Diverse Experiences Challenge

Gonna keep a running tally here if that’s OK.

  • is neurodivergent - In Sound Mind
  • has experienced a traumatic event - In Sound Mind
  • has a physical disability
  • is a different race than you - Hogwarts Legacy
  • identifies as transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer - Hogwarts Legacy
  • has a mental illness - In Sound Mind
  • is LGBTQIA+ - Hogwarts Legacy
  • is indigenous - Resident Evil 4
  • is a member of a diaspora
  • is a refugee or fleeing persecution

Quick question, aren’t “identifies as transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer” and “LGBTQIA+” the same thing? Apologies if not, I’m genuinely asking.

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Although LGBTQIA+ technically includes trans, nonbinary and genderqueer, it’s a broader umbrella term and can apply to many cis Queer individuals. So the separation of the two highlight a desire to encourage people not only to seek out cis Queer portrayals or devs, but to also seek out experiences about and/or by people who belong to groups that identify as trans, binary and genderqueer, as well as those who identify as 2 Spirit, etc…

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I’ve been slacking on making my own list cause I’ve been working on creating some shelves on the main site to organize some of the LGBTQIA+ games I’ve played.

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2 spirit? I’ve never heard of that.

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Two-Spirit is a term used by several indigenous groups to describe a unique indigenous genderqueer identity. It’s officially recognized in Canada and we tend to use the acronym 2SLGBTQQIA+ as adopted by the National 2SLGBTQQIA+ Committee, which contributed to the 2021 Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, as well as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.

The Canadian federal government officially uses 2SLGBTQI+.

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Huh. That’s really cool. Apparently in some ancient Celtic cultures there was no concept of “homosexual” etc, you just loved who you loved. And apparently they were the savages. :roll_eyes:

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I think I need help with the neurodivergent prompt for both characters and developers. I found this list but it’s pretty limited and don’t know how accurate it is.

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I think the list is probably accurate in the sense that those characters are portrayed as neurodivergent. For example To the Moon does feature a neurodivergent character, described as having Asperger’s in-game. So I’m guess the list isn’t inaccurate. I do wonder about some of the portrayals in some of those games though. Can’t know for certain without playing, however.

Have you looked at things like the Neurodivergent tag on itch? You can find games like this one, which has an all neurodivergent cast:

What in Carnation?! by Schnumn, RubyNova, Mr. Squidgereen

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I didn’t know that was a thing. I’m going to look right now.

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Try different tags. I find there is far more diversity in itch. Not all might be the most polished games, some might not even be games in certain conventional senses, but I think you might find some things there.

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I can’t find the neurodivergent tag. :frowning:

Fewer than I thought though.

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Okay. This will be my master list. I’m going to attempt having different games for each prompt unless one game covers both character and developer goals.

CHARACTERS

  • :white_check_mark: Neurodivergency - What in Carnation?!
  • Trauma - MiSide (currently playing)
  • Physical Disability - Katawa Shoujo (currently playing)
  • Different Race - Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.3 Tatarigoroshi (currently playing)
  • Transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer
  • :white_check_mark: Mental Illness - Depression Quest
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Indigenous
  • Diaspora
  • Refugee/Fleeing Persecution

DEVELOPERS

  • :white_check_mark: Neurodivergency - Schmnumn (aka Bex Ollerton)
  • :white_check_mark: Trauma - Zoe Quinn (was targeted by the GamerGate hate campaign)
  • Physical Disability
  • Different Race - 07th Expansion (Japanese doujin group)
  • Transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer
  • Mental Illness
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Indigenous
  • Diaspora
  • Refugee/Fleeing Persecution
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I just finished this game. It’s still very early access but took me a half hour to finish. I was a little disappointed because the character I wanted to interact with wasn’t available yet but the other character was still cute. This game also ticks the nonbinary box as well but since I was struggling finding neurodivergency rep, I’m going to use it for that prompt instead.

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I’ve decided for developers who’ve experienced trauma, I’m going to play Depression Quest by Zoe Quinn since she was the target for the GamerGate hate campaign.

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It’s also what I planned to play.

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I’m stealing your format, @Roach, because it’s an excellent layout :blush:

CHARACTERS

  • Neurodivergency
  • Trauma
  • Physical Disability
  • Different Race
  • Transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer: Tell Me Why
  • Mental Illness
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Indigenous: Where Rivers Were Trails
  • Diaspora
  • Refugee/Fleeing Persecution

DEVELOPERS

  • Neurodivergency
  • Trauma
  • Physical Disability: Hyper Light Breaker developed by Heart Machine, founded by Alx Preston.
  • Different Race
  • Transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer
  • Mental Illness
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Indigenous: Where Rivers Were Trails created by a collective of over thirty indigenous creatives, including Elizabeth LaPensée and Weshoyot Alvitre, in collaboration with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and Michigan State University’s Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab.
  • Diaspora
  • Refugee/Fleeing Persecution
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  • Is neurodivergent
  • Has experienced a traumatic event
  • Has a physical disability
  • Is a different race than you
  • Identifies as transgender, nonbinary, or genderqueer
  • Has a mental illness
  • Is LGBTQIA+
  • Is indigenous
  • Is a member of a diaspora - Citizen Sleeper 2. The destruction of Ember’s Song in CS1 has sent its inhabitants adrift amid the outer reaches of the Helion System
  • Is a refugee or fleeing persecution
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Have you played it yet? I finished it before my Japan trip and thought it was really accurate and I enjoyed it’s choice-based gameplay/ending. It also made me realize, yet again, how much my relationship with my own depression has changed and modern Roach made a lot more healthier choices then retro Roach would have.

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No, not yet. I’m in this weird rut where I only play Hyper Light Breaker for some reason, lol.

I’m very curious regarding what my experience with it will be. It sounds like your play-through led to some worthwhile introspection.

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