Hi! If you are here that means you want to know more about me and this blog! Which is super cool of you :)
Lets get into it
I'm Carter and in my spare time I like to game and theorize about gender and language! I use they/them pronouns but anything is fine because language is all made up in the first place. My current favorite games are The Sims 4, Stardew Valley, and Ultimate Alliance 3. I'm mostly a Nintendo Switch player, but I am always in the market for new PC games (that won't fry my laptop!).
Why start this blog? Well, because I think the topic is interesting and something that isn't widely explored. I wanted to take something that is popular and fun, like video games, and possibly apply some queer theory and gender studies to it.
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know me a bit :)
Is Minecraft the superior game for diverse gender representation?
Yeah, dude
Nah, dude
I guess
What do you mean, dude?
Voting ended onOct 28, 2023
From a comment on a poll I did, it was mentioned that Minecraft being a sandbox game allows for any sort of creation--even with gender! And, I've got to agree. I grew up playing Minecraft on PC and Xbox and the more I think about it, the player isn't assigned any gender and neither is any of the mobs. Would it be ambitious to say that all mobs in Minecraft are genderless or operate outside of the gender binary?
In Feminist Frequency's fifth video in their Tropes vs. Women in Video Games series, the host--Anita Sarkeesian--explores the character design of the Ms Male Character trope in video game history.
This video was actually one of my first starting points when starting this blog! I encourage you guys to check it out if you can. And if you watch it, what do you think? Do you still see this type of design in more recent games?
Starfield offers a fortunate opportunity for those seeking to change how they are referred to by allowing players to modify their pronouns.
I haven't played Starfield yet, but I have been really curious about how their player gender mechanics work and if they allowed for players to chose their own pronouns. It looks kind of limited, but at least they have a feature for it :)
Do you think video games help reinforce a gender binary?
Yeah, dude
No, dude
Maybe?
Voting ended onOct 28, 2023
Bonus question! What parts of a game reinforces the heteronormative construction of the gender binary? Do the games just play on gender stereotypes? Does the game reinforce a stark distinction between female characters and male characters through their character design (like oversexualization of female characters and hyper unrealistic body images for male characters)?
Do you think games like Fortnite and Overwatch where there is a set of characters or skins for the player to choose from should be a little bit less set in the binary? Do you think they are set in the binary at all?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! I'd love to hear 'em :)
Nightingale held its first in-person community event at the most recent Gamescon, where some content creators and media agencies got to see
I have been DYING to see that the character creation is going to operate in Nightingale and this sneak peak is super exciting! The level of customization seems to be absolutely insane (customizing different parts of eye color) and I like how they refer to the different player frames as just "Body A" and "Body B." BUT I also wonder how gender expression is implemented in the game and if different types of clothing is locked to a certain body type. I guess we'll find out!
Which popular game do you think has the best gender representation?
Minecraft
Fortnite
The Sims 4
Stardew Valley
Animal Crossing
PUBG
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Apex Legends
Voting ended onOct 31, 2023
If there is any games that you don't see on the list, make sure to comment! I would love to find more games with diverse and inclusive gender representation :)
Super excited for this update, but I wonder if they are going to expand options on gender in the future... It would be cool if they were to take their rather genderless player frame and just tweak some of the gendered language and mechanics!
Lvl 3: How to Mod the Sims for Diverse Gender Representation
Ready, player?
In my last blog post, I wrote about how recently the Sims 4 has made great progress with gender inclusivity. But today I wanted to discuss how mods and cc (custom content) can improve these features.
So, let’s get into it :)
Quick Download Tutorial
Installing mods for the Sims 4 on Windows is quite easy :)
First, you have to pick out the mod or custom content that you want. Most creators use SimsFileShare or their Patreon to store their mod files. Follow the ‘download’ button and your file will appear at the right of your screen.
Then as it downloads, open up your file and click on Documents, then Electronic Arts, then The Sims 4, then that will lead you to your Mods folder.
You will then click your downloaded file and drop it into your mods folder. For custom content, I organize my files into categories like hair, makeup, and outfits. However, for mods, you should just drop it in because layering files might cause the mod to break.
Then, boot up your Sims 4 and click Options on your main menu. This will open your settings and you will click Other, and check the box that says “Enable Custom Content and Mods.”
Then, restart your game, and once it is loaded back up, a mods folder will open up and list the mods you have in your game!
Queer Mods
Some of the best mods for gender representation in the Sims 4 are:
Lumpinou’s LGBTQIA+ / Gender & Orientation Overhaul Mod
Meep62’s Ingame Gender Transition Mod
PimpMySims4’s LGBT Mod
Zero’s Hormone Replacement Therapy Mod
Lumpinou’s mod encourages players to free their sims from the binary and is a fully customizable mod that expands the base game’s gender and sexuality features. It’s massive and allows players to make incredibly queer sims AND queer spaces with the LGBTQIA+ lot trait.
Meep62’s mod allows players to realistically represent their sims transition without enabling cheats and going into CAS. Through gameplay, players are given options to undergo gender affirmation surgeries, take hormones, and take voice training.
PimpMySims4’s mod is very similar to Lumpinou’s, where it expands on current gender and sexuality features, but this mod adds in LGBTQIA+ events like charity events, protests (City Living Expansion pack is needed), and queer gatherings.
Zero’s mod implements Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) where sims can get prescribed hormone medication, which impacts the sim’s moodlet buffs, their ability to gain and lose weight, and their appetite.
Custom Content
The world of Sims 4 custom content is MASSIVE. For this post, I will only focus on custom content that improves diverse gender representation. Here of some assets that I thought were cool:
amythesailor’s and leansims makeup that looks GOOD on masculine frame sims
sim_saurus’s recolored base game posters included 30 new variants
mightypistachio’s pride flag head scarfs
Although there is MUCH more to explore when it comes to the world of Sims 4 custom content, these are the ones I thought were some I’d add to my game in the future :)
What are some of your favorite mods for the sims? Do they help you expand the game and create sims outside of the binary? Drop a comment and I’d love to find more mods :)
Works Cited
Full PimpMySims4 Mod Image: “MOD REVIEW - Issuu.” Issuu, issuu.com/simmedup/docs/simmedup_magazine_issue_11_sml/s/12718209.
Mods Image: “Mods/Custom Content Doesn’t Show Up.” Crinrict’s Sims 4 Help Blog, 8 Mar. 2023, sims4.crinrict.com/eng/2018/11/mods-custom-content-doesnt-show-up.
Lumpinou Mod Image: Lumpinou. “Lumpinou’s LGBTQIA+ / Gender and Orientation Overhaul Mod (Sims 4):” Lumpinou’s Sims 4 Mods, 8 Apr. 2023, lumpinoumods.com/2022/06/07/lumpinous-lgbtqia-mod.
Meep62 Mod Image: “ModTheSims - Ingame Gender Transition Mod.” Mod the Sims, modthesims.info/d/663209/ingame-gender-transition-mod.html.
PimpMySims4 Mod Image: Stiv, Jey. “🐴 LGBTQIA Mod v2.3 EN ESPAÑOL - LOS SIMS 4.” Marcianitos, 15 Aug. 2023, jeystiv.wixsite.com/mods/post/lgtb-mod.
Zero's Mod Image: Patreon. “BG - Hormone Replacement Therapy | Zero’s Sims 4 Mods.” Patreon, www.patreon.com/posts/hormone-therapy-41742316.
MighyPistacio CC Image: Mightypistachio. “Mightypistachio.” Tumblr, 11 June 2023, mightypistachio.tumblr.com/post/719871805531340800/mightypistachio-sul-sul-mighty-pistachio-is.
Lvl 2: The Sims 4 & How It's Resisting Gender Binary Norms
Ready, player?
The video game industry has had an interesting history with gender, sexuality, and gender representation to say the least. But one game in recent years has had a firm footing in capturing life outside of heteronormativity.
For today I want to talk about one of my favorite games, The Sims 4.
So let's get into it :)
Since the first release of The Sims franchise in 2000, the game has been evolving its inclusivity: The Sims 1 allowed same-sex relationships, The Sims 2 allowed same-sex sims to have a “Joined Union” (marriage but not really), and The Sims 3 finally ‘legalized’ same-sex marriage.
Despite these inclusive implements, the gameplay didn’t exactly SIMulate all walks of life. Until The Sims 4.
For gender expression, The Sims 4 hadn’t really explored much beyond gender binary norms. Prior to 2016, the players were allowed to customize their sim’s walk style before their sim’s gender.
The Sims 4’s massive ‘Gender Update’ expanded the boundaries of gender expression. Customizable options (like hair, clothes, and accessories) in CAS that were previously locked behind male/female frames were now available for players to use regardless of their sim’s frame. The Sims Team even took a step further and allowed players to customize their sim’s ability to get pregnant or not as well as separate the sims frame from their gender, which was an insanely awesome feature for them to add.
In other words, they allowed for sims to be super queer and didn’t determine gender based on the sims frame or their gender expression.
And this is important: Pushing the boundaries of heteronormativity and the gender binary is ethical and inclusive, allowing for other people to be, to share their identities in games which are often exclusive in representation. If popular media, like video games, were unafraid to implement more boundary-less characters and language then I think more people would be open to learning (and accepting) queer life.
But there was still work to be done. Although players were allowed to create and represent queer sims visually in CAS and explore queer relationships in Live Mode, there still was an issue with pronouns in text-based notifications and gameplay. If the players wanted to have a gender-non-conforming sim they would still have to use he/him or she/her pronouns.
Sooo, the they/thems or neo-pronouns were practically non-existent in the Sims 4 for another 6 YEARS.
In 2022, The Sims 4 released its pronoun update that allowed players to choose their sim’s pronouns and even go as far as to write in their sim’s pronouns. This allowed players to create sims that had neo-pronouns, multiple pronouns, and they/them pronouns. Finally…
Then earlier this year on July 28th, The Sims 4 launched their sexuality update that allowed players to fully classify and customize their sim’s sexuality. So, instead of all sims being coded as pansexual and fraternizing with ANY sim regardless of gender/sex, sims were now able to be classified as strictly attracted to male, female, all sims, or even no sims at all. So, sims can now officially be asexual!
Throughout the year The Sims Team has also added customizable options for sims in CAS like binders and top surgery scars. Hopefully, they’ll start working on the makeup from masculine frame sims soon…
What do you think? Do you think The Sims has done a good job of expanding on gender expression? Are there any other games that do this? Drop a lil comment down below :)
Works Cited
Image Cited: Broverman, Neal. “Sims’ Trans Characters Have Christian Zealots Seeing End of Days.” Advocate.com, 7 Feb. 2023, www.advocate.com/transgender/sims-trans-characters-have-christian-zealots-seeing-end-of-days.
Here is where I am listing all of the gender studies/queer theory and gaming terminology for your leisure and convenience. This list will also continuously update and potentially add more terms or edit current terms.
Let's list :)
CAS: Abbreviation for Create A Sim in the Sims franchise.
Gender Expression: How someone represents their gender through physical and behavioral expression. This term is fluid because everyone views gender in a different way.
Gender-non-conforming: A person who fits outside the gender binary of the two societal expectations for the female and male sex.
How one expresses their gender through either clothing style, interpersonal communication, etc.
Heteronormative/Heteronormativity: The concept that heterosexuality is the preferred or normal mode of sexual orientation. It assumes the gender binary and that sexual and marital relations are most fitting between people of the opposite sex in society.
In other words, het dominated society where queer people are the 'out group.'
Live Mode: The gameplay mode in The Sims where your sims 'come to life' and where most of the gameplay is centered.
Othering: Is the act of taking anything that is seen as “outside the norm” and forcing that idea upon anyone or anything that is outside of that normative culture.
Simply, other people creating an 'out group' based on the said group not following their norms.
Player Frame/Body Frame: The type of body that is represented as a 'base' for a video game's customizable character. This is usually represented as male/female body types.
PUBG: Battlegrounds, the extremely popular first-person shooter, has an interesting character creation mechanic compared to its competitors--Fornite, Call of Duty, Apex Legends, etc. So does it's character creation adhere to gender stereotypes and reinforce the gender binary? Let's find out.
Ratings will go from a scale from 1 to 10. 1 being the worst---having little to no customization and strictly adhering to gender stereotypes in their character design. 10 being the best---plenty of ways to customize your character and allows for 'boundary-less' character design. For example, do masculine frame characters only sport buzzed cuts and muted colors? And, do feminine frame characters only sport long high ponytails with bows and bright saturated colors?
PUBG BATTLE GROUNDS: 5.8 out of 10
Given the game mechanics and the ultimate purpose of the game, I wasn't surprised how much PUBG lacked diverse character creation. The game is designed to be a PVP, battle royale, first-person shooter game---so I didn't really have high hopes for it.
Binary Bounded: 6 out of 10
4 out of the 9 hairstyles are shared with the two player frames---which was somewhat unexpected. These 4 hairstyles consist of a low mini ponytail, a short buzz cut, an afro, and a half shaved bob (Tales of Lumin - Character Creation & More!).
Given its micro-transaction model for wardrobe customization, there are a multitude of different ways to mix and match what your character is wearing from a full lobster costume to practically a bra and mini skirt. Players can wear all of the purchased content regardless of feminine or masculine frame and pick certain assets of the outfit to purchase rather than buying the whole set--which is actually pretty cool (Tales of Lumin - Character Creation & More!).
This allows for players to customize their character without being bounded to any existing binaries. So, they could ultimately create any type of visuals they want that are not bound by what frame they use.
Resisting Stereotypes: 5 out of 10
However, there are various things that I found problematic with the purchasable options. Although it is not relevant to my topic, it is worth noting that lot of the 'faces' that are purchasable depict (mostly) BIPOC features, rather than them just being free alongside the two faces that have white/eurocentric features. Further, most items that are clearly geared toward the feminine framed characters are hyper-sexualized. Nonetheless, I see didn't any purchasable armor for both frames either... So PUBG isn't really rooted in any realistic wardrobe expectations.
Additionally, there is no bodily customization with the two existing feminine and masculine frames. Therefore, there is only one body type represented within the respected frames that the player must use.
Overall Customization: 6.5 out of 10
TOTALS: 17.5 out of 30 = 5.8 out of 10
Works & Images Cited
Image 1: Fenlon, Wes. “Hold up, PUBG Is Called PUBG: Battlegrounds Now?” Pcgamer, Aug. 2021, www.pcgamer.com/hold-up-pubg-is-called-pubg-battlegrounds-now.
Tales of Lumin - Character Creation & More! “PUBG: Battlegrounds - Full Character Creation and Customization (Male & Female, All Options, More!).” YouTube, 12 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9AghYsHZyI.
