: Part of me thinks that games that allow you a high degree of character
: customization should be exempt from being held as examples. I know in Mass
: Effect for example, the game doesn't care what gender you are in the broad
: sense (as far as I know, correct me if that's not true), which in a way is
: worse because it dismisses the experiences of actual gays or lesbians or
: people who are transgender. In effect, it's saying gender doesn't matter
: AT ALL which is patently false, and in a way offensive.

In general interactions, gender does not matter. It does, however, in the romance subplots. There are a set number of straight romantic interests specifically for men and women, as well as queer interests for both which expand over time for better inclusivity.

Now what you're saying would be absolutely true if this game was set in the past, the present, or the near future. It does matter to highlight non-hetero relationships and gender non-conforming persons directly by confronting any concerns other characters might have, and obviously showing resounding support of them. However, this is nearing the 23rd century and people across most of Citadel space and the Traverse are openly queer and are vocally encouraging. I can understand your concerns that a game such as this where everything is up to you might not be the best source of representation, but when it normalizes these people where so many other games sensationalize them is truly exciting.

I always only 15 when Mass Effect first came out. I was barely out as bisexual and I had only begun transitioning two years prior to that. For a game to have this level of respect and normalization for people like me was astounding. Here I could be an amazing woman in command of a stealth frigate who openly pursued a relationship with another woman. No other game had done that for me. No other game before Mass Effect even bothered to entertain the notion that you could be a hero no matter who you were, what you were, who you wanted to be with, and what you wanted to become.