Baldur’s Gate 3, the enchanting role-playing game (RPG) developed by Larian Studios and inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, has captivated the gaming world, garnering eight nominations at the recent Game Awards, including a prestigious nod for “Game of the Year.” However, what sets this RPG apart is its substantial offering of LGBTQ+-friendly and sex-positive content, warmly embraced by the queer gaming community.
In a candid interview with The Gamer, actor Neil Newbon, renowned as the voice behind fan-favorite character Astarion, expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the outpouring of support from the LGBTQ+ community. Newbon shared, “The support from the community was amazing, humbling, and something I wasn’t prepared for, but I love it.” Notably, Astarion’s pansexuality, the character he portrays, has struck a resonant chord among players.
Astarion, a charismatic character in Baldur’s Gate 3, stands as a symbol of acceptance and love, as Newbon pointed out, saying, “It’s important to keep pushing the message forward that you should love who you want to love, and that shouldn’t be an issue, and nobody should judge you for it.” Beyond this, Neil Newbon’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity extends to asexual and aromantic individuals, often overlooked in such discussions, emphasizing the value of friendship and normalizing diverse relationships in gaming.
Indeed, fans aptly label Baldur’s Gate 3 as the “queerest game of all time.” Besides the remarkable support from the cast, including transgender YouTube star Abigail Thorn, Larian Studios has received widespread acclaim for their dedication to trans-inclusive options within the character customization screens. The game challenges gender norms by providing players with choices like four “body types” instead of the typical binary gender options. Moreover, players can customize their character right down to intimate details, including pronouns, marking a significant step towards greater inclusivity.
However, amidst its resounding success, some right-wing gamers have raised objections to the LGBTQ+ references within the game. They have resorted to a troubling mod that attempts to erase all queer references, a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for acceptance and inclusivity in the world of gaming. Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to stand as a testament to the importance of embracing diversity and breaking down barriers, both within the gaming community and beyond.