Ikenfell
Image: Happy Ray Games

The 32nd GLAAD Media Awards are due to take place in April, in celebration of of "fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues". The Awards, which have been in existence for over 30 years, honour culture, media, journalism, and creators that represent those values, and after adding video games to the list in 2018, winners have included The Outer Worlds and The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset.

This year, of course, the Awards will be held virtually, like everything else. The nominations for Outstanding Video Game include several games available on Nintendo Switch: the roguelite Greek Myth-inspired Hades, which features many LGBTQ+ relationships and characters; Immortals Fenyx Rising, which allows players to mix and match various physical attributes on their character; If Found..., a story about trans identity; and Ikenfell, a game about a magical school that features nonbinary characters as well as LGBTQ+ romance.

Hades

Other nominees include The Last of Us Part II, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and Tell Me Why.

GLAAD President and CEO, Kate Ellis, spoke about the importance of the GLAAD Awards in an unprecedented year of crisis.

“As GLAAD continues to lead the fight for LGBTQ acceptance, this year’s nominees remind us that even in times of political and cultural division, diverse LGBTQ representation and visibility can enlighten, entertain, and create lasting change.”

Have you played any of the nominated games? What are your thoughts on how they handled LGBTQ+ representation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, but please be civil.

[source glaad.org]