Male gay games often feature characters that embody traditional male dominance. However, many newer gay male games are breaking down this notion of male dominance. Fallout 3, Silent Hill, and Mass Effect are examples of this. Adding more gay male characters to computer games can help address this imbalance. However, it's not enough.
When you think of male gay characters game, you probably picture a mighty devourer of worlds. A being that has fought through vast armies, battled machine gods and potentially even the being responsible for its creation. A being that has consumed and absorbed so much that it has literally become a part of itself.
The male character is generally seen as a damsel in distress and her role is to be saved by the man. A few male gay games allow the player to name and customize their male gay character, but they do not provide much agency in her thoughts and actions.
Thankfully, some male gaygame's developers have attempted to create male characters that are more nuanced and less stereotypical. One example is Bonnie, a side character in Resident Evil who does not fit the damsel-in-distress mold. She has a rich backstory and a multi-dimensional personality that makes her more than just another side character. HK-47, the assassin droid in Assassin's Creed, also fits this bill.
Video gay male games can promote gender stereotypes, which may affect the development of children and lead to negative effects in their lives. Many male games portray male characters as aggressive and dominant while male gay characters are sexualized and submissive, which can lead to a socialization of gender roles. Some of these stereotypes can even impact a child's academic performance.
In addition, the box art for most gay male games shows a centralized male and marginalized male, which influences the expectations of players. A study by Christopher Near found that gay game with males sales increased when the gay male character was shown as sexualized and non-central, and decreased when she was shown as central but not sexualized.
In the rare cases where male gaygames offer male characters to play, they are often depicted as damsels in distress or studs. This can alienate male gamers, who may be more likely to receive misogynistic harassment from other players online. In one study, participants who played a video male gay game with a male avatar were perceived as more competent than those playing with a gay male avatar. This finding suggests that sexism in male gaygames is a reflection of society at large.
For male gamers, gaming is more than just a hobby; it's a passion. They take it just as seriously as they would taking a football down the field or racing to get their car past the finish line first. This is why so many men have a hard time accepting criticism about their male gay games and the way they play them.
This sexism has also been reflected in the gay male game industry, with developers and marketers focusing on appealing to male audiences. This can be seen in everything from naming a male gaygame console 'Game Boy' to designing X-Box controllers for big hands to promoting games with militarized themes.
Adding to this, there is the widespread belief that males are naturally better at gaming than women. This is largely due to the fact that males have better hand-eye coordination and reaction times, but it's not the only reason. Many factors contribute to this, including societal expectations and cultural norms.