In recent years, the gaming industry has made significant strides toward becoming more inclusive and diverse. The conversation around representation in video games has gained considerable momentum, with developers, players, and critics advocating for more inclusive storytelling, character design, and narrative choices. As gaming becomes a global phenomenon, it’s important that characters in video games reflect the diversity of the players who enjoy them.

Inclusive and diverse characters are not just a matter of social justice—they can also enrich gameplay, expand storylines, and appeal to a broader audience. But how can game developers achieve this? Let’s dive into the key strategies for creating more inclusive and diverse characters in video games.

1. Focus on Realistic and Multidimensional Characters

Instead of reducing characters to stereotypes or token representations, developers can aim to create multidimensional and well-developed characters that reflect the complexity of real individuals. A good character is not defined by one trait—whether it’s gender, race, or background—but by the depth of their personality and backstory.

Avoid Stereotypes: When creating characters from underrepresented backgrounds, it’s crucial to avoid falling back on harmful stereotypes. For example, a Black character doesn’t have to be a "street-smart" athlete or a Latinx character doesn't need to be depicted as a "gangster." Every character should be as unique as a real person.
Example: The Last of Us Part II features Ellie, who is a lesbian and has complex emotions, desires, and struggles. Ellie’s character is not defined by her sexuality, but her relationship with Dina is an important part of her story.

2. Representation of Gender Identity and Sexuality

One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the inclusion of characters of varied gender identities and sexual orientations. Game developers can move beyond the binary gender model and offer more fluid depictions of gender while also exploring LGBTQ+ relationships in meaningful ways.

Gender Representation: Include more non-binary or genderfluid characters who are not just there as sidekicks or comic relief but are integral to the story and world-building.
Sexuality Representation: Players from the LGBTQ+ community are increasingly calling for more queer characters that are authentically portrayed. Offering same-sex relationships, as well as characters with fluid sexualities, enriches the narrative and invites a more diverse fanbase.
Example: Dragon Age: Inquisition allows players to form romantic relationships with characters of any gender, and the character Dorian Pavus is a gay mage who openly discusses his sexuality as part of his storyline, not as a secondary trait.

3. Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Character Design

Representation of different racial and ethnic backgrounds is essential in the gaming world. Historically, many video games have depicted a Eurocentric ideal of beauty and heroism, with characters of other races often relegated to secondary roles or harmful stereotypes. To move forward, developers should prioritize authentic depictions of racial and ethnic groups.

Cultural Sensitivity: When designing characters from different ethnicities, it’s important to research and consult with individuals who share those backgrounds to avoid misrepresentation or cultural appropriation.
Example: In Assassin’s Creed Origins, players get to control Bayek, an Egyptian protagonist, and the developers consulted with historians and Egyptologists to ensure that the character, culture, and setting were represented with authenticity.

4. Representation of Disabilities

Gaming has long neglected disability representation, with disabled characters being few and far between, often depicted as one-dimensional or used as a plot device. Developers can make a significant difference by portraying disabled characters in a positive, well-rounded manner and offering players adaptive gameplay options to ensure accessibility.

Physical Disabilities: Characters with physical disabilities can be portrayed as strong, skilled, and capable of leading a story, just like their able-bodied counterparts. Developers should make sure that these characters aren’t defined solely by their disability.
Example: The Last of Us Part II features Ellie, who has a prosthetic arm after the events of the first game. This isn't a gimmick; it’s woven into her emotional and physical journey, and her character doesn’t lose any of her complexity or ability due to the prosthetic.
Adaptive Gaming: Ensuring that games are accessible to people with disabilities can make games more inclusive. Options like colorblind modes, text-to-speech, or one-handed control schemes can make a game accessible to more players.

5. Collaborating with Diverse Teams and Consultants

To ensure that characters are being represented authentically, game developers should seek out diverse voices both on the development team and through outside consultants. Hiring people from various cultural, racial, and gender backgrounds helps ensure that the characters reflect a broad spectrum of experiences and aren’t limited to the viewpoint of a homogenous group.

Inclusive Teams: A development team that includes people from diverse backgrounds will naturally produce more authentic and inclusive content because they bring lived experiences into the process.
Consultation with Experts: Hiring cultural consultants or even getting feedback from underrepresented communities during the design process ensures that characters are created with depth and respect.
Example: Assassin’s Creed III worked with indigenous cultural consultants to ensure the accurate portrayal of Native American characters and their history, showing a commitment to authenticity and representation.

6. Embrace Intersectionality

When developing characters, it’s important to embrace intersectionality, the concept that individuals’ identities are shaped by multiple aspects, such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and ability. By portraying characters who live in the intersection of multiple identities, developers can create more nuanced and realistic representations of human experiences.

Avoid Over-Simplification: Characters that embody one identity (e.g., a Black man or a woman of color) are often over-simplified. Instead, creators should embrace the complexity of combining different aspects of identity to create a character who feels like a real person.
Example: Life is Strange introduces Max Caulfield, a young woman who grapples with the challenges of adolescence, mental health, and time travel, which doesn’t only focus on her gender but also her own unique emotional journey.

Conclusion: The Power of Representation in Gaming

The importance of creating inclusive and diverse characters cannot be overstated. By making gaming a more inclusive space, developers not only improve the quality of the games but also help cultivate a gaming community that is more welcoming to all players, regardless of their background or identity.

Diversity is not just about meeting quotas or checking boxes—it’s about enriching the stories and experiences we tell in video games, making them more relevant, human, and reflective of the diverse world we live in. By ensuring that the characters in our games reflect the full spectrum of human experiences, we help shape a better, more inclusive gaming industry.

How Can Game Developers Create More Inclusive and Diverse Characters?