Women have been part of gaming since its very beginning, just as men have.
Female gamers have always been able to connect with male protagonists, empathize with them, and root for them regardless of their own gender. They never struggled with playing as or following a male character, because these characters carry genuine human qualities emotions, struggles, and growth and that alone is enough to build a real connection.
On the other hand a portion of men who reject female protagonists cannot seem to move past the barrier of gender, they don't see the character's personality their fight, their fears, or their journey.
They stop at one single question, is this character like me ? and that in itself reveals something deeper, that many of them don't view women as fully human but rather as objects or at best, as something foreign or opposing.
As for men who genuinely see women as equal human beings, they don't pause at the gender of a character at all. Bc a well-written character remains a great character regardless of who embodies it and that is what separates the two.
It is time we approach female characters' stories with the same respect and openness, to see their challenges and struggles and find ourselves reflected in them, just as we have always found ourselves in the stories of male characters.
Bc humanity doesn't need to share your gender to touch your heart.
