Games Radar, the Consumer gaming website, has been criticised by Gay.com UK for an article that outed five game characters.

"Are they gay?" screamed the article which provoked. It lined up various characters from the world of gaming beginning with God of War's Kratos, who "'accidentally' killed his wife and daughter. Which probably means he's got a grudge against women. Or something".

It went on to say that Gears of War's Marcus Fenix, Bully's Jimmy Hopkins, Dead Rising's Frank West and Vaan from Final Fantasy XII also "show signs of covert - and not so covert - campness".

News editor for Gay.com said, "While it's reassuring to know that gamers are interested in the sexual orientation of digital superheroes, Matt Cundy's 'Are they gay?' article relies on a series of juvenile stereotypes and clichés."

"I can't imagine any homophobic intentions, but it can be dangerous to suggest that looking 'camp' means gay, or worse, that gay men hold violent grudges against women. It's a completely misinformed suggestion."

Also criticised was the part of the article which states, "[Frank West] enjoys dressing in woman's clothes. And children's clothes. Probably not gay per se, but definitely a bit kinky and not one to shy away from carnal 'experimentation'".

The Games Radar article has been featured on gay news sit Pinknews.co.uk, which asks, "What is the point of 'outing' characters? Is this yet another bunch of childish 'str8' boys laughing at gay people?".

Online editor Tony Grew said "I didn't really know what to make of it. I know a lot of gay people play games and feel they're under-represented, and it's interesting that the macho world of games is taking this kind of approach", he observed.

"I'm not insulted by it, but I would question what it's trying to achieve. It will be interesting to see what our readers think of it."

>> Link - Official Site/Gay.com
>> Link - Official Site/Pink News
>> Link - Official Site/Games Radar