Summary
As both game designers and gamers place greater importance on representation,especially LGBTQ+ representation,sexuality isn’t the only thing taking center stage. Characters with gender identities that aren’t strictly cis are also becoming more common. And, among these characters, we’re seeing more non-binary representation.
Non-binary characters identify outside of the gender binary.While some games offer the player a chance to directly represent themselves this way,other games are creating fleshed out characters who explore this aspect of their identity. Here are some that stand out.
9Primordial Chaos
Hades
Found by sacrificing health to go through a chaos gate which may appear within regular chambers, Primordial Chaos, as you might imagine, cannot be contained by either gender. While Primordial Chaos isn’t a human representation of the non-binary identity (they have inhuman reasons to identify outside the binary), they are one of the coolest characters inHades, especially with their complex character design, so we’ll take it.
True to form, Primordial Chaos offers the only boons in the game that have a debuff before a boon of even greater power is granted. They also, despite their seemingly unattached personality, seem to have a soft spot for our spirited protagonist.
8Frisk
Undertale
What we know for sure is that Frisk is not male or female. In-game, the character uses they/them, and Toby Fox has specifically avoided assigning them either, and both of these make them canonically outside the gender binary. Since Undertale’s breakout in 2015, Frisk has been one of the most recognizable non-binary characters in gaming.
It makes sense we would see an unconventional protagonist in a game about defying expectations, and we’re happy to see the trend of representation in indie gaming going stronger than ever.
7Emma ‘Sundance’ Rosier
Battlefield 2042
If the Battlefield series wasn’t the place you thought you’d find LGBTQ+ representation, Battlefield 2042 is looking to buck those expectations. Assault Specialist Sundance was confirmed to be non-binary. With their Wingsuit and smart explosives abilities, they’re sure to be a popular choice.
Sundance not only has a cool background as a member of a major Parisian crime syndicate, they also mark an important moment for non-binary representation continuing to reach triple-A gaming. Especially for human characters who aren’t made non-binary by some other factor outside the identity.
6Blanche
Pokemon Go
In 2016, thePokemon Goapp took the world by storm. To play, you choose from three different factions, each of them headed by a different faction leader. Team Mystique’s leader, Blanche, is non-binary. For the millions of players who logged into the app, this character presented casual representation of the identity.
Pokemon trainers have a history of very eye-catching, unique styles that certainly don’t fit in with traditional gender roles, so it’s nice to see one of them finally embracing breaking the mold.
5Clove
Valorant
An Agent added toValorantin 2024, Clove was confirmed to be non-binary upon their release. As they’re the 25th playable character, it’s nice to see someone who reflects an identity that hasn’t yet been explored in the game, giving non-binary players the chance to see themselves in Valorant.
Clove is described as both a troublemaker and fearless. It helps thatthey’re a Radiant who controls the essences of life and immortality.This means that they’re not just non-binary; they’re also basicallyunkillablerepresentation.
4Fang
Goodbye Volcano High
Even though they’re a dinosaur and not a human, Fang lives in a world with a gender binary and identities the same as ours. They’re the protagonist in a game where everything could soon be coming to an end, so it’s only fitting that they’re exploring all aspects of their identity.
Since Fang is the protagonist, we get to spend a lot of time in their shoes, with their thoughts and feelings. This in-depth treatment makes them an important non-binary character for gamers looking to fully-fleshed out representation instead of just a token gesture.
3Venture
Overwatch 2
Described as “a globe-trotting archaeologist and explorer” by Blizzard, Venture is the 40th hero added to the game, released in the tenth season. They’re also the first non-binary character inOverwatch. Fun, dorky, and carrying a massive drill/gun,Venture offers a few fun new movesto people both new to and familiar with the game.
Since Overwatch has several LGBTQ heroes already, it isn’t a surprise to see them adding to that roster. Venture is the fifth queer playable character in the game.
2Bloodhound
Apex Legends
Bloodhound is a non-binary Legend introduced at the launch ofApex Legends. They not only defy easy categorization when it comes to gender, but they also represent a bridge between the Old Ways and technological advancements as a tracker. Because of this,they have a set of skills that are very useful for doing recon in-game.
While the space can also be dominated by younger characters, it’s also nice to see representation in the form of an older character, since Bloodhound is 40 years old.
1Kris
Deltarune
Toby Fox has done it again! Kris, the protagonist of Deltarune, is non-binary. For plot reasons, they’re more defined as a character than Frisk in the previous game, noted as being a quiet person but nonetheless mischievous, enjoying the piano among other things.
As in the case of Undertale, the character’s identity is important to the themes present in the game, especially the theme of agency. Kris is not simply an extension of the player, but their own character, and one that the non-binary community can be proud to call their own.
