Express Your Pride: LGBTQ+ characters, ships in gaming

Although it has been a practice since the 2010s, games over recent years tried to represent various identities in the LGBTQ+ community by creating queer characters and couples, tugging the heartstrings of queer people and allies alike. 

Listed below are a few LGBTQ+ characters in games. 

P.S. Other items listed may contain spoilers for games like God of War: Ragnarok and Baldur's Gate 3, so scroll at your own risk 

Courtesy: Sony

God of War: Ragnarok - Jari and Somr

The side quest "Across the Realms" will make God of War: Ragnarok players feel warmth and comfort, as they navigate through the story of Jari and Somr. Over time, Kratos learns about the story of the couple as he and Mimir navigate through the quest. There, players learn of “The Ballad of Jari and Somr.” Jari, a Midgardian warrior, meets a wanderer named Somr, and they decide to travel together. 

Later as the quest progresses, Kratos sees a fireplace lit up with the rainbow’s colors, as Mimir narrates how the ballad ends with both Jari and Somr sharing a kiss in the fields of Jotunheim. 

Jari and Somr’s story in God of War: Ragnarok was inspired by the love story of its Santa Monica developers Jake Snipes and Sam Handrick. Both Handrick and Snipes met while creating the game, although Snipes didn’t get to live to see their story come to life as he died due to epilepsy in 2020. 

On X (Formerly Twitter), Handrick shared he initially pitched the idea to “leave some piece of him” in the game and honor his partner. 

Courtesy: Witch BeamThe girl from Unpacking

Perhaps, many are familiar with the multi-awarded cozy game, first released worldwide in 2021, when cozy games were on a rage during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.  

In the story, players will unpack a female character's possessions, in different stages of her life. The story will unravel from a heartbreak, to eventually finding a same-sex partner, who she'll eventually build a family with. 

The game was nominated at the 2022 Gayming Awards, and won the BAFTA Games Awards for "Best Narrative." 

Courtesy: Riot Games

Valorant - Nanobomb (Killjoy + Raze) and Clove

Known as “nanobomb,” Killjoy and Raze’s relationship was first hinted at through their voice lines in the first-person shooting game. From planning to do some tinkering to Raze’s “Killjoy, you and me until the end,” whether or not they were a couple remained a mystery for the Valorant community. 

That was until Riot Games -- without any caption -- posted a photo of Killjoy and Raze sharing a kiss, to promote the game’s patch for late 2023. 

Later on, in 2024, Valorant also released non-binary character Clove, which quickly became a popular pick because of their self-sufficient kit in-game.  

Courtesy: Larian Studios

Baldur’s Gate 3 - Dame Aylin and Isobel Thorm 

Baldur's Gate 3's push for diversity among the original characters and companions quickly became one of the game's strong points, and a significant portion of the game's lore will eventually unfold into their story. Whether or not the story will end in fortune or tragedy will depend on the player. 

Dame Aylin and Isobel Thorm story will unfurl if players choose to pursue Shadowheart's story quest. There, players will find that Isobel's father, Ketheric Thorm, held Dame Aylin captive as grief over his dead wife plagued his sanity. In the end, the player will either have to decide on either killing Dame Aylin or sparing her. The decision will significantly impact not just Shadowheart's characterization in the future but also allow Dame Aylin to reunite and kiss Isobel, or keep them apart for the rest of their lives.

Keeping both characters alive will also allow the players to access both Dame Aylin and Isobel in their camp.

Courtesy: Sony Pictures Television

The Last of Us

Trigger warning for suicide

In The Last of Us Part 1, Frank took his own life after finding out he was infected, and appeared as a post-mortem character. 

Although his relationship with Bill was only "heavily implied" in the game, the HBO adaptation, done by Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett, confirmed their relationship, with one entire episode dedicated to their love story.