abject boredom associated with playing the same "white man gains unimaginable power and uses it to save the world" trope ad nauseam.
The responses from this small but vocal element of the gaming community have ranged from review bombing and boycotting to actively harassing the artists and directors of the medium they claim to enjoy. It has mostly coalesced into a self-proclaimed war against “wokeness” in gaming, led by various personalities and supported by YouTube algorithms.
What likely began as legitimate confusion about these changes has evolved into an almost religious evangelical fervor. The ministers of the anti-“woke” movement, supported by their congregations of bigots, prejudiced individuals, and gamers too naive to see the manipulation, preach that a global LGBTQ agenda is forcing wokeness down their throats. These voices believe that gaming studios are pandering to a tiny percentage of players, perpetuating what they see as a cultural takeover by “woke mobs.”
Ignoring the Problem Isn’t Working
The popular solution—to ignore these voices—has been a failure. Even though they represent a minority (about 15 to 20 million gamers compared to the 212 million in the U.S.), their impact is undeniable.
Search for a trailer for any major game release, and you’ll see their influence. Take Exodus, for example, where comments begged developers to ensure the game wasn’t “woke.” Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic—a new IP with a bald woman protagonist—had its trailer downvoted into oblivion, forcing the studio to disable comments. CD Projekt Red, creators of Cyberpunk 2077, faced backlash over The Witcher 4 simply because rumors suggested a female lead. These gamers cling to outdated, hypersexualized character archetypes because they lack the self-awareness to understand why they feel threatened by diverse representation.
Silence from developers—whether due to fear, exhaustion, or indifference—has allowed these voices to dominate.
And this dominance has shaped perceptions even among those who “just want to game.” It’s convinced players that bugs, loot boxes, and exploitative monetization are somehow caused by diverse characters, not corporate greed.
A Better Solution: Bigoted Characters in Games
If ignoring them isn’t working, and arguing with them feels pointless, what’s the solution? Include bigoted characters in games where they make sense. Let their inclusion serve the narrative and offer players the chance to reflect on prejudice—not passively, but through active choice and consequence.
Movies, TV shows, and books already feature prejudiced characters, but videogames are uniquely positioned to do this better. In games, players actively shape the story, creating opportunities for growth and self-reflection.
Take Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Taash, a nonbinary character. Beyond the issues with their writing, the game missed an opportunity to explore meaningful choices. Imagine if rejecting their identity led to strained relationships, missed quests, or a breakdown in the party dynamic. Accepting and supporting them could deepen the narrative. This wouldn’t be about punishing players but showing the natural consequences of their choices.
Imagine games where female leads experience sexism, marginalized party members face oppression, and the protagonist must decide how to respond. These challenges could be interwoven thoughtfully into the story, forcing players to confront their biases and consider the world differently.
Confronting Gaming’s Harmful Tropes
For this to work, writing and dialogue must be exceptional. Poor execution would undermine the intent and alienate players. Developers need to step up and craft stories that reflect the complexity of these issues.
Mass Effect addressed “space racism” between alien species, while Detroit: Become Human explored systemic oppression and domestic violence. These games hinted at the potential of what thoughtful writing can achieve, but gaming can—and should—go further.
Leveling Up the Player Base
Gaming is growing up. While there will always be players who just want to button-mash or ogle hypersexualized characters, the medium’s real potential lies in its ability to challenge, transform, and expand perspectives.
So, bring on the bigoted characters. Let’s level up our player base, one (actually good) story at a time.
Comments
Stephen Collins
I haven't even read this yet, but I can tell the premise itself is kinda genius, Derrick.
