Of the many big-name titles released last year, one that surprised many people in a major way wasHades. Released at the tail end of 2020,Hadesblew a significant number of players away with its addictive gameplay loop, memorable and charming characters, and intensely composed music. Although, for some players, the game served as an excellent example of LGBTQ+ representation in the gaming industry.
Onehidden detail inHadesthat some fans may not know aboutis that there’s a romance option. If the player so chooses, the playable character Zagreus can choose to date three out of the many interactive NPCs present in the House of Hades. Since the player can choose to date either Thanatos, Megaera, or Dusa, this makes Zagreus a bisexual character, which isn’t always a common occurrence in gaming and an aspect of his character that many players took to.
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This ledHadesto be nominated in multiple categories at the first-ever Gayming Awards, hosted byEA Games. Of the many games nominated across a multitude of categories,Hadesmanaged to take home Game of the Year. In addition to Game of the Year,Hadesalso won Gayming Magazine Readers' Award, both of which were decided by an international judging panel of LGBTQ+ industry professionals.
Aside fromHades, other titles that feature LGBTQ+ representation were also recognized at the Gayming Awards 2021, such asIf Found…andTell Me Why. This awards show will certainly help recognize and highlight the ever-growing presence of LGBTQ+ individuals within not just the video game industry and community, but also video games themselves, which the industry has been lacking for some time.
Within the last several years especially, LGBTQ+ representation as it applies to video games has started to reach incredible new heights. With landmark games likeLife is StrangeandNight in the Woodsshowcasing incredibly well-written, complex, and memorable LGBTQ+ characters, that same representation can also apply to triple-A game franchises as well withThe Last of UsandBorderlands.
In terms ofHades, its use of LGBTQ+ representation is an excellent example of what can be done to further showcase LGBTQ+ individuals within video games. Since its launch back in late 2020,Hadeshas achieved a massive amount of success and withthe physical version ofHadeson Nintendo Switchreleasing pretty soon, it will surely give fans further reason to play and appreciate this game.
Hadesis available now on PC and Nintendo Switch.
