"Gaming in Color", a Kickstarter Documentary on LGBT+ Gaming

[MammothBlade]

Oh great, another pseudo-intellectual documentary that everyone will pretend to care about and pour their wallets into a sea of fake tears.

If you want to make noise about such things, by all means do so, but don't try to ask for $50,000 for something relatively trivial. You only need one or two volunteers with a working voice, a car, some basic video equipment, and a brain cell between them. The equipment and travel expenses should cost less than a grand.

Nice scam, chaps.

 

[Something Amyss]

And like others already said, games really arent exactly the place where being a LBGT person gives a diferent perspective over the content of the game (with some minor exceptions when games deal with sexuality, being that a really small part of it)

I sort of wonder how many people read the whole description, rather than just skimming (or not reading it at all and assuming).

Gaming in Color is a kickstarter-based documentary about LGBTQ+ people in gaming, that aims "to take a closer look at the challenges and the growth of these communities in the gaming world."

 

[Uhura]

This sounds like an interesting project. Some of the comments here are depressing as hell though. 'Overly pc! Why is this important? This is too much! Exploitation! Scam! Pseudo-intellectuals! Just stfu and enjoy the games!'. Sigh.

 

[JazzJack2]

-snip-

My sexuality has never ever been a problem while gaming or interacting with the gaming community and I find it extremely difficult to believe it has ever been a major problem for anyone.

 

[Lethos]

Eh, I'm not against the video because I'm a supporter of the LGBT community, and people in general, being able to do what they want. But I can't say I particularly see the point in it either.

 

[wulf3n]

I feel like people are far to politically correct on games, they should just learn to enjoy them instead of kicking up a fuss their group isn't pandered to.

I'm not dissing gays or women or whatever, but look at the popular threads on this site. There is more bitching about issues than people talking about how much they love games.

Agreed 100%, people need to get back to enjoying their hobby and less time playing pc. I agree if there's a specific case where its overboard then make a complaint, but this is going too far. We will get to a point where everything is boring due to fear of offending anyone if these pc groups get their way.

This is an interesting fear that people tend to have, but I don't see where it's coming from.

The whole talk about "these groups" and their way, is strange because I've never seen [not proof I admit] "these groups" say "I want all games to cater to my opinions all the time". From what I've gathered they're just asking for a bit of balance. Besides there are always going to be smaller big developers that won't give a shit about political correctness and will make the game they want to make, regardless of what others think.

A similar situation that doesn't receive the same reaction is the talk on the over saturation of the shooter. I've seen numerous videos calling for a stop to the Grey Brown MMS, but no one there responds, "They're trying to take away the fun", or "They're going to ruin games"

edit: It also implies that the only things you find fun about games are the things that offend someone else.

Capthca: Such a Dag

Fuck you captcha, fuck you.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

Seems interesting. I'm too broke to contribute anything (as I am with all kickstarters) but I'd like to watch it if it gets done. And if people want to give their money to see this made than thats their choice and it doesn;t harm anyone so I don;t see why it shouldn't be made. I much prefer conversing with the members of the community themselves then watching documentaries but eh, I'll give it a view.

 

[RicoADF]

I feel like people are far to politically correct on games, they should just learn to enjoy them instead of kicking up a fuss their group isn't pandered to.

I'm not dissing gays or women or whatever, but look at the popular threads on this site. There is more bitching about issues than people talking about how much they love games.

Agreed 100%, people need to get back to enjoying their hobby and less time playing pc. I agree if there's a specific case where its overboard then make a complaint, but this is going too far. We will get to a point where everything is boring due to fear of offending anyone if these pc groups get their way.

This is an interesting fear that people tend to have, but I don't see where it's coming from.

The whole talk about "these groups" and their way, is strange because I've never seen [not proof I admit] "these groups" say "I want all games to cater to my opinions all the time". From what I've gathered they're just asking for a bit of balance. Besides there are always going to be smaller big developers that won't give a shit about political correctness and will make the game they want to make, regardless of what others think.

A similar situation that doesn't receive the same reaction is the talk on the over saturation of the shooter. I've seen numerous videos calling for a stop to the Grey Brown MMS, but no one there responds, "They're trying to take away the fun", or "They're going to ruin games"

edit: It also implies that the only things you find fun about games are the things that offend someone else.

Capthca: Such a Dag

Fuck you captcha, fuck you.

I don't know about others, but personally I've seen political correctness kill off good things, eg: comedy shows in Australia. The outrage and complaining made the channels simply abandon the shows rather than go through the minefields.
I don't have issues with LGBQ+ being in games and depicted in them, I just don't want them to be forced in and it ending up awkward due to how its executed thanks to the demand they be accommodated. Until there's a LGBQ+ dev that will do the game themselves from their prospective I doubt it could be executed well as others simply don't understand the problem as we don't experience what they go through.

 

[Auron]

I don't know about others, but personally I've seen political correctness kill off good things, eg: comedy shows in Australia. The outrage and complaining made the channels simply abandon the shows rather than go through the minefields.
I don't have issues with LGBQ+ being in games and depicted in them, I just don't want them to be forced in and it ending up awkward due to how its executed thanks to the demand they be accommodated. Until there's a LGBQ+ dev that will do the game themselves from their prospective I doubt it could be executed well as others simply don't understand the problem as we don't experience what they go through.

The same happened in Brazil we used to have good humour in mainstream media but it was slowly choked to death, in fact a few comics have been sued recently *sigh*

Filling a diversity quota(like it happens in some movies) would be a terrible thing yeah.

Every community has members that are inherently toxic towards somebody outside the "norm" of that community. One does not necessarily have to be a mysognyst to feel that their activity is being encroached upon. A bachelor party would be pretty awkward with a few women, no matter how non-judgmental they are and aren't the strippers, right? However, there's those people who feel as if their terrority is being encroached upon, and those who don't but are some form of bigot. Some people get extra flak from those. Throw in the anonymity and/or disconnect of the internet, and you get about half the people you encounter online calling some slur or another and a bunch of arsewipes on forums.

Have you ever been in general chat on any mmo or lobby in any RTS? You're going to see a fuckload of "forbidden" words and they'll be hurled in every direction. I've been called everything, the only time I remember being pissed off was a time of extreme emotional instability and even though I wanted to kill the guy I just closed the forum. If anything we need a documentary on how the entire gaming community is full of trolls who hate everyone, not that I think it would change anything, maybe implementing nazi mods everywhere would be the only way to civilize the internet but then freedom goes away so no real fix I think.

Furthermore why would people advertise their sexuality in lobbies and chats anyway? Sexuality has very little relation to gaming unless you feel it defines you so deeply you must flaunt it everywhere. And speaking of the LGBT community in gaming, are they so different that they need one? Should I start an Ashkenazi gaming community? It's the kind of self-applied label that I feel segregates people for no reason.

If I was less of a cynical asshole I'd even point out that there's currently at least two transgender pro-gamers in Starcraft 2 with fans, sponsorship, streams and what-not just like every other pro-gamer and aside from the occasional bigot troll in chats I haven't seem any negative outcry about it.

 

[Bug MuIdoon]

I wish you luck, and I hope it does something good for your cause.
That being said, I can't honestly see any reason for it. I could understand a desire for more LGBT characters or stories within the game (similar to the ongoing sexism debate) but beyond that, what?

Being bi has never stopped me from enjoying the situation of watching a film, reading a book or playing a game.

 

[Darken12]

Oh, you guys. You are all such lovely, positive, supporting people. You are such a joy and pleasure to be around. I am renewed and uplifted every time I set foot on this forum, knowing that I am welcomed and embraced.

I love you all.

Thank you for your attention.

 

[Windcaler]

I just dont see this as a worthwhile project at this time. Getting gaming to a point where its a recognized art form is what we need to be aiming at.

Thats not to say the project shouldnt be done at all though. However the social issues that LGBT gamers face within gaming culture are IMO not as huge as those faced by people of any religion (especially christians). If you want to do a project like this then it seems to me it should be for the, for lack of a better word, "abnormal" social group thats demonized and persecuted the most, not the least.

 

[aba1]

Oh great, another pseudo-intellectual documentary that everyone will pretend to care about and pour their wallets into a sea of fake tears.

If you want to make noise about such things, by all means do so, but don't try to ask for $50,000 for something relatively trivial. You only need one or two volunteers with a working voice, a car, some basic video equipment, and a brain cell between them. The equipment and travel expenses should cost less than a grand.

Nice scam, chaps.

You have no idea about video production. I say that as a statement because if were serious you have no idea how much it costs to make a professional film even a indie one on a budget.

First of all you have you base costs:

Camera - $7000 for one which you would want more than one likely.
Tripod - $500 for any kind of decent one to handle your camera.
Software - $2500 this is for the adobe master suite
Decent computer - $2000-$4000 we shall say $3000 for the sake of being fair

So far for bare bones equipment still missing stuff and not counting living costs, travel costs, and other things we already have a bill of $13000.

 

[RicoADF]

The same happened in Brazil we used to have good humour in mainstream media but it was slowly choked to death, in fact a few comics have been sued recently *sigh*

Filling a diversity quota(like it happens in some movies) would be a terrible thing yeah.
*SNIP*

Exactly, like I know they mean well and are just trying to fix some real issues, it's just unfortunate that it goes from one extreme to another. Why our society can't just have 1 rule for all, no special treatment no discrimination, everyone treated 100% equally. Ofcourse those that need help (eg: disabled) can get it, but no more "group one must be given a certain % of a job" etc stuff, as it's just making the problem worse IMO.

 

[aba1]

I feel like people are far to politically correct on games, they should just learn to enjoy them instead of kicking up a fuss their group isn't pandered to.

I'm not dissing gays or women or whatever, but look at the popular threads on this site. There is more bitching about issues than people talking about how much they love games.

Agreed 100%, people need to get back to enjoying their hobby and less time playing pc. I agree if there's a specific case where its overboard then make a complaint, but this is going too far. We will get to a point where everything is boring due to fear of offending anyone if these pc groups get their way.

This is an interesting fear that people tend to have, but I don't see where it's coming from.

The whole talk about "these groups" and their way, is strange because I've never seen [not proof I admit] "these groups" say "I want all games to cater to my opinions all the time". From what I've gathered they're just asking for a bit of balance. Besides there are always going to be smaller big developers that won't give a shit about political correctness and will make the game they want to make, regardless of what others think.

A similar situation that doesn't receive the same reaction is the talk on the over saturation of the shooter. I've seen numerous videos calling for a stop to the Grey Brown MMS, but no one there responds, "They're trying to take away the fun", or "They're going to ruin games"

edit: It also implies that the only things you find fun about games are the things that offend someone else.

Capthca: Such a Dag

Fuck you captcha, fuck you.

Some interesting points and I think you make a strong argument I just don't know if you understand the other side at least how I have come to understand. I think the reason it bothers people is because if a standard gets set that everything needs to be perfectly politically correct then it will take the freedom of creativity from games. Nobody can just design the characters how they want they all have to fit guidelines and we always have to have characters be from a certain heritage and the list goes on. It is fine if all your characters are gay in the game nobody really cares if that is the way it is just don't put them in the game to pander at the cost of the original idea. Basically people myself included think the last thing we want to do is limit creativity with guidelines. If something suits your game fine go for it but you shouldn't be forced.

 

[NemotheElvenPanda]

I really don't see on how my love of cock gives me perspective. I mean yeah, there's a lack of LGBTQ(insert letters here) characters in gaming that aren't tokens/stereotypes, and that should be fixed. I don't think that needs a documentary though, just some writers that can think past tired tropes and their expectations. I've never had an issue with the gaming community as a whole besides that.

 

[RicoADF]

I really don't see on how my love of cock gives me perspective. I mean yeah, there's a lack of LGBTQ(insert letters here) characters in gaming that aren't tokens/stereotypes, and that should be fixed. I don't think that needs a documentary though, just some writers that can think past tired tropes and their expectations. I've never had an issue with the gaming community as a whole besides that.

Thing is a lot of game characters don't get that deep into their personal views on life, so really any of them could be LGBTQ and we wouldn't know because it didn't matter, specifying it wouldn't change who they were. Having said that there are too many lazy writers not just for LGBTQ but for all groups. I'd be nice if the next shooter wasn't some stereotypical while American male (probably in the Army) and go with other views. Eg: An Aborigional Australian woman, or some other random setting, ANYTHING different. It's not just LGBTQ that are being ignored, it's basically everyone except white American males &/or females (usually males). We all want different and unique characters, not the same old ones that all look, sound and act the same.

Captcha: Heat up - I hope the topic doesn't captcha, it's going good sofar.

 

[Weaver]

I really, really don't see the purpose of this documentary, why are they asking LBGT people specifically about their experiences with games as if we have some special insight?

They're going to basically quote mine a select few people with experiences actually of note instead of doing a truly representative and unbiased documentary.

I know gay gamers and I know female gamers. We all just go home and play games after work, the end.
None of them are struggling to play games, relate to the stories or have fun. I actually just recorded an LP tonight with a female friend, she loves games and has never expressed to me that it's hard for her to game, or go to cons, etc. due to her gender.

Working IN the games industry might be different, but if some kid calls you "gay" in a game of DOTA2 it's inconsequential regardless of your sexuality or gender.

 

[Darken12]

All right! The project made it to $35,000 and it still has a week to go!

This is a good thing, even if the remaining time is somewhat troubling. But still, we all ought to have hope even when times grow darkest.

 

[NemotheElvenPanda]

I really don't see on how my love of cock gives me perspective. I mean yeah, there's a lack of LGBTQ(insert letters here) characters in gaming that aren't tokens/stereotypes, and that should be fixed. I don't think that needs a documentary though, just some writers that can think past tired tropes and their expectations. I've never had an issue with the gaming community as a whole besides that.

Thing is a lot of game characters don't get that deep into their personal views on life, so really any of them could be LGBTQ and we wouldn't know because it didn't matter, specifying it wouldn't change who they were. Having said that there are too many lazy writers not just for LGBTQ but for all groups. I'd be nice if the next shooter wasn't some stereotypical while American male (probably in the Army) and go with other views. Eg: An Aborigional Australian woman, or some other random setting, ANYTHING different. It's not just LGBTQ that are being ignored, it's basically everyone except white American males &/or females (usually males). We all want different and unique characters, not the same old ones that all look, sound and act the same.

Captcha: Heat up - I hope the topic doesn't captcha, it's going good sofar.

Well I as thinking more along the lines of explicitly LGBTQ+ characters like in Bioware's games. Whenever a LGBTQ+ character is in a game, it's usually their only relevant attribute that gets mentioned over and over again, almost to stereotypical lengths if they're not walking stereotypes themselves *cough*ZEVRAN LILEANA*cough*. The gaming industry is bland as hell in all departments, don't get me wrong.