Games That Let You Play a Black Queer Pirate Captain

Today’s games offer players amazing ways to create characters and tell their own stories, with more diverse and inclusive options than ever before. Games with a seafaring theme are particularly good for roleplaying unique characters – like a Black, queer pirate captain – because they combine the excitement of managing a ship with personal, story-driven gameplay. These games often have detailed character creation tools and allow players to pursue romantic relationships with a variety of characters, making identity a core part of the experience. Here are some games that really deliver on this combination of leadership and self-expression on the open sea.

‘Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire’ (2018)

In this game, you play as a Watcher, captaining a ship and leading a crew through the treacherous Deadfire Archipelago. You can create a highly customized character, including a Black protagonist with diverse cultural origins. The game lets you build relationships with companions and even pursue same-sex romances. As captain, you’ll manage your ship and fight naval battles, truly embodying a powerful seafaring leader. This RPG gives you a lot of freedom to define who your character is and how you lead.

‘Sea of Thieves’ (2018)

‘Sea of Thieves’ lets players create unique pirates with lots of options for skin color and body shape. You can further customize your pirate’s look with clothing and accessories to create the perfect captain. Although there isn’t a dedicated romance feature, the game offers plenty of ways to express yourself through how you interact with others and how you decorate your ship. The open-world gameplay focuses on letting players build their own identity through their actions and appearance. It’s still a favorite for anyone looking for a fun, shared pirate adventure.

‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ (2023)

I love that I could really make my character me – tons of options for how they look, including different features and hairstyles that represent a lot of different backgrounds. I went with a Sailor background and a sneaky class, which basically let me live out my pirate captain fantasy! And the romance? Awesome. I could build relationships with whoever I wanted, regardless of my character’s gender. What really grabbed me, though, was how much control I had over the story. I felt like a real leader guiding my crew through the seas, and the game let me build a super personal story, with details that really mattered to me.

‘GreedFall’ (2019)

This roleplaying game puts you in charge of a merchant group exploring a magical, mysterious island. You can create Black characters and dress them in historically inspired seafaring clothes. As you lead your crew, you’ll encounter political intrigue and can even develop same-sex relationships. The game emphasizes discovering new places and using diplomacy at sea, letting you feel like a powerful leader in a world that mixes fantasy with the look and feel of the colonial era.

‘Sunless Sea’ (2015)

This immersive game lets you captain a steamship on a huge, subterranean ocean called the Unterzee. You can create a unique character, choosing their background and appearance – including the option to play as a Black captain. The story unfolds through choices and conversations with your crew, offering opportunities to explore queer identities. Your main objectives are to keep your ship and crew alive while uncovering the secrets of this strange world. It’s a dark, story-rich take on the classic seafaring adventure.

‘Starfield’ (2023)

This game lets you experience the life of a space pirate, joining the Crimson Fleet. You can create a detailed character, including a Black protagonist with realistic features and hairstyles. As a starship captain, you’ll navigate difficult choices that impact your crew and the galaxy, and even pursue romantic relationships with diverse characters. It’s a fresh, futuristic take on the classic pirate adventure.

‘Divinity: Original Sin 2’ (2017)

I’m so excited about this game! You get to build a totally unique character – you can really customize how they look and pick a backstory that’s either a sailor or someone living outside the law. And you have your own ship, the Lady Vengeance, which is awesome – it’s like your home base and you can build up a crew. The best part? You can romance whoever you want, no matter your character’s gender or race! It really feels like you’re a captain, managing the ship and leading your companions through this magical world. Plus, the combat is really deep and strategic, and you have so much freedom to play the character you want to be. It’s going to be amazing!

‘Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous’ (2021)

This roleplaying game offers a rich and detailed world, including specialized classes like the Shackles Corsair, perfect for pirate adventures. Players can create diverse characters, including Black leaders, and explore meaningful relationships. You’ll lead crusades, embark on sea-based quests, and truly feel like a commander. The game emphasizes story and makes sure your character’s choices matter, shaping the world around you. It’s a complex and satisfying experience for those who enjoy tabletop-style gameplay.

‘Skull and Bones’ (2024)

This online action game lets you become a pirate captain in the historic Indian Ocean during the Golden Age of Piracy. You can create a character that reflects a wide range of ethnicities with detailed customization options. Though the game is mainly about ship-to-ship battles, you can still personalize your captain’s appearance and vessel. You’ll earn rewards by becoming known as a powerful and fashionable leader, and the game offers a great way to experience the thrill of being a pirate.

‘The Sims 4’ (2014)

‘The Sims 4’ lets you create Sims with unique personalities and backgrounds, offering incredible freedom to build the life you imagine. You can customize everything from their clothes—like dressing them as pirates—to their homes, even building nautical-themed lots or ships. The game has always welcomed diverse representation, including LGBTQ+ relationships and a wide range of skin tones and hairstyles. Players can even roleplay specific careers, such as a ship captain, by focusing on their Sim’s job and social life. Ultimately, ‘The Sims 4’ gives you the tools to design and experience your perfect world.

‘Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’ (2020)

In this game, you play as Eivor, a customizable Viking leader who commands a crew from their longship. As you explore England, you’ll encounter opportunities for same-sex romances. While set in the Viking age, the gameplay of raiding and managing your ship feels a lot like a pirate game. You can personalize both your ship and your settlement, giving you a strong sense of being a leader and building a community. Overall, it’s a realistic and action-packed game about taking command of a seafaring crew.

‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ (2014)

In ‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’, players can create Black characters to lead the story and build relationships with a variety of companions, including options for same-sex romance. The game includes seafaring elements, like the pirate Isabela and coastal areas, and puts you in charge of a global organization as the Inquisitor. It’s a large-scale roleplaying adventure that explores themes of leadership and who you are as a person.

‘The Outer Worlds’ (2019)

This sci-fi roleplaying game puts you in command of the Unreliable, a spaceship with a varied crew. You can create a Black protagonist and play as a space pirate operating within powerful corporate colonies. While your character doesn’t have romantic relationships, you can support the romantic connections between your crewmates. The game lets you express a strong, independent personality through dialogue, and your choices will determine the fate of the entire solar system as you lead your team.

‘Sunless Skies’ (2019)

In this follow-up to ‘Sunless Sea’, you take command of a flying train as you explore the perilous High Wilderness. The game lets you create a captain who reflects diverse identities, including Black and queer characters, with a variety of portraits and backgrounds to choose from. You’ll encounter compelling stories about your crew and the world around you, all woven into an inclusive narrative. Success depends on carefully managing your resources and skillfully navigating terrifying cosmic threats. The game combines the haunting beauty of Victorian gothic with the dread of cosmic horror, creating a truly unique and immersive experience for players.

‘Mass Effect Legendary Edition’ (2021)

In the Mass Effect trilogy, you take control of the spaceship SSV Normandy as Commander Shepard, a customizable character who can be designed as a Black leader. Throughout the games, you’ll encounter diverse and developing romantic relationships, including options for same-sex romance. As captain, your choices have huge consequences, shaping the destiny of alien civilizations. Managing your crew and upgrading the ship immerses you in the role of a committed space commander. This collection is celebrated for delivering one of the most memorable leadership experiences in gaming.

‘I Was a Teenage Exocolonist’ (2022)

This life simulation game lets you create a character and grow up on a new planet, shaping who they are along the way. It especially focuses on letting players explore Black and queer identities through meaningful choices and storylines. As you play, you’ll eventually become a leader, taking on the duties of a colony captain. The game boasts stunning visuals and a story that changes based on your choices, personal life, and beliefs, offering a heartfelt look at what it means to lead and grow.

‘Star Wars: The Old Republic’ (2011)

In this online game, the Smuggler class lets you play as a space pirate, commanding your own ship and crew. You can create a unique character, with diverse options for Black protagonists and meaningful romance choices. Gameplay focuses on making decisions as a pirate – prioritizing your own gain while leading your crew across the galaxy. Your ship isn’t just for travel; it’s where you’ll socialize and plan missions. This game combines the excitement of classic pirate adventures with a futuristic sci-fi setting.

‘Star Trek Online’ (2010)

In this game, you become a starship captain, choosing to serve the United Federation of Planets or another group. You can create a highly customized character, including Black captains with diverse backgrounds. The game encourages inclusivity, letting you play as a queer character and build relationships with a diverse crew. Gameplay focuses on both space battles and ground-based missions with your team, but it especially highlights the importance of diplomacy and strategy in leadership.

‘No Man’s Sky’ (2016)

This space game puts you in charge of huge cargo ships and fleets of smaller vessels. Although you play as a character in a spacesuit, you can heavily customize their appearance to express yourself. The game’s open-world design encourages players to create their own stories and roleplay characters with diverse identities, including queer and Black characters, across a massive universe. You’ll spend a lot of time managing your crew and building your reputation as a starship captain, making it a great experience for those who enjoy a solitary, commanding role.

‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ (2014)

This online game lets you explore pirate-themed areas like Stros M’Kai and the Gold Coast. You can create highly customized characters, including diverse Black characters from races like the Redguards, and even develop same-sex relationships. Players can join guilds centered around life at sea and truly become a pirate captain by getting their own ship and pirate-style home. The game is rich with stories and activities that bring the seafaring world to life.

‘Guild Wars 2’ (2012)

This multiplayer game lets you explore the pirate city of Lion’s Arch and embark on exciting sea adventures. You can create a unique character, including Black protagonists, and forge your own path. The game boasts a diverse cast of characters and welcomes LGBTQ+ identities through its story and how players interact. As you play, you can earn titles and outfits that show off your rank as a skilled sea captain. Overall, it offers a lively and welcoming world for everyone.

‘Black Desert Online’ (2014)

This fast-paced multiplayer game lets you design incredibly detailed characters. You can create a Black captain and lead your own ships, engaging in trade and naval battles. The game offers a wide range of pirate-themed clothing and decorations for both your character and ship. While focused on improving your skills and fighting, the game also lets players express themselves and their unique identities. It’s a beautiful game that puts you in command of the seas.

‘Atlas’ (2018)

This game lets you fully immerse yourself in the life of a pirate. You can build and captain your own ship, and even create a pirate character with lots of customization options, including representing Black pirates. Explore a huge open world, team up with friends or hire a crew of NPCs, and either conquer territories or simply roleplay as a pirate. It’s a realistic and detailed survival game focused on the pirate experience.

‘World of Warcraft’ (2004–2025)

This popular, ongoing multiplayer game lets players deeply customize characters of all races to represent Black culture and identity. Players can join different pirate groups and earn ranks like Bloodsail Admiral to show off their captain status. The game’s appearance system allows for endless combinations of pirate clothing and weapons. While there isn’t a formal dating system, the game’s strong social features and guild options create a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ players and allow for creative self-expression. It continues to be a favorite for players who enjoy creating and roleplaying a wide variety of characters in a fantasy world.

‘Final Fantasy XIV’ (2013)

Final Fantasy XIV lets players create characters with a wide range of skin tones and features, allowing for diverse representation. The game’s starting city, Limsa Lominsa, is inspired by pirates and seafaring life, and several character classes fit those themes, including options for naval leaders. Although there isn’t a typical romance system, players can commit to a lifelong bond with any other player through the Ceremony of Eternal Bonding, offering a way to express LGBTQ+ identities in the game’s online world.

‘Wildermyth’ (2021)

This roleplaying game creates a unique experience each time you play, letting you follow a group of heroes throughout their entire lives. You can create characters with a wide range of appearances, including diverse ethnicities, and develop romantic relationships between them. Characters can also become skilled sailors and leaders, even turning into pirate captains. The story changes based on the decisions you make and the bonds you forge with your heroes, offering a deeply personal and engaging adventure as a captain and their crew.

‘Solasta: Crown of the Magister’ (2021)

This game lets you build a complete team of adventurers with a character creator offering a wide range of appearances and histories. You can design characters with backgrounds like being a ship captain, allowing for unique roleplaying experiences. Gameplay centers around strategic battles and discovering new areas, with your decisions shaping how your party interacts. Though romantic options are somewhat limited, the game encourages inclusive roleplaying through its character interactions. If you like the feel of traditional tabletop roleplaying games, this title is a solid pick.

‘Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition’ (2018)

This well-known roleplaying game offers lots of options for creating a Black main character with a unique history. The ‘Pirates of the Sword Coast’ expansion lets you become a pirate captain and explore life on the sea. The game also includes diverse dialogue choices that allow players to express queer identities and enjoy inclusive storytelling. With a rich story where your decisions matter, it’s still a fantastic way to create personalized adventures.

‘Salt and Sacrifice’ (2022)

This action game lets you create a fully customizable character, with a great selection of skin tones including many for Black characters. You’ll equip pirate-themed armor and weapons as you navigate a dangerous fantasy world, focusing on exploring and staying alive – much like a ship’s captain. Though there’s plenty of fighting, the detailed character creation helps you feel truly connected to your hero. If you love pirates and immersive worlds, this game offers a unique and captivating experience.

‘Raft’ (2018)

This survival game challenges players to build up a small raft into a huge, seaworthy vessel as they explore the ocean. Players can create and play as Black characters who are leading the effort to survive. The game is designed for multiplayer, letting players connect with each other and express their identities as part of a close-knit crew. As captain, you’ll be responsible for gathering resources and steering the raft on its journey, offering a fresh take on what it means to be a leader at sea.

‘Valheim’ (2021)

In ‘Valheim,’ players can build and sail their own Viking longships while discovering a huge, ever-changing world. The game lets you create characters with a wide range of appearances, including options to represent Black Vikings. Although there isn’t a dedicated romance system, the game encourages building communities with others, which allows for diverse expressions of identity. Sailing the seas and leading groups in battles emphasizes the role of a captain. Ultimately, ‘Valheim’ is a satisfying game that blends building and exploration.

‘Pillars of Eternity’ (2015)

The original ‘Pillars of Eternity’ sets the stage for its sequel with detailed character creation and a story that welcomes diverse perspectives. Players create and guide a customizable protagonist – including the option to play as a Black character – and a team of companions through a world of political intrigue and magic. Though you won’t command a ship in this installment, you will build your reputation as a leader. The game offers multiple storylines that embrace LGBTQ+ identities and allow players to make meaningful choices, all of which builds a solid base for the seafaring adventures in the next game.

‘Dragon Age II’ (2011)

The game tells the story of Hawke, a character you can fully customize, including their appearance. Players can build romantic relationships with characters like the pirate captain Isabela, and romance options aren’t limited by your character’s gender. Though the main action happens in one city, the game heavily features ships and interactions with different seafaring groups. You shape Hawke’s personality through choices in conversations, allowing you to play as a compelling leader. This installment of the series is especially praised for its emphasis on character connections and letting players create truly unique identities.

‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ (2017)

In Pathfinder, players captain the starship Tempest and guide a varied crew across a new galaxy. You can create a Black character with a wide range of skin tones and hairstyles. The game also includes meaningful queer romance options woven into the story and character arcs. As a Pathfinder, you’ll face tough choices that determine the fate of a human colony. It’s a game about leadership, exploring uncharted space, and building a new future.

‘Fallout 4’ (2015)

As a huge ‘Fallout 4’ fan, I really love how much detail you get in character creation – you can make a character who looks just how you want, even a Black protagonist leading any of the factions! It’s awesome exploring the wasteland and finding cool outfits, like pirate gear, to customize your character. Plus, I appreciate the option to have queer romances with companions who genuinely support you as you build up your settlements and become a leader. Even though the world is totally destroyed, the ability to command and create feels like you’re a captain steering the ship, and the game really lets you forge your own path – it’s a true sandbox experience.

‘Fallout 76’ (2018)

This new ‘Fallout’ game lets players create characters of any background and team up with others in an online world. Players can dress their characters as pirates or sailors and build camps to match, and the game fully supports players expressing their LGBTQ+ identities. Leading your team through difficult challenges feels like being a captain navigating a dangerous territory. Ultimately, it’s a shared experience where you can truly define who you are.

‘Saints Row IV’ (2013)

In this game, you play as the President of the United States, leading a team of rebels to fight off an alien invasion. The character creation is known for being very inclusive, letting you create characters with any combination of skin tones and sexual orientations. You can customize your character with nautical and pirate-themed clothing as you complete missions. Although the game is funny, it focuses on the challenges of leading a team and building up your base. It’s a fun and wild way to experience what it’s like to be a leader.

‘Saints Row’ (2022)

The new ‘Saints Row’ game lets you create a truly unique character, with extensive options for representing a wide range of backgrounds and identities. You can build a Black leader who starts a criminal organization and leads a crew of close friends. The game offers plenty of customization, including pirate-themed items, and allows players to express themselves and their identities, including queer identities, through how their character looks and the choices they make. As the boss of the Saints, you’re in charge of every major decision, offering a fresh and fashionable take on leadership within the game.

‘Monster Hunter World’ (2018)

Players can create a Black main character with lots of customization options for appearance and hair, and lead expeditions for the Research Commission. The game features several outfits inspired by seafaring adventures, letting you create a pirate-like captain. Although there isn’t a romance option, the game strongly emphasizes leading a team and working together. You’ll have your own personal quarters and be responsible for managing a crew of workers and hunters, giving you a feeling of power as you explore a world filled with massive creatures.

‘Elden Ring’ (2022)

Elden Ring’s character creation tool lets you design a Black protagonist with impressive detail. You can dress your character in outfits inspired by pirates and historical figures. Though the game is known for its difficult battles, you play as someone destined to become a leader and rule over others. You have full freedom to customize your character’s appearance and how they experience the game’s dark, sweeping story, keeping your identity central to the adventure.

‘Bloodborne’ (2015)

This action game features a customizable Black main character and lets you outfit them with gear inspired by pirates and the sea. You can really fine-tune their appearance, choosing skin tone and facial features. Though there aren’t typical leadership roles, you’re the one who shapes the story. Set in a dark, gothic world, the game offers a striking setting for your seafaring character, and is well-known for its challenging fights and rich backstory.

‘Dark Souls III’ (2016)

The game lets you create a highly customizable character, including a Black protagonist, with plenty of pirate-themed armor options. You have a lot of freedom to design your character’s appearance, with diverse skin tones and hairstyles available. Though the game is about surviving a harsh world and becoming a leader by rekindling the fire, it also emphasizes community through social systems like covenants, making your character’s visual identity a key part of the experience.

‘Code Vein’ (2019)

This action roleplaying game, inspired by anime, lets you create highly detailed characters, with a wide range of options for Black characters. You can dress your character in cool, nautical-themed outfits to create a captain look. The game centers around building relationships with companions as you lead a team through a world after a disaster. Though the main story is set, you have a lot of freedom to customize how your character looks and who they are, allowing you to create a truly unique and powerful leader.

‘Dragon’s Dogma 2’ (2024)

‘Dragon’s Dogma 2’ is getting attention for its incredibly realistic character creation, which allows players to authentically represent a wide range of Black appearances. The game lets you lead and command a team of companions, called pawns, as you journey through a huge fantasy world. Players can even dress their character as a pirate captain thanks to the variety of nautical-themed outfits. The game’s romance options are understated but allow for relationships with many different characters. Overall, ‘Dragon’s Dogma 2’ makes you feel powerful and in control of your adventure.

‘Disney Dreamlight Valley’ (2023)

As a fan, I’m really loving how ‘Disney Dreamlight Valley’ lets you create a character that truly feels like you. It’s awesome that there are so many options for skin tones and hair, letting players really represent themselves and their heritage. I’ve been having a blast dressing my avatar as a pirate captain with all the cool clothes and accessories! What I especially appreciate is how freely you can express yourself – you can decorate your house and choose outfits to reflect your identity, and it feels really inclusive. It’s not about fighting or battles, you’re more like the mayor of this little valley, building it up and making it your own. It’s just a really relaxing and heartwarming way to step into a different role and be yourself.

‘Tower of Fantasy’ (2022)

This action game lets you play with others in a futuristic world where you create a highly customizable character, with options for diverse backgrounds and appearances. You can dress your character in nautical-themed outfits, build a team, and explore a vast world. The game also allows players to express themselves and their identities, including queer identities, through how they play and customize their characters. As a team leader, you’ll be involved in exciting battles and exploration, offering a lively and quick-paced experience where you can truly become a unique captain.

‘V Rising’ (2024)

This survival game lets you become a powerful vampire lord and build your own castle and empire. You can customize your character’s appearance with many options, including outfits inspired by pirate captains. Players can then gather allies – either other players or AI servants – to conquer territory and control resources. While the game centers around survival and taking over land, it also offers a lot of freedom to create your own unique character and playstyle. It’s a dark, gothic take on the idea of becoming a leader.

‘Salt and Sanctuary’ (2016)

This action roleplaying game lets you create a character with a wide range of appearances and backgrounds. You’ll explore a mysterious island, battling enemies and trying to survive. Players can even find pirate-themed armor to customize their look. The game is known for its tough but rewarding combat, dark story, and the freedom it gives you to design your character exactly how you want.

‘Sea of Craft’ (2023)

I’m so excited about this new game! It’s a ship-building game where everything is based on real physics, and you get to sail around a huge ocean. What’s really cool is how much you can customize your captain – they’ve made sure to include Black protagonists and tons of pirate styles. It’s not just about fighting, though; you can also express who you are as a queer person within the game’s social elements. As the captain, you’re in charge of everything on your ship, from how it’s built to how it performs. It’s a really unique and clever take on the pirate life, blending creativity with technical skill.

Please share your thoughts on your favorite queer pirate games in the comments.

2025-12-24 02:22