Fighting games have always been a core staple to the video game industry with franchises like Super Smash Bros and Tekken, two series that have maintained fame and relevance since the ‘90s.
Fighting games have only become more relevant in mainstream media with the recent release of “Mortal Kombat 1″ as it triggered the “get caged” meme. The phrase is in reference to a clip of MK Character Johnny Cage’s fatality scene accompanied by Pitbull’s song “International Love” featuring Chris Brown.
Despite this genre’s popularity, the lingering stigma that fighting games influence violence drives possible players away from the genre. Nonetheless, the people who do stay are captivated by the extensive array of characters this genre of video games provides.
And that’s the way it was for me when I discovered the $60 soundtrack that came with a free fighting game, “Guilty Gear: Strive.”
“Guilty Gear: Strive” is the most recent mainline installment to the “Guilty Gear” franchise which was developed and published by Arc System Works. Recognized for its rock-heavy soundtrack composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari, interesting lore, and quirky cast of characters, “Guilty Gear” has become a cult favorite among fighting game players; after all, in what other game can you play as a girl who would have destroyed humanity had she not eaten a burger or as the United States of America’s very own secretary of defense?
The season two pass reinstated the presence of Bridget, a yo-yo-wielding British trans girl. Bridget’s gender identity throughout the series is heavily ingrained in video game logic. In the games leading up to Strive, Bridget’s gender was heavily emphasized as male; despite this pre-strive Bridget will still be referred to with she/her pronouns to adhere with her current character.
Her gender identity was influenced by the premise that her parents conceived twin males in a village that considered it a curse. According to the village’s rules, there were only two ways to go forth, either the family gets exiled or the younger of the two gets killed. Bridget’s parents instead chose to pass her off as a girl. Because of the superstition and the idea that her parents feel guilt for their actions, Bridget decides to leave the village to follow the path of a bounty hunter as it would both rid her parents of guilt and bring wealth and fame to the village, absolving the superstition.
By the time the strive takes place, Bridget’s goals have been accomplished and she’s been living as a man although she’s daunted by a sense of unfulfillment.
An Arcade Mode cutscene shows Secretary of Defense Goldlewis Dickinson, calling her “li’l lady,” which results in Bridget affirming that she’s a man. Dickinson assesses she’s not displaying who she truly is which will only cause her to get hurt in the long run.
This run-in depicts the social aspect of gender dysphoria given that Bridget is experiencing gradual stress in a social setting when gender is factored in. After a few more anime-style pep talks from other characters, Bridget is ultimately encouraged to live life without caring about what others may think about her and to instead prioritize her happiness, ensuring her status as a trans-woman.
While many fans of the series felt overjoyed with the direction the game went with her character, others felt confused. After all, had Bridget not gone through all of that development to finally identify as male? Isn’t identifying as female the thing that vexed her in the first place?
Gender identity is never a clear and concise thing since there is no direct path a transgender person must take to prove that they’re trans.
Furthermore, some trans people experience going through a hyper-cisgender phase like Bridget did. The term hyper-cisgender in this context refers to a period where a transgender individual acts in a stereotypical manner that’s expected of their birth gender.
Video game logic aside, Bridget’s gender identity adheres to the principles experienced by trans people in real life, accrediting her character as a good representation given that her journey is not solely based on stereotypes and her existence is not treated as a joke by the characters around her.
Bridget’s story is about finding the strength inside to live an honest life without regard for what others may think and a depiction of how gender identity isn’t a static line, but a spectrum with its ups, downs, and goals that each individual experiences differently.
In addition to an openly trans character, the game features the “Elegant Grim Reaper,” Testament, who was confirmed non-binary by Ishiwatari himself stating that “they’re androgynous, in fact, they’ve transcended human existence.” Not just that, but Venom, an assassin by trade turned baker is a gay man as established in magnum wedding.
“Guilty Gear: Strive” has become more than just a video game but a piece of media that provides a feeling of understanding and acceptance in a world where LGBT people are often met with rejection.
42Fiftys very own post-niche internet micro-ecelebrity (mid geoguesser player) that lived through a chronic gas leak that was going on in their house for a little over a year without their knowledge. Their only qualification is that they bring a silly goose vibe to the geese party.
Great addition our A&E sections! Amazing writing as always!