Madeline (Celeste)

{{Infobox character

| name = Madeline

| image = File:Celeste character Madeline.png

| alt = Madeline, a young woman with long bright red hair, wearing a backpack and blue vest, reaches upward with her right hand.

| caption = Madeline, as she appears in official artwork

| series = Celeste

| creator = Maddy Thorson

| first = Celeste (2018)

| last_major = Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain {{noitalic|(2024)}}{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=John |title=Celeste 64 Reimagines The Platformer As A Classic N64 3D Game |url=https://kotaku.com/celeste-64-extremely-ok-games-free-1851208938 |website=Kotaku |access-date=7 July 2024 |date=30 January 2024}}

}}

Madeline is a fictional character who serves as the main protagonist of the video game Celeste by Maddy Thorson. Throughout the game, she climbs the titular Mount Celeste, simultaneously dealing with anxiety and other issues. The character is notable as one of the few transgender protagonist characters in the video game industry: her identity as a trans woman was confirmed by Thorson in 2020, after the release of Farewell, a downloadable content expansion pack for Celeste, which received significant media coverage.

Concept and creation

File:Celeste character Badeline.png who represents her depression and anxiety|alt=Badeline, a young woman who resembles Madeline, with long dim magenta hair and bright red sclerae, wearing a purple vest, in a sitting position, resting her head on her left hand and her left elbow on her left knee, smirking, glances diagonally up at the viewer.]]

The concept of Badeline—a physical representation of Madeline's depression and anxiety, known as "Part of Me" in-game—as well as the premise of taking care of one's self, was based on creator Maddy Thorson's own experiences. She cites Madeline's dealings with the character Mr. Oshiro as an example, where she sacrifices her own self-care to care for someone else. Thorson wrote Madeline with the understanding that she would fall off the mountain and eventually climb her way back up, but she did not know how it would be framed. Thorson came to understand how to frame the scene better once she came to better manage her own anxiety. She notes how the story has Madeline initially trying to fight Badeline, and that over time she learns how to function with it. Thorson notes, however, that this is a part of a process, and that she wanted to make players aware that Madeline was still grappling with an internal conflict at the end of the story.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/celeste-taught-fans-and-its-own-creator-to-take-better-1825305692 |title=Celeste Taught Fans And Its Own Creator To Take Better Care Of Themselves |work=Kotaku |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=April 16, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117050311/https://kotaku.com/celeste-taught-fans-and-its-own-creator-to-take-better-1825305692 |url-status=live }} Madeline was eventually announced to be a trans woman, though Thorson did not initially design her to be transgender. The discussion about Madeline's identity helped her both figure out Madeline's gender identity as well as be public with her own.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/celeste-creator-self-reflects-on-games-fourth-anniversary |title=Celeste creator self-reflects on game's fourth anniversary |work=Eurogamer |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=January 26, 2022 |accessdate=January 6, 2024 |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215010219/https://www.eurogamer.net/celeste-creator-self-reflects-on-games-fourth-anniversary |url-status=live }}

The music of Celeste was designed by Lena Raine, who composed the music with the main intention of conveying Madeline's feelings, saying it's "almost 1:1 with her internal state". Raine discussed how Madeline's journey is one of "self-discovery and acceptance". She intended this to help players get into Madeline's state of mind.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315116/Road_to_the_IGF_Matt_Makes_Games_Celeste.php |title=Road to the IGF: Matt Makes Games' Celeste |work=Gamasutra |last=Couture |first=Joel |date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024232128/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315116/Road_to_the_IGF_Matt_Makes_Games_Celeste.php |url-status=dead }}

Appearances

Madeline is the protagonist of Celeste, where she climbs Mount Celeste while dealing with issues such as anxiety and depression. She meets several characters along the way, including an older woman who calls herself Granny, an explorer from Seattle called Theo, a part of herself known as Badeline (a name given by the Celeste community), and a spirit named Mr. Oshiro who owns a decrepit hotel. As she climbs the mountain, she runs into various obstacles, including Badeline, who attempts to deter her from climbing any further. Madeline helps Theo through Mr. Oshiro's hotel, and later Theo helps Madeline deal with an anxiety attack while riding a gondola that breaks down, telling her to imagine a feather floating up and down. She later attempts this method when Badeline is trying to discourage her further, causing Badeline to send her down. Madeline eventually makes up with Badeline, and they work together to reach the summit. After this, they return to the base, and Madeline makes a pie using her collectable strawberries for all of the other characters.

When TowerFall, an earlier game by Maddy Thorson, was ported to the Nintendo Switch, Madeline and Badeline were added as playable characters.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/28/17791722/towerfall-nintendo-switch-release-date-celeste-nindies |title=TowerFall arrives on Nintendo Switch this September |work=Polygon |last=Goslin |first=Austen |date=August 28, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215001913/https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/28/17791722/towerfall-nintendo-switch-release-date-celeste-nindies |url-status=live }}

The 2024 freeware game Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain takes place after Celeste and features the same cast, including Madeline as the protagonist.

Reception

Madeline has received generally positive reception for her appearance in Celeste, with the Venture Beat staff naming her the best new character of 2018 and praising her for how well she resonated with them.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/celestes-madeline-is-2018s-best-new-gaming-character/ |title=Celeste's Madeline is 2018's best new gaming character |work=Venture Beat |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=December 26, 2018 |accessdate=April 21, 2023 |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422022054/https://venturebeat.com/games/celestes-madeline-is-2018s-best-new-gaming-character/ |url-status=live }} Emily Heller of Polygon commented that she related to Madeline and how she struggles with mental illness.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/best-games-2018/2018/12/17/18126327/best-games-2018-celeste-games-of-the-year |title=GOTY 2018: #5 Celeste |work=Polygon |last=Heller |first=Emily |date=December 17, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117071104/https://www.polygon.com/best-games-2018/2018/12/17/18126327/best-games-2018-celeste-games-of-the-year |url-status=live }} Heller went on to include her in the list of the best video game characters of the 2010s, calling her the "most relatable character of the decade" for people with anxiety and depression.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/27/20974490/greatest-video-game-characters-2019-2010-skyrim-witcher-splatoon |title=The 70 best video game characters of the decade |work=Polygon |last=Heller |first=Emily |date=November 27, 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101231120/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/11/27/20974490/greatest-video-game-characters-2019-2010-skyrim-witcher-splatoon |url-status=live }} Fellow Polygon contributor Jeff Ramos felt similarly, finding it inspiring how Madeline uses her challenges to help herself.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/8/16961386/celeste-stress |title=Celeste stresses me out, and that calms me down |work=Polygon |last=Ramos |first=Jeff |date=February 8, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015010830/https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/8/16961386/celeste-stress |url-status=live }} Kyle LeClair of Hardcore Gamer praised Madeline's growth in Celeste, calling her "snarky but lovable."{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/02/01/review-celeste/288310/ |title=Review: Celeste |work=Hardcore Gamer |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=February 1, 2018 |access-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928204540/https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/02/01/review-celeste/288310/ |url-status=live }} Tom Marks of IGN felt the mixture of Celeste{{'}}s gameplay and story helped him better connect with Madeline.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/25/celeste-review |title=Celeste Review |work=IGN |last=Marks |first=Tom |date=January 25, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308161002/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01/25/celeste-review |url-status=live }} Jenna of Autostraddle found her story relatable, also noting that the way she speaks when scared or hurt "hurt [her] heart." She also praised how she grew through the journey.{{cite web |url=https://www.autostraddle.com/celeste-is-a-very-difficult-video-game-for-people-who-know-what-its-like-to-have-something-to-prove-417138/ |title="Celeste" Is a Very Difficult Video Game for People Who Know What It's Like to Have Something to Prove |work=Autostraddle |author=Jenna |date=April 12, 2018 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024023028/https://www.autostraddle.com/celeste-is-a-very-difficult-video-game-for-people-who-know-what-its-like-to-have-something-to-prove-417138/ |url-status=live }} Matt Gerardi of The A.V. Club was thankful to see the game "discuss mental illness in a more respectful, frank way".{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/celeste-is-out-to-prove-video-games-can-be-hard-without-1822564358 |title=Celeste is out to prove video games can be hard without being jerks about it |work=The A.V. Club |last=Gerardi |first=Matt |date=January 31, 2018 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027023338/https://www.avclub.com/celeste-is-out-to-prove-video-games-can-be-hard-without-1822564358 |url-status=live }}

After the release of the Chapter 9: Farewell downloadable content, and prior to later confirmation, whether Madeline is transgender had been the subject of discussion, due to the downloadable content showing that Madeline's bedroom has a trans flag, a childhood photo of her with very short hair and a prescription bottle. People in the LGBTQ community were enthused by her potential status as a trans woman, due to the popularity of Celeste and "a sense of marginalization in both society and mass media."{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/features/editorials/editorial-analyzing-the-celeste-controversy|title=Editorial: Analyzing the Celeste Controversy|last=Marrujo|first=Robert|date=September 15, 2019|work=Nintendojo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014075130/http://www.nintendojo.com/features/editorials/editorial-analyzing-the-celeste-controversy|archive-date=2019-10-14|access-date=October 14, 2019}} It was also the subject of controversy for some people, politically and religiously, with some hateful messages aimed at the game and character. Ali Jones of PCGamesN cited Madeline's body dysmorphia, her estrangement from family members, and her struggling with a "shadow version of herself" as reasons for why she might be transgender.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/celeste/madeline-trans |title=Celeste's final chapter offers a new interpretation of Madeline's story |work=PC Games N |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=September 11, 2019 |access-date=October 15, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117050312/https://www.pcgamesn.com/celeste/madeline-trans |url-status=live }} Kat Bailey of USGamer suggested that the game may be suggesting Madeline to be transgender while also noting that it is only one part of her identity.{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/new-celeste-farewell-dlc-includes-a-surprising-affecting-revelation-about-madeline |title=New Celeste DLC Includes an Affecting Revelation About Madeline That Casts Her Story in a New Light |work=USGamer |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=September 10, 2019 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117110434/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/new-celeste-farewell-dlc-includes-a-surprising-affecting-revelation-about-madeline |url-status=live }} Maddy Thorson, the original game developer, has since confirmed that Madeline is canonically transgender. Thorson also came out as transgender herself in the same post, stating: "During Celeste{{'}}s development, I did not know that Madeline or myself were trans. During the Farewell DLC's development, I began to form a hunch. Post-development, I now know that we both are."{{Cite web|last=Thorson|first=Maddy|date=2020-11-06|title=Is Madeline Canonically Trans?|url=https://maddythorson.medium.com/is-madeline-canonically-trans-4277ece02e40|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Medium|language=en|archive-date=December 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212011516/https://maddythorson.medium.com/is-madeline-canonically-trans-4277ece02e40|url-status=live}}

Madeline (Celeste)

Concept and creation

Appearances

Reception

References

Further reading