FF7 Remake developer says The Last Of Us Part II is a benchmark for diversity
The FF7 Remake was a game that won many hearts when it released last year, even as it divided some of the die-hard old guard of the original. FF7 Remake also sparked a lot of discussions, particularly around LGBTQ+ representation and diversity and in that regard, even got compared to The Last of Us series.
The FF7 Remake is a re-telling of the original game, with updated scenes from the Honeybee Inn (which previously had a scene in the original where Cloud can get assaulted by a group of speedo-wearing men) and a drag performance that led to a transformation like no other. It was a scene that inspired many people, but some felt it was far from perfect and still incredibly heteronormative in comparison to the raw, authentic portrayal of Ellie, Lev and Dina from The Last of Us Part II.
Now in an interview with TheGamer, co-director of FF7 Remake Motomu Toriyama has talked more about the two games – particularly highlighting how The Last of Us Part II has set a “new benchmark for diversity in video games.”
“The Last of Us Part 2 really delivered on its consideration for diversity,” Toriyama-san told TheGamer’s Jade King. He mentioned that diversity went right down to features like UI, and how it must have been a massive undertaking, but utterly worth it considering the benchmark the game has become.
And The Last of Us series certainly has, even in circles outside of gaming. Whenever a lesbian protagonist in gaming is brought up, Ellie is always at the forefront of people’s minds. It is the same for Lev, a transgender character that was also introduced in the sequel. Regardless of what you may personally think of the game, it was a game where queer gamers could see themselves.
Queer content is still steadily improving in video games, and its importance isn’t easy to dismiss either – something which Toriyama-san also mentioned during his talk with TheGamer.
“I think that expressing diversity with LGBTQ+ inclusion is an important issue for everyone involved in making content, not just people making games,” The co-director explained. “In Final Fantasy 7 Remake, we rebuilt the original game using the latest technology, but we felt that it should not stop at the technical side and we needed to update the story content being shown in line with modern sensibilities.”
Considering the love many queer fans have for certain couples in FF7 Remake, this could be the spark of hope that signals queer characters and themes could be included in the game’s future. Only time will tell.
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