Queer characters in media have come a long way since Ellen DeGeneres’ career was temporarily ruined because she, and her eponymous sitcom character, came out as a lesbian in 1997. But while the music industry and TV shows are now queerer than ever before, how do video games compare?

Thanks to the rise of e-girls and stars like Ricki Ortiz, female gamers are getting more recognition in the industry – but that doesn’t mean they’re on a level playing field. Most women choose to hide their gender while gaming, highlighting a need for brands to prioritise safety and respect for this group.

Female-led games are few and far between, and ones with compelling storylines are even rarer. Open Roads, a 'mother-daughter road trip adventure', aims to change that, inviting players to investigate a family mystery. Gamers aren’t just teen boys, and they want stories to be as diverse as they are.

Faced with months of lockdown, life simulator video games have surged in popularity, offering escapism, catharsis, and a supportive community. But The Sims Spark’d – a reality TV show that blurs the line between players and in-game avatars – confronts the uglier elements of gaming culture.