Queer Gamers Deserve Better Characters—Not Just Sassy Sidekicks

The digital worlds we inhabit, whether sprawling RPGs or intense shooters, are increasingly vibrant, offering complex narratives and diverse characters. As a gay man who has spent decades immersed in gaming, finding solace, escape, and even a sense of self-discovery within these virtual landscapes, I celebrate the increasing visibility of queer characters. It’s a vital step forward, a welcome clearing in the once-monochromatic skies of gaming.

However, as progress accelerates, a critical question begins to hover over the landscape of representation: Queer Gamers Deserve Better Characters—Not Just Sassy Sidekicks. While I appreciate any form of inclusion, there’s a troubling tendency in mainstream gaming to relegate queer characters to certain archetypes, roles, or narrative limitations that ultimately underserve the rich, multifaceted reality of LGBTQ+ lives. We’ve moved past outright erasure, but we’re often stuck in a holding pattern of superficiality.

The Problem of the Archetype: Beyond the ‘Sassy Sidekick’ or the ‘Tragic Queer’

For a long time, queer characters in gaming were largely invisible. If they existed at all, they were often coded, implied, or relegated to the margins. The past decade has seen significant improvement, driven by growing awareness and the undeniable demand from LGBTQ+ players. But this progress has often resulted in predictable patterns:

  • The ‘Sassy Sidekick’: This archetype, while often charming and providing comic relief, is frequently a one-dimensional trope. They exist primarily to offer witty commentary, provide fashion advice, or support the straight protagonist’s emotional journey. Their own inner lives, complex relationships, or personal struggles are rarely explored in depth. While fun, this reduces queer identity to a single, often superficial, personality trait.
  • The ‘Tragic Queer’: This trope, sadly prevalent in older media, sees queer characters existing primarily to suffer, die tragically, or serve as cautionary tales. Their narrative arc is often defined by their pain or ultimate demise, reinforcing harmful stereotypes. While the industry is moving away from this, its shadow still lingers.
  • The ‘Optional Romance’: Many games offer queer romance options, which is a significant step forward! However, sometimes these options feel tacked on, less developed than heterosexual relationships, or only available if the player actively seeks them out, making them feel less integral to the core narrative.

These archetypes, while not always malicious in intent, perpetuate a subtle form of erasure. They suggest that queer lives are less complex, less central, or less worthy of profound narrative exploration than heterosexual ones. It implies that our identities are mere flavoring, rather than the intricate, vital components of a full human being.

Beyond the Periphery: Demanding Central, Complex Queer Narratives

What queer gamers truly deserve are characters who are as central, complex, and flawed as their heterosexual counterparts. We crave narratives where queer identity is an organic part of a character’s being, not their sole defining trait or a convenient plot device.

  • Queer Characters as Protagonists or Central Figures: We need more protagonists whose queerness is simply part of who they are, woven into their journey without being the singular focus of their character arc. Imagine a queer hero saving the world, whose romantic life or gender identity is just one aspect of their rich narrative, explored with the same depth as any other character’s relationships or struggles.
  • Exploring the Nuances of Queer Life: Beyond just “gay” or “lesbian,” we need characters who reflect the vast spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities – bisexual, pansexual, asexual, transgender (male, female, non-binary), gender non-conforming, and more. Their stories should delve into the unique challenges, joys, and complexities of their lived experiences, from navigating family acceptance to finding community, from exploring gender identity to building diverse relationships.
  • Authentic Relationships (Beyond Just Romance): While queer romance is vital, so too are complex platonic friendships, chosen families, and mentor relationships that authentically reflect the intricate social dynamics of queer communities. Show us the messy, beautiful, enduring chosen bonds that are so crucial to many LGBTQ+ lives.
  • Flaws and Growth: We don’t need perfect queer characters. We need flawed, realistic ones who make mistakes, learn, and grow, just like any other well-written character. Their queerness should enrich their complexity, not simplify it.

Games That Get It Right (Glimmers on the Horizon):

While still a minority, some games are beginning to move beyond superficial representation, offering glimmers of what’s possible:

  • The Last of Us Part II: Ellie is a gay protagonist whose sexuality is integral to her character but not her sole defining trait. Her relationship with Dina is central to the narrative and explored with raw, unflinching honesty and complexity. This game set a new benchmark for queer storytelling in AAA gaming.
  • Life is Strange series: These narrative-driven adventure games often feature queer protagonists and central queer relationships that are deeply woven into the emotional core of the story, allowing players to explore identity, love, and choice with profound impact.
  • Cyberpunk 2077: While not perfect, Cyberpunk 2077 offered a range of queer romance options that felt integrated into the characters’ personalities, and some NPCs existed as openly trans or gender non-conforming, contributing to a more diverse world.
  • Hades: This roguelike indie gem features a beautifully written cast of Greek mythological figures, many of whom are openly queer, with their relationships explored with casual acceptance and genuine charm, demonstrating how effortlessly inclusion can be integrated into a narrative.

The Path Forward: Expanding the Digital Atmosphere of Acceptance

The gaming industry has made significant strides, but the work is far from over. As queer gamers, we deserve to see ourselves reflected not just as optional accessories or comedic relief, but as central, complex, and fully human characters whose stories are as rich, varied, and vital as our own lives. We deserve narratives that explore the full spectrum of our existence, in all its messy, beautiful, complicated glory.

This means pushing developers and publishers to:

  • Invest in Diverse Writers and Creators: Authentic representation starts behind the scenes. Bringing queer writers, developers, and consultants into the creative process ensures nuanced and respectful portrayals.
  • Prioritize Integral Narratives: Make queer identity central to a character’s story, not just a branching romance option.
  • Challenge Archetypes: Move beyond the “sassy sidekick” or the “tragic queer.” Explore the full range of queer experiences and personalities.

The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and as players, our voices have immense power. By demanding better, by celebrating authentic representation when it appears, and by advocating for stories that reflect the full diversity of humanity, we can help build virtual worlds that are truly inclusive, truly reflective of our vibrant player base, and truly provide a rich Gameplay Pollen Patch for every gamer. We deserve to see ourselves as the heroes of our own epic sagas, in all our beautiful, complex forms.

What queer characters in gaming have resonated most with you? What kind of queer narratives do you hope to see more of in the future? Share your thoughts below – let’s discuss how gaming can better reflect the world it serves!