I was particularly interested in doing this piece as I was researching PC games and came across an article on WoW (World of Warcraft) first gay couple. Going through the Reddit forums produced promising results as many WoW players have found a few gay characters and this made me realise that it’s time to talk about diversity in gaming.
So, for the folks that aren’t familiar with the game, WoW is an online multiplayer shooter, much like Overwatch and one of Blizzard’s best-selling titles.
Last year, Blizzard quietly introduced LGBTQI characters in its Legion expansion for WoW. With positive reception over Overwatch‘s Tracer as an openly gay character, WoW’s two gay NPCs (non-playable characters) went under the radar until now. Considering that WoW explores gay themes during the game’s 12-year existence, this is a tremendous move (in the right direction) for Blizzard as a studio and for gaming as a whole.
On WoW’s Reddit forums, many have embraced the inclusion of a gay couple while some have tried to deter that sexuality isn’t or shouldn’t be the main theme for WoW. Do have a read of the comments to the WoW forum, There is Already a Gay Couple in WoW.
So, who is the couple in the spotlight? If you have seen the headlining image, Priestess Driana and Enchantress Ilanya are WoW’s Legion NPCs that are part of a small quest. Ilanya asks your character to search for an old apprentice as you must deliver a message that she forgave her apprentice for her past transgressions.
Your character will see a glimpse of the priestess who now possessed demonic powers as you help her cleanse herself in which this narrative takes a romantic turn for Driana and Ilanya. As this narrative continue where Driana describes the relationship between her and her master, it ends where you reunite the pair as they head off into the sunset (figuratively speaking).
Now, what I didn’t like about this story was the fact that it doesn’t feel important or have a major impact on Legion’s narrative. It feels like it may have been pushed aside but on the plus side, the inclusion of a gay couple from Blizzard is a step in the right direction. Gaming is becoming diverse and progressive where it’s the inclusion of gay couples, more female lead characters or portraying ethnicities in a positive light. I can’t say anything bad about the characters but how they produced the story to introduce the characters was a bit of an afterthought.
Knowing that this will generate massive feedback, both good and bad, comment on whether more should be done in video games and whether progression is accepted.
But in the meantime, Blizzard, we thank you…
