Update 6:20 p.m. ET: A previous version of this story incorrectly defined the LGBT initialism. We deeply and sincerely regret this mistake and have corrected the story below.
Games for LGBT audiences are starting to hit the market, as evidenced by a couple getting attention this weekend at the GaymerX conference in San Francisco.
One new title is Coming Out Simulator 2014, which helps LGBT youth understand their sexuality and learn how to come out with family members and others. Developed by indie developer Nicky Case, the uncopyrighted web game is a personal adventure about coming out, full of both humor and emotional drama. The game, a one-person project from Case, is inspired by real-life events. As a simulation, the game teaches what happens in conversations about coming out, but it notes that “there are no right answers.”
Atari announced earlier this summer that it plans to create its first-ever LGBT title. And last year, the indie hit Gone Home also dealt with the tough subject of coming out among family members.
The GaymerX event in San Francisco runs today through Sunday in San Francisco. Guests include WWE superstar Darren Young, Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, BioWare designer and writer David Gaider, and creator of the webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal Zach Weinersmith. The conference expects more than 2,000 attendees.
GaymerX was featured on the “Forum” show today on San Francisco’s NPR affiliate.
Here’s a video from last year’s event.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcFYV1y0gZE&w=560&h=315]