MAGS March “LGBTQ” (OPEN)

[Stupot]

2025 - THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Theme: LGBTQ
Set by: Falsely and EmmaGundersen
Deadline: March 31st

LGBTQ - Short for 'Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer', this month's MAGS theme encourages you to focus your story on character(s) who aren't both straight and cisgender.

How you explore the topic is entirely up to you! You could focus on the positives: queer love or the joy and pride of a character being themself. Maybe you want to delve into the darker sides of queer identity, like struggling with homophobia or grief. Maybe your hero's unique perspective on gender is instrumental to saving the world or maybe your detective just wants to solve the case so he can get back to watching TV with his husband.

Whatever you choose, don't feel like you have to write exclusively from your own experience. Want to try writing from a new perspective? Go for it!

While you're free to discuss themes of homophobia, transphobia, and other bigotry in your entry, we ask that you don't make the game itself homophobic/transphobic/bigoted. Keep your work respectful. Please don't design a game solely to poke fun of real life groups.

For further inspiration, here are some AGS games that touch on LGBTQ themes:

• If on a Winter's Night, Four Travellers
• Eternally Us
• Rogue
• What Marshmot Convention?
• EARTH AD: Low Estate

The list is short because it was difficult to find a lot of LGBTQ games, which is as much reason as any to add some new ones to the catalogue!

What is MAGS?
Started in 2001, MAGS is a competition for all AGS users. The idea is to create a game in under a month, following the guidelines set by the previous winner. It aims to help you work to a deadline, improve your skills, and provide a kick-start into making adventure games and more. Regardless of skill, MAGS is for everyone. Voting is based on "favourite" games, and not the most artistic, or the best coded. If you want to improve you art skills, use it as a chance to do some graphic work. If you're sub-standard at coding, use it as a chance to give scripting a go. Ultimately, people will vote for the most enjoyable entry.

Rules
Entering MAGS is simple. First, conceptualize your game following the month's criteria (see above). Second, create your game, fuelled only by coffee. Finally, post your game in this thread, including:

* A working download link
* The title of your game
* A suitable in-game screenshot

At the end of the month, voting will begin, and the winner chooses the next month's theme.

Remember that this is a challenge to see what you can do in a month, so any tinkering you do after that, including fixing minor glitches, is against the spirit of the competition. The exception to this is that you may go in and fix major, game-breaking bugs only during voting. We want you to have a game that voters can actually play and that runs on their machines.

So to reiterate, during the voting period fixing major, game-breaking bugs is okay, fixing minor glitches or making cosmetic changes is cheating.

Tips
Here are some ways to make sure you have a game to submit at the end of the month:
* Make a tiny game. Plan small, then cut it in half. Find shortcuts (e.g. if making walk-cycles is time-consuming, make the characters static or have it in the first person).
* Plan to have your game playable and submittable with a week to spare. This way you have a week to fix bugs, add some flourishes and maybe even get someone to test it.
* Plan to submit it a day or so early. This way, if there are any technical issues with uploading, they can be sorted out in time.

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Need a little help with graphics? Perhaps The AGS Trove has something you can use.
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Need a bit of help with music?  Check out Eric Matyas' huge stock of free music resources.
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Don't want to go it alone? Try the Recruitment board.
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[Danvzare]

Shouldn't the theme be "LGBTQIA+"? 
It seem a bit wrong to leave out the Asexuals. (Especially since there's already a subsection of the LGBTQIA+ community who thinks that they shouldn't be included in the lineup.)

[WHAM]

Yeah, I'm out for this month. Too volatile and too prone to upsetting someone with something, no matter what I'd do, as seen above already.

[Kastchey]

Shouldn't the theme be "LGBTQIA+"? 
It seem a bit wrong to leave out the Asexuals. (Especially since there's already a subsection of the LGBTQIA+ community who thinks that they shouldn't be included in the lineup.)

I'm pretty sure there hasn't been any intentional exclusion, and the theme is meant to explore the general subject of gender and sexual diversity.

[RootBound]

Hey @WHAM,

I totally understand where you're coming from, and any reason for not participating in MAGS is valid . Nobody has to enter.

But if you're actually interested in participating and being concerned about upsetting people is the only reason you wouldn't, I'd encourage you (any anyone else) to enter anyway.

As a member of the topic's group myself, my only worry (and I speak for only me) is the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes or actually harmful misrepresentation. I think the guidelines above do a pretty good job offering ways to avoid that, in that if the game has a protagonist who is any of the LGBTQIA letters, the rest of the game doesn't actually have to be about their identity or that subset of their experience. Personally, I'm just happy to see more games that acknowledge that people like me even exist.

If this is at all helpful (and it might not be, I admit), I encourage a mindset not of "how can I not upset people?" but "how can I make this awesome?" and "am I willing to learn?" If, for example, you're not sure what the harmful stereotypes about trans people are, you could go with a subgroup that you're more familiar with (I feel like most people understand what it means to just be gay or lesbian at this point), or you can post in this thread and ask "what are the kinds of representation you wish existed but haven't seen enough of in games?" (I'd like to know that myself, and I'm a member of the queer and genderqueer communities!)

And it's true, this can be work. If you don't have the time or energy for it, or it's just not fun, that's completely understandable. Like I said, any reason not to participate is valid. I'm just hoping this month gets a lot of entries so that the list of games with characters who are not both straight and cisgendered gets longer. It increases the odds that there will be good ones.

I'd like to think those in this forum are willing to appreciate a good faith effort, even if (as most MAGS games do), the entry prompts some constructive criticism. That's how I read the above comment by danvzare.

If your feeling is still "No, not for me," I'm not offended. But nothing makes me happier than when allies take risks. I hope you have a good gamedev month regardless of whether you enter.

Thanks for reading.

[Stupot]

Dear Everyone,

Make a game about people of any and all sexualitues, if you want. It's clear what the topic setters intend.

Read the title and first paragraph of the (already linked) Wikipedia page and enjoy making an inclusive game instead of derailing this thread within hours of me posting it.

[Kara Jo Kalinowski]

Being part of that group myself, I also don't know if I want to focus on it or just have a game with a character that's part of that group. I have another idea, too.

[jfrisby]

Just a reminder that this is
THE YEAR OF MAGS!

Babar & I will attempt something again this month, hopefully on a scale that can be completed :p

[soulstuff]

I will try to make something this month but that will all depend if I can write something that doesn't feel like venting haha (as a queer person) and I like withing the 1st week

[Falsely]

Shouldn't the theme be "LGBTQIA+"? 
It seem a bit wrong to leave out the Asexuals. (Especially since there's already a subsection of the LGBTQIA+ community who thinks that they shouldn't be included in the lineup.)

I'm pretty sure there hasn't been any intentional exclusion, and the theme is meant to explore the general subject of gender and sexual diversity.

One of the theme deciders here, chiming in to confirm the exclusion was entirely unintentional.

For what it's worth, I myself am asexual and aromantic. I very much consider asexuals and aromantics to be part of the community (and yes, I've seen exactly the sorts of arguments you meant, Danvzare) and I sincerely apologise for suggesting otherwise.

I admit I struggle with the vocabulary of LGBTQIA+ issues. My choice of words/acronym wasn't suitable. This is part of the reason I suggested to Emma that we link articles on gender and sexuality; the absolute last thing we wanted to do is dictate arbitrary lists of what is and isn't "acceptable"!

Again, I really do apologise and I hope this doesn't deter anyone from participating.

[Blondbraid]

Shouldn't the theme be "LGBTQIA+"? 
It seem a bit wrong to leave out the Asexuals. (Especially since there's already a subsection of the LGBTQIA+ community who thinks that they shouldn't be included in the lineup.)

I'm pretty sure there hasn't been any intentional exclusion, and the theme is meant to explore the general subject of gender and sexual diversity.

One of the theme deciders here, chiming in to confirm the exclusion was entirely unintentional.

For what it's worth, I myself am asexual and aromantic. I very much consider asexuals and aromantics to be part of the community (and yes, I've seen exactly the sorts of arguments you meant, Danvzare) and I sincerely apologise for suggesting otherwise.

I admit I struggle with the vocabulary of LGBTQIA+ issues. My choice of words/acronym wasn't suitable. This is part of the reason I suggested to Emma that we link articles on gender and sexuality; the absolute last thing we wanted to do is dictate arbitrary lists of what is and isn't "acceptable"!

Again, I really do apologise and I hope this doesn't deter anyone from participating.

I feel that this has been a problem in rainbow discourse for a while now; while I can understand the need for inclusion, the purpose of acronyms is that they are short and easy to spell, and the more letters and symbols, the harder it gets, and mistakes are made. Drawing on my own experience of being on the spectrum, I learned a long time ago to simply accept what looks like honest mistakes and choose my battles, and that I have to bear in mind that not everyone will stop and ponder every letter they type before sending it.

As for this month's theme, I've been wanting to get back in the game-making for some time now, but I'll probably need to ponder game ideas that could reasonably accommodate the theme first. One idea I've had for a while doesn't involve the protagonist getting into any romantic situation at all, but at the same time I don't feel like simply omitting a romantic subplot would be enough to count as asexual representation.

[cat]

Basically, those acronyms hypocritically boil down to "We want to exclude specifically heterosexual cispersons. But we can't say we want to exclude them because this would not sound politically correct. So instead, we desperately try to include everyone else".
In general, I think it's weird to define a "community" by sexual orientation or gender (or race or whatever).

Edit: To make it more clear: I think this month's topic should have just been
"This month's MAGS theme encourages you to focus your story on character(s) who aren't both straight and cisgender.",
because it clearly defines the topic in a neutral and not including or excluding way.

Edit2: Looking forward to playing those games!

[Stupot]

The way I see it. There are so many variations of the acronym, which is supposed to be an inclusive umbrella term, that they need their own umbrella term to encompass them all. LGBTQ seems as good as any, it isn't too short or too long. That's probably why it was chosen as the title of the Wikipedia page.

Going forward can we all just assume nobody means anybody any harm and let's make some gaymes.

[VampireWombat]

So, as someone not on that spectrum, but on neurodivergent spectrum, I'm not completely sure how to approach the topic. In the last month I have listened to a fiction podcast with two characters who are on both spectrums. I've also listened to other fiction podcasts with LGBTQIA+ characters. All of these have had an urban/contemporary fantasy aspect. And interestingly yesterday I listened to the first episode of another podcast by the same group that have made some others I've listened to. This first episode was about a rally at a college and a character in charge of it. 

Anyway, my point, if I had any was that I can understand anyone being hesitant to make a game this month. My suggestion for anyone who isn't part of the group is to focus on the characters first. Make sure to have well rounded characters. I've never liked any character who only has one defining characteristic, where it be that they're gay or autistic or whatever. If in doubt, just write characters you'd like to be friends with. Their sexuality can go unsaid or only mentioned once in passing. Or maybe just hinted at by background objects, like photos.

I'm personally going to approach the subject by writing exercises and maybe write a full short story first. If I can write something that I feel is good enough, then I'll make a game.

[Kastchey]

or maybe your detective just wants to solve the case so he can get back to watching TV with his husband

is the original post example of a game you could very easily make if you don't know how, or are not interested to make a game **about** sexuality and/or gender diversity.

We've had countless MAGS themes as generic as "make a game about kids" or "feature a spoon and a fork", and people would make games about kids, or featuring a spoon and a fork. If you have a concept of how to add a deeper theme-related meaning to your game, go for it. If you don't, just add a gay character and you're done, theme requirements met ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Blondbraid]

Anyway, my point, if I had any was that I can understand anyone being hesitant to make a game this month. My suggestion for anyone who isn't part of the group is to focus on the characters first. Make sure to have well rounded characters. I've never liked any character who only has one defining characteristic, where it be that they're gay or autistic or whatever. If in doubt, just write characters you'd like to be friends with. Their sexuality can go unsaid or only mentioned once in passing. Or maybe just hinted at by background objects, like photos.

If there's one advantage being on the spectrum has given me, it's my ability to remember weird facts, so I figured I could share some Wikipedia links to cool real-life historical people that may serve as inspiration to anyone unsure how to write an LGBT+ character, because drawing from real life history is my go-to when I feel stuck.

In no particular order;

The Public Universal Friend - A quaker preacher who claimed to have been reborn as a genderless being, and mostly known for founding The Society of Universal Friends, as well as possibly being the first recorded non-binary person

Julie d'Aubigny - A bisexual female opera singer and accomplished fencer, famous for having set a convent on fire to rescue a girlfriend, and on another occasion having sword-dueled three men in a single night

Chevalier d'Eon- A French knight and spy who after years of service came out as a woman and started wearing female clothes. Upon death, the chevalier was revealed to be biologically male.

Catalina de Erauso - A person who, after being placed in a convent to be raised into a nun, escaped and started wearing men's clothes and became a conquistador in South America, eventually becoming known as "the lieutenant nun"

Willem Arondeus - A gay man who was a member of the Dutch resistance during WW2. He was caught and executed by the nazis, and his last words were "Tell people that homosexuals are not cowards."

I hope any of these links may prove inspiring.

[EmmaGundersen]

Hello!
As the one who initially came up with the theme, I just want to say I am happy to see that people seem to have ideas and an interest in participating.
I anticipated that the theme might spark some discussions and that it might not be for everyone and that is absolutely fine.
Still, if anyone is uncertain or worried about making something that will offend people, I would encourage you to make something (as long as you're not coming at it in obvious bad faith). And I would encourage everyone to be understanding and forgiving of perceived missteps and not immediately jump to the conclusion that something is meant to offend.
Even if you want to make something challenging, I say go for it. Art is allowed to be messy.

I will have a very busy March but I intend to play all the entries and I look forward to seeing what people come up with.

[RootBound]

I've started something... as usual for my MAGS entries, it will be one room and probably not an adventure game per se. Gonna see if I can one-room one-week it, which worked well last time.

[Kara Jo Kalinowski]

I have a really interesting idea for this theme but it isn't something that can be explored as fully as I'd like with a "small" adventure game, so I'm debating if I should go with it - or maybe make the MAGS version sort of a chapter 1, and expand on the idea later. The game would deal sorta with trans issues. Not sure if someone else would be interested in collaboration but if not I'll just do what I can.

[Radiant]

I think this is a strong theme and I appreciate the previous winners for selecting it.

I'll see if I can come up with something, although I usually write my games mechanics-first and this would have to be story-first.

[RootBound]

Coming along, with most of the graphics complete (I leaned pretty hard into the stick-figure style. It seemed to fit with the specific sub-theme of my game). Still a lot of gameplay coding to work on, but about a third of the mechanics are in place. I put in some humorous music by Eric Matyas to accentuate tone, as well.

[RootBound]

Well, I did it--the game is fully playable. Still need to fix some GUI issues, add another ending, and then get some playtesters. But I recommend the one-room one-week approach to anyone having trouble getting started. It forces you to get something done and then leaves you with time to refine it before the real deadline. Can't wait to see what other entries we get!

[RootBound]

OK, the game is "finished." I've had one person playtest it, but have since made changes and would love to have another tester try it before I submit it to MAGS and add it to the AGS database. If anyone's interested, please DM me. Thank you!

[Kara Jo Kalinowski]

Well, I did it--the game is fully playable. Still need to fix some GUI issues, add another ending, and then get some playtesters. But I recommend the one-room one-week approach to anyone having trouble getting started. It forces you to get something done and then leaves you with time to refine it before the real deadline. Can't wait to see what other entries we get!

I have an idea but the idea I have is kinda too big - but I may start taking this approach myself, because I have tons of ideas and it's hard to make something bigger while also working on MAGS. So maybe I'll try and dedicate 1 week to MAGS and then the rest of the month to do whatever else.

I did send you a message by the way, if you need a tester, I'm either here or on discord.