Mortal Kombat has its first gay character

[sgtninjago]

‘Mortal Kombat X’ Introduces the Series’ First Gay Character

 

 

 

For anyone who hasn’t heard, just under half of America plays video games, and that kind of mainstream acceptance would never have happened without some fresh blood. After so many years marketing to straight, white men, the video game industry is finally opening up to a wider audience. Video games don’t carry the stigma of a private club anymore, and the video game community now encompasses people of every race, social class, gender, and sexual orientation.

And if gamers are diverse, then in-game characters should be too. On-screen diversity makes everyone feel welcome, and shows people of all stripes that they’re welcome to join the gaming community. That’s why it’s important. Representation isn’t a conspiracy or some kind of political statement; it’s basic human decency.

 

Unfortunately, some developers haven’t quite caught on yet, and they don’t always give in-game diversity the attention that they should. So, yes, it’s a big deal when an AAA studio makes an effort to make its games more inclusive, and that’s why NetherRealm Studios deserves credit for making Mortal Kombat X’s Kung Jin the series’ first gay character.

Even better, NetherRealm Studios handles Kung Jin’s “coming out†perfectly. Kung Jin’s sexuality isn’t a major part of his story; in fact, it’s only alluded to twice. The first time, thunder god Raiden briefly tells Kung Jin, “Self-loathing has always been an unfortunate part of your make-up.†Later, when Kung Jin says that he can’t join the Shaolin monks because “they won’t accept†him, Raiden answers, “They care about only what is in your heart; not whom your heart desires.â€

 

 

Source

http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-x-kung-jin-gay/

 

The video of the scene, spoilers ahead jump to 1:27

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLzTxa-DtO8

 

 

 

 

Tbh Mortal Kombat is the last game that I would of expected this, if this is true of course. Though this isn't confirmed yet by the developers, and for all we know its just people looking too much into the scene.

 

If it is true, I have no issue with it and I give the developers credit for doing it without coming off crass or forceful.

[nolja]

and what is his combat power? anal power? fingeringga ringa ?

[Mao]

I hope it's true! 

[hyoyeon's lines in check]

Played the game. Never noticed.

 

Diversity is a hallmark of Mortal Kombat so it's not surprising

[kimchi]

and what is his combat power? anal power? fingeringga ringa ?

What's you're power? being an unfunny asshole?

[Step]

I hope it's true! 

 

It is, they confirmed it on Twitter

 

Anyway, that's great! Shame about his awful personality OTL But I'm happy that more gay characters are being represented in games.

[slutty slut]

mortal kombat is based in fictional worlds so i don't get why they have to use the typical "gay guy wondering if people would accept him" trope.. but i guess they have to find a way to relate to the gamers. i'm glad his sexuality isn't the main focus of the character though

[。Beach Angel 。]

 

 

. Kung Jin’s sexuality isn’t a major part of his story; in fact, it’s only alluded to twice

well it's done right then. no one really wants their sexuality to be made a big deal.

[nolja]

What's you're power? being an unfunny asshole?

whats you're power? being pressed ?

[zaddd3]

That's really awesome and the developers did it in a nice, subtle way.

 

On a side note I can't wait to get the game and play it, I've been damn excited since the very first trailer.

[smiIey]

I noticed it when I played! Go NRS!

[Sad Party Queen]

and what is his combat power? anal power? fingeringga ringa ?

if you've ever received anal you would know that's a great combat power.

[acclaim]

Atleast they aren't shoving his sexuality in our face, unlike some people do... But I really don't care if he's gay, it's not anything special and doesn't matter.

[Suga's GF]

whats you're power? being pressed ?

it's time to stop now, bub

[Nekci]

It's not like this is the first time there's been homosexual or bisexual characters in video games before, although some of them are done in an arguably homophobic manner. 

 

Fallout New Vegas has Veronica who's attracted to girls, but there's nothing homophobic about her. If you play as a female character, you can get a perk to flirt with girls sometimes, and you can have sex with girls, too.

[kanarawr]

I ship him with Kotal khan 

[Sudeki]

You know, this makes me wonder if it's really necessary to represent all minorities. These days, if you don't have black, asian, LGBT, poor characters, someone's shitting on you for not being inclusive enough. And even if you do include them, those same people are gonna complain their role isn't big enough. 

 

I mean, having a gay character is nice and all, but I don't think it's necessary to represent them in all media all the time. Especially in video games where the demographic is overwhelmingly straight males. The company might get PC points with the few people who keep track of these things, but it does nothing for their bottom line, and might even turn off a portion of their demographic. 

 

Also, is it worth it to label them as gay if you're not even going to focus on that during the story? Why even bother then? Food for thought, I guess.

[Capo Horn]

I'm surprised that this thing get a lot of relevance.

But tbh,Him Takeda and D'Vorah are the most intresting character of the last MK......Jin is an asshole in the story mode,but his style with the bow is a lot cool.

[Idahoe]

It's not like this is the first time there's been homosexual or bisexual characters in video games before, although some of them are done in an arguably homophobic manner. 

 

Fallout New Vegas has Veronica who's attracted to girls, but there's nothing homophobic about her. If you play as a female character, you can get a perk to flirt with girls sometimes, and you can have sex with girls, too.

I think this is the second (?) non-stereotypical gay character in a fighting series after Venom from GuiltyGear. I think the number of offensive ones in fighting games is relatively even with actually good ones ><.

 

Bethseda have been super chill with LGBT representation in Elder Scrolls and Fallout as far as I know. Much love to them!

 

 

You know, this makes me wonder if it's really necessary to represent all minorities. These days, if you don't have black, asian, LGBT, poor characters, someone's shitting on you for not being inclusive enough. And even if you do include them, those same people are gonna complain their role isn't big enough. 

 

I mean, having a gay character is nice and all, but I don't think it's necessary to represent them in all media all the time. Especially in video games where the demographic is overwhelmingly straight males. The company might get PC points with the few people who keep track of these things, but it does nothing for their bottom line, and might even turn off a portion of their demographic. 

 

Also, is it worth it to label them as gay if you're not even going to focus on that during the story? Why even bother then? Food for thought, I guess.

In a fighting game with a roster as large as Mortal Kombat or Tekken's I think it should be relatively natural for the cast to be diverse. The fighters are from all over earth and other dimensions and all with different motivations and characterizations. It'd be weird to see only straight white men battling it out all the time. It's possible to say pointing out sexuality is weird in a fighting game, but MK has a lot of relationships. Sonya & Johnny, Sindel & Shao Kahn, Mileena & Liu Kang all off the top of my head and that's just scratching the surface. I think NetherRealm placed his sexuality into the game in a great way, in that it was present, as heterosexual relationships are, but put in the background letting the skull-crushing and gut-ripping take center stage.

 

I'd argue it's definitely worth bothering - especially in the gaming industry. With the likes of Ash & his counterparts making up a large proportion of gay representation and even entire games based on stereotypes, alongside online communities constantly using derogatory terms for minorities to insult other players, I find it incredibly refreshing when a studio points out that they welcome the minorities and present them in a nice and different light. It's pretty cool of NR to risk sales to encourage others to join in.

 

I definitely don't find myself wanting my sexuality everywhere. Being shoehorned into things is not a fate anyone should have. But I'd like for my sexuality to remain represented - and not just as a flamboyant sasspool of leather chaps and sadistic fantasies about poor straight protagonists used for comical relief. The article isn't a big deal, but it's a nice deal.