With over a half-century of video game releases under the belt of developers, considerations for how much thought they give to providing diverse representation is a necessary contemporary discussion. As such, having a look at the characters from video games who represent specific demographics is a good start.
The term "physical disability" is an ill-defined label, that typically includes individuals whose physical impairment significantly affects their daily living. This label has a range of smaller demographics that include wheelchair users, amputees, and people with neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy. While people may be born with or become physically impaired during their lives, it is often the environment’s lack of inclusive design that disables them. Similarly, in an effort to make video games more inclusive and alluring to all demographics, putting purposeful thought into developing diverse characters is a must. The following list includes characters from video games with various physical disabilities.
10 Taimi – Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is a free-to-play online MMO that offers fans visual splendor and a style of imagery that could be straight from an H.P. Lovecraft novel. While the game features many interesting characters, it is the mousey cat-like plucky individual Taimi who features here.
Taimi is a student of the College of Synergetics studying under the famous golemancer, Zojja. A ward of the Progeny Protective Services, Taimi, an orphan since birth, has a degenerative condition that impacts her mobility and is thought to have no cure. Becoming regularly breathless, Taimi completes her deeds with numerous breath stops and rests to recuperate.
9 Max Hass – Wolfenstein
For fans of the legendary Wolfenstein series, there are several notable characters that bless the screens. Max Hass is one such person, whose heroic attitude in the face of constant adversity is a pleasure to view.
Born with a profound injury to the brain, doctors removed much of the damaged tissue, leaving Max with a portion of his head missing. Not letting his disability disable him, Hass is a super strong individual whose savant-like memory and personality make him a valued member of the Resistance.
8 Diogenes – Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy
An atypical character in an atypical game, Diogenes is not the only intriguing facet of this obscure 2017 release. Developed by Mr. Foddy in an obvious attempt to "get over" something by focusing his energies on the exploits of Diogenes.
It is nice to see a disabled lead character. However, Diogenes is hardly your typical representative of any demographic. Named after an ancient Greek philosopher, Diogenes’ sole aim is to scale a mountain and jump into open space. While he appears to lack mobility in his legs, this lead character makes his way around using a huge cauldron. This is not something one would see prescribed by a Physio or Occupational Therapist.
7 Dunban – Xenoblade Chronicles
This Monolith Soft-developed role-playing fantasy series, Xenoblade Chronicles, is a fun-packed adventure game that gives players seven lead characters to choose from. One of those individuals is Dunban, the logical voice of reason amongst the group of protagonists.
A heroic individual of great valor, Dunban regularly shows a willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater cause. It is with this attitude that Dunban wields the mythical sword Monado to defeat his enemies while at the same time causing irreversible damage to his arm, rendering it paralyzed.
6 Baiken – Guilty Gear
First released in 1998 on the original PlayStation, Guilty Gear has since blessed fans with numerous sequels and plentiful characters. Appearing in the first entry, Baiken is a recurring character who descends from ancient Japanese samurai.
Destined to live life as a wandering samurai, Baiken has taken it upon herself to hunt and defeat the sinister antagonist, The Man. As a child, Baiken lost her right arm and left eye in an attack on her village. She has since replaced her missing limb with a useful grappling hook that she uses to evade capture.
5 Kai Brehn – ReCore
ReCore is a third-person action-adventure game that allows players to absorb themselves into the world of Joule Adams and her corebot companions. Making her way through the sprawling land of Far Eden, Adams comes into contact with several characters of note.
One such person is the Earth-born individual, destined to aid Joules, Kai Brehn. Due to a deadly infection known as Dust Plague, Brehn’s legs were amputated. With the help of his own corebot, Seth, Brehn finds Adams, who helps him to create some prosthetic legs.
4 Junkrat – Overwatch
Overwatch is a first-person shooter developed by Blizzard Entertainment which was originally released in 2016. With over 30 playable characters to choose from, fans of this title may struggle when it comes to picking their favorite gunslingers.
Fans familiar with the franchise may opt to choose the Australian anarchist Junkrat to pursue their goals of conquest. Junkrat is a manic hero whose love of explosives and general chaotic demeanor make him a fan favorite. Having lost his right leg in a predictably explosive accident, Junkrat is equipped with a prosthetic.
3 Billie Lurk – Dishonored
Arkane Studios’ 2012 release, Dishonored and its 2016 sequel are a couple of action-adventure games whose narratives do a great job of keeping players enthralled. To successfully keep a player immersed, Dishonored developers have introduced a range of intriguing and complex characters. One of those interesting characters is Billie Lurk.
Lurk, who also goes by Meagan Foster, is a rogue ally whose story takes a twist from protagonist to antagonist. While they have been replaced with sophisticated technology, Billie no longer has her right eye or right arm below the forearm.
2 Joker – Mass Effect
The futuristic military sci-fi RPG, Mass Effect sees players desperately attempting to save the Milky Way from the mechanical menaces, the Reapers. During these exploits, players will inevitably meet up with the confidently arrogant pilot, Jeff "Joker" Moreau.
Born with a mild to severe case of Vrolik syndrome, also known as Brittle Bone Disease, Joker spent his childhood on Arcturus Station before joining the Alliance Navy. Joker’s condition means that he must rely on crutches and leg braces to stay mobile, but given his piloting prowess, he has not let this hold him back.
1 Sir Hammerlock – Borderlands 2
The 2012 Gearbox Software developed first-person shooter, Borderlands 2 offers plays to chance to scrawl the occupied land of Pandora. The storyline features a resistance group of Vault Hunters as they team up to rebel against the tyrannical Handsome Jack. Fans of this franchise will be more than familiar with the bold Sir Alistair Hammerlock.
Sir Hammerlock is a spectacle-wearing, Stetson-rocking, mustachioed human cyborg whose industrious nature is sure to help players along the way. Having lost his right arm and leg fighting against Old Slappy, Hammerlock is equipped with prosthetic limbs that greatly reduce his disability.