The gaming industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with developers focusing on inclusivity and diversity in their games. The latest example of this is the release of the Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC, which reveals that protagonist Aloy is queer. This is a big step forward for the gaming industry, as it shows that major franchises are willing to embrace and represent diverse communities.
The DLC, which was launched on April 19th on PlayStation 5, offers new content and quality-of-life changes, but it also takes Aloy to Horizon’s post-apocalyptic take on Los Angeles, California, where she meets Seyka, a woman who becomes her love interest. As the two’s story unfolds throughout the expansion, it becomes clear there’s romantic tension between them, and the player is given the option to either confess Aloy’s own feelings or turn Seyka down.
Aloy’s Queerness is Not Explored in Horizon Forbidden West
While some may argue that Aloy’s sexuality being optional is a way to headcanon her as straight, the Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC clearly establishes Aloy as queer, and that her romance with Seyka is a central part of the expansion. This is a significant step forward in terms of representation in gaming, as it offers LGBTQ+ players the chance to see themselves represented in a positive light.
However, it’s worth noting that some players may be disappointed that Aloy’s queerness is only expressed in a post-launch DLC, rather than the main game. It’s essential for developers to make inclusivity and diversity a central part of their games, rather than tucking them away as an afterthought. In this way, Aloy’s queerness could have been explored and established more thoroughly in the main game.
Despite this, the fact that Aloy is queer is still a significant step forward for the gaming industry. It shows that game developers are starting to embrace diverse communities and that players from all backgrounds can feel represented and included in the games they play. Hopefully, Horizon Forbidden West’s Burning Shores DLC is just the beginning, and we’ll see more games take a similar approach in the future.
Representation in Video Games
This kind of representation is important in gaming, not only for the LGBTQ+ community but for the industry as a whole. It’s a step towards more diverse and inclusive storytelling and gameplay, and it’s something that more and more developers are realising. Aloy’s queerness and her ability to enter into a romantic relationship is just one example of the progress being made in the gaming industry.
However, there is still work to be done. Queer representation in gaming is still lacking in many areas, and the industry as a whole needs to continue pushing for more diverse and inclusive content. Too often, LGBTQ+ characters are relegated to minor roles or side stories, rather than being the main focus of a game. While it’s great to see more representation in DLC and expansions, it’s important for the industry to continue pushing for more queer characters in the main game itself.
At the end of the day, Horizon Forbidden West Burning Shores DLC is a step in the right direction. Aloy’s queerness is an important representation for the LGBTQ+ community, and her ability to enter into a romantic relationship is a positive sign of progress in the gaming industry. While there is still work to be done, it’s important to celebrate the victories along the way and continue pushing for more diverse and inclusive gaming experiences.