Poll: Would you play a game where the main character was gay?

[ryuutchi]

The question I have to pose is: why does a homosexual character's sexuality have to be "plot-relevant", when the heterosexual character's sexuality doesn't?

A homosexual's, or a heterosexual's, sexuality should be 'plot-relevant', or otherwise removed form the game. If it doesn't matter, why put it in at all? It's just marketing otherwise. Leave it up to the imagination. Gordon Freeman could be gay. Who knows? He doesn't say anything! But, more importantly: It doesn't matter. He still kicks ass, regardless.

The problem is, if you don't make it clear (see re: my examples about using a homosexual relationship the same as you would a heterosexual one) the default is ALWAYS going to be heterosexuality. This is what is known in activist and academic circles as "heteronormativity"-- in other words, heterosexuality is considered "normal", therefore, if sexuality is not mentioned, then it will be assumed that the character is heterosexual.

Considering the dearth of homosexual characters who have relationships in any game canon and the ubiquity of heterosexual character who do have relationships in game canons, I don't see why people are acting as though having a homosexual relationship in a game canon (if used in the same manner as a heterosexual one) is "bringing attention to the homosexual relationship" or any more or less plot-relevant than a heterosexual one.

No, that's a lie. I understand it perfectly. The reasoning is "If it's done in a way so that I can imagine the homosexual characters don't exist, then it's okay."

 

[AdmiralWolverineLightningbolt]

i wouldnt, but not cause im prejudiced but just cause if the character's sexuality has a need to even be mentioned, i would like it to represent my own

And you think that bothers gay people when playing 99.9% of games? Well it does a little but its ignored.

There has been suspect gay/bi main characters in gaming. Solid snake, Chris (Resident evil) and possibly even Gordon Freeman. Both Chris and Gordon has smoking hot women throwing themselves at them and they don't even notice/care.

Theres also Voldo, Liquid snake, Vamp, Raikov, Tingle (Spit), Hanah and Rain (from Fear Effect), Birdo, Alfred Ashford, to name just a few.


To be honest when i reverse this, playing straight characters don't bother me unless they are steriotypical (Which seems to be the same reasoning here too about gay characters). Games with women throwing themselves at gun toting and nauseatingly macho men irritate the life out of me. But then again a camp gay man as a main character sleeping his way through a bar would annoy me too.

but like that's my point
none of these characters express their sexuality and same goes for most "straight" gaming characters
if for whatever reason, they do need to show their characters' sexuality then i want it to be my own, i dont want to be playing through as a gay guy (or a lesbian) trying to find their partner (to be fair, i wouldnt want to play that as a straight guy either, sounds kinda boring)

but you get the point

 

[KaiRai]

I still played MGS2 and liked it

 

[Mozillo]

I'd say yes to both. I think it would be a good twist on a film, there would be a fairly unique sense of humour in the game... as long as the main character's main attack isn't some kind of mostly wrist flailing slap...

 

[Captain_Caveman]

Lesbian only.

Why? Because, If you end up knowing their sexuality there's probably some sexual situations; and I don't want to see any guy on guy action.

I'm not homophobic, but that doesn't mean i should be ok w/ watching it.

 

[AlexanderZero]

I would play a game especially if the main the character was gay.

 

[bindox]

So I get to the end of the game, I have just beaten it on the highest difficulty (THE GAME, THE GAME. Sheesh people.) and I watch the final cut scene and I realize that my character is gay. Um, ok, that didn't effect me one iota. On to the next game.

 

[Zerrier]

Never fucking ever!

Short story: Im a homophobe.

Long story: Waaaay too long.

 

[Littaly]

Yes, unless it was trying to sell on the game on the fact that it featured a gay main character. I can easily see that going off track and spawning a shitty game.

 

[bindox]

As long as the character isn't all creepy and "showy" about it.

WHAT!?! I want the Hulk in pink spandex with matching lipstick and rouge in a video game now!!

*Did I use my out loud voice just now?*

 

[Baby Tea]

A homosexual's, or a heterosexual's, sexuality should be 'plot-relevant', or otherwise removed form the game. If it doesn't matter, why put it in at all? It's just marketing otherwise. Leave it up to the imagination. Gordon Freeman could be gay. Who knows? He doesn't say anything! But, more importantly: It doesn't matter. He still kicks ass, regardless.

The problem is, if you don't make it clear (see re: my examples about using a homosexual relationship the same as you would a heterosexual one) the default is ALWAYS going to be heterosexuality. This is what is known in activist and academic circles as "heteronormativity"-- in other words, heterosexuality is considered "normal", therefore, if sexuality is not mentioned, then it will be assumed that the character is heterosexual.

What's wrong with that? Heterosexuality is technically the way we're naturally wired. You seem to be saying that making the assumption a character is heterosexual when no indication is given either way is some sort of discrimination. I hope you aren't saying that, because that's just sensationalism. It's looking for bigotry where there is none. Look at, say, Altair from Assassin's Creed. No mention of any love interest, no mention of sexuality. What do you assume he is? Straight or gay?

The answer is: It doesn't matter. Which ever you assume or choose doesn't change anything about the dynamic of the game, or his character.

Considering the dearth of homosexual characters who have relationships in any game canon and the ubiquity of heterosexual character who do have relationships in game canons, I don't see why people are acting as though having a homosexual relationship in a game canon (if used in the same manner as a heterosexual one) is "bringing attention to the homosexual relationship" or any more or less plot-relevant than a heterosexual one.

No, that's a lie. I understand it perfectly. The reasoning is "If it's done in a way so that I can imagine the homosexual characters don't exist, then it's okay."

See, now that does strike me as sensationalism. The point is that sexuality rarely plays any role in a game. Who is thinking about what sexuality the main character is in Call of Duty? Or the sexuality of my general in Rome: Total War?
What does it matter?
Why the big deal?

This isn't some big discriminatory LAN party. Lack of gay characters in the gaming world isn't indicative of a big anti-gay cover up to exclude them from games and gaming culture. Not everyone is out to 'get the gays'.
Who cares if sexuality is in a game or not? If it is there, I would just hope that it would be done well and not as a marketing ploy. If it's sex and sexuality for the sake of itself, then gay or straight, it's useless, pointless, and there merely to shock people and/or grab their attention.

 

[Ben Legend]

We did already didn't we?

Squall in FF VIII
Tidus in FF X
Vaan in FF XII

Hohohoho, an FF hater. They clearly arent seen as all of these had some kind of romance bull storyline, but yeah there already has been... Is his name Link or something, yeah thats it Link. No straight man wears tights and a mini-skirt, or "tunic" (Yeah right, like anyone believes that.)

hahaha, not at all, i love final fantasy, even X-2... =S

 

[antipunt]

We did already didn't we?

Tidus in FF X
Vaan in FF XII

...
now that I think of it..

 

[Siris]

Yes I would

 

[BlackJack47]

This was the most smarted thread I've read on this poll.

 

[Ben Legend]

We did already didn't we?

Squall in FF VIII
Tidus in FF X
Vaan in FF XII

I don't mind gay or lesbian characters, but don't u dare insult FF...
Tidus was definitely in love with Yuna, Vaan even had 2 girls he was going for, and Squall... I dunno, never played the game.


haha, i wasn't insulting FF, I love FF, but i cant get over the fact, dont seem to have what you'd call real men as the main characters, not that i have a problem with how the main characters are portrayed.

 

[Riyka]

unless the game is heavily romanced based i fail to see how the main characters sexuality is important..
i mean would halo have been any different if the main dude was gay?

with the exception of games that are relationship based like say for example japanese hentai games XD i think it's pretty irrelevent..
and in the case of those games...uh well i guess it depends what kinda porn you like XD

 

[Fragged_Templar]

I'm gonna have to go with no... then again I've just been playing fable 2... and despite my character being straight and happily married I still had the about 20 gay men following me...

While I wouldn't play a gay or lesbian character, the possiblity to do so certainly wouldn't stop me from playing the game

 

[Xaositect]

Yeah, to both, but only under the same circumstances that I play games with heterosexual characters. You know, stuff like "if sexual orientation and sex life have to be mentioned, only do it in a natural way and not interfere with my gameplay".

Basically I say yes because under my rules, apart from the occasional mentions and occurances, nothing should be noticeably different between gay or straight.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

Is it a good game?

This. It's really all that matters.