Towards Representational Adequacy: A Critical Analysis of Transgender Representation in Tell Me Why

Abstract

While transgender representation in media has improved in quantity over the last decade, the representation of transgender men in video games is still limited. In this work, I examine the character Tyler from the game Tell Me Why as a critical case study toward the representational adequacy of transgender people in video games. Through a focus on character design, narrative, paratexts, and game reception, I explore the ways Tyler is a more complex example of transgender representation. Additionally, I argue that the act of bringing transgender people into character creation results in a more complex representation.