Need for Speed Unboundis the latest entry in the franchise, and this time around it attempts to wow gamers with its driving effects and new racing modes.Unboundalso features brand collaborations, allowing players to deck themselves out in the trendiest clothes. Amidst the high-speed racing, players meet a few characters, including Justicia, who defies gender norms.
Rather than make her the focus of the game,Need for Speed Unboundinstead treats her as just another character. At the same time, it does not make light of the hardships she has had to face to live an authentic life. This could be considered a good example of representation in gaming, and it should be replicated.
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Justicia Embraces Her Authenticity
When it comes toNeed for Speed, the main focus is always on the cars and pushing them to their limits. However,Unbound, like a few of the most recent entries in the series, also focuses on the characters. As players work their way up the ranks of Lakeshore’s racing scene, they will cross paths with several other racers who have similar ambitions. Players first meet Justicia when they’re tasked with delivering her to a safehouse without getting the attention of the police. The player recognizes Justicia, as she posts onInstagramas PunkFunkDiva. The player mentions how much they love her feed because it demonstrates an authentic side to Lakeshore City. Justicia is flattered by this, and she reveals that it took her a long time to find the bravery to embrace her authenticity.
As she reveals, she used to leave the house presenting as male, and this gave her great anxiety. From Justicia’s conversation with the player, it is revealed that she defies the gender norms of her culture. As her description uncovers, her bravery and willingness to do so have inspired millions of her followers online. She has become an icon of authenticity for them, which is nothing short of admirable. Through Justicia,Need for Speed: Unboundshows an embrace of all identities, regardless of whether they conform to gender norms or not. There is not much more revealed about Justicia, but it isn’t necessary. The subtlety in her character and her expression of her gender is brief yet impactful.
Inclusivity in Gaming
Gaming is still a relatively young medium, and already it has been making strides in increasing the amount of inclusivity on offer. Heroines likeAloy from Guerrilla Games’Horizonfranchisehave paved the way for more female protagonists, while IPs likeTell Me Whyand theLife is Strangefranchise have explored various LGBTQ identities in nuanced, sensitive ways. In addition to allowing more gamers to feel represented, this has also opened the door for greater empathy by letting gamers get a glimpse of some of the experiences that people from different identities tackle.
Even though the industry has some good examples, there is still a long way to go. Research reveals there are still a shockingly low number of female protagonists, and games likeDeath Strandinghave fumbled their representation of minority identities. However, withUnbound, gamers see that the industry is moving in the right direction, and examples of trans representation and gender non-conforming identities are becoming more appreciable.
Justicia is just one of many racers in Lakeshore, and their stories weave together inUnbound. Although gamers don’t see much of Justicia, her brief appearance is enough to leave an impact. Hopefully, future games learn fromUnboundand tackle their representation and inclusivity in similarly tasteful ways.
Need for Speed Unboundis available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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