# What Do We See: An Investigation Into the Representation of Disability in Video Games

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.17100 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.17100/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 13 Mar 2021.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Toward Inclusive Avatar Design with Limb Differences Through Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.11512/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

There has been a large body of research focused on the representation of gender in video games. Disproportionately, there has been very little research in respect to the representation of disability. This research was aimed at examining the representation of disabled characters through a method of content analysis of trailers combined with a survey of video gamers. The overall results showed that disabled characters were under-represented in videogames trailers, and respondents to the survey viewed disabled characters as the least represented group. Both methods of research concluded that the representation of disabled characters was low. Additionally, the characters represented were predominantly secondary, non-playable characters not primary. However, the research found that the defined character type was a mixture of protagonists and antagonists, bucking the standard view of disabled characters in video games.