JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Queer Games Avant-Garde: How LGBTQ Game Makers Are Reimagining the Medium of Video Games, Bo Ruberg (2020).

  • Published In: Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds, 2025, v. 17, n. 1. P. 101 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Bell, Olivia 3 of 3

Abstract

The article reviews *The Queer Games Avant-Garde: How LGBTQ Game Makers Are Reimagining the Medium of Video Games* by Bo Ruberg, which explores how LGBTQ game creators challenge mainstream gaming norms by reclaiming control over their representation. Through interviews with 22 queer game makers, the book highlights their rejection of simplified "empathy games" and mainstream portrayals that often flatten queer experiences. These creators prioritize telling authentic, diverse stories for themselves and queer audiences, frequently facing social and financial hardships as they resist dominant industry expectations. The work emphasizes the distinction between consent and permission, framing queer game makers' efforts as a reclamation of consent in a landscape where mainstream authorities have historically dictated representation.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds. 2025/03, Vol. 17, Issue 1, p101
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Arts and Entertainment
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1757191X
  • DOI:10.1386/jgvw_00119_5
  • Accession Number:185528313
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds is the property of Intellect Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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