As a long-time gamer, I have witnessed the evolving nature of video games. From pixelated classics to today’s intricate virtual worlds, video games have been a major part of my life. It’s a realm where creativity knows no bounds, yet recent trends have started to erode the very fabric that made gaming so inclusive and enjoyable. One such trend is replacing clear gender identifiers like "male" and "female" with ambiguous terms like "body type 1" and "body type 2."

This change may seem minor to some, but it's an unnecessary complication that strips away personal connection and authenticity. For decades, character selection in video games offered a simple, yet effective way for players to identify and immerse themselves in their chosen avatar. Whether playing as a strong male hero or a fierce female warrior, the option to select "male" or "female" has allowed players to form an immediate bond with their in-game characters.

Changing these descriptors to non-gender-specific "body types" alienates many gamers who have grown accustomed to and feel comfortable with traditional gender labels. It creates a disconnect, a feeling that a piece of gaming culture is being unnecessarily sacrificed for the sake of political correctness.

The gaming community is diverse, yes, and there’s room to accommodate everyone. However, taking away clear gender preferences does not necessarily lead to inclusivity. Rather than choosing ambiguous language, game developers should focus on broadening customization options to represent diverse identities while respecting long-established norms.

I believe that gaming is for everyone and should cater to both new and long-time players without alienating the latter. Let's urge game developers to retain gender labels alongside any new inclusive features they wish to implement, satisfying all demographics.

Last year, Marek Tyminski of CI games launched a poll asking players if they preferred if a game creator used “Body Type A/B” or “Male/Female” and the grand majority of 88% said that they wanted it to be called “Male/Female.” Tyminski responded by having the character creator in Lords of the Fallen use the terms “male” and “female.”

Join me in signing this petition to advocate for retaining traditional gender identifiers in character selections while expanding options to be inclusive of all gamers.