Current Events > Life is Strange developers are making a game with a transgendered lead character

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://youtu.be/JVXqGQC9J2o

Announced today at X019 in London, the story-driven episodic experience will focus on two twins Tyler and Alyson Ronan as they unravel memories of a precious yet troubled childhood. Chances are it will jump between the past, present and future.
It takes place in a small town in Alaska, once again adopting the charming, somewhat grounded roots of the studios other works, albeit with a supernatural element of sorts thrown in for good measure.
DONTNOD has confirmed that Tyler identifies as a transgender man; the studio says it has worked closely with LGBTQ organisation GLAAD to shape Tyler as an authentic character.

Microsoft and DONTNOD have approached Tyler with a real commitment to authenticity, explains Nick Adams, Director of Transgender Representation at GLAAD. Tyler is a fully-realized, endearing character, whose story is not reduced to simplistic trans tropes. Creating a playable lead trans character and taking such care to get it right raises the bar for future LGBTQ inclusion in gaming.

Tyler and Alyson will be dual protagonists, both playable throughout Tell Me Whys three episodes, shortened from the usual five since DONTNOD is aware that fans arent the biggest lovers of the long wait between installments.

We listened closely to fans of narrative adventure games, and we heard loud and clear how painful unpredictable gaps between episodes can be, said Peter Wyse, General Manager for Xbox Games Studios Publishing. Were thrilled to announce that the entire Tell Me Why story will release in Summer 2020.

Tell Me Why will release simultaneously across Xbox One and PC (via Steam) and will be available for Xbox Game Pass subscribers at launch, which itself saw a flurry of new announcements tonight. Were super curious to see how Tell Me Why shapes out, and well be sure to share more information once we have it

Wow it still didn't hit me when I watched the trailer. Makes more sense now. I was thinking there was going to be a twist that the twin sister was imaginary.
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Of course they are.

with so many male players playing female characters in games like MMOs and vice versa, there shouldn't be too many complaints.

and yet...
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Cool

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Purely posted...

Of course they are.

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Well that's one game that will never see a can't from me. Not because I am against trans but because it's completely stupid and pointless.
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RickyTheBAWSE posted...

with so many male players playing female characters in games like MMOs and vice versa, there shouldn't be too many complaints.

and yet...

lmao
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K

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LIS2 bombed. Bo one knows what its about cause no one cares.
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PIITB415 posted...

Well that's one game that will never see a can't from me. Not because I am against trans but because it's completely stupid and pointless.

yikes

PIITB415 posted...

Well that's one game that will never see a can't from me. Not because I am against trans but because it's completely stupid and pointless.

Wut?
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PIITB415 posted...

Well that's one game that will never see a can't from me. Not because I am against trans but because it's completely stupid and pointless.

what is pointless? the fact that they're trans?
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PIITB415 posted...

Well that's one game that will never see a can't from me. Not because I am against trans but because it's completely stupid and pointless.

So I take it you've played the game?
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I don't really see the point from a marketing perspective, but there's certainly nothing wrong with a company making a game however they want to make it.

It's not overly surprising that DONTNOD is taking it on.

But it is surprising that it's Xbox of all companies who are breaking into new territory with this.
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nemu posted...

I don't really see the point from a marketing perspective, but there's certainly nothing wrong with a company making a game however they want to make it.

What do you mean from a marketing perspective?
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Darmik posted...

What do you mean from a marketing perspective?

If the point is to get PR for sales, then I doubt this is going to bring in any. It may even turn people away, regardless if it's from pure bigotry or simply having little interest in a narrative involving a transperson. It could just be they want to explore characterization that hasn't been explored in a mainstream game regardless of whether it's positive or negative for sales, which is perfectly fine.

nemu posted...

Darmik posted...

What do you mean from a marketing perspective?

If the point is to get PR for sales, then I doubt this is going to bring in any. It may even turn people away, regardless if it's from pure bigotry or simply having little interest in a narrative involving a transperson. It could just be they want to explore characterization that hasn't been explored in a mainstream game regardless of whether it's positive or negative for sales, which is perfectly fine.

I don't think it's obvious in the trailer but I don't know how you could possibly make that distinction.
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Darmik posted...

I don't think it's obvious in the trailer but I don't know how you could possibly make that distinction.

This is the kind of talking point that will likely be at the head of every news article about the game. Even if the developers don't push it, it will definitely become associated with it regardless.

I havent played life is strange but based on what I have seen of it im given the impression this is something they want to do rather than just checking off some diversity box. Which when thats the case im all for it.
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Makes sense coming from this studio and this is more or less how it should be done. I'm not into these types of games but I wish them luck.

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Is this the Twin Peaks style game? Cuz if so it actually looked decent and I didnt care for Life is Strange.
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PIITB415 posted...

Well that's one game that will never see a can't from me. Not because I am against trans but because it's completely stupid and pointless.

Literally every game is "pointless".
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Smashingpmkns posted...

Is this the Twin Peaks style game? Cuz if so it actually looked decent and I didnt care for Life is Strange.

I think you're thinking of Last Stop.
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I mean their first big hit life is strange was about
Closeted lesbian lovers

Well, there is enough room in gaming for that, but its not something I'm interested in playing.

FTM Transgender too, which is cool because they get so little representation anywhere.

Anyone who has a problem with this is pretty clearly a awful person.

darkphoenix181 posted...

I mean their first big hit life is strange was about
Closeted lesbian lovers

Only if you played it that way.
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I'm not really sure how you can do this without it feeling forced. I don't have a problem with it, it's just, someone sat down and made a decision to have a transgender main character, and something about that just doesn't feel right.

Chicken_Butt posted...

it's just, someone sat down and made a decision to have a transgender main character, and something about that just doesn't feel right.

Why?
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Chicken_Butt posted...

I'm not really sure how you can do this without it feeling forced. I don't have a problem with it, it's just, someone sat down and made a decision to have a transgender main character, and something about that just doesn't feel right.

Probably because you're a bigot.

Darmik posted...

darkphoenix181 posted...

I mean their first big hit life is strange was about
Closeted lesbian lovers

Only if you played it that way.

I think he's talking about Chloe and Rachel.
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OctilIery posted...

FTM Transgender too, which is cool because they get so little representation anywhere.

Anyone who has a problem with this is pretty clearly a awful person.

As i pointed out in my post I only dont like it is when its done to simply check off a diversity box. I prefer artists/writers etc. To make what they wanna make. Which I feel thr latter is the case here so I wish them luck with this game

Does irk me slightly though I'll admit lesbians and such get more representation than gay men
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They just released the subtitle of the game

Tell Me Why: Ain't Nothing but a Heartache
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Darmik posted...

Why?

Well, because that makes it sound forced. I thought I said that already. Is there a way to do it without calling too much attention to it? To just treat the character normally without intentionally bringing it up? It can be done, but I just don't see it happening here when that seems like such a defining element of the character given all the light they're already shining on it. That's what makes it feel forced.
OctilIery posted...

Probably because you're a bigot.

Nope, and I don't appreciate that, pal.

Now if only it can keep to the same god awful writing and technical incompetence that is the pedigree of their other games.

DONTNOD has confirmed that Tyler identifies as a transgender man

While I respect the inclusive nature of this decision either way, I was kind of hoping it was his sister that was the transgender one.

These dudes make the same game again and again.

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Curious to see how theyll implement this.
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I'll wait for the reviews and if it's anything less than a 10, I'll pass. This will score too many woke points
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Chicken_Butt posted...

Darmik posted...

Why?

Well, because that makes it sound forced. I thought I said that already. Is there a way to do it without calling too much attention to it? To just treat the character normally without intentionally bringing it up? It can be done, but I just don't see it happening here when that seems like such a defining element of the character given all the light they're already shining on it. That's what makes it feel forced.
OctilIery posted...

Probably because you're a bigot.

Nope, and I don't appreciate that, pal.

Eh. At least you made it easy to tag you.
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Chicken_Butt posted...

Well, because that makes it sound forced. I thought I said that already. Is there a way to do it without calling too much attention to it? To just treat the character normally without intentionally bringing it up? It can be done, but I just don't see it happening here when that seems like such a defining element of the character given all the light they're already shining on it. That's what makes it feel forced.

The story looks like it's about the siblings revisiting their childhood trauma.

Why wouldn't it be a major factor?
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This is cool.

I liked their previous games, they generally have good stories. The only problem is they're really bad with character dialogue, and so I hope they've improved with that in this game.

Didn't really like Life is Strange but it's interesting to see people remembered FtMs exist
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This does remind me of the orange is the new black episode where the black trans lady had flashbacks and they used her identical twin brother for it. That was neat
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viewmaster_pi posted...

These dudes make the same game again and again.

This game looks nothing like Vampyr or Remember Me.
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well it looks like a lot of really bad CEmen don't like this.


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Forced would be just throwing it in there for no reason. When it's a key issue and a lot of thought and care is put into it it's very much not "forced"
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I won't be supporting this at all, but you guys have fun.

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Kitt posted...

Darmik posted...

darkphoenix181 posted...

I mean their first big hit life is strange was about
Closeted lesbian lovers

Only if you played it that way.

I think he's talking about Chloe and Rachel.

Theyre not lesbians either because Rachel had a relationship with Frank. Shes bi.
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