Apex Legends, since its inception, has garnered praise for its commitment to inclusivity and representation. With a diverse roster of characters and LGBTQIA+ stories, the game has created a safe and welcoming space for players of all backgrounds.
In a recent Game ZXC interview, Narrative Lead Ashley Reed discussed how the Apex Legends development team has worked toward incorporating LGBTQIA+-affirming themes and how the picture the future of the real world through Apex. Reed opened up about ways in which the team is not only creating a positive game atmosphere but also a positive and welcoming workplace for the creators and developers of Apex Legends.
Apex Legends stands as a shining example of how a video game can imagine and create a queer-positive future. With its LGBTQIA+-friendly storylines, diverse characters, and commitment to inclusivity, the game serves as a beacon of representation within the gaming industry. As players immerse themselves in the world of Apex Legends, they find not only an exhilarating gaming experience but also a reflection of themselves and a promising vision for a more inclusive world.
One of the primary ways Apex Legends incorporates LGBTQIA+ narratives and storylines is by giving characters a place to discuss them, i.e. through dialogue. While the game is not a traditional single-player experience, players can hear characters discussing their personal lives, relationships, and identities. As Reed explained, characters like Loba and Valkyrie openly talk about their relationship, Gibraltar reflects on love lost and found, and Catalyst proudly identifies as a "grim trans witch." These conversations provide glimpses into the ongoing storylines and how the characters navigate the world, among various other teases and tidbits. By giving characters a space to discuss their experiences, Apex Legends normalizes LGBTQIA+ narratives in the gaming landscape.
“Primarily, we integrate those storylines into our game by giving characters a space to talk about them,” Reed said. “We’re not a traditional single-player game, so you won’t see those events play out mid-match, but you will hear characters say what’s going on in their lives.” The thought process behind including LGBTQIA+ characters in Apex Legends stems from the team's vision for creating a more queer-positive world. By featuring characters with diverse lives and identities, the game showcases the breadth of human experience that Respawn hopes to see in the real world.
Apex Legends takes place in the future of our own world, which means a couple of things for us: we want it to reflect the world we see, and also our hopes for the future. It’s an imperfect place, but we’d like to hope that many of the struggles we experience today on Earth are not ongoing 700 years in the future. With those things in mind, we wanted to include characters with all different kinds of lives and identities, to show the breadth of human experience as we see it today and our hopes for how people of all different stripes will be seen in the future.
The company's stance on LGBTQIA+ issues transcends its characters and includes the studio and its community too. Respawn Entertainment strives to create a workplace that is welcoming to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, which includes providing a safe and inclusive environment for queer employees. The company seeks to cultivate a community where players find a sense of belonging and acceptance, and does so not just by representing characters, but welcoming and affirming all who walk through its doors too.
“At Respawn, we try to foster a ‘come as you are’ workplace, which extends to our LGBTQ+ employees. The same can be said about the characters we create and the community we try our best to foster. Players should see the world of Apex, both in and out of game, as a space where they not only see themselves reflected, but also as a space where they feel they have a seat at the table.”
Looking ahead, Reed couldn't comment on specific plans for future trans characters in Apex Legends. However, the team remains excited to witness the enthusiasm and anticipation from fans regarding what lies ahead for the game. In Apex Legends, the message to LGBTQIA+ players is clear: you are welcome. The game aims to provide an enjoyable experience where players feel recognized and valued. By presenting a diverse and inclusive picture of the future, Apex Legends sends a powerful message of acceptance and affirmation.
Apex Legends is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
