What’s Up, Gamers! Today I wanted to share some thoughts on representation in video games. Now I know what you’re thinking – “Diversity? Who cares! I just wanna pwn some noobs!” …Whatever that means. But hear me out, because this issue impacts all of us who love gaming.

For a long time, mainstream games have stuck to pretty similar narratives and protagonists – gritty white dudes out for revenge or saving the princess. And don’t get me wrong, I love me a Solid Snake. But when every big budget game falls into these same old tropes, it starts to feel stale.

Luckily, in recent years we’ve seen some bold new steps toward narrative diversity that better reflect the diverse audiences playing games today. Titles like Tell Me Why, Life is Strange, and Celeste center stories around LGBTQ+ characters in refreshingly real and nuanced ways. Franchises like Assassin’s Creed and The Last of Us have highlighted people of color and female protagonists. And indie hits like Night in the Woods and Outer Wilds have used experimental storytelling to tackle issues like mental health and existentialism.

Even some AAA studios are getting in on it now too. Sony’s PS5 library of game highlight inclusive characters, and since Xbox acquired Activision, it’s a move that could expand representation in flagship series like Call of Duty. So the gates are opening up!

Of course, we still have a long way to go. But it’s exciting to see video game narratives broadening beyond the same old burly space marines and damsels in distress. When diverse characters and stories become the norm rather than the exception, it creates richer and more engaging worlds that more accurately reflect the diversity of real life. And that makes gaming better for everyone.

So what do you think? Are there any games out there expanding representation that you’ve enjoyed? Let’s chat in the comments! And remember kids, always frag responsibly.