Sliders For Everything (Except Gender): A Critique of Gender Norms in Video Game Character Creators through Your Average Character Creator

Key Points

• The research investigates how gender norms are implemented in video game character creators and their impact on player identity.
• Analyzed features of various video game character creators
• Conducted interviews with players about their experiences
• Assessed the representation of gender identities in character creator options
• Identified significant limitations in gender representation
• Highlighted the lack of options for non-binary and diverse gender identities
• Showed that current systems reinforce traditional gender norms