Frustrating relative lack of LGBT NPCs in this game

[Mhaeric]

So do you see what I'm trying to get at? Representation is good, no question about that. But it has to be realistic, it can't just be there because people "want it". People shouldn't see themselves in fictional characters because their sexualities align, but because of their personalities.

What you're trying to express here is what is known as tokenism. The thing is, however, characters can be LGBT without needing to be fleshed out or have good stories. An LGBT character's existence does not need to be contingent upon additional criteria to be considered worthy of explicit inclusion. That's different than tokenism which has more to do with the intent behind the inclusion. In fact, inclusion of people throughout a game world regardless of how fleshed out they are would work to avoid tokenism rather than being a form of it.

I'm no longer purchasing anything released or produced by Bethesda for unrelated reasons, but I will say that they did this thing correctly in Elder Scrolls Online. That game has lots NPCs whose LGBT status is made explicit and most of them aren't fleshed out in any real away at all although there are several that are

One other thimg, people absolutely should be able to see themselves in fictional characters just because their sexualities align. The parallel to this is that people shouldn't be expected to just be fine with only ever having characters that have differing sexualities than theirs. Sexuality isn't just some clinical trait that people have, it's just as much a part of their identity as their personality is and perfectly worthy of identifying with just on that basis alone.

[KayRadley]

One thing: FFXIV is a game from Japan and there a public demonstration of affection is not the norm, that's something you do in private. This rule applies to every sexual preference.

There's also the fact that, when it comes to rights for and treatment of LGBT+ people, Japan is, in many ways, worse than the West. Gay couples cannot adopt, lesbians cannot undergo in-vitro fertilization, and sexual orientation and noncis gender identities are not legally protected. No amount of yaoi or yuri manga and anime can hide the fact that Japan has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to this matter.

[Eloah]

What you're trying to express here is what is known as tokenism. The thing is, however, characters can be LGBT without needing to be fleshed out or have good stories. An LGBT character's existence does not need to be contingent upon additional criteria to be considered worthy of explicit inclusion. That's different than tokenism which has more to do with the intent behind the inclusion. In fact, inclusion of people throughout a game world regardless of how fleshed out they are would work to avoid tokenism rather than being a form of it.

I'm no longer purchasing anything released or produced by Bethesda for unrelated reasons, but I will say that they did this thing correctly in Elder Scrolls Online. That game has lots NPCs whose LGBT status is made explicit and most of them aren't fleshed out in any real away at all although there are several that are

One other thimg, people absolutely should be able to see themselves in fictional characters just because their sexualities align. The parallel to this is that people shouldn't be expected to just be fine with only ever having characters that have differing sexualities than theirs. Sexuality isn't just some clinical trait that people have, it's just as much a part of their identity as their personality is and perfectly worthy of identifying with just on that basis alone.

I can't tell whether or not you understand what I'm saying. Your mentioning of tokenism does align with what I'm trying to say, but it's almost sounding like you think I'm for it, which I'm not. But I could be misinterpreting what you said.

That being said, that goes back to my original expression of why are all characters considered heterosexual until proven otherwise, unless they "act" a certain way. In real life you can't tell a person's sexual orientation just by looks alone, so why should a fictional world be any different.

Also, I'm not denying that someone's sexual orientation is important to their identity. But that shouldn't be the main reason you like a fictional character. Just like I how girls shouldn't like female characters just because they are girls. It's similar to getting into a relationship; looks are important, but if that's all you're focused on you're gonna be disappointed later on.

[Lily_Skye]

FF14 is a wonderful game. It's beautiful, the gameplay is fluid, the lore rich, and the graphics stunning, especially in the Azim Steppe.

Part of the reason why it's so wonderful is because it is possible to fully immerse yourself in this game. Characters all have a backstory, many NPCs are fleshed out, have their own personality, and you really feel like Eorzea is a place you can live in.

However, the lack of representation of LGBT characters in this game is frustrating for a billion-dollar video gaming company. While I applaud SE for allowing the Eternal Bonding to take place between two people of the same gender, there is not much else in this game that represents LGBT characters, other than a token gay couple in Upper La Noscea.

Some people will also bring up characters like Alphinaud (weird) or Haurchefant, and say they're "WOL-sexual". But you know that they're not actually designed as gay characters. They just happened to be perceived as LGBT because of the fandom.

Many other RPGs are already fully embracing the need to represent minorities in their game, because minority representation is an important issue that affects the psychological development of minority youth.

I hope to see Square Enix do more to represent LGBT characters in their game, because by doing so they'll let LGBT youth feel like they have a place in Eorzea and feel welcomed.

I know some people will think I'm joking, but I'm not. As a LGBT PoC myself, I am deeply invested in this issue.

no thanks .

[LaughingBanana]

Am I the only one who caught all the sexual references and innuendos and personalities in this game? You can't be serious if you think NPC's or story characters are all straight. And what relevance does it have to the story and gameplay? None. It doesn't matter.

If it "doesn't matter" then there's no need to make a fuss or reject the idea of more inclusion and representation, right? It's not going to harm anyone.

[Lersayil]

Given the number of gender-less pixies, hermaphrodite dragons, inter-species and gay background relationships in this game I am not sure what more people want? Romantic relationships play little to no role in this story, and most major characters are WoL-sexual to accommodate the WoLs gender.

In my book they are doing a swell job and more representation just for representations sake would just come across as pandering. They should write how they want and what they know for the sake of preserved quality.

[Hunky]

I wished more people realized this is an elaborate troll thread meant to get people riled up.

Congrats on being a troll and making gay people look crazy.

As a gay guy, representation is nice when done right but a lack of it doesn't make me lose sleep. To be honest, most of us just wanna be able to enjoy the game in peace.

[Nestama]

Well I did call OP out on the third page...

Oh wow. This thread title is word for word the same as a Reddit title back in 2017 with some paragraphs literally taken from it.



Wow, even this was taken from that thread.

In agreement with Doozer as well.

Again, third page.

[Araxes]

Edit: Emet Selch was probably 101% gay.

Im sorry to dissapoint but he was straight. At some point he stated that he sired Children. Not quite possible with two males.

[DPZ2]

Im sorry to dissapoint but he was straight. At some point he stated that he sired Children. Not quite possible with two males.

And I have two sons in their mid-to-late twenties. So?