A Spotlight On The Queer Perspective

If you think about it, video games have always been queer, and this isn't the first time this has been said. Professor Bo Ruberg writes about this overarching idea that queerness in video games goes beyond representation and should be thought about in terms of their development, players, culture, and the history of gaming. 

Gaming has always been a safe space for outsiders. It’s been home to many who didn’t find a space for themselves in the conventions of daily life. But still, somehow, gaming sometimes struggles to work out how to expand itself to accommodate queerness. If we think of gaming not just as modern entertainment but also as an avenue of art and self-expression, then the possibility of the medium opens up. 

This, in nature, is a queer perspective.

A queer perspective pushes the concept of queerness in games beyond mere representation, exploring how video games can be played, interpreted, and designed queerly, whether or not they include overtly LGBTQ content. This perspective challenges traditional gaming and highlights alternative experiences – fostering inclusivity at all levels of game creation and interaction.

Why is a Queer Perspective Needed?

Innovation. 

The queer perspective plays a role in new and different kinds of creation. It’s especially important now that we are experiencing a time when state leadership and censorship threaten queer identities. Like any other medium, gaming benefits when all kinds of people are allowed to participate in it. This means that the community is not only represented but is also empowered to create its own contributions. A queer perspective does not diminish or take away from other marginalized identities in the gaming field. Rather, it enriches gaming by expanding the ways in which stories can be told, mechanics can be explored, and experiences can be shared. 

Gaming in general is in need of a revamp, and a queer perspective also considers alternative ways in which gaming can exist beyond the mainstream industry's constraints.

What Does It Look Like Today?

Luckily, plenty of games today not only feature queer content but are also created by queer game developers. Indie games, in particular, have been at the forefront of pushing boundaries in storytelling, gameplay, and representation. 

Titles such as Life is Strange: True Colours and Tell Me Why showcase nuanced queer narratives that go beyond tokenistic representation. Moreover, queer game designers are actively reshaping the industry by creating games that embrace fluidity, non-linearity, and alternative play styles that subvert traditional gaming norms. 

By embracing a queer perspective, gaming can continue to evolve as a powerful and inclusive medium that welcomes diverse voices and experiences – ultimately enriching the industry as a whole.