Games with trans protagonists are gaining more and more ground in the gaming world. These games feature transgender main characters who are represented in a positive and respectful way, which is a major step forward for the inclusion and visibility of this community.
Creating games with trans protagonists is an important way of combating transphobia and promoting acceptance and respect for gender diversity. These games help to break down stereotypes and prejudices, as well as showing that trans people can be the protagonists of their own stories and have their experiences represented in an authentic way.
Despite still being a niche market, the growing demand for games with trans protagonists shows that there is a need for representation and inclusion of this community in the world of games. It is hoped that, over time, more games with trans characters will be developed and that this representation will become increasingly common in the games industry.
History of Games with Trans Protagonists
Games with transgender protagonists are a relatively recent development in the gaming industry. Although transgender characters have appeared in previous games, they were usually portrayed in a negative or stereotypical way. It wasn't until the early 2010s that games with transgender protagonists began to appear.
One of the first games to feature a transgender protagonist was "Cibele"launched in 2015. The game was developed by Brazilian designer Nina Freeman tells the story of a young woman who meets a boy in an online game and begins to develop feelings for him. The game is based on a personal experience of Freeman and is notable for its positive and authentic representation of a transgender woman.
Another notable game is "2064: Read Only Memories"released in 2016. The game is a graphic adventure set in a dystopian future and features a diverse cast of characters, including a transgender investigative reporter called Gavin. Gavin is portrayed in a respectful and realistic way, and is an example of how games can be inclusive and representative.
More recently, "Tell Me Why, released in 2020, introduced the first transgender playable character in a game by the major video game developer Microsoft. The game tells the story of two twin brothers, Tyler and Alyson, who reunite after ten years apart. Tyler is a transgender man and is portrayed in an authentic and respectful way. The game has been praised for its positive representation of transgender characters and for its exciting and engaging story.
In summary, games with transgender protagonists are an important addition to the gaming industry. They represent a shift towards greater inclusion and diversity, and are an example of how games can be used to tell important and moving stories.
Notable Games with Trans Protagonists
There is a growing demand for games that feature transgender characters as protagonists. Fortunately, the games industry is starting to respond to this demand with notable games that feature transgender characters in leading roles. Here are some notable examples of games with trans protagonists.
1. Tell Me Why
Available at: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Tell Me Why is a game developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game features Tyler Ronan, a transgender man, as one of the main characters. The story revolves around Tyler and his twin sister, Alyson, who return to their hometown in Alaska to discover the truth about their past.
2. The Last of Us Part II
Available at: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
The Last of Us Part II is an action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game features Lev, a young transgender man, as one of the main characters. The story follows Ellie, the protagonist of the original game, as she seeks revenge against a group of enemy survivors.
3. If Found...
Available at: PC, Nintendo Switch
If Found... is an indie game developed by Dreamfeel and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game features Kasio, a young transgender woman, as the protagonist. The story follows Kasio as she returns to her hometown in Ireland and reflects on her life and identity.
4. Dys4ia
Available at: PC
Dys4ia is a free indie browser game developed by game designer Anna Anthropy. The game is an interactive autobiography that presents Anthropy's journey as a transgender person. The game covers topics such as gender dysphoria, hormones and transition surgery.
5. Transistor
Available at: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, iOS
Transistor is an action role-playing game developed by Supergiant Games. Although the main character, Red, is not transgender, the game features a secondary character, Sybil Reisz, who is a transgender woman. The story follows Red as she uses a powerful sword called the Transistor to fight a mysterious force that threatens the city of Cloudbank.
These games are just a few notable examples of games that feature transgender characters as protagonists. As the games industry continues to grow and evolve, we can expect to see more games featuring transgender characters in leading roles.
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