Gaming

Queer sensation Hades wins big at first-ever LGBT+ gaming awards

Feb 25 2021
Written by Ed Nightingale

Hades. (Supergiant Games)

Hades was the big winner at last night’s inaugural Gayming Magazine awards, making history as the first dedicated LGBT+ gaming awards.

The Supergiant Games release won both Game of the Year and the Readers’ Award, voted by readers of the website. It’s proven to be incredibly popular for its tight gameplay and hot cast that’s had fans thirsting since its release.

DREAMFEEL’s If Found… won two awards: Best LGBTQ Narrative and Best LGBTQ Indie Game. Set in Ireland, the game features a young trans woman returning home to her critical family.

Also winning two awards was DONTNOD’s Tell Me Why for Authentic Representation and Best LGBTQ Character for Tyler Ronan, the first ever trans lead character in a major release. “[Tyler] and I bonded over our strength as trans men and our dedication and determination to live beyond a label,” said voice actor August Aiden Black in his acceptance speech.

Nine awards were given out to celebrate the greatest contributions to LGBT+ inclusion and representation in gaming, with the event streamed live on Twitch and hosted by comedian Suzi Ruffell. The voting panel consisted of international video game industry professionals.

The Gayming Icon Award was given to Robert Yang, whose political and controversial games have pushed so many boundaries they are banned on Twitch. “It’s an honour to accept this award,” said Yang. “I hope it’s only the first of many awards that celebrate the important work that everyone does in our community, from the lesbians and trans women who made some of the first gay video games decades before me, to the next generation of young queer and non-binary artists speaking to their lived experience.”

I Need Diverse Games won the Industry Diversity Award, while LGBTQ Streamer of the Year – as voted by readers – was given to drag streamer Deere, founder of drag team Stream Queens.

I CANT BELIEVE THIS OMG THANK YOU ALL 🥺🥺🥺😭✨💖 LGBTQ streamer of the year WOW

— DEERE (@dearDEERE) February 24, 2021

“I am so proud to be able to say we have held the world’s first LGBTQ video game award show!” said Gayming Magazine founder and editor Robin Gray. “2020 was truly a watershed moment for LGBTQ inclusion in games and to be able to celebrate it with everyone, although virtually, was amazing!”

You can watch the full video of the awards on the Gayming Magazine Twitch channel.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best LGBTQ Narrative Award – sponsored by Hangar 13

If Found… (DREAMFEEL)

Authentic Representation Award – sponsored by Green Man Gaming

Tell Me Why (DONTNOD Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)

Best LGBTQ Character Award – sponsored by Rocksteady Studios

Tyler Ronan – Tell Me Why (DONTNOD Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)

LGBTQ Streamer of the Year Award – sponsored by Twitch

DEERE

Industry Diversity Award – sponsored by Square Enix London Mobile

I Need Diverse Games