Video games offer a chance for people around the world to immerse themselves in fantasy and adventure, allowing them to become whoever they want to be. Customizing characters is a core part of that experience, enabling players to create avatars that represent them or the character they wish to embody in the game world. But as video games have begun adding more gender options—including transgender-specific options—it raises questions: is this really necessary? Shouldn’t players just choose the gender they identify with?
Gender Selection in Games: Keep It Simple
Character creation is about making a straightforward choice: male or female, hero or heroine. This system works because it allows players to seamlessly enter the game and identify with their character. For someone who identifies as a particular gender, the solution is simple: select that gender and start playing. Additional gender options for transgender players may feel redundant or confusing, especially since the main choice—male or female—already allows for a clear self-identification.
Video Games Are Global, Not Western-Centric
Many video games are designed for a global audience, from the United States to Asia, Africa, and beyond. Yet, the push for gender diversity in games often reflects Western social trends that may not be relevant or universally understood elsewhere. For a player in Japan, India, or Nigeria, extra gender options can feel unnecessary and culturally out of place, as traditional societies may see gender as more straightforward or defined. When game developers add features like transgender options, it can seem like they’re catering primarily to Western ideologies rather than the global community.
Does Complexity in Character Customization Enhance Gameplay?
Most gamers are looking for streamlined character creation so they can jump into the action. Gender identity may be important to some players, but video games are ultimately about storytelling, strategy, and fun. Adding extra steps or complex options in character selection doesn’t necessarily improve the gaming experience, and it risks making character creation feel cumbersome. Some players feel that game developers should focus on improving gameplay mechanics and storylines rather than adding options that add minimal value to the actual gaming experience.
Gaming Should Be Accessible to Everyone, Not Ideological
By adding specific options around gender identity, game developers risk alienating players who may feel that social or political movements are being inserted into their gaming space. Video games have traditionally been a place to escape from reality, not to engage in real-world ideologies. By keeping character creation simple, game developers can ensure that the games remain inclusive and enjoyable for players worldwide without delving into potentially divisive topics.
Cosmetic Top Surgery Scars in a Fantasy Setting: An Immersion Breaker?
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the character customization options include an unexpected choice—cosmetic top surgery scars. In a high-fantasy setting known for its elaborate magic system, mythical creatures, and otherworldly spells, such details feel out of place. If a world contains magic that can heal wounds, change appearances, and even transform entire physical forms, the idea of choosing surgical scars as a character trait seems unnecessary and, to some, even distracting.
Conclusion: A Call for Simple, Universal Choices
Ultimately, the goal of character customization should be to offer an experience that everyone can enjoy without added complexity. Gamers should simply choose the gender they identify with and dive into the game world without extra steps. Video games are a universal medium, and character creation should reflect simplicity, ensuring that all players feel welcome without the need for extra labels.
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