The LGBTQ community is gaining more representations within the gaming industry per year. The recently announced Gayming Awards hopes to take things another step further by recognizing the LGBTQ members within the gaming industry.
The LGBTQ community is better represented in the gaming industry now than it was years ago. Whether through LGBTQ-centric games or gender-fluid characters, developers have made sure to make their games more inclusive. Now, Gayming Magazine is looking to recognize those developers through the Gayming Awards.
A new type of awards show
The awards show will premiere on Feb. 24, 2021, at 8 PM GMT, as per Gayming Magazine. Various partners will help present and sponsor the show. These include EA Games, Green Man Gaming, Jagex, and Creative Assembly, but there are more still unannounced.
UKI Country Manager from EA Games, Colin Blackwood, says that the company is excited to be sponsoring the awards show.
“As one of the founding partners of the #RaiseTheGame pledge, we’re committed to celebrating diversity and inclusion within the games industry and the Gayming Awards is a great opportunity to do just that,” she said.
We're so excited to reveal that @electronicarts are our presenting partner of the #GaymingAwards 2021! Check this article out for more info on all our sponsors revealed so far and the date & time of the show! @ILoveGayFandom https://t.co/gUp6poJH6V
— Gayming Magazine (@gaymingmag) October 6, 2020
The awards
The Gayming Magazine has already revealed the awards which will be presented at the event. The awards, for now, are Game of the Year, Authentic Representation Award, Best LGBTQ Character, Best LGBTQ Narrative, Best LGBTQ Indie Game, Best LGBTQ Streamer, Industry Diversity Award, Special Recognition Award, and Gayming Magazine Readers Award.
Nominations for the awards are now open. The games eligible for awards and nominations are those released within the calendar year of 2020. The voting will open in November and December this year.
It wouldn’t be a great show without a great host. Hosting the event is queer comedian Suzi Ruffell. Ruffell is best known for her appearances on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Go 8 Bit, and more.
Gamers worldwide already have their bets on who will win awards. The most common game appearing is The Last of Us 2. Ellie is one of the most well-known LGBTQ characters currently. Many believe that she is deserving of the Best LGBTQ award.
The Gayming Awards is just one of the many gaming awards shows now. However, this LGBTQ focused awards show is different as it highlights a marginalized community in the industry. Now, fans are starting to place their bets on which games, characters, and developers should be in the spotlight.
Image used courtesy of Gayming Magazine/Twitter