BHVR, DBD and Representation
So, for anyone that still doesn't know, BHVR tweeted out about LGBT representation in their game, how in the past they stood with the stance of sexuality being determined by the player - but with the recent addition of tomes and focus on lore - they had shifted towards heterosexuality when it came to their characters - and how they plan on changing this to be more inclusive and more diverse.
This personally worries me because we've all seen characters, whether in games or movies/books, where the attempt to being inclusive is poorly written and looks like a token rather than allowing sexuality to just be apart of the character. But it worries me to another level when it comes to DBD because lore has never been a big part of DBD - in all honesty, there is NO reason to even have the tomes or to have the lore because they don't affect the game play or the quality of the game in any way. There isn't any sort of story mode - there is no way to play with the lore that is handed to the players, it just sits there and the players have the choice to absorb it or not - but it doesn't change anything.
BHVR (I don't know if you will read this), if you want to bring in more diversity and give representation to the LGBT community, any current lore that you have with the characters, don't retcon it in favour of becoming representative - that is not genuine. If there are characters that you have not explored their sexuality, then reveal it, but don't make it a big deal - why? Being LGBT should be normalised unless the character that you're focusing on has lore that surrounds their struggle with identity and being LGBT - however thus far, you have not shown these struggles in the characters. Make it natural.
A lot of this talk of representation reminds me of Dragon Age Inquisition - it is a game that focuses on lore and narration - but romance is a side story that a player can pursue if they wish to. Pursuing romance gives extra lore and some more gameplay for the player but your choices were diverse, you had heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual characters to choose from (Some were even race specific as you could play 4 races in the game). In the game there is a gay character, his name is Dorian, interestingly enough, you were allowed to pursue him if you played as a female - but you would be shut down, and his identity is explored through having interactions with him, you would find out that he struggled with his identity growing up but grew to accept himself and not be ashamed - it gives depth to his character and it's not something that is just blatantly thrown in your face.
And this was in a game that was deeply FOCUSED on lore. Please, dont start retconning and destroying things just to 'fit a quota', make it natural and interesting.
Comments
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They do indeed plan on exploring/stating the orientations of characters who haven't had theirs revealed yet. That's what the tweet said.
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The point you made about members of the LGBTQ+ community being normalized is the most important point to consider. For example, based on their lore in the archives, Frank and Julie of the Legion were in a relationship. The lore didn't outright advertise them as straight characters, but their relationship was important to the story so it was hinted at.
This is how relationships of other varieties should be handled, and if it is handled this way then I'll be fine with it. An LGBTQ+ character shouldn't be waved like a flag just to make sure players know that Dead by Daylight is "inclusive". For example, if at any point in her life Kate was in a relationship with another woman, don't lift her above the crowd and say, "HERE IS OUR LGBTQ+ CHARACTER! SEE HOW INCLUSIVE WE ARE?" Instead, if that relationship is important to her lore like Frank and Julie's relationship was, casually mention it and move on.
The technique to designing an effective LGBTQ+ character is specifically not making them stand out for that trait.
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The technique to designing an effective LGBTQ+ character is specifically not making them stand out for that trait.
Indeed, and I believe BHVR is smart enough (and has enough LGBT staff) to know that. It's like Ellen Ripley: she wasn't designed to be a female badass, she was just designed to be a badass and then Sigourney Weaver happened to get the role. As a result, we got a character who's arguably one of the biggest badasses ever put to film.
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Maybe Legion and Julie are bisexual,?? Pew Research has studies that show majority of bisexuals questioned were in relationships with opposite sex, but still were bisexual. It is totally possible to have attractions to both sexes and be in a relationship.
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I just hope they don't do it in some convoluted way. I also hope they don't make it a giant focus. Your orientation is a part of you. But it doesn't define that person.
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As if anyone cares about representation at all.
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Some people do, yes, and I'm happy that they're getting it because it doesn't affect me at all and makes them happy. A win-win.
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The best way to approach this kind of thing is to not care. Don't treat characters differently because they aren't straight. There's no real reason to.
Seriously, that's just the best way. Let's look at the DAI example again: Sera was gay, Bull was pan, Josephine was bi. No-one ever cared about them or their partners. Even Dorian's story was barely affected by him being gay, nor his character interactions: female inquisitors can totally keep flirting with him, the dude loves it because he's a flirty guy.
A character's sexuality is not a defining trait and should never be seen as such. The Devs going out of their way to point out a character's sexuality would be a mistake: if someone is gay, who cares. If it's thematically correct, mention their partner. Don't create an entire backstory just for that, don't shoehorn in a love interest like a Hollywood script.
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They could just do like the Japanese with their characters: More detailed profiles. Blood type, birth date, country of origin, etc. on a nice neat little list to go along with the lore. Granted, I've seen very few with sexual orientation, but it's an option for those who care and it doesn't necessarily impact the lore, plus we get other lore with it.
I agree though the best course is just treat the LGBT like they did the straight (or hey, bi/pan) characters -- it's a small tid bit. For instance with Jane, a lot of people's beef lye in the fact her lore seems to be pressing the issue of being latina. Personally don't have an issue with her lore, because feeling typecasted is a reality some celebrities face. We just don't have to have more characters like that. Keep it diverse.
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