Hello! All this week, Eurogamer has been celebrating Pride with a series of features that explore the intersection of queer culture and gaming. We are grateful to the talented writers who have shared their enthusiasm, stories, and visions for a more inclusive future in gaming. Below, you will find a complete roundup of this year’s Pride features for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Contributors:
- James Croft
- Ozzy Smith
- Ed Nightingale
- Sharang Biswas
- Eli Cugini
- Gareth Damian Martin
- Alex Meehan
- Ebonix
- Nikatine
- Lottie Lynn
- Llaura McGee
- Eve Golden Woods
- Wren Brier
- Deere
- August Aiden Black
- Dr Lloyd (Meadhbh) Houston
We would also like to extend our gratitude to Christian Donlan for his invaluable assistance behind the scenes, and to Malaika Hardy-Fraser for creating this year’s stunning Pride Week artwork and logo.
We hope you have enjoyed Eurogamer’s fourth annual Pride Week. We will continue to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in gaming and address the issues they face throughout the year. Join us again in 2024 for another week of Pride celebrations. If you missed any of Eurogamer’s previous Pride Week features, you can catch up here, here, and here. Stay tuned!
How a new generation of drag artists is reimagining video games
Image credit: Matti Scicluna/Eurogamer
James Croft kicked off this year’s Pride Week with a fabulous exploration of how a new generation of drag performers is using their art and love for video games to envision a more diverse and queer future for gaming. From gender-bending Kratos to hot Piranha Plants, these drag artists have found an audience that loves their video game-inspired looks.
If Found… and pushing back on shame
Image credit: Dreamfeel/Eurogamer
Ozzy Smith delves into the themes of self-erasure in the LGBTQ+ community presented in Dreamfeel’s visual novel “If Found…”. This poignant game explores the struggle of individuals who constantly feel the need to “check” themselves and hide their queerness in public.
Final Fantasy 16’s LGBTQ+ representation proves the series is modernizing
Image credit: Square Enix/Eurogamer
In this article, Ed Nightingale, a devoted Final Fantasy fan, expresses his joy at the increasing LGBTQ+ representation in the beloved franchise. He highlights a tender moment shared by two characters in Final Fantasy 16, which normalizes LGBTQ+ relationships without sexualizing them.
Artsy Porn & Sexy Larps: Games, Bodies, & Queer Rights
Image credit: Vespéral/Eurogamer
Sharang Biswas explores the intriguing connection between pornography and analogue gaming, shedding light on creators who design games that weave together intimacy and play. By engaging the physicality of participants, these games offer a unique experience that other art forms cannot replicate.
Danganronpa and the surprising joys of clumsy queer representation
Image credit: Spike Chunsoft/Eurogamer
Eli Cugini celebrates the imperfect but endearing LGBTQ+ representation found in the Danganronpa series. While these games may not always get it right, they demonstrate a genuine interest in exploring queer dynamics and the beauty they bring to the stories they tell.
My queer favourite game
Image credit: Eurogamer
In this Pride Week finale, Eurogamer compiles a list of their favorite queer and queer-positive games. Discover their picks and share your own favorites as well.