More important than just the introduction of a person of color in a new IP like Forspoken is the fact that this doesn’t come as a customization option, but as the only way to play the game. Given some more recent controversies from publisher Square Enix over diversity, this casting choice shows the constantly evolving state of representation in games from the largest companies all over the world.

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Why Representation Matters

The conversation about representation and inclusion in all forms of media is as diverse as the people arguing over the topic. Many consumers of this media are simply asking to be seen and to see themselves in the characters that they watch onscreen, either on a gaming monitor or on a large projector in the cinema. However, the most important point to be made about representation, like what is seen for Black fans with Frey Holland in Forspoken, is that it matters when people see themselves in media.

In many cases, if the main character of any media looks like the viewer, it is significantly easier for that viewer to then relate to the protagonist. This is obviously why the vast majority of artwork from any culture is made specifically for the majority population, so that it will have the opportunity to resonate with the widest audience. The problem is that only focusing on the cultural or ethnic majority can wind up outweighing the proportion of characters that the minority population can more easily relate to. So, keeping the cast of games like Forspoken diverse, instead of focusing on only the majority population, shows that everyone is seen and has a seat at the table.

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Ethnic Customization Vs Mandatory Diversity

Now, something to note about the state of diversity in games does bring up the question of character customization and the ability for players to tune their protagonists to their preferences. In fact, a significant amount of mainstream titles allow players to make their character match their own ethnicity, such as building Mike Tyson in Elden Ring. However, there is a significant difference between playing as a blank slate with an optional color palette and having a game built around the character’s ethnicity.

The difference in question for a character like Forspoken’s Frey Holland is that building the character as a woman of color in modern America has the opportunity to inform both their personality and their personal struggles. A customized character has to be vague enough that their being a representative for any ethnicity or culture doesn’t get to shine within the game. Even this racial informing of the story comes off as little more than lip service, as there wouldn’t even be an opportunity for that minor amount of representation without the mandatory diversity.

On a more superficial note, character customization also leads to a lack of cinematic scenes that allow the protagonist to be as expressive and visually impressive as possible. Choosing to make Frey Holland the only choice of character means that Luminous Productions can take full advantage of high-end PC and PS5 hardware in order to make Forspoken look as beautiful as possible. Considering that the Luminous Engine and producer Square Enix are well-known for making visually stunning cinematic sequences, this should be a great example of diversity in gaming.

Forspoken is set to release on January 24, 2023, for PC and PS5.

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