Happy International Women’s Day to all our readers! From those of us who identify as women, to those of us who have awesome women in our lives; there’s a lot to celebrate on this occasion.
International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world on March 8th every year. The day aims to raise awareness about discrimination and gender bias, with a goal of achieving gender equality.
READ MORE: What International Women’s Day means to me
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.”
Here at Quest Daily, we’d like to celebrate today by reflecting on the fictional women in gaming who have had an impact on our lives!
Aloy
“I adore Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn (and its sequel Horizon Forbidden West). She is a strong female lead who (in the first game) didn’t have a romance arc. She wasn’t created as a sex symbol or someone to be desired, and I found that really important and empowering. As a woman who is regularly judged by society for her singleness, I find a lot of comfort in the kindred spirit of Aloy – I don’t need a relationship or sex to add to my worth and value as a person. Women don’t always need to be sexualised in video games, they can just be out there saving the world and absolutely crushing it.”
– Rose
Billie Lurk
“In the Dishonored series, Billie Lurk is a skilled fighter and a masterful strategist. She defies traditional gender roles as she overcomes a troubled past with her blend of physical prowess and emotional depth. Billie emphasises the importance of empathy, relationships, and emotional intelligence, alongside traditional notions of strength and resilience.”
– Elly
Samas Aran
“I have to pick Samus Aran. Not only was she one of the first bad-ass female characters in the classic NES game Metroid, but everyone was shocked when it was revealed that there was a woman behind the suit. This definitely showed the attitude of people towards their gaming protagonists in the 90s. Now, Samus has starred in multiple games, has some kick-ass gear, and demolishes any enemy in her way. She has been in both 2D games and the normally male dominated first-person-shooter 3D games. Samus Aran proves that anyone can take down an alien species and do it in style.”
– Daniel
Lara Croft
“I feel a strong connection to Lara Croft (from the Tomb Raider games) because she’s a protagonist that is on her own journey. Her adventures are driven with determination, the thrill of adventure, and sometimes just the need for revenge. Apart from her original design that was very much for the male gaze, the direction that the character design has progressed to now is at a stage where Lara Croft isn’t just a sex icon. She is now a bad-ass female lead who is powerful physically and mentally. I absolutely love how Lara Croft is the face of a game series for the ages; seeing many face-lifts, adaptions, and plots that take her all over the world. Long live the Lara Croft adventure, one I wish to experience for the rest of my gaming career.”
– Ellie
Princess Peach
“It was a hard choice to make but I had to pick Princess Peach. Her iconic hyper-femme persona has enchanted gamers around the world. From her earliest days as the iconic damsel-in-distress in the incredibly successful Super Mario Bros. franchise, Peach has been inspiring gamer girls for decades. In more recent years she has evolved from a princess to a multifaceted female protagonist. From soccer star to racer, and even a chef, Princess Peach is now a beacon of girl power! She demonstrates that not only can you do anything you set your mind to, but that you can evolve, adapt, and overcome challenges. She encourages women the world over.”
– Rhiannen
Alyx Vance
“Alyx Vance from the Half-Life series stands out as a remarkable example of a strong female character in gaming. Alyx is not defined solely by her relationships or connections to other characters, but rather by her own agency and capabilities. In Half-Life 2, she serves as a crucial ally to the protagonist, Gordon Freeman, displaying leadership qualities and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. So much so, in 2020 Valve launched a video game starring and named after her. To this day, Half Life: Alyx remains one of the best VR games ever made. Alyx Vance’s presence in the Half-Life series has left a lasting impact on gaming culture. (Release Half life 3 now!)”
– Julian
Now it’s your turn. We’d love to hear of the video game women who inspire YOU! Share your story and tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or join our Discord and start the discussion there.
Happy International Women’s Day gamers!
