London-based independent video game studio Playtra Games has announced its partnership with the It Gets Better Project to support LGBTQIA gamers through the studio’s upcoming game, Grid Force – Mask of the Goddess. Grid Force is currently scheduled for a Q1 2022 release, but you can go ahead and wishlist the game now on its Steam page.
“It gets better, and the games industry believes in you.” That’s the message the It Gets Better Project seeks to share with the LGBTQIA gaming community. And that message is also at the heart of Grid Force, which makes it an excellent medium to represent the inclusion of and support for LGBTQIA gamers all over the world. According to the announcement, Grid Force will display the Playtra Games, and It Gets Better partnership in the following ways:
- The It Gets Better Project will be linked on the start screen to better present the goal of reaching more LGBTQ+ youth who may not be aware that programs are available to them.
- Through the Grid Force roster of 45 all-female playable characters, exhibiting celebrations of diversity and culture from around the world and from a range of communities.
- A rich story of self-discovery and overcoming challenges, hand-illustrated by a female illustrator.
Starting with today’s announcement and lasting through the games’ launch, the partnership will be running a full promotion cycle. The partnership will also be spotlighting the LGBTQIA gaming community during the cycle, concluding with a post-launch fundraising event to benefit the It Gets Better Project.
“The old adage indies always hear is to ‘make the game you want to play,’” Dan Bernardo, Playtra founder says. “What does that look like if you’re black and gay? What does that look like if you’re a woman [in] an industry with a long history of selling games with sex appeal over character depth? For us, it looks like Grid Force.”
In case you missed it, Grid Force is a fast-paced grid-based RTS action shooter. You take on the role of Donna, who has suddenly been placed in charge of racing to save the world by finding its greatest female warriors. Once found, you’ll either have to try to recruit them to willingly join your cause or fight and defeat them to prove you’re worthy of their alliance. Either way, your task is to collect and unlock the masks of the goddesses and use their individual powers to aid you in saving the world.
“Representation in games matters because for many kids, playing a video game is their only way to get beyond their immediate bubble,” Bernardo continues. “The world is changing, but for many LGBTQ+ children and young adults, they still feel alone and isolated.
“But you’re not alone. You might not be in the best situation right now, but you can join communities online or play games to hear stories like your own. The It Gets Better Project has been sharing this message for years, and we’re excited to get to be a part of that mission.”
For more info on Grid Force, click over to the Playtra Games Twitter and Discord channels. Visit the It Gets Better Project website to learn more about its superb mission to empower and uplift the world’s LGBTQIA youth and gamers community.
Reach into The Nerd Stash for more LGBTQ+ articles:
