The "controversy" surrounding the pronouns in Starfield explained

After a long period of anticipation filled with speculation about what the game could bring to Microsoft's current offerings and its Xbox Game Pass selection, Starfield was released to numerous enthusiastic reviews, as well as mixed ones highlighting the flaws and issues of Bethesda's latest RPG. Nevertheless, many fans agree that the best aspect of Starfield is the sheer amount of options it provides, allowing players to truly play the way they want, be the character they desire, and experience some of the galaxy's strangest and grandest adventures. With the tremendous advancements in customization and accessibility of games in the modern era, it almost seems like an oxymoron that Starfield is causing controversy for giving players more freedom of choice, and this time, certain pronouns have angered some individuals.

The character customization interface in Starfield is likely the most extensive Bethesda has ever developed for its role-playing games, to the extent that it sets a very high bar for The Elder Scrolls 6. Players can choose from a variety of backgrounds for their characters and even select minor traits that actually have gameplay functionalities, such as being introverted or extroverted. Among the numerous options for the appearance and overall role of a character in the world of Starfield, players can also choose the pronouns for their avatars, which some perceive as the game being "woke" or "imposing an ideology" on players.

Why Starfield's Use of Pronouns is Making Players Refund or Boycott the Game

The act of disclosing one's pronouns is sometimes referred to as "the LGBTQ+ agenda," with claims that real individuals or video game characters are trying to convert others. This notion is not only absurd and completely detached from what most LGBTQIA+ individuals actually desire, but it also turns the use of pronouns in video games into a controversy, even when those pronouns simply serve their purpose, as is the case with Starfield.

The fact that players in Starfield can choose their pronouns is a good thing for representation, as it is a very simple addition that is often unobtrusive and hidden in a menu that spacefarers can change if they wish. An example of this is that the customization process in Starfield can be completed even without touching the pronoun menu, as the game automatically selects pronouns for the players when they create their character, but it still gives them the opportunity to personalize their adventurer. This is not only a positive change compared to previous Bethesda RPGs but also has in-game uses.

At times, in Starfield, the player character will be referred to in the third person instead of the first person when two or more other characters talk about the player's avatar, and that's why the choice of pronouns is actually important. As ridiculous as the notion may be that pronouns are "woke," they are meant to communicate to others how to address a person, whether in real life or in a game. Starfield takes customization to the next level by revolving around total freedom, and this is reflected in the players' ability to define every single aspect of their characters and the resulting player experience, including minor things like the way the game talks about the main character. In some playthroughs, there will be a space pirate protagonist interested in blowing up ships, while others will never fire a weapon unless necessary and instead try to talk their way out of trouble.

That is why the actual role-playing experience in Starfield is so important for the future of the industry. However, the game is being boycotted or returned by those who believe that Bethesda is trying to bring politics into a game, thereby denying them their escape or immersion. This approach also leads to little acceptance of diversity in Starfield, such as trans characters being seen as further "proof" that the game is trying to impose a specific ideology on players, even though it is just something the game requires for certain scenes. And beyond this superficial definition of pronouns, it actually allows players even more choices in who they are or want to be, which apparently is considered bad by some people.

That is why the actual role-playing experience in Starfield is so important for the future of the industry. However, the game is being boycotted or returned by those who believe that Bethesda is trying to bring politics into a game, thereby denying them their escape or immersion. This approach also leads to little acceptance of diversity in Starfield, such as trans characters being seen as further "proof" that the game is trying to impose a specific ideology on players, even though it is just something the game requires for certain scenes. And beyond this superficial definition of pronouns, it actually allows players even more choices in who they are or want to be, which apparently is considered bad by some people.