The Outer Worlds has players exploring outer space and, along the way, meeting some characters that are nothing short of memorable. Though there is plenty of action to be had, the various friends that players encounter along the way make the game worth it, especially because developers use the characters to represent often-neglected identities. This can be seen with Parvati Holcomb who, as a positively represented asexual character, marks a critical moment in gaming. The Outer Worlds 2 should continue the trend by including more characters that positively represent identities that are often invisible in the mainstream.
Parvati's representation of asexuality worked because she has depth and a storyline that goes beyond her sexuality, which prevents her from becoming a mere token character. Furthermore, her representation of asexuality does not fall into the same stereotypes and myths that other games have been trapped by. If the same sensitivity can be applied to other identities, The Outer Worlds 2 could make more gamers than ever feel represented within gaming.
Parvati Holcomb in The Outer Worlds
Parvati is one of the companions that players meet in The Outer Worlds. Players come across her in Edgewater where she works as an engineer. It is easy to take a liking to her because she is sweet and so empathetic that she sometimes names the machines she interacts with at her job in Saltuna Cannery. Her soft-spoken and reserved personality instantly makes players want to protect her, and her cheeriness is a nice ray of sunshine in an often cynical world.
As players spend time with Parvati, they discover that she is asexual. Although she has had relationships in the past, none of them have succeeded due to her partners describing her as "cold." This revelation mirrors an experience that many asexuals in real life may struggle with. Parvati is a character that brings asexuality to the forefront, which is an identity that is seldom represented in media. She also debunks the myth that asexual people are "cold," as she is one of the most loving and empathetic characters that players come across.
How The Outer Worlds Can Include More Positive Representations
Parvati is an important character in gaming, as negative stereotypes surrounding asexuals pervade society, and can even be found in games like Death Stranding which originally linked asexuality to its dystopian events. Having a popular character that challenges these misconceptions can be a powerful teaching tool, and a way for more identities to feel accepted and included within gaming. This can be done with plenty of other identities in The Outer Worlds 2, and it does not have to be limited to sexual identities.
Although it would be interesting for The Outer Worlds 2 to explore alien companions, developers should not forget about human companions. The game could explore the lives of the disabled, transgender people, and other identities that would greatly benefit from increased positive representation. If the same sensitivity that was applied to Parvati's asexuality can be applied to other identities, it could result in The Outer Worlds 2 being a groundbreaking game in terms of representation, which would in turn illustrate that games - like other artistic art forms - are capable of addressing real-world issues in meaningful ways.
The Outer Worlds 2 was announced during 2021's E3, and though it doesn't have a release date just yet, players do know that it will feature a new solar system and crew. Following the success of The Outer Worlds, the sequel has the potential to be a hit for Obsidian Entertainment. However, Obsidian needs to remember that the characters are just as important as the gameplay when it comes to the franchise's appeal.
The Outer Worlds 2 is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
