From the early stages of video game development, women in games were mainly portrayed as heroines needing rescue or secondary NPCs. When females took on the role of the main characters, their depictions were highly sexualized.
The iconic image of Tomb Raider (1996) with large triangular breasts in tiny shorts can be said to symbolise female representations in games in Europe and the USA in the 1990s. This decade marked the rise of female characters who took center stage, albeit often in a sexualized way. Lara Croft from Tomb Raider became a cultural icon, embodying both empowerment and the limited representation of female characters at the time.
Japanese video games have reinforced this standard. JRPGs, fighting games, and visual novels featured ‘excited’ female characters in exceptionally revealing clothing, particularly notable in characters like 2B from NieR: Automata and Bayonetta from the series of the same name.
Nintendo and many other developers depicted women as fragile princesses who constantly needed rescuing. Their famous princesses, Peach, Princess Daisy, and Rosalina, continue to present ‘feminine’ images in traditional, light-colored, voluminous dresses. In video games like ‘Donkey Kong’, women were more likely to be the target than the protagonist, thus embodying the motif of the ‘damsel in distress’.
First playable female characters
The first playable female character was Billie Sue from the Atari 2600 game Wabbit, released in 1982. Billie Sue is depicted as a simple, pixelated character, typical of the graphical capabilities of the era. She is characterized by simple, blocky graphics, with her gender being recognizable from minimalist details that suggest traditional female attributes.
Pac-Man (1980) was the first commercial video game to feature many women as players. It led to the development of a sequel, Ms. Pac-Man (1982), with a female protagonist. And it seems, is it possible to sexualize such a character? Let’s take a look:
In the 90s and early 2000s, there was an influx of female characters who were both solid and sexualized, like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. Samus Aran’s character (Metroid) proved that women in video games can be powerful and strong. But all of this came in a package with her sexuality. Especially in cutscenes. For example, in the first part, her spacesuit was removed as follows:
This was a trend that continued in the next few releases:
Things started to change around 2010. Mirror’s Edge (2008) featured Faith Connors, a protagonist celebrated for her realistic physicality and depth of character. This era also saw a trend towards more narrative-driven games offering complex roles for female characters, such as Elizabeth from BioShock Infinite. As gaming evolved, so did the representation of female characters, with developers striving for more diverse, multi-dimensional portrayals. Like how the gaming world has embraced these changes, the online casino world has also made strides in offering more diverse options. For instance, Richard Casino provides an exciting opportunity for new players with Richard casino no deposit bonus codes, allowing players to explore a wide range of casino games without financial risk—much like how we’ve seen women in games step into dynamic, empowering roles. This parallel reflects a broader inclusivity trend, where gaming and online entertainment are becoming more accessible and representative.
Expanding diversity and inclusivity
Over time, while sexualization in games has not gone away entirely, it has diminished, and the situation in gaming today seems more positive than in advertising or cinema. Lara Croft, for example, has come a long way to become a strong and independent explorer in the latest series of reboots that began in 2013. Profound and well-developed female characters such as Senua from Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice have emerged. In this case, the standard cliché of the male savior applies to the main heroine – Senua saves the soul of her deceased loved one.
Modern female characters such as Ellie from The Last of Us, Clementine from The Walking Dead, Aloy from Horizon, and Jesse Faden from Control are widely known and celebrated. They are strong, evolving, and realistic heroines.
Traditional ‘bikini armor’ is also a thing of the past. In recent years, many developers have placed more emphasis on the realism and practicality of character equipment and moved away from unrealistic and sexualized clothing. This change also reflects a desire to offer players a more diverse and respectful portrayal of women. For example, in The Elder Scrolls series, male and female characters have long been on an equal footing in terms of abilities and clothing. Even the heroines of fighting games, to whom developers traditionally gave a few centimeters of fabric, are now dressed in a varied and comprehensive way. Tekken 8, with its wide variety of clothing, can be cited as an example.
The industry has made significant strides towards inclusion, with games like Overwatch and Apex Legends featuring diverse characters from across the gender spectrum. Life is Strange (2015), and its sequels tackle LGBTQ+ issues with sensitivity and depth, marking a progressive step in storytelling. The industry’s challenge is to push boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and embrace a broader vision of heroism and adventure. Video games can lead the way toward inclusivity as we progress, reflecting the rich spectrum of human experience in all its forms.
The number of female gamers is increasing every year, which has a direct impact on developers’ approaches and the success of various games. Although some older male gamers are unhappy with such changes, the market remains focused on a younger and more progressive audience that is most active in consuming gaming content.
Female characters in video games that really stand out
There are more and more unique female characters in video games these days. These characters reflect the diversity of real women and break old stereotypes by offering players new, complex, and inclusive characters. One of these characters is Amara from Borderlands 3. She is the Siren, one of the most powerful and dangerous characters in the series. She’s got this amazing power to manipulate energy, and she’s super confident and strong, making her a natural leader. She’s not just smart and strong, but she’s got a strong moral compass too, which is why she’s such a fan favorite. Another awesome example is Serana from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dawnguard. She’s a vampire trying to figure out her place in the world, always juggling her darker side with her human side. Her character is all about inner conflict, which makes players feel her experiences in a deep way. Serena has an emotional story that brings psychology and moral choices to the game, making her character more complex and interesting.
Celine Vasker from Returnal is another really unique female character in video games. She’s a researcher stuck on an uncharted planet, where she’s stuck in a cycle of death and rebirth. The way she deals with her fate, past events, and inner demons is exciting because she’s strong but also has to deal with loss, self-discovery, and survival. And what makes Celine even more special is her age – she’s no spring chicken but a mature woman, which is pretty rare among the main characters in video games.
Another example is Joanna Dark from Perfect Dark, who became a real iconic figure among video game heroines in the late 90s and early 2000s. She’s a detective and a secret service agent, but still has all the characteristics of a strong woman. Her story has touches of science fiction, and she’s a great example of how a woman can be both intellectually and physically strong in a world filled with dangers and mysteries.
These characters show how video games are changing and evolving, adding more depth and diversity to the way women are represented in the game world. They don’t just save the world or fight enemies, but also have complex internal conflicts, motivations and experiences that make them feel real and relatable to players. Instead of being objects to be observed or sexualized stereotypes, these characters are strong, multi-faceted individuals who are truly changing the way women are portrayed in video games.
Conclusion
Reactions to the increasing diversity in gaming have been mixed. While many gamers welcome the broader representation, some sections of the gaming community object to what they perceive as forced inclusivity. However, the commercial success of games with strong female leads and diverse casts suggests that most gaming audiences appreciate and support these changes.
Finally, it is important to note that although modern heroines usually wear full armor and skins, in most cases, they are still only depicted in one possible physique – very slim. There is still a long way to go before we see high-quality and diverse female characters. They should be women of different body types and backgrounds, realistic and complex, with their motivations, goals, and stories. It is crucial to move away from gender, race, and color stereotypes and to offer players a wide range of characters that can represent different aspects of experience and identity.
