The 2016 release shows no evidence of consultancy involvement or activist design intent, keeping the survival action premise free of thematic focus on identity politics or contemporary activism. Optional 2020 Pride cosmetics exist only as paid DLC with zero impact on core gameplay or story. Playable characters such as Ana Larive (ruin photographer), Donovan Neal (professional bodyguard), Hayato Tanaka (actor with gangster elements), Mr. Foster (day trader), and DJ Scully (party animal) are original creations whose backstories serve only to justify their presence in the apocalypse; their designs, including tattoos and punk aesthetics visible in key art, fit the setting organically without altering established canon or prioritizing representation mandates. This approach results in varied but unforced character options that prioritize gameplay function over any ideological agenda.