Putting the 'gay' in gamer:An examination of LGBTQ+ representation in Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and League of Legends

Video games have become an important facet of popular media due to their storytelling abilities and their cultural impact. LGBTQ+ character representation in video games has increased over time, though many representations of queer identities rely on harmful cultural stereotypes regarding queer people. This thesis examines LGBTQ+ representation in archival material of Baldur’s Gate3, Cyberpunk 2077, and Leage of Legends, focusing on gender identity and sexual orientation relate to characters’ narrative roles and experiences. The research explores the narrative events and experiences of characters that were identified as LGBTQ+ and how thematic framing shapes their portrayals, while viewing representation across three games released across a 15 – year time period. Previous research has explored LGBTQ+ inclusion in games, less is known about the relationships between character identity and how those identities are being portrayed by their narrative function. The study uses a quantitative analysis to explore the themes addressed using an adapted codebook and an expanded framework that utilizes queer theory and thematic framing. Findings reveal a mix of progressive and problematic patterns in which some characters are richly developed and meaningful storylines, while others are marginalized or tokenistic. The results suggest that although games are becoming more inclusive, representation remains uneven. This research contributes to media and game studies by highlighting the importance of framing in how queer characters are portrayed.