LGBTQ+ representation in fighting games has become nearly non-existent since the '80s and '90s. There are outliers like the  series, which has maintained at least an NPC representation of gay and trans characters steadily s✱ince the late '80s. However, the portrayals in fighter titles have died out overall. So, where did they all go? Surely, in this day in age, the gaming industry wouldn't be taking a less progressive stance than it did two to four decades ago.

In actuality♉, the gaming industry is advocating more than ever, with LGBTQ+ presence within the industry becoming more and more common. So, why the drop in representation from the genre that once had t𝓀he most diversity?

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Where Did All Of The LGBTQ+ Fighters Go?

Via bringnews.com

shows some of the last LGBTQ+ characters in fighting games only represented lesbians and trans women. The Final Fight series, which spanned from 1989 through to 2006, portrayed Poison, a trans woman, as a protagonist. Similarly, Evil Zone in 1999 featured a protagonist who was a lesbian. Other representations had already begun to peter out, at least for protagonist roles. Some diverse NPCs were still present in titles such as 1997's Bloody Roar, which portray✅🀅ed Fox, a possibly non-binary character.

A statistics chart by  suggests that as LGBTQ+ fighter representation dropped, portrayals in simulation and interactive/visual novels began to rise. The visual novel niche has seen the largest growth, while simulation titles have had some of the most prevalent representations for the LGBTQ+ community. RPG titles saw a few spikes in its otherwise steady LGBTQ+ representation as well. 🔯LGBTQ+ representation in these genres offers players a chance to𝔍 identify with characters on a new level or even test the waters, so to speak, if players are questioning their own sexuality. This creates a wholly uplifting and inclusive experience, compared to the purely detached viewpoint that is common among fighter titles.

The fighter genre saw a small resurgence of LGBTQ+ advocacy in 2015 through a handful of titles, the most prominent being Gay Fighter Supreme. The game boasts fighters from all groups wit🍌hin the community and has a fascinating storyline.  that the message of the game isဣ that the community should not fight among itself when there are greater enemies at large.

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Gay Fighter Supreme touches on current🐠 affairs regarding LGBTQ+ in a positive - if not satirical - light. However, if this is the case, t𒈔hen why didn't the movement take hold and continue promoting the community within the fighter genre?

Though it may be controversial, the most likely reasoning seems to correlate to violence towards the LGBTQ+ community. This is not to denounce the abilities or tenacity of any of the fighters, however, as LGBTQ+ characters were often some of the most dangerous contenders. Instead, the gaming industry may have wanted to move away from an anti-gay viewpoint that fighting titles might be seen as promoting by some, with or without intending to. For example, it is easy to see how ꦓbeating up a gay NPC could take on a negative connotation.

They're Not Gone, Just In Different Games

Via ign.com

LGBTQ+ representation in the gaming industry is not gone, though. In 🍎fact, it is booming, but it's focus has shifted. In the '80s and '90s, fighter titles were deemed the best way to include the community, whereas today there is a calling for characters to be more relatable and their representation more prevalent within immersive genres. This growing dynamic within simulators and choice-based games provides a unique opportunity for players to identify with a character or even to test waters i💖n a safe space.

On a small scale, fighting games like Gay Fighter Supreme advocate for thꦚe community, but LGBTQ+ rights seem to be better represented through more personalized gameplay. This, therefore, explains why such characters are now more popular in other genres that are equipped to portray the community in a more versatile light.

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