July 21, 2023
Pride month is all about honoring the achievements of generations of LGBTQIA+ activists while acknowledging what still needs to be improved to create a safe and welcoming world for queer people. Moreover, it is a month devoted to coming together as a community in all areas of life. In this article, I will explore how the gaming industry celebrates Pride.
Pride Collections
Gaming and lifestyle brands show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community through Pride-themed products. Countless other companies join such efforts during Pride month. For instance, Xbox launched a controller displaying all Pride flags, while Riot Games offered free in-game assets, such as profile banners and emotes with Pride colors. These initiatives make LGBTQIA+ gamers feel seen and allow them to show their Pride inside and outside their favorite games!
Pride on Twitch
Twitch is a cornerstone of the gaming industry, giving gamers a strong sense of togetherness. Therefore, it is the perfect platform for Pride in gaming. Both LGBTQIA+ creators and allies can be seen raising money for charity, educating, and making Pride-themed content.
For example, Tiltify’s fundraiser #UnifiedForPride has already collected more than $18,000 for organizations dedicated to uplifting LGBTQIA+ people. Black and Pink, GaymerX, and Human Rights Campaign are among the beneficiaries, and every creator can fundraise for the campaign. LGBTQIA+ non-profit It Gets Better Project has also been part of various Twitch charity streams. Throughout June, they have been posting frequent updates on when their partnered creators are live. So make sure to check them out!
In addition to charity organizations, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are providing resources for streamers and viewers to celebrate Pride. For instance, queer streamer superQ designed a collection of free Pride emotes. Likewise, drag queen streamer Annie Krevice used her reach on social media to share some of her favorite trans and non-binary streamers with her audience.
Finally, Twitch itself has a Pride program, too! They have been highlighting LGBTQIA+ creators across the globe since June 1st. Furthermore, they hosted the OUTLOUD Raising Voices Music Festival dedicated to queer artistry. Another Pride event was Twitch Prom. Organized by Team Transtopia, a stream team comprised of transgender and gender-diverse creators, Twitch Prom provides LGBTQIA+ folks with a safe space to be unapologetically themselves. The associated charity campaign is still active!
Pride in Video Games
Pride is not only about charity. It can additionally be a great time to (re)visit some of the most beloved LGBTQIA+ representations in video games. This is a compelling experience for young gamers that might still struggle with their orientation and identity. The Gayming magazine targeted explicitly at queer gamers has published a list of all LGBTQIA+ games included in itch.io’s Summer Sale.
But numerous other games feature queer characters, too. Here are some of them! The Life is Strange franchise is one of the most known pieces of gaming content to authentically and impactfully spotlight the stories of queer individuals. In the first part, the two main protagonists, Max Caulfield and Chloe Price, can become a couple. The games are currently on sale on Steam, so this is an excellent time to try them out!
Hades’ main character Zagreus is queer and can develop a relationship with the god of death, Thanatos. In Hades, you play the son of the god of the Underworld. His goal is to escape from there and find his mother. The roguelike action dungeon-crawler was incredibly hyped during its release year due to its intricately designed gameplay and characters. Even better, it is also part of the Steam Summer Sale!
Published in the same year, Tell Me Why is an emotionally engaging episodic adventure game. It tells the story of the trans, bisexual man Tyler Ronan and his twin sister Alyson who reunite in their hometown Alaska to investigate the death of their mother. In addition, Tyler may start a relationship with Alyson’s best friend, Michael. All the game chapters were free on Steam until the end of June!
Final Thoughts
Although there is still a long way to go, it is heartwarming and reassuring to find so many gaming industry stakeholders participating in Pride month. Their efforts shed light on the LGBTQIA+ community and its amazingly talented members!