Assorted Queer Gaymes Night
I’ve really been wanting to do another one of these, and it’s been a while since my last one, which I called “Video Games & Chill”
A disclaimer ahead of the stream: I have had a harder time finding playtime estimates for these games, so I may or may not get to all of them tonight. Or the stream might be over in an hour.
Caper in the Castro (1989) by CM Ralph
This game has been making rounds for being claimed as the first LGBT game. It was originally “distributed via BBS, and is 'Charityware', with the designer asking players to donate to the AIDS Charity of their choice” (from the archive website).
We’ll play the “world famous lesbian private detective, Tracker McDyke,” who is searching for a kidnapped drag queen. As in any detective story, I’m sure things will unfold wildly from there.
Interestingly, they released a straight version as well, changing the locations (and I’m guessing the genders?) and releasing it as “Murder on Main Street.”
Mainichi (2012) by Mattie Brice
This game has no title graphic that I could find, and it has very little to go from by its description. It’s a game made in RPG Maker that doesn’t consider itself an RPG. It features a black trans woman as its protagonist and “is an experiment in sharing a personal experience through a game system.... it stands as a commentary of how we currently use game design for broad strokes of universal experiences instead of the hyper-personal, and often exclude minority voices” (from her website). It looks so interesting, and I’m as intrigued as I can be. So, I’m definitely gonna start the night off with this wildcard.
By the way, Mattie has a TEDx Talk on “Using Play for Everyday Activism”
Coming Out Simulator (2014) by Nicky Case
I love me some game jam games. This game was made for the #Nar8 Game Jam, and it continues the thread of personal queer narrative video game.
You play as a semi-fictional version of me, on a night that changed my life forever. Choose your (my?) words wisely. Every character will remember everything you say -- or don't say -- as you figure out how to approach my (your?) hyper-conservative Asian parents. And if all that seems confusing or awkward... well, that's the gist of coming out as queer, isn't it?
TRIAD (2015) by anna anthropy and Leon Arnott
This puzzle game is the cutest thing ever. It’s a poly slider block puzzle based on the premise of trying to fit three lovers in the same bed so that everyone can sleep comfortably.
TRIAD is about the most difficult puzzle of all: human relationships.... Everyone has their own different needs and sleeping quirks. Plus there's a cat. Can YOU solve this puzzle? Many have tried - few have succeeded!
The Raccoon Who Lost Their Shape (2016) by Fathom
This raccoon summons... the ghosts... of dead... shape people?
I don’t remember why I bookmarked this game, but it looks interesting and there’s a they/them pronoun in the title, I guess. :P Let’s check out the life of this enby shape whisperer.
