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Episode 507: A History of LGBTQ Representation in Games (Patreon)

Published:
2023-01-09 14:53:11
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Video games go hand-in-hand with escapism: That's arguably been the case since Atari's Pong technically let us role-play as tennis paddles that enjoy being hurt. But video games have long been more than an escape for vulnerable people in the queer community. For LBGTQ+ folks, video games can be a means of self-discovery—and from there, a means of finding friends, partners, and communities that would otherwise remain inaccessible.

For this very special episode of Retronauts, Nadia recruited her friend Larch and her other friend, Len from the Three Moves Ahead podcast. (Nadia only has two friends.) They talk about how queer characters were represented in retro games, and how said representation compares to today's attempts at making games more inclusive.

There's also considerable discussion about the games that made us realize truths about ourselves. Let's just say putting on the facade of a sexy catwoman in Final Fantasy XIV is like walking through a wardrobe door and entering gay Narnia.

Cover art pending (we'll update once it's in). Edits by Greg Leahy.

13:26 - "Ruined Skies" (FFVI "Searching for Friends" OC ReMix by Orkybash)

21:52 - Final Fantasy XIV: A New Hope (Ul'Dah Day Theme)

32:39 - Celeste: Starjump

40:15 - Persona 5: Will Power

51:46 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Vega Stage

57:56 - Xenoblade Chronicles 2: After Despair and Hope

1:08:00 - Final Fantasy VII Remake: Stand Up (Reprise)

Closing - "Safety in Numbers" (FFIX "You're Not Alone!" OC ReMix by Orkybash)

Comments

Ben Hamilton

Oh wow, what a great topic! Thanks for covering this.

Sibyl Arnett

I definitely wonder, after the early comment on Celes, how many trans women flirt with and barely-reject stealing their names from JRPG characters. (Said as someone who decided to go with "Shion" as a middle name instead of her primary...)

Dave Dalrymple

I really like that you took a very "personal experience" approach to the topic rather than trying to present a chronological history (like the excellent documentary "The Celluloid Closet" did for LGBTQ+ representation in film up to the early 1990s). I guess that chronological history is best saved for a multimillion dollar Kickstarter.

Larch Bocek

Huh, music sounds familiar 🤔😅 (I love it ty Nadia 💖)

Penny Reimer

Great episode! Feels like 50th time I've heard someone use the term "trans tomboy" since I hesitantly offered it as a self-description last year, so thanks for continuing to validate my existence Len. :)

Gayest Episode Ever

This was a fun conversation to sit in on. Based on the title, though, I want to suggest that this be a topic that is approached again, perhaps in ways that focus on specific genres of games the way this one did. Fighting games, say, could be its own discussion easily. You could also do interesting things approaching LGBTQ representation by specific companies (Nintendo, Square, Capcom) that have their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to queer rep. I may be suggesting a whole podcast, I realize, but I'd love it if this was a recurring thing.

Chase

Following up on the are there are Triple AAA LGBTQ Leads/ Directors? One that immediately comes to mind: Tim Cain Of Obsidian: Creator / Designer of the original Fallout, Arcanum, Vampire the Masquadre: Bloodlines, Most recently Director of The Outer Worlds According to gaymingmag: - In an Era where Maxis Programmers were being fired for putting LGBTQ Easter Eggs in games - Fallout 2 is the first representation of Same-Sex Marriage in a Western Video Game.

Jon Heiman

You mentioned Celes & Kefka from FFVI (the former in a way I didn't entirely understand...), but skipped over Terra being pretty-clearly aromantic/asexual--though the words are never used, it being 1994 and all... Her journey in the game is quite literally the journey of her finding her identity, not only as a human/Esper but also in not feeling the things she thinks she should feel. It isn't until the second half of the game when she finds an answer, a place for her love, not in any one person but for the orphans in the World of Ruin. It's honestly inspiring--it was to me, anyway. Like some of you said, it wasn't until many years after I played the game that I even "came out" to myself.