Trans Representation in Final Fantasy XIV: The Importance of Inclusivity in Gaming

[Burmecia]

However, despite the game's efforts to be inclusive, the majority of its characters are still depicted as straight.

what makes male character flirting with female character straight? they could be bi. do they have to announce "btw i flirt with guys too, wink" for it to be representation?
what makes any cis looking character non-trans? they might have completed their transition and be as trans as they can get. or do they have to make that charming mention ala high guardian spice: "i'm transgender, wink"?
love, another GSRM player
who wants NOTHING to do with current day "queer"/trans activism

[TitanMenII]

we here to play the game and talk about the game not start a war of words the last time a player did this it turned into a dumpsterfire and finely died after many necrobumps

Your privilege is showing.

[Troxbark]

Your privilege is showing.

Can't imagine how miserable your life must be to routinely troll a fairly inactive message board.

[MacDaddy]

I think the issue is you are correct is that people use games to escape but when it comes to people's characters they want to be included right? What I do not understand is if you want to feel however you want and see yourself as trans then why not just play as the other gender, that is the end goal for being trans right? There is no need for your character to be trans if it allows you to play as the gender you identify as....or is the thing is that these people identify as a transition and not the gender?

[CallistemonYamadori]

No. Just, no. No more divisive minority politics, please. The western world has enough divisive content, please don't start infesting Japanese art with it too.

[Daddyslittlevampire]

honestly being trans myself.. Id rather it not simplely because people will blame us if it does get added... *sigh* only really replying to this because I wish there could be without it turning into a fight that just makes me more depressed than it not doing it simplely because ppl will use it as an excuse to attack...

[Anonemoose]

I disagree with the entire premise that diversity is important to promoting and advancing inclusivity in gaming. It is simply disingenuous and feels forced, which puts everybody offside and encourages division in broader society. Here's a revolutionary idea: how about we treat people as people and stop defining ourselves and others entirely on the basis of sexual preferences or gender identity. You are a human being and your existence is not preconditioned on whether or not a video game has a LGBTQIA2S+ character.

[xxmiamorecadenza]

I think a bit of diversity is nice.

But only because growing up I had no idea people from my ethnic group could be anything more than enslaved, impoverished and constantly struggling due to the fictional and non-fictional media I grew up with. I even recall - in middle school - telling another girl that looked like me that she couldn't play a certain role because of her skin tone.

It took me till I was thirteen to realize we could actually ride horses. I genuinely thought we just didn't do that.

If diversity is implemented it should be done tastefully and based off of the author's comfort level and respective culture.

It shouldn't be forced in otherwise you risk making yourself appear ignorant.

In a game originating from the East we shouldn't really expect any huge diversity points. Leave that to games originating from the West where we're actually a proper melting pot and are more open to sexualities, gender identities, etc. Baldurs Gate 3, GW2 - ya know?

[Anonemoose]

I think a bit of diversity is nice.

But only because growing up I had no idea people from my ethnic group could be anything more than enslaved, impoverished and constantly struggling due to the fictional and non-fictional media I grew up with. I even recall - in middle school - telling another girl that looked like me that she couldn't play a certain role because of her skin tone.

It took me till I was thirteen to realize we could actually ride horses. I genuinely thought we just didn't do that.

If diversity is implemented it should be done tastefully and based off of the author's comfort level and respective culture.

It shouldn't be forced in otherwise you risk making yourself appear ignorant.

In a game originating from the East we shouldn't really expect any huge diversity points. Leave that to games originating from the West where we're actually a proper melting pot and are more open to sexualities, gender identities, etc. Baldurs Gate 3, GW2 - ya know?

How old are you, which country did you grow up in, and what is your ethnic/cultural background? You've described circumstances that sound like it's from Confederate States in the 1800s and while I'm not calling you a liar I would like to understand your perspective.

[xxmiamorecadenza]

How old are you, which country did you grow up in, and what is your ethnic/cultural background? You've described circumstances that sound like it's from Confederate States in the 1800s and while I'm not calling you a liar I would like to understand your perspective.

Thank you for the honest inquiry.

I'm 28. And I'm African American. I grew up in the south and in a poor neighborhood. I also grew up watching certain programs due to only having access to basic channels. I do recall a fair amount of BET and basic cartoons.

But I was genuinely ignorant of the heights that I could reach because I just really didn't know. I thought I'd always be in that setting growing up.

Edit ; For clarification about some of the media I was shown as a child - I recall watching Roots in Middle School and Our Friend, Martin in Elementary School. Particularly strong memories as I became super distressed by both.