The Role of Gender in Modern Character Customization

29 July 2025

Let’s be real for a second — nothing gets a gamer more excited (or triggered) than the words “character customization.” Whether you're crafting your dream space wizard, designing a post-apocalyptic biker grandma, or just trying to make your digital alter ego look like a snack, it's a sacred part of the gaming experience. But lately, one thing has come under the laser scope of change: gender in character creation.

Gone are the days when you click “male” or “female” and call it a day. We’re now in an era where character customization is less “pick a preset” and more “choose your own pixelated destiny.” So, buckle in, grab some snacks, and let’s dive headfirst into the role gender plays in modern character customization — and how it’s flipping the script for gamers everywhere.

The Good Ol’ Days (When Choices Were... Limited)

Remember those RPGs from the '90s or early 2000s? Yeah, if you wanted a female character, your armor was basically a bikini, and your stats? Usually weaker than your male counterpart. Thanks, I guess? Gender didn’t just decide your character’s appearance — it often dictated your entire playstyle.

And don’t even get me started on hair options. If you picked “female,” your choices were:
- Long and flowy
- Ponytail
- Short and sassy (if the devs were feeling edgy)

Fast forward to now — and it’s like we’ve jumped from MS Paint to Photoshop levels of detail and freedom.

Gender in Character Customization: Not Just About Pronouns

Let’s clear something up — gender in games isn’t just about picking “he” or “she” anymore. It’s about representation. It’s about self-expression. And for many players, it’s about identity.

Modern games are starting to catch on that not everyone fits into a neat little pink-or-blue box. And honestly? It’s about time. Your character can have a masculine voice with a feminine body. You can wear a wizard robe or a mini skirt or both — who cares? The point is: you do you.

Real Talk: Why It Matters

You might be thinking, “Why should anyone care if you can rock lipstick and a battle axe at the same time?” Well, here's the thing — for some players, it’s a form of validation. Especially for folks in the transgender or non-binary communities. Being able to build a character that reflects who you are (or who you aspire to be) can be pretty damn powerful.

Games are escapism, sure — but they’re also playgrounds for self-discovery. And character customization? That’s the sandbox.

What Games Are Getting It Right?

Alright, let’s throw some love to the games that are raising the bar.

🛠 Cyberpunk 2077

Say what you will about its buggy launch, but when it comes to customization, Cyberpunk 2077 broke a lot of molds. They got rid of the gender binary when building your character. You select a voice type, body type, and can mix-and-match your preferred pronouns without being hemmed in by one preset or another.

It’s clunky in places, sure — but it’s a step in the right direction.

🕹 Saints Row (2022 Reboot)

Saints Row said, “Forget gender roles, we have chaos to unleash.” You can literally create a purple-haired, muscular giant in stilettos, and no one bats an eye. Gender is fluid here. Clothing has no restrictions. And your character? A total expression of absolutely unhinged creativity. Chef’s kiss.

🎮 The Sims 4 (Post-2016 Update)

The Sims isn’t new to customization — but after 2016, they allowed players to adjust physical frame, clothing preferences, walk styles, and even whether Sims could get pregnant or impregnate others, independent of gender. That’s some next-level simming.

The Influence of Gender Norms in Gaming

While some games are trailblazing, others… well, let’s just say they’re still clinging to the old guard like a stubborn piece of gum on your shoe.

The Problem With “One-Size-Fits-All”

Even in 2024, plenty of games still link gender to specific behaviors, outfits, or animations. You know the ones:
- Males walk like they’re auditioning for WWE.
- Females strut like they’re on a Victoria’s Secret runway.

Some games still lock hairstyles or voices based on gender. And let’s not forget the RPGs that give you less intelligence if you pick a certain gender (yes, that actually happened once — looking at you, early Fallout).

Tokenism vs. True Inclusion

Here’s the kicker — some games throw in a non-binary option or a rainbow flag and call it a day. That ain’t it, chief. Actual representation goes beyond throwing in a checkbox or palette swap. It means crafting a world where characters of any identity can thrive, and players feel seen — not just “added for diversity points.”

How Gender Customization Shapes Player Identity

Ever notice how people spend hours in the character creation screen? I mean, some of us treat it like a second job. And there’s a reason. Customization is how we connect with our characters.

When the gender options are rich and fluid, players can:
- Create their real selves
- Experiment with gender expression
- Tell personal stories through in-game avatars

Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 let you get weird with it — and people LOVE that. You could create a hot, shirtless dude with elf ears and demon wings. Or a tall, hairy barbarian lady who punches bears. Whatever your flavor, the freedom creates emotional buy-in. You’re no longer just playing a game; you’re playing your story.

Developers, Hear Us Out: What Gamers Really Want

If game devs are reading this, first of all — hi, love your work. Second, here’s what we really want when it comes to gender in character customization:

1. Separate gender from appearance
Let us choose voice, body type, and appearance without locking it to "male" or "female." It's 2024, not 1998.

2. Give us inclusive options
More pronouns, more features, and yes — more hairstyles that don’t look like they came from a default Wii avatar. I'm begging.

3. Use gender-neutral animations
Let’s stop assuming only girls sway their hips or only guys power walk. Give us the option to strut however the hell we want.

4. Let clothing and cosmetics be unisex
Everyone deserves to wear eyeliner and a trench coat while wielding a greatsword.

Still Some Leveling Up to Do

We’re on the right track, no doubt. But there’s still a boss battle ahead. Too many games tiptoe around non-binary or trans inclusion like it’s a hidden side quest. Others slap a rainbow sticker on the box and call it a win.

Here’s the thing. Gamers are diverse. We’re women. We’re men. We’re non-binary. We’re none of the above, or a cosmic jam session in-between. And when we boot up a game, we want to see ourselves — not just some outdated trope or box-checked template.

Final Thoughts: Gender Is Just One Slider in the Menu

At the end of the day, gender in character customization is just one tool in the creative toolkit — but it’s a powerful one. It has the potential to change how people see themselves, how they feel in a virtual world, and how they connect with their character.

And honestly? When a game gives you a fully inclusive character creator, it’s not just being “woke” — it's being smart. You’re inviting more people into the world you created, letting them write their own stories, and empowering them to be whoever (or whatever) they want to be. That’s the dream.

So to all the devs out there: Keep giving us options. Let us be the bearded fairy queens, the femme robot warriors, the genderless shadow assassins, or anything our weird gamer brains can dream up. Because in the end, if games are about freedom, then gender customization should be as limitless as a cheat code on a Sunday afternoon.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to make a non-binary frog wizard in a sequined cape. Because I can.