Last May we featured the Kickstarter for a documentary all about gay video game players – Gaming In Color. Now the movie is complete and in keeping with the crowdfunding spirit, it’s been released online with viewers able to choose how much to pay – with a $1 minimum and $15 suggested.
Videogames may be perceived to be a straight guy pursuit, but gay people are just as likely to enjoy getting out their controllers as anyone else – even if the games rarely reflect their lives. Indeed you’re as likely to hear about a game removing the ability to include same sex relationships (which had been included by accident) as you are a game that deliberately allows them (and there are even fewer that aren’t trapped in a strict gender binary).
As Gamin In Color director Philip Jones says on the movie’s website, ‘GAMING IN COLOR exists for anyone who believes that the pixelated world can be a better place for everyone, no matter who they are. It is not too uncommon a tale where a bullied, abused youth seeks solace in a video game, only to find that their one hope of sanctuary, their escape into a virtual universe, is plagued with floods of more vitriol and hatred. This exists doubly so for anyone who is a minority, including people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ community.
‘A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer gamer has a higher chance of being mistreated in a social game. The power dynamic of a geek society tips against them. Diversive queer themes in storylines and characters are still mostly an anomaly in the mainstream video game industry. However, the gaming community is far more colorful than one may expect. Gaming In Color shows that there is a full spectrum of gamers picking up their controller to play.
‘This feature length documentary explores the queer side of gaming culture and the game industry’s LGBTQ presence. The GaymerX convention that took place in 2013 was a huge step forward for the queer geek community being recognized on a worldwide industry scale. In the same year, more popular mainstream and indie games featured a greater amount of gay and lesbian characters than ever before, helping with visibility and acceptance. The video games universe will only continue to improve and diversify both in its community and industry if we elevate the conversation about inclusion and respecting one another – not in spite of our gay geekiness, but because of it!’
If you want to watch the film, head here. [Read more…]
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