Pride Mode Activated: Celebrating Queer Characters in Modern Video Gaming
Gaming has evolved to include LGBTQ characters and experiences
There has been so much evolution of storytelling in video games over the past few decades, with game writers creating complex characters that players can identify with as they make their way through expansions. It only makes sense that gamers would want to see characters they can relate to on all spectrums of humanity, even in fantasy worlds. To that end, queer representation, while not as overtly prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s (though not nonexistent), is often part of modern video game storytelling.
We put together a list of games with queer characters and representative storylines. Watch out for spoilers for video games that have been made into hit TV shows! With that *spoiler alert* laid out up front….
The Last of Us
In the immensely popular and groundbreaking The Last of Us, there are several queer characters whose identities are central to their emotional and story arcs. In Part II especially, main character Ellie is a young lesbian woman whose relationships are portrayed with authenticity and complexity, making her one of the most prominent queer leads in gaming. In Part I, whose corresponding episode of the hit series hit a nerve with audiences, the character of Bill is a gruff, reclusive survivalist whose queerness is revealed subtly but powerfully through environmental storytelling, though never revealed (the TV show handled his character differently). And again in Part II, the character Lev is a young trans boy from a strict religious sect who must navigate his identity, family rejection, and survival. The characters in this game reflect a spectrum of queer experiences presented against the backdrop of a challenging world. In this setting, these characters face intense loss and cultivate resilience as they cling to their own humanity, and their queer identities as central to their stories.
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a long running game that historically hasn’t represented queer characters in earlier versions. But recent expansions have gradually introduced queer characters as pop culture has become more inclusive, and the developers have worked to infuse more diversity into the game. The most notable queer character is Pelagos, a trans man from the Shadowlands expansion. Pelagos openly discusses his transition and later becomes a revered figure in the game’s lore. The characters of Flynn Fairwind and Mathias Shaw are also flirtatious and affectionate, and developers have confirmed a romantic connection.
Life is Strange
This beloved and influential game series focuses on relationships, trauma, and identity, and offers multiple emotionally resonant queer romantic storylines. In the original game, the characters of Max Caulfield and Chloe Price share a deep, complex bond that can evolve into a romantic relationship, offering players an intimate exploration of queer teenage love and identity. In Life is Strange: Before the Storm, Chloe has a relationship with Rachel Amber. In Life is Strange: True Colors, Alex Chen is a bisexual protagonist who can pursue one of two romantic paths. They can choose Steph Gingrich, a lesbian and fan-favorite character first introduced in Life is Strange: Before the Storm, or a male love interest. The series consistently centers LGBTQ+ characters as fully realized individuals, allowing players to shape their stories with empathy, agency, and emotional depth.
Tell Me Why
Tell Me Why features the first trans protagonist in a major release, and the first voiced by a trans actor. The central queer character is Tyler Ronan, voiced by trans actor August Aiden Black, who is a trans man and one of the game’s two protagonists. Tyler’s identity is not just a background detail but woven thoughtfully into the story, which explores themes of memory, family, and self-acceptance as he reunites with his twin sister, Alyson, to uncover the truth about their childhood. The game addresses Tyler’s trans identity through the challenges he’s faced, careful not to reduce his character to trauma alone. His quiet confidence, loyalty, and evolving sense of belonging resonated deeply with many LGBTQ+ players, and set a new standard for trans representation in games.
Hades
In Hades, there are multiple queer relationships across the LGBTQ spectrum woven into the rich narrative in the game and its vast mythological world. Players love the relationship stories, and find the narrative to be as engrossing as the gameplay itself. The protagonist Zagreus is openly pansexual, with the option to pursue both Thanatos, the god of death, and Megaera, a Fury and former lover. Achilles and Patroclus, whose love story is subtly revealed through conversations and reunited over the course of the game, provide a poignant narrative thread that honors their bond. Rather than making queerness a source of conflict, Hades presents it as part of a diverse and emotionally complex underworld, earning widespread praise for its inclusive and normalized portrayal of LGBTQ+ identities.
Celeste
In Celeste, the queer representation is subtle but meaningful, particularly through its protagonist, Madeline. Creator Maddy Thorson confirmed the character to be a trans woman after the game’s release. The game is deeply introspective, and many players relate to the game’s themes of self-discovery and struggle. The creators didn’t consult mental health professionals for their storytelling, rather used their own experiences in the narrative. While Madeline’s trans identity is not explicitly addressed, many players found the theme of struggle a metaphor for Madeline’s gender journey. For example, the game’s depiction of climbing a seemingly insurmountable mountain becomes a symbolic reflection of battling anxiety, identity, and self-acceptance—making it especially impactful for trans and queer players who saw themselves in her climb toward understanding and peace.
Dream Daddy
In Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, every character is a queer dad, but these men are not written to exploit gay stereotypes. This game is a wholesome, inclusive dating sim where you play as a dad dating other dads. It’s funny, sincere, and full of heart–a guilty pleasure for gamers. The game features a customizable protagonist: you can choose to be cis or trans, gay or bisexual, and you date one of seven other single dads in a welcoming cul‑de‑sac. The character of Damien Bloodmarch, a goth dad, is a trans man, though his identity is casually acknowledged in dialogue rather than made into a dramatic reveal. The character of Hugo Vega is explicitly gay, referencing a past husband. And dads like Robert Small and Joseph Christiansen express bisexuality through relationships with both men and women. The relationships, rather than just hookups, between these men is the focus of the game. Across the board, the narrative treats queer and trans identities as unremarkable facets of its characters—letting the story focus on parenting, romance, and personal growth rather than a struggle with identity.
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