Video game producer Ivan Venturi is calling for greater acceptance and inclusiveness in the gaming world, saying "it's super important" that games cover issues related to the LGBTIQ+ community.
According to Video Game Chronicles (VGC), Venturi is the project director behind a new video game called 'Pride Run', which seeks to translate the 'inclusive energy' of Pride into an action-game experience.
Featuring the likenesses of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the game doesn't pull any punches when it comes to communicating a political message - which is important, Venturi says.
“Three years ago I was producing a game called Riot: Civil Unrest, which is a game about fighting between police and rioters,” he told VGC.
“So I had this pixel art crowd in the game already and then on October 11 it was International Coming Out day and I heard young people on the radio talking about coming out to their friends and family.
'Pride Run' has no problem getting political. Source: Green Man Gaming
“It touched me and I wondered as a game producer if I could do anything to help this process: to help give young people courage and show that there’s nothing wrong with who they are.”
He added: “I think it’s super important that games cover these issues. First of all we want to make a fun video game, of course, but also build awareness for example that there is no Pride in Moscow or Istanbul – it’s very dangerous to be homosexual in those places still."
Green Man Gaming told Tech Raptor that they were always looking for other ways to support the LGBTIQ+ community.
"As part of the launch of the game, Green Man Gaming is exploring ways of supporting LGBTQ+ rights charities who we feel are aligned with our inclusivity and diversity values," Head of Developer Relations, Jonny Merritt, said.
The gaming community is no stranger to getting political - or queer.
In 2017, a Sydney-based creative studio created an 8-bit online game inspired by the same-sex marriage postal survey, encouraging players to mail their 'yes' votes and overcome a range of political hurdles. Other games have been celebrated in recent years for highlighting the trans experience and helping gamers discover their sexuality.
You can watch the trailer for 'Pride Run' below:
