2022 Issue 5 Sept/Oct Focus - Mid-South magazine

community
Games are not always a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ players. Major studios are historically run by and cater to
cis, straight men. Online interactions and user-generated content can be toxic. There is also a general lack of LGBT+
representation in characters themselves–and even when they are present, they often embody tropes like the Sissy Villain
(i.e. their villainy is linked to their flamboyancy and effeminacy) or Bury Your Gays (i.e. the openly gay character dies).
However, all is not hopeless! Even games that are not purposefully queer-friendly by design can find fans in the
community thanks to features that provide the option to choose a character or clothing outside traditional gender roles
or the ability to engage in relationships outside the (hetero)norm. Many games also leave enough room in the narrative
for open-ended interpretation and imagination that allows fans to fill in their own blanks. Moreover, plenty of games are
still intentionally welcoming to our community, either through diverse character creation options, well-done relationship
mechanics, or solid narratives.
We’ve put together a short list of five games that are staff favorites! The representation they provide might not always
be perfect, but in their own way, they each work towards a more inclusive (and fun!) gaming experience.
BUG SNAX
Developed by Young Horses
Investigate a disappearance amongst an expedition on
a mysterious island filled with food-shaped bugs (or bugshaped
food?) like Bunger the burger beetle and Cinnasnail,
a cinnamon roll … snail. After a rough landing on the island
and standard tutorial, players are introduced to the island’s
inhabitants. There’s a colorful cast of characters, Grumpuses,
whose charming cartoon muppet personas contrast with
the complex and often dark storylines that unfold. While
investigating and assisting these Grumpuses, you’ll find that
some of them are in queer romances, which are presented
as naturally as any of the straight relationships or friendships
in the game. Bug Snax
was even nominated for a
GLAAD Media Award for
Outstanding Video Game
in 2021. This is a great title
if you are into exploration,
Pokemon-like catologues,
and a refreshing
presentation of queer
stories. —Randall
GET IN THE CAR, LOSER
Developed by Love Conquers All Games
Get in the car, loser! Join your ex-girlfriend, her new partner,
and a renegade angel on an unplanned road trip to save the
world from the Machine Devil and their cultists. The writing,
which approaches heavy and sometimes complicated topics
like relationships, abuse, and gender dysphoria, is authentic,
representative, and endearing. The story is told through
a series of deep and funny conversations that allow you
to choose your responses. These dialogue sequences are
interspersed with real-time combat encounters inspired by
classic JRPGs like the 90’s Final Fantasy games. Everything is
presented through bold colors and beautiful expressive pixel
art. The amazing character illustrations are complemented by
an anime-worthy soundtrack. This is a unique entry from an
independent developer who’s writing about queerness and
looking to “make the world a cuter place!” —Randall
32 Nerds! | focuslgbt.com