Creators wishing to entertain, enlighten and express their artistic visions have always harnessed new, innovative media forms. It is no different with role-playing video games, which have evolved a long way in the last several decades. From their genesis in the 1960s with the Magnavox Odyssey to modern versions, this medium has introduced many cutting-edge concepts. Meanwhile, it also faces the ongoing challenge of including true-to-life characters who are not white, heterosexual, cisgender, abled or male.

Specifically, LGBTQ characters in video games have undergone a transformation from earlier stereotypical versions to more full-bodied individuals. Their creators have crafted complex worlds that include love and relationships, with gamers having options to roleplay same-sex romances. While it’s impossible to document every instance here, some notable examples of same-gender love deserve a spotlight.

BioWare’s Dragon Age and Mass Effect Series

Canadian game developer BioWare is one of the the most notable in the industry. They’ve demonstrated the most progressive efforts to incorporate LGBTQ characters into its video games. David Gaider, an openly gay man, was the lead writer for the popular “Dragon Age” fantasy games from 2009 until his exit from the company in 2016. Many of the series’ romanceable characters have been pansexual. This includes the elven mage Merrill, rogue-class lay religious sister Leliana, and mercenary captain Iron Bull.

Recently, BioWare has recently moved toward including more personae that can be wooed only by those of the same gender. Forbes Online contributor Paul Tassi discussed a few examples in a 2016 article. For instance, the 2012 release “Mass Effect 3” features a gay character Steve Cortez. Having a romantic relationship with him is only available for those interacting with a male character. “Dragon Age: Inquisition,” launched in 2014, added two exclusively same-sex romanceable characters to its fictional universe: Dorian Pavus, a gay human mage, and Sera, a lesbian elven archer.

Updates for Inclusion in Skyrim and Final Fantasy

While BioWare might arguably be the most prominent pioneer in including same-sex relationships in its games’ realms, other content creators have stepped up to the plate. The Escapist reported in 2011 that “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” from Bethesda Game Studios also offers these possibilities. Additionally, Skyrim’s architecture allows custom updates, including those crafted by independent programmers not affiliated with Bethesda. For example, the “Interesting NPCs” modification developed by Kris Takahasi added over two hundred non-player roles, including a romanceable gay male writer named Jaspar Gaerston.

Square Enix made a somewhat similar move with “Final Fantasy,” its multiplayer online roleplaying series. In 2014, the company released a patch for “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” that allowed same-sex relationships. Square Enix received a great deal of criticism over its initial decision not to incorporate this in the initial release. As reported in a 2012 Kotaku article, the company believed that the topic was “controversial” at the time, a statement which drew the ire of many gamers. One could speculate that adverse feedback, along with the success that same-gender romance possibilities have brought to other RPG franchises, may have changed the firm’s mind.

What Does the Future Hold in Store?

Game developers may keep striving to bring unique LGBTQ personae to the digital world in future releases. Meanwhile, the struggle also remains to keep these characters as real as possible, as players offer both positive and negative critiques. Contrary to assertions by some individuals, the gaming community is a collective that is incredibly diverse. This is evidenced by online portals such as Black Nerd Problems and Queercraft. To remain responsive to the needs, desires and expectations of players, companies should continue to focus on inclusion in these fictional digital worlds, including representation of same-sex relationships.