Arcane Writer Reveals Which Games Inspired Vi and Caitlyn’s Relationship

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Key Takeaways

  • Arcane’s representation of Vi and Caitlyn’s queer relationship is praised by fans.
  • Arcane writer Amanda Overton drew inspiration from queer relationships in video games to develop Caitlyn and Vi’s romance.
  • Arcane Season 2 allowed the couple to flourish and left their relationship in a positive place.

As a gamer with over two decades of gaming experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from pixelated pixies to hyper-realistic heroes. But nothing has warmed my heart like the beautiful relationship between Vi and Caitlyn in Arcane. As someone who grew up playing games that often lacked diverse representation, seeing queer relationships like theirs portrayed in a major production like Arcane is truly a game changer.

The Riot Games’ “League of Legends” animated TV show titled “Arcane” has wrapped up, leaving viewers generally content with its ending. Notably, the series has garnered acclaim for its portrayal of the romantic relationship between the principal characters Vi and Caitlyn, a depiction that seems to have been influenced by certain video games.

The narrative of Arcane unfolds in the world of Runeterra, specifically the regions of Piltover and Zaun, within the League of Legends universe. The story follows two key characters: Vi, a skilled fighter hailing from the undercity, and Caitlyn, a marksman and enforcer from Piltover who is highly adept with her sniper rifle. In Season 1, they form an unlikely alliance to infiltrate Silco’s operation in Zaun and search for Vi’s sister Jinx. As the story progresses into Season 2, their bond deepens as they join forces to find Jinx initially, but their partnership is tested when Caitlyn’s thirst for vengeance takes over. By the end of Arcane, the duo manages to reconcile their differences.

Arcane Writer Shares the Video Games that Helped Shape Caitlyn and Vi’s Story

In an interview with The Gamer, writer Amanda Overton who worked on both seasons of “Arcane”, discussed the development of Caitlyn and Vi’s relationship. Known as partners in “League of Legends”, the show took their bond a step further by establishing it as a romantic one. Overton shared that they had always intended for Caitlyn and Vi to be the main couple throughout the series, referring to them as their “one true pairing” or OTP. The writer also mentioned that various queer relationships and powerful female characters in video games over time, such as those seen in “Tomb Raider”, “Mass Effect”, and “The Last of Us: Left Behind”, were among the influences for some aspects of Cait and Vi’s relationship.

Tomb Raider was a groundbreaking game for me, with its strong female protagonist wielding guns and solving puzzles. However, she was excessively sexualized at the time, catering to the male gaze. On the other hand, Mass Effect offered me an extraordinary experience due to its freedom of character creation, the possibility of a queer romance with Liara, and the depth of its world and characters. I loved it for these reasons. The emotional attachment formed towards all the game’s characters was another remarkable aspect of Mass Effect. Lastly, The Last of Us: Left Behind moved me to tears.

The Last of Us DLC Had a Big Impact on Arcane

In the game “The Last of Us: Left Behind”, a powerful connection developed between characters that later found its way into “Arcane”. When Overton was given the chance to tell this long-desired story on Arcane, he felt both honored and burdened by the responsibility. Overton had the backing of creators Alex Yee and Christian Linke to explore a romantic angle for Caitlyn and Vi, which also reflected his personal aim to increase queer representation in popular media. “I’m a fan of video games and big sci-fi shows,” said Overton, “but I seldom saw characters like me in those worlds.

Although there were worries about queerbaiting during Season 1 of Arcane, fans warmly accepted and appreciated Vi and Caitlyn’s relationship. In the subsequent season, the show provided them ample room to grow, ultimately leaving their relationship in a positive state at its end.

Arcane: League of Legends is streaming on Netflix.

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2024-12-06 02:25