True Avatars - A Queer Video Game Podcast

I got the amazing opportunity to interview Tanat Boozayaangool, the lead developer of Building Relationships — the dating sim where you play as a house who dates… other buildings?!
Tanat gives a clever and hilarious window into his thought process behind this wacky and adorable video game, including the reasons it’s so queer at its very core and what to expect from the full game when it launches this year.
In the first half of the episode, it’s just me as a I cover a bunch of headlines: The Last of Us Part II Remastered got an exciting update, Ghost of Yotei had a PlayStation State of Play, Gayming Mag hosted their annual Gayming Awards, Nintendo is sadly ending their Game Voucher program, and there was even a followup on the #StopKillingGames petition.
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:36 - News
00:25:30 - Interview with Tanat Boozayaangool (Building Relationships)
 
This episode was recorded on July 12 2025. The interview was recorded on June 19 2025.
 
Sources:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/eu-lobby-group-says-law-forcing-developers-to-support-online-games-would-make-them-too-expensive/
https://tech4gamers.com/ubisoft-eula-destroy-all-copies-game-goes-offline/
https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-you-might-have-missed-from-eurogamers-pride-week-2025
https://aftermath.site/kotaku-sale-keleops-go
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/last-of-us-part-2s-latest-update-adds-another-way-to-experience-the-campaign/
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-Switch-Game-Vouchers-FAQ-1560656.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgM6poO2JmY
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/07/heres-the-gayming-awards-2025-winners/
https://gaymingfoundation.org/

Devona (Heldevo) and Amy-Lynn are back this week for the big gay Deltarune chat! We talk about our thoughts, if it’s a good time for a newbie to jump in, and even carve out some time for spoilers (don’t worry, we kept the spoilers separate so they’re easy to skip).
We also discuss a bunch of headlines, including Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ second season renewal, Baldur’s Gate 3 actors haven’t seen more success since the game’s release, Naughty Dog creative leads are departing The Last of Us Season 3, the #StopKillingGames campaign is gaining momentum, and those disgusting, disappointing Xbox layoffs just keep getting worse with each new article.
Plus some good news: Queer Game of the Week is finally back!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:48 - News
00:59:09 - Deltarune
01:22:10 - Deltarune - Spoiler Talk
01:50:41 - Queer Game of the Week: A Normal Lost Phone
 
This episode was recorded on July 5 2025.
 
Sources:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cyberpunk-edgerunners-is-officially-getting-a-second-season/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/there-isnt-much-sway-held-by-past-success-baldurs-gate-3-actors-reveal-it-hasnt-boosted-their-careers/
https://www.stopkillinggames.com/
https://x.com/accursedfarms/status/1940290324884332812?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://x.com/naughty_dog/status/1940465773639880781?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://collider.com/the-last-of-us-season-3-halley-gross-exit-not-returning/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1429723/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_halley%2520
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/qa2506e.pdf
https://mynintendonews.com/2025/07/02/brazil-nintendo-is-now-facing-legal-action-over-ability-to-brick-switch-2-console/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-hit-helldivers-2-is-officially-coming-xbox-with-crossplay/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-confirms-layoffs-we-will-end-or-decrease-work-in-certain-areas-of-the-business/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sources-everwild-has-been-cancelled-as-xbox-layoffs-hit-rare/
https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-is-closing-down-xbox-studio-the-initiative
https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/perfect-dark-everwild-game-canceled-microsoft-initiative-1236446212/
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/06/08/xbox-games-showcase-2025-recap-everything-announced/
https://x.com/beskinfinity/status/1940504572759548177?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/john-romeros-next-fps-has-lost-funding-in-the-wake-of-the-microsoft-cuts/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/romero-games-now-completely-closed-following-microsoft-cuts-its-claimed/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-insists-boss-phil-spencer-is-not-retiring-anytime-soon/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-producer-criticised-for-suggesting-laid-off-devs-should-use-ai-for-career-planning-and-emotional-clarity/
https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/report-microsofts-2025-layoffs-revolve-around-its-desperate-usd80-billion-ai-infrastructure-investment

This week it’s just me, Zoey, as I cover three main segments!
I start with the headlines, as usual, and it’s thankfully a lighter week (even if not all the news is good). Deltarune got a big patch, Drag x Drive and Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant DLC finally got release dates, Microsoft is doing yet another round of layoffs (a month after doing a major round of them), and Netflix is delisting several games (one or more might be queer!).
I also cover the ‘Press Gay to Play’ Showcase. This was an hour-long showcase focused entirely on queer games, which is perfect for this podcast! But there were so many games highlighted, that I had to narrow down a small list to cover on the show.
Finally, I was given the wonderful opportunity to review the recent indie darling, Quantum Witch! I’ve highlighted this game on the show several times, and even interviewed the developer, Nikki Jay — so I was beyond honoured when I received the first ever review code for True Avatars.
Spoiler alert for my thoughts: the game is amazing!!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:01 - News
00:24:37 - ‘Press Gay to Play’ Showcase
00:27:59 - Hungry Horrors
00:29:49 - Don’t Wake the Beast
00:31:10 - Parcel Dash
00:32:13 - Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts
00:33:31 - Lady Dracula
00:35:27 - Light of Atlantis
00:37:02 - Find this Pixel Anomaly
00:38:47 - Whistle Pig
00:40:48 - The Well’s Blessing
00:42:18 - Banned Together
00:44:15 - High Times
00:45:48 - Reality Break
00:47:07 - Until Oblivion
00:48:38 - Winter Burrow
00:49:59 - Xochi’s Apothecary
00:51:28 - Honourable Re-mentions
00:52:38 - Quantum Witch REVIEW
 
The first half of this episode was recorded on June 29 2025. The review was recorded on June 27 2025.
 
‘Press Gay to Play’ Showcase:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjyhnns-l0
Hungry Horrors: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3048840/Hungry_Horrors/
Don’t Wake the Beast: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3258580/Dont_Wake_the_Beast/
Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3119540/Scriptorium_Master_of_Manuscripts/
Lady Dracula: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3624840/Lady_Dracula/
Light of Atlantis: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2387740/Light_of_Atlantis/
Find this Pixel Anomaly: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3290400/Find_This_Pixel_Anomaly/
Whistle Pig: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3655760/Whistle_Pig/
The Well’s Blessing: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3637250/The_Wells_Blessing/
Banned Together: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3551960/Banned_Together/
High Times: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2251220/High_Times__DatingCooking_Sim/
Reality Break: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1473060/Reality_Break/
Until Oblivion: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3106660/Until_Oblivion/
Winter Burrow: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3008740/Winter_Burrow/
Xochi’s Apothecary: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2379750/Xochis_Apothecary/
 
Sources:
https://x.com/UnderTale/status/1937113664886304822?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/netflix-is-delisting-20-mobile-games-next-month-including-hades-braid-and-monument-valley/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-is-reportedly-planning-another-round-of-major-layoffs-next-week/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-announces-plans-to-lay-off-thousands-more-workers/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itAbXDWTbqQ
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-confirms-hellblade-2-enhanceds-new-features-release-date-and-ps5-upgrade-for-the-first-game/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v18WVA3NMJ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pjyhnns-l0
https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/chained-echoes-90s-jrpg-love-letter-with-queer-rep.906125/
https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/sable
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/rainbow-tech-fest-2025-a-pride-month-hack-a-thon-comes-to-twitch/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yangyangmobile/high-times
https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/1ilf15n/reality_break_element_games_diablo_with/
https://nomron.itch.io/until-oblivion

The first half of this episode is just me as I speedrun through the news. Queer headlines include a major update on Hades II, a release year for Deltarune’s next chapter, Misc. A Tiny Tale has some upgraded Switch 2 visuals, and information on a canceled Dungeons & Dragons game. In other news, Xbox has started to ramp up their next-gen plans while Nintendo gives us a better look at Donkey Kong Bananza!
I also found 3 more queer games in the Green Games Showcase.
In the second half, I have an exciting interview for you! Nikki Jay is here to talk about her brand new, hilarious, queer plot-former Quantum Witch!
Quantum Witch is a game all about unpacking and processing Nikki’s life experiences, including escaping a cult…? She talks in-depth on her thoughts, inspirations, life stories, all through an unfiltered lesbian lens.
 
CONTENT WARNING: During the interview, we briefly discuss the topic of suicide. It lasts about 25 seconds. If you'd like to skip this discussion, Nikki flags it just before speaking about it.
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:39 - News
00:22:01 - Green Games Showcase
00:23:56 - Ritual of Raven
00:25:52 - FLICK SOLITAIRE
00:27:26 - Hawthorne
00:34:53 - Interview with Nikki Jay (Quantum Witch)
 
The first half of this episode was recorded on June 22 2025. The interview was recorded on May 22 2025.
 
Green Games Showcase:
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/GreenGamesShowcase
Ritual of Raven: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2066520/Ritual_of_Raven/
FLICK SOLITAIRE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3690460/FLICK_SOLITAIRE/
Hawthorn: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3078150/Hawthorn/
 
Sources:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/hades-2-full-release-is-getting-close-as-development-enters-final-phase
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/deltarune-chapter-5-locks-in-2026-release-window
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/misc-a-tiny-tale-looks-super-smooth-on-switch-2-thanks-to-a-dev-hunch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCtRanwXrA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVUidGTR8xg
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/footage-of-a-cancelled-dungeons-dragons-rpg-has-appeared-online/
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/105802/the-witcher-4-is-built-for-console-first-cdpr-confirms-60fps-not-guaranteed/index.html
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/queer-tarot-comes-to-flick-solitaire-on-june-1st/
https://kotaku.com/hawthorne-stardew-valley-skyrim-cozy-sim-rpg-trailer-1851668143
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-10-18/viral-new-indie-video-game-hawthorn-has-a-tragic-backstory
https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/former-bethesda-and-bioware-devs-are-making-a-stardew-like-with-redwall-animals-and-oh-my-god-look-at-this-little-mouse-farmer-carry-a-pumpkin/
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nearstudios/hawthorn

Amy-Lynn is back and we’ve got the juiciest, hottest queer game gossip on this side of the internet!
Runescape is canceling their Pride events — kind of, it’s messy, we have a followup on the Dragon Age 4 development issues story from Episode 33, The Last of Us Season 3 will neither be starring Ellie nor Joel but a secret third character, and Amy-Lynn accurately predicted the existence and reveal of a Splatoon spin-off! Plus a lot more.
We also have another showcase from last weekend: Women-Led Games Showcase. As you’d happily expect, it was also loaded with queer games.
To top it all off, Amy-Lynn and I discuss our thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2, its launch, and even some spoiler-free Deltarune impressions!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:38 - News
00:57:57 - Women-Led Games Showcase
00:58:47 - Angeline Era
00:59:46 - KreatureKind
01:02:13 - DOWNHILL
01:03:35 - Kokoro Kitchen
01:05:52 - Prison of Husks
01:09:08 - Death & Faeology
01:12:26 - Longstory 2
01:14:57 - Re:Fresh
01:19:19 - Nintendo Switch 2 Launch
01:30:20 - Deltarune
01:35:57 - Nintendo Switch 2 Launch (Cont’d)
 
This episode was recorded on June 14 2025.
 
Women-Led Games Showcase:
Angeline Era: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2393920/Angeline_Era/
KreatureKind: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1428090/KreatureKind/
DOWNHILL: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3433000/DOWNHILL/
Kokoro Kitchen: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3079770/Kokoro_Kitchen/
Prison of Husks: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2975260/PRISON_OF_HUSKS/
Death & Faeology: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3369020/Death__Faeology/
Longstory 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2427820/LongStory_2/
Re:Fresh: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2297650/ReFresh/
 
Sources:
TANUKI: Pon’s Summer: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3218570/TANUKI_Pons_Summer/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ve2zWmkEA
https://x.com/nintendo/status/1932075231885382103?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.theverge.com/news/673265/marvel-studios-avengers-doomsday-secret-wars-delayed
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-last-of-us-season-3-kaitlyn-dever-abby-creators-confirm-1236261056/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonys-bend-studio-hit-with-massive-layoffs-after-live-service-game-cancelled/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-11/inside-the-dragon-age-debacle-that-gutted-ea-s-bioware-studio?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc0OTY0ODYyOCwiZXhwIjoxNzUwMjUzNDI4LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJTWFAxSUZUMVVNMFcwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.0D0urTjRUJqH0oOP38TpvlX4HOdjPQ-V_tc8l2kNFWg
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/video-game-actor-strike-ends-today/1100-6532363/
https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-national-board-approves-interactive-media-agreement
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/konami-announces-its-working-with-bloober-team-on-another-silent-hill-project/
https://www.thegamer.com/mindseye-players-refunds-playstation-5-ps5-like-cyberpunk-2077/
https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/sony-confirms-theyre-now-focused-on-playstation-6-3214566/
https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/06/10/runescape-pride-2025/

Ekamy, Lloyd_Lloydster and I played 10 exciting LGBTQ+ demos from the June 2025 Steam Next Fest — and they were even better than we already expected them to be!
From super-powered queer people, to reimagined gay Dracula, roguelike-Pokémon, and gay clouds — there’s so much to play and discuss. Plus, Lloyd joins Ekamy and I as a member of the ‘Quantum Witch’ fan club, and we might even have news on ‘Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced’ as well…
As always, please don’t forget to wishlist all your favourite games! :)
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:17 - Date Everything!
00:08:33 - Rainbow Cloud: A GAY RPG
00:12:57 - UNBEATABLE
00:18:05 - Frame of Mind: A game of thoughts.
00:21:34 - summer haze/glory days
00:29:32 - Soulblaze
00:35:22 - Nova Hearts
00:44:57 - Quantum Witch
00:50:04 - Drăculești
00:54:23 - Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced
 
This episode was recorded on June 12 2025.
 
Demos:
Date Everything!: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2201320/Date_Everything/
Rainbow Cloud: A GAY RPG: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3214400/Rainbow_Cloud_A_GAY_RPG/
UNBEATABLE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/
Frame of Mind: A game of thoughts.: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2515480/Frame_of_Mind__A_game_of_thoughts/
summer haze/glory days: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2960800/summer_hazeglory_days/
Soulblaze: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3505230/Soulblaze/
Nova Hearts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2506290/Nova_Hearts/
Quantum Witch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100650/Quantum_Witch/
Drăculești: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537980/Drculeti/
Quality Dreams, Reasonably Priced: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3164710/Quality_Dreams_Reasonably_Priced/
 
Sources:
Steam Next Fest - June 2025: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest
https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/JP3681-PPSA26669_00-0632996973596833
https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/news/draculesti-kickstarter-2668698/

Zoe Straw and Lloyd_Lloydster join me to cover the huge amount of queer game reveals this weekend!
First, we race through the headlines! Then we jump into the PlayStation State of Play, Summer Game Fest, Day of the Devs, and the Wholesome Direct. There were a lot of games overall, but we focus very heavily on the queer games, most of which were indies!
On Sunday, I recorded an extra solo segment focused on the Access-ability Summer Showcase, Frosty Games Fest, and then wrapping up with a quick summary of the Xbox Showcase.
Don’t forget to wishlist all your favourite games! :)
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:33 - News
00:14:34 - PlayStation State of Play
00:22:55 - Summer Game Fest & Day of the Devs
00:48:24 - Wholesome Direct
01:18:30 - Access-ability Summer Showcase
01:26:55 - Frosty Games Fest
01:42:06 - Xbox Showcase
 
This episode was recorded on June 7 and 8 2025.
 
Summer Game Fest/Day of the Devs:
Scott Pilgrim EX: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2640950/Scott_Pilgrim_EX/
UNBEATABLE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/
Snap & Grab: https://store.steampowered.com/app/897160/Snap__Grab/
Dosa Divas: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950710/Dosa_Divas/
Possessor(s): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2132890/Possessors/
Neverway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2318330/Neverway/
Ratatan: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2949320/Ratatan/
OFF: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3339880/OFF/
Hirogami: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3135840/Hirogami/
 
Wholesome Direct:
Instants: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2948560/Instants/
Monument Valley 3: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3132930/Monument_Valley_3/
Seasonala Cemetery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3272690/Seasonala_Cemetery/
Camper Van: Make It Home: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2843190/Camper_Van_Make_it_Home/
Fireside Feelings: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2990600/Fireside_Feelings/
Squeakross: Home Squeak Home: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2871440/Squeakross_Home_Squeak_Home/
Fishbowl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1638070/Fishbowl/
Capy Castaway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2890240/Capy_Castaway/
Townbox: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2906440/Townbox/
Muri Wildwoods: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3284200/Muri_Wildwoods/
Gemporium: A Cute Mining Sim: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2836100/Gemporium_A_Cute_Mining_Sim/
Crescent County: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2202650/Crescent_County/
 
Access-ability Summer Showcase:
Heartspell: Horizon Academy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2113350/Heartspell_Horizon_Academy/
Trash Goblin: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2407830/Trash_Goblin/
Wednesdays: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2747770/Wednesdays/
Soulblaze: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3505230/Soulblaze/
Gales of Nayeli: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1878490/Gales_of_Nayeli/
COMING HOME: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3123670/COMING_HOME/
 
Frosty Games Fest:
Matchmaker: Dungeon Heart: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2507570/Matchmaker_Dungeon_Heart/
Key Fairy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2878580/Key_Fairy/
Tryhard: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3443270/Tryhard/
Foodomina: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3116350/Foodomina/
Your Holy & Virtuous Heretic: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2621030/Your_Holy__Virtuous_Heretic/
Malys: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3449690/Malys/
Cyber Paradise: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2431790/Cyber_Paradise/
Drăculești: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2537980/Drculeti/
Parasensor: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3722090/Parasensor/
 
Sources:
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-phasmophobia-film-is-in-the-works-at-blumhouse/
https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/603805/switch-2-genderless-mii
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cd-projekt-isnt-done-with-cyberpunk-2077-announces-yet-more-surprise-content/
https://deadline.com/2025/06/mass-effect-doug-jung-tv-series-showrunner-1236423704/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bYaEtALe00
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/nioh-3-is-heading-to-ps5-and-pc-in-2026-complete-with-two-distinct-combat-styles-222458806.html
https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-legacy-kollection-release-date-window/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKRoOtl7weI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hr6Q2hln_M
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/sonic-racing-crossworlds-switch-2-version-announced-alongside-paid-upgrade-for-switch
https://wholesomegames.com/
https://www.pointofpride.org/about
https://www.ign.com/playlist/igneditorial/lists/summer-game-fest-2025-games
https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/day-of-the-devs-summer-game-fest-edition-2025-everything-revealed/2900-6641/#1
https://www.engadget.com/gaming/rescue-african-artifacts-from-colonizers-museums-in-the-heist-game-relooted-000035161.html
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/Access-AbilitySummerShowcase2025
https://www.frostygamesfest.com/showcase2025
https://store.steampowered.com/sale/women-ledgamessummergamefestedition2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M3QwLBrg8g

We’re heading into June, which means an avalanche of news, directs, presentations, announcements and — most importantly: queer games!
First up, we have lots of headlines. The US government is trying to censor a trans gaming-focused PBS documentary, “Misc. A Tiny Tale” gets a release date, “Tavern Talk” announces a prequel, “Coffee Talk Tokyo” gets a demo, “Pokémon Legends Z-A” has some important news, Cyberpunk 2 is officially titled “Cyberpunk 2” (shocking, we know), some Zelda movie casting rumours, and so much more!
In the second half, it’s all about predictions. We talk Summer Game Fest, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and all the queer games we’re hoping to see! There are too many predictions to even summarize here, so you’ll have to tune in!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:29 - News
00:47:38 - Not-E3 Predictions Preamble
00:51:57 - Summer Game Fest
01:06:04 - Xbox Showcase
01:12:55 - PlayStation State of Play
01:30:16 - Nintendo Direct
01:41:27 - Queer Indie Games
 
This episode was recorded on June 1 2025.
 
Sources:
Watch “Break the Game” doc here: https://breakthegame.vhx.tv/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y0j45t3aKc
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/05/pbs-removes-drag-trans-content-after-gop-complains-about-it-turning-kids-queer/
https://www.pbs.org/pov/films/breakthegame/
https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/04/23/pbs-twitch-break-the-game-narcissa-wright-documentary/
https://x.com/screentime/status/1928208438053442044?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-cancels-black-panther-game-closes-cliffhanger-games
https://www.eurogamer.net/persona-4-voice-actor-confirms-a-remake-is-in-development-after-not-being-cast
https://x.com/pokemon/status/1927712162778099735?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://x.com/pokemon/status/1927720664934355122?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/legends_z-a/ja/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cyberpunk-2-is-now-in-preproduction-cd-projekt-says/
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/queer-tarot-comes-to-flick-solitaire-on-june-1st/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3500880/Tavern_Talk_Stories_Dreamwalker/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3606110/Coffee_Talk_Tokyo_Demo/

The summer gaming events are starting to heat up, which means lots of queer news and games, too!
Ekamy joins me this week to discuss news, the Six One Indie Showcase, and a strong dose of two lesbian witch-themed indie games.
Headlines are stacked! We have news on Borderlands 4, Haunted Chocolatier, the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us TV show, a Syberia remaster, and more! Plus, there’s layoffs — as well as some good old-fashioned backtracking on rainbow capitalism.
The Six One Indie Showcase also streamed this week, and coincidentally, there were a total of six indie queer games featured! Listen to our thoughts, and then find the Steam page links below.
Finally, we discuss the Quantum Witch demo — the hilarious “plot-former” about a lesbian escaping a homophobic cult — and Crescent County — the lesbian “motorbroom” delivery game!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:20 - News
00:53:48 - Six One Indie Showcase
01:16:00 - Quantum Witch (Demo)
01:21:32 - Crescent County
 
This episode was recorded on May 25 2025.
 
Indie games highlighted:
Truth Scrapper: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3239830/Truth_Scrapper/
Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2466130/Bonnie_Bear_Saves_Frogtime/
Building Relationships: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2666920/Building_Relationships/
CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3570370/CARIMARA_Beneath_the_forlorn_limbs/
Blue Ridge Hunting: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2434930/Blue_Ridge_Hunting/
Oddbat: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3158280/Oddbat/
Quantum Witch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3100650/Quantum_Witch/
Crescent County: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2202650/Crescent_County/
 
Sources:
Does It Play: https://www.doesitplay.org/
In the podcast, we discussed how the video games industry might not see any impact from a recession because it’s an affordable form of entertainment compared to going out to a movie (for one example), and the short answer from the sources I found say that this was true in 2008, but it remains to be seen whether it will be true this time: https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/08/22/are-video-games-recession-proof-sort-experts-say/
https://www.gamefile.news/p/take-two-dei-lgbtq-removal
https://x.com/duvalmagic/status/1922454876803551555?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/randy-pitchford-tries-to-justify-comments-that-real-fans-would-find-a-way-to-buy-borderlands-4-at-80/
https://x.com/Cromwelp/status/1924895249756749864
https://www.eurogamer.net/the-last-of-us-tv-showrunner-confirms-four-season-plan-says-no-way-to-wrap-things-up-in-three
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/neil-druckmann-is-working-on-a-second-unannounced-game-at-naughty-dog/
https://blog.playstation.com/2025/05/21/playstation-stars-coming-to-a-close-as-sie-evaluates-new-ways-to-evolve-future-loyalty-program-efforts/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/yooka-laylee-dev-playtonic-is-the-latest-studio-hit-by-layoffs
https://deadline.com/2025/05/street-fighter-movie-eyes-jason-momoa-noah-centineo-more-1236407261/
https://deadline.com/2025/05/elden-ring-alex-garland-directing-a24-movie-1236408999/
https://gameinformer.com/2025/05/19/sag-aftra-files-unfair-labor-practice-complaint-against-epic-games-due-to-ai-darth-vader
https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/syberia-remastered-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh4QQyM1KP0
https://www.shacknews.com/article/144403/concernedape-haunted-chocolatier-5-year-window
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/new-prestige-physical-game-label-editions-promises-to-reinvent-what-it-means-to-collect-games/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/cyberpunk-2077s-sequel-features-a-second-city-that-feels-like-chicago-gone-wrong-reveals-creator/
https://www.sixoneindie.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adI4uizTYN4
https://www.sixoneindie.com/read/bonnie-bear-saves-frogtime-preview-theres-cake-in-this-cake

The Super Mario Bros movie sequel has a new title, but what does it mean the story? Epic Games has added a Darth Vader AI chatbot to Fortnite, and of course players got him to say the worst things imaginable. Plus, the Fallout show has been renewed for another season, Nintendo has detailed the free Switch 1 game upgrades on Switch 2, and Naughty Dog has to help yet another actor avoid harassment.
Join Ekamy and I for these headlines, plus we discuss two queer games that are still in development: Love at the Milky Way Diner (a queer Coffee Talk-esque dating sim), and Scarlet Hollow (the new visual novel from the couple that brought you Slay the Princess).
Don’t forget to stick around til the end for Queer Game of the Week!
 
00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:13 - News
00:53:57 - Love at the Milky Way Diner
01:09:18 - Scarlet Hollow
01:18:46 - Queer Game of the Week: The Longest Journey
 
This episode was recorded on May 18 2025.
 
Sources:
Marvel 1943 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb2wwEx6DVw
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Switch 2 comparison: https://pokenext.it/notizie/pokemon-scarlatto-e-violetto-confermato-laggiornamento-gratuito-per-nintendo-switch-2-ecco-data-e-info/
https://gaymingmag.com/2025/05/orela-rose-transgender-character-dead-by-daylight/
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/fallout-renewed-season-3-release-date-season-2-1236394393/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fallout-tv-star-says-his-characters-plot-has-been-planned-up-to-at-least-season-5-or-6/
https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/nbcuniversal-presents-2025-upfront-content-slate- (mention of Super Mario World has since been removed)
https://x.com/lbabinz/status/1922281185306128878?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ
https://www.marvel.com/games/marvel-1943-rise-of-hydra
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/intergalactic-actor-reveals-neil-druckmanns-coaching-on-overcoming-online-harassment/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-announces-plans-to-lay-off-thousands-more-workers/
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-delays-major-games-but-says-prince-of-persia-remake-is-finally-on-track/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gears-of-war-movie-david-leitch-director-1236212544/
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/05/05/gears-of-war-reloaded-release-date/
https://gameinformer.com/2025/05/15/six-one-indie-showcase-returns-next-week-with-48-games-including-mouse-pi-for-hire-and
https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/gaming-systems/switch-2/transfer-guide/games-with-free-updates/
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/fortnite-turns-to-the-dark-side-with-ai-darth-vader-voice-and-of-course-its-been-swearing