The first-ever awards recognising LGBTQ+ video games have been launched.
The newly established ‘Gayming Awards’ hope to highlight game developers, publishers and industry individuals for their work championing the LGBTQ+ issues and has been backed by industry bodies such as the UK trade association for the video games, Ukie.
Nominees for all categories will be announced sometime in December with the awards show happening sometime in February 2021, hosted by comedian Suzi Ruffell.
Robin Gray, the editor of Gayming Magazine, who created the ceremony, says “LGBTQ+ people make immense contributions to the global video games industry and it’s my honour to be able to acknowledge and celebrate their success.”
The categories are:
Game of the Year
The Game of the Year Award celebrates the best game released in 2020, as chosen by our diverse panel of judges. The judging panel oversee nominations and voting for this category.
Authentic Representation Award
Authentic representation of the LGBTQ experience is an important part of the modern entertainment world. This award recognises the best example of authentic LGBTQ representation in a game. The judging panel oversee nominations and voting for this category.
Best LGBTQ Character
The inclusion of LGBTQ characters in games is hugely important and can be a bold step for visibility. This award recognises the best LGBTQ character (playable or significant NPC) in a game. The judging panel oversee nominations and voting for this category.
Best LGBTQ Narrative
Telling an authentic LGBTQ story can be highly impactful and meaningful. This award recognises the best example of an important LGBTQ narrative in a game. The judging panel oversee nominations and voting for this category.
Best LGBTQ Indie Game
Indie games allow more personal and diverse stories to be told, yet regularly are overlooked for awards. This award acknowledges the best indie game made by an independent developer which is focussed on telling an LGBTQ story, or heavily features an LGBTQ element. For the purposes of this award, we define an 'indie game' as a game developed by an independent developer who is an individual or small group that is not owned by another company that makes games.
Best LGBTQ Streamer
Streaming is one of the great new entertainment frontiers and LGBTQ streamers play a huge part in bringing together communities of likeminded people. This award is for the most popular LGBTQ streamer, as chosen by the watching public.
Industry Diversity Award
Greater diversity in the games industry makes for greater diversity in games. This award celebrates the organisation (studio, publisher, etc) who has done a significant amount of work in promoting, developing and championing diversity in their company.
Special Recognition Award
This award is reserved for a person, team or company who has gone above and beyond in the eyes of the judges to champion LGBTQ representation, inclusion and equality in games in 2020. The judging panel oversee nominations and voting for this category.
You can find out more information on the 2021 Gayming Awards here: http://gaymingawards.com
