Queerness and Modification in Mainstream and Indie Games: Examining Problems with Queer Representation in Video Games and Exploring Design Solutions
Page-faithful scholarly edition converted from the ACM version of record.
doi
10.1145/3465336.3475114
url
https://doi.org/10.1145/3465336.3475114
name
Queerness and Modification in Mainstream and Indie Games: Examining Problems with Queer Representation in Video Games and Exploring Design Solutions
pages
9
format
page-faithful facsimile
acm_url
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3465336.3475114
authors
1.Kenton Taylor Howard
doi_url
https://doi.org/10.1145/3465336.3475114
license
restricted
summary
Page-faithful scholarly edition converted from the ACM version of record.
abstract
In this paper I address a problem related to video game culture with which modding has often engaged: the way queerness is portrayed in video games. I examine how mainstream games, indie games, and fan-created modifications relate to issues with queerness in video games. My goal is to analyze the ways in which modification can help players explore some of the problems surrounding portrayals of queerness in mainstream games. I also focus on the lessons that game designers and modders can learn from more positive portrayals of queerness in indie games. Overall, I suggest that considerations about a game’s mainstream or indie status influence how both developers and players relate to queerness in games and argue that modding is a powerful way for players to engage with and explore issues with queerness found in mainstream games.
keywords
Queer Games, Modding, Indie Games
source_pdf
HT-2021_35-30_3465336/3465336.3475114.pdf
import_kind
full_text
open_access
false
publication
Proceedings of the 32nd ACM Conference on Hypertext and Social Media (HT ’21)
ccs_concepts
• Social and professional topics • Human-centered computing •
displayAuthor
Kenton Taylor Howard
source_sha256
9ba0f5f9f68b6495fdd445ea3aaad7045642778c0e95cc83e2d3d64fe18d6c5c
publication_year
2021
source_attribution
Complete page images converted from the ACM version of record under supplied ACM publication authorization.