How female fantasy design can be made more inclusive?

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate both the representation of female characters in fantasy games and offer a proper way to make inclusive and less stereotypical designs. The thesis highlights different sides of the dilemma and explains how inclusive female character designs can unify the gaming community and erase gender role stereotypes between male and female players. The initial phase of this research emphasises the misrepresentation of female characters in fantasy games which has been present for decades. The author provided examples of inclusive designs from several games; in addition to that, the author implemented some inclusive female character designs to deliver a message to the audience and to the game developers that a game can be successful without the need to objectify female characters in games. The thesis succeeded in the objective of offering solutions to the issue. However, different aspects could be considered in the future to make games inclusive where a variety of options are available for the players to choose from and feel safely represented.