Bowler, Keagan Benjamin2024-11-222024-11-222024Bowler, Keagan Benjamin. (2024). Transgender Character Representation and the Gender Binary: Theorizing a Philosophy for Transgender Character Construction in Video Games [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg].https://hdl.handle.net/10539/42839A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024Transgender characters in video games are often met with negative opinions by the largely heteronormative playerbase which, like in other media, results in a wider negative opinion on transgender people and subjects in reality. In exploring a personal identification with Celeste, I formulate a philosophy concerning the gender binary norm and its role in perpetuating harmful ideas. This philosophy manifests as both an ideology and platformer video game questioning what gender means to story and character. Through exploring gender, metaphor, queerness and game design, a philosophy is constructed to create a transgender character and video game story in a positive light.en© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Transgender, Video Games, Game Design, Gender, Positive representation, Character design, Design philosophySDG-5: Gender equalityDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg