According to a recent study by DiamondLobby, only 8.3% of main characters in video games are non-white females, including black women.
This is a frustratingly low number. However, in recent years, there have been a few notable black female protagonists in video games.
In today’s article, we’ll take a look at the top 7 black female video game characters.
Aveline de Grandpré – Assassin’s Creed: Liberation
Assassin’s Creed: Liberation, released in 2012, stars Aveline de Grandpré, a French-African assassin in 18th-century New Orleans. The game takes place during the time of slavery in the United States, and Aveline uses her covert cover as an assassin to fight for the oppressed and battle against the Templars who attempt to gain control of New Orleans after the end of the French and Indian War.
Aveline is an intriguing character who defies traditional gender and racial roles, making her stand out among other female video game characters. She is portrayed as an intelligent and skilled fighter, who has a unique blend of the refined grace of a high-society woman and the daring tenacity of an assassin.
Assassin’s Creed: Liberation also addresses the issue of slavery in the game, as Aveline fights against the institution and uses her cover as a slave to gain information and free other slaves. Her story highlights the historical struggle for freedom and equality, making it a powerful and thought-provoking addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Overall, Aveline de Grandpré is a unique and memorable black female protagonist in video games, and her story is an important contribution to the representation of diverse characters in gaming.
Clementine – The Walking Dead
Clementine is the main protagonist of The Walking Dead video game series, developed by Telltale Games. The game’s first season features the young Clementine, who, following a zombie apocalypse, is left to fend for herself. Over the course of the series, players guide Clementine as she grows from a vulnerable child to a strong and capable survivor.
Clementine’s character is one of the most well-crafted in video game history, with her personality and growth throughout the series being expertly written and executed. She is portrayed as a compassionate and intelligent individual who quickly learns to be independent in a fallen world. Her strength and resilience are inspiring, and her struggles with grief and trauma make her relatable to players.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Clementine’s character is that her race is not the defining factor of her character. Instead, it is just one of the many facets that make up her identity, which is a refreshing departure from the stereotypical portrayals of black characters in media. Clementine is simply a well-written and well-rounded character whose race does not define her.
D’arci Stern – Urban Chaos
D’arci Stern is the main character in the 1999 video game Urban Chaos, a third-person action-adventure game. She is a tough and resourceful police officer who spends most of her time fighting crime on the dangerous streets of Union City.
As the player, you control D’arci as she takes on brazen gang members and criminals with her bare fists or armed with weapons. You can also talk to citizens, enter buildings, and complete additional missions such as assault, rescuing hostages, or suicide prevention.
D’arci is a groundbreaking character as she was one of the first black female protagonists in a video game. Despite the limitations of the game’s era, her portrayal as a black woman was refreshing, as she was not defined by stereotypes or tropes. Instead, she was a competent and capable police officer, who proved that race and gender are not limitations to being a strong and heroic character.
Moreover, D’arci’s character was also notable for her unique character design. She had a unique haircut and style that was distinctly different from the typical feminine presentation of female characters in video games at the time. Her character design reflected her independence and strength, and it set her apart from other female characters of the era.
Sheva Alomar – Resident Evil 5
Sheva Alomar is a black female character from the popular survival horror video game series, Resident Evil. She first appeared in Resident Evil 5, which was released in 2009.
Sheva is a member of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), an international organization that fights against bioterrorism. She is a skilled fighter and marksman, and is depicted as a strong and independent woman.
Throughout Resident Evil 5, Sheva serves as the co-protagonist alongside series veteran, Chris Redfield. The two characters are tasked with investigating a bioterrorism incident in Africa, leading them to uncover a plot by a mysterious organization called Tricell.
Sheva’s character is notable for being one of the few playable black female characters in a mainstream video game series. Her portrayal as a capable fighter breaks away from the typical stereotypes and tropes often seen in video games. She is a strong and independent woman who can hold her own in combat, and is depicted as an equal partner to Chris throughout the game.
In addition to her combat skills, Sheva is also depicted as a compassionate and empathetic character. She is deeply affected by the horrors of the bioterrorism incident in Africa, and is shown to be willing to put her own life on the line to help others.
Frey Holland – Forspoken
One of the most recent games to feature a black female protagonist is Forspoken, an action role-playing game featuring Frey Holland, a tough New Yorker who finds herself transported to the mystical realm of Athia and becomes an unexpected hero. In a departure from the norm for RPGs, the game dispenses with swords and instead emphasizes magic and parkour.
Although we didn’t give the game a super positive review, it’s always good to see a studio focus on diversity and make the main protagonist a female person of color.
Alyx Vance – Half-Life
Alyx Vance is a black female character in the Half-Life series, a first-person shooter video game developed by Valve Corporation. She is one of the main protagonists in the series, appearing in Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two.
Alyx is a gifted hacker and a skilled combatant who aids the player character, Gordon Freeman, in his quest to overthrow the Combine, an alien empire that has taken over Earth. Throughout the series, Alyx’s character is portrayed as a strong and independent woman, who is also compassionate and empathetic.
Indeed, Alyx Vance is an important character in video game history as she represents the progression towards more diverse and inclusive representation in video games. Her portrayal as a strong and capable black female character broke away from typical stereotypes and tropes in video games, and her character development throughout the Half-Life series made her a beloved and memorable character for players of all backgrounds.
Nix – InFamous 2
Nix is a black female character from the 2011 action-adventure video game InFamous 2. She is one of the main characters in the game, serving as a potential ally to the player character, Cole MacGrath.
Nix is a Conduit, a type of human with supernatural abilities. She has the power to manipulate fire and is portrayed as a wild and unpredictable character, often serving as a foil to the more reserved and cautious Cole. She is also a member of the Dust Men, a gang of Conduits who worship the game’s primary antagonist, the Beast.
Nix’s character is notable for her complex and multifaceted personality. While she is often portrayed as unpredictable and dangerous, she also has a tragic backstory that explains her motivations and actions. She is a survivor of sexual assault and abuse, which has led her to develop a strong distrust of authority figures and a desire for vengeance against those who have wronged her.
Throughout the game, the player has the option to choose whether to ally with Nix or another character, Kuo, who represents a more rational and calculated approach to solving the game’s conflicts. Nix’s fate and ultimate role in the game’s story can vary significantly depending on the player’s choices.
Wrapping Up
These African-American female characters are perfect examples of how women are making an impact in video games past and present. However, African-American female characters still need a bigger presence in story plots and campaigns in general. These game characters are symbols of strength, perseverance, and courage, the characteristics of great game characters. Hopefully, African-American female characters will continue to keep a presence in future video games to come.
