Gaming

Finite Character Creation in Roleplaying games is a travesty for LGBTQI gamers

How can video Games be a catalyst for a positive and inclusive future

Hogwarts Legacy: How social agenda shaped changes in video games

Hogwarts Legacy is one of the most anticipated video games of 2023, and it’s coming out in a few days. This new game from developer Avalanche Software lets players experience the famed school of witchcraft and wizardry as a student in the 1800s, before the events of the Harry Potter books.

The game is surrounded by controversy due to its association with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowling has faced criticism for making transphobic comments over the last few years.

The game’s publisher, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, has said that the game isn’t connected to Rowling’s personal views and doesn’t support or condone any form of discrimination. They, however, acknowledge that they have worked closely with her team to keep it in line with the Harry Potter universe.

Like many others who have grown up reading the Harry Potter series and later loving the movies that came with it, I was devastated to learn of Rowling’s view towards the trans community. Especially as a queer person who has struggled with my identity and acceptance, it’s hard to view the Harry Potter series in the same light as before. Although I must say that Hogwarts Legacy is exactly what I dreamt magic video games could be for a long time, despite the controversy surrounding it, I would give the game a chance. Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. Since Rowling will still receive royalties from sales of the game as she owns the franchise, critics are calling for a complete boycott as no matter the level of her involvement in the game; she will profit from its success.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Rowling’s recent comments about transgender people “rattled” some of the developers, who then “fought to make the game as inclusive as possible.

Recent gameplay showcases have shown Hogwarts Legacy character customisation to be extensive. Besides the various outfits and clothing accessories, players can create custom characters such as voice, body type, and dorm placement — depending on whether the player chooses “witch” or “wizard”.

Games as flag-bearers of change

In a 2020 interview, Co-founder of BioWare Dr. Greg Zeschuk described the decisions of “commercial powers which are always driven to make the safe choice of a white male protagonist and actively pushed against a more progressive stance that is more inclusive of broad race and gender representation” as a belief that has been “completely shattered” due to the massive commercial success of Marvel movies like Black Panther and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Game design has changed drastically in recent years but has been a slow shift in inclusive game design. The previously limited options, such as male or female presets and limited customization options, left many players feeling underrepresented. Even though it seems that it’s in-game publishers’ best interest to actively invest in inclusive game design due to renewed focus on equality worldwide, the decisions made by studios are not as straightforward or unanimous.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, there was pushback from Avalanche Software studio management regarding a decision for a transgender character to be added to Hogwarts Legacy. The reason for this could be to avoid making the game too overly “inclusive.”

Let’s take a look at another example. Baldur gate 3 by Larian Studios is in its third year of early access. Though limited, the RPG allows custom character creation, and players could at least choose their character voice, a subtle but essential decision made by the developers to show that they are committed to better representing gender.

The controversy surrounding Rowling and her views has sparked meaningful conversations about representation and inclusivity in the gaming industry. As a result, some fans and advocacy groups are now calling for more accountability and sensitivity from game developers and publishers regarding diversity and representation.

Conclusions

Advanced game engines and Hollywood-style scripting in recent years have led to massive improvements in game design, drastically improving the tabletop models we grew up with. However, we face limitations regarding dungeon masters being the game studios that create the video games we now play.

Our duty as gaming players is to convey ideas and concerns to the creators, exercising our imagination and determination to create the world we desire.

What are your thoughts on inclusive game design? Share some of your top memorable inclusive gaming experiences below in the comments.

To end off, I’ll leave you with this statement from Larian Studios:

Video games are meant to be fun, so by all means play … however you like. Even if that means being a basic human cleric. Somebody’s gotta bring the heals. — Larian Studios