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Your GaymerX Foundation donations are now tax deductible
Indie gaming company MidBoss formed the GaymerX Foundation in 2016 after years of running an annual convention for LGBTQIA game developers and fans. According to its website, it's "focused on the preservation and celebration of queer geek and gaming culture, through supporting current developers and archiving historically significant achievements in this field." Now, the foundation has announced that it's officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, opening new opportunities to further its mission to promote diversity and to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community's place in the video game industry. For you, that means being able to write off donations made through the foundation's website or through its Patreon page.
Cyberpunk noir game 'Read Only Memories' heads to PS4 and Vita
Read Only Memories, a pixelated adventure game set in the futuristic city of Neo-San Fransisco, will make its way to PlayStation 4 and Vita "soon," developer Midboss announced in a new trailer. Midboss is composed of the folks behind the annual GaymerX convention, and Read Only Memories is a narrative-driven, sci-fi romp set in 2064 that happens to include an array of inclusive character options, such as the ability to choose your preferred gender pronoun. However, these options are almost a side-note to the game's emphasis on story, retro 2D gameplay and robust character interactions.
GX3 takes place in San Jose next December, tickets on sale
GX3 - or "The Convention Formerly Known As GaymerX" - will be held December 11-13 at the San Jose Marriott, located in (good guess!) San Jose, California, according to an update on the event's Kickstarter page. Those looking to secure their place at the convention can purchase tickets at an Early Bird discount via the GX3 Eventbrite page; prices range from $70 to $595, depending on how much swag and extra access you'd like to go with your three-day pass. Founded in 2013 as GaymerX, a convention aimed at creating a safe space for LGBT gamers, the event has since shifted its message to inclusivity of all (though non-LGBT people were never barred from attendance). Hence the new title and subtitle for the 2015 convention: "GX3: Everyone Games." The 2015 event seemed unlikely after issues arose concerning a donation, but that dispute was quickly settled. At the same time, other companies such as Devolver Digital chipped in, helping the organizers secure funding. Joystiq attended GaymerX2 in July - did you come out and see us? [Image: GaymerX]
Demo for GaymerX game Read Only Memories now available
A demo for Read Only Memories, a cyberpunk noir adventure game developed by MidBoss Games - a studio comprised of the same people who organized and ran the GaymerX conventions in 2012 and 2013 - is now available to download. According to a blog post from MidBoss, the demo contains a "final(ish)" version of the game's opening prologue and first chapter. Kickstarted in December of 2013, the game prominently features characters of varying sexual orientations and gender identities, and also allows the player to determine whether they would like to be addressed as "he," "she," "they," or none of the above. A final version of the game is due in summer 2015 for PC, Mac, Linux and Ouya. [Image: MidBoss Games]
GX3 convention meets funding goal, will continue in 2015
Fan-oriented gaming convention GX3 (formerly GaymerX) has surpassed its initial funding goal, ensuring that the weekend-long event will run for its third consecutive year in 2015. Initially pitched as an event focused on the LGBT community, this year's showing expands its reach to include "everyone who feels like they've been left out of mainstream gamer culture." Shortly before meeting the event's funding milestone, organizers revealed that Mass Effect and Metal Gear Solid series voice actress Jennifer Hale will attend the show as a featured "Boss of Honor." The event now eyes its stretch goals, which will fund proposed additions like the developer-focused GX Dev and panel series GX Talks Season 2. Funding has entered its final hours, and will conclude on September 18. [Image: GX3, Cosplay San Francisco]
GX3 Kickstarter gets a big boost from Blizzard
Conventions are expensive, and unless you have a major publisher or media franchise backing them, it's very easy for a convention to be successful without being successful enough to keep going. GaymerX managed two conventions, but the third round is currently on Kickstarter, trying to raise funds for another convention focused on inclusiveness and support of all different types of gamers. That goal is being helped significantly by a big name in online gaming: Blizzard Entertainment. The Kickstarter site for the convention lists the World of Warcraft developer as pledging "over $10,000" to making the convention a reality. There are still 23 days for the project to reach its funding goal, but that kind of money certainly helps kick a project along. If you're interested in donating yourself, the convention will be in the Bay Area of California in either November or December of 2015.
GaymerX conference to return as GX3: Everyone Games
GaymerX, the gaming convention that seeks to "create a safe space for all gamers, especially gamers who are queer, women, and people of color," will return, and the event's organizers could use your help in funding the show. Earlier this year, it was announced that GaymerX2, the second iteration of the conference, would mark the event's final appearance due to the costs of operating a show of that size in San Francisco. However, following that announcement, the organizers were inundated by support from developers who want to see GaymerX continue. "We are thrilled and humbled by the amount of support we've gotten since taking our financial difficulties public," said GaymerX CEO Matt Conn. "With amazing devs and publishers willing to put their money up to help save the concept of an awesome safe space for queer geeks and their friends, it means the world that we're able to potentially continue this convention." Now, the organizers are planning a third GaymerX convention, scheduled for August 11-13, 2015. In lieu of calling it GaymerX3, the event is now dubbed "GX3: Everyone Games" to reflect the shift in attendance from strictly members of the LGBTQ community to their supporters and any number of other marginalized groups in gaming. If you'd like to help the event go off without a hitch, the organizers are currently attempting to raise $80,000 - 60 percent of the show's operating costs - via Kickstarter. [Image: GaymerX]
Blizzard donates to bring back GaymerX
It takes a lot of money to throw a gaming convention, which is why second-year LGBTQ gaming convention GaymerX wasn't certain there would be a third year of the event -- especially after NIS America backed out of a sponsorship deal (though the company eventually came through). Now the GaymerX crew is working on a third convention, which they're calling GX3, and they've pulled together some impressive financial backing in advance. The biggest donor on the list -- besides dating app Hornet, which donated ad space -- is Blizzard Entertainment, which has pledged to chip in $10,000 to the convention. Blizzard doesn't have the best track record on supporting diversity lately -- especially where women are concerned -- and this seems like a solid move to change some of that public perception... and help keep an awesome gaming con going. If you'd like to attend GX3 yourself, it will be held in November or December 2015 in San Francisco and you can pick up early tickets -- and other goodies -- on Kickstarter. Editor's Note: Our moderators have bedded down for the night, so we're disabling comments on this post. [Thanks, Orkchop, for the tip!]
NIS America to pay agreed pledge for GaymerX2 [Update]
Just yesterday, NIS America stepped away from its $3,000 pledge to cover costs for the GaymerX2 convention held in San Francisco on July 11 through July 13. According to the LGBTQ-focused event's founder Matt Conn, the situation between both parties is currently being resolved, and will result in NIS America agreeing to pay the full amount it promised to the event holders. "After talking with their team, [NIS America] have apologized for the misunderstanding and offered to make right and pay the full amount that they agreed upon," Conn told Joystiq via email. "We have apologized for escalating it to a public level so quickly and we are pleased with how quickly they offered to resolve the situation and make right on their promise, and we harbor no ill will towards them."
GaymerX in dire straits after NIS America pulls pledge [update]
An email sent late on Monday afternoon is incurring a dour situation for the organizers of GaymerX2, an LGBTQ-focused and inclusive convention held in San Francisco on July 11-13. The marketing coordinator for niche publisher and developer NIS America reached out to event founder, Matt Conn, to apologize and renege on a pledge of $3000.
Join Joystiq at GaymerX2 this weekend
What are you doing this weekend? If you have some spare time and live around San Francisco, you're invited to hang out with Joystiq Editor-in-chief Ludwig Kietzmann and Managing Editor Susan Arendt at GaymerX2! Our dashing managerial duo is hosting and speaking on a panel called "Yes, and? An improvised approach to inclusion," which introduces a classic improv technique as a way to better communicate about difficult subjects within our existing social structures. As comedy writer and actress Tina Fey breaks down in Bossypants, saying "yes, and" is a trick to make sure an improv scene doesn't fall flat. First, you have to accept the given situation – say "yes" – and second, you have to add to it, or the conversation stalls out. For our purposes, if someone says an aspect of a game or story makes them uncomfortable, we don't need to debate that feeling – we can say yes, and then add our own perspectives to the conversation. GaymerX2 takes over the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco from July 11 - 13 – this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. GaymerX2 has a host of guests and panels lined up, including appearances by WWE star Darren Young, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and BioWare writer David Gaider (who'll be joining Ludwig and Susan). This is the final installment of the GaymerX conference series, but as President Toni Rocca told us earlier this year, GaymerX isn't dead. [Image: GaymerX]
Dragon Age gets Dorian, a gay guy with a 'stache of magic
BioWare writer David Gaider believes his personally penned Dragon Age character, Dorian, may be "controversial in some corners," but "a fully realized character to fans in the end." Dorian, a gay mage from Tevinter, joins the cast of Dragon Age: Inquisition having rejected the ruling hierarchy of his homeland.
Pay what you want for LGBT documentary Gaming In Color
Gaming In Color, the documentary about the LGBT community and gaming, is now available for purchase. While the suggested price for the hour-long exploration of intersecting cultures is $15, those so inclined can pay as much or as little as they want, provided said payment is at least $1. Gaming In Color was successfully Kickstarted in May of last year, and is being published by the same group behind the soon-to-be-closed GaymerX convention. [Image: Gaming In Color]
GaymerX president on LGBT convention closing: 'We're still here'
LGBT-focused gaming convention GaymerX will be no more after this year's GaymerX2, being held July 11-13 at the InterContinental San Francisco hotel. But Toni Rocca, president of GaymerX and organizer of the con, isn't sad. Rocca told Joystiq she and the GaymerX organization did something new, something no one was doing two years ago, when the con was first announced. She's proud of what the GaymerX convention accomplished, and what's more, GaymerX as an organization will continue forward. This isn't the end of GaymerX, but a new beginning.
GaymerX2 will be final year for LGBTQ-focused con
A tweet from the official GaymerX Twitter account has announced that this year's GaymerX2, scheduled to take place in July of this year, will be the final year for the convention. The convention, which began just last year, was an event primarily focused on LGBTQ issues in gaming. "Based on feedback that we've gotten, the new focus towards diversity in the industry and budget, GaymerX2 will be the final year for the con," the GaymerX account posted. It appears that the latter of those may be one of the biggest contributing factors; the account also tweeted that, "the size of our event and the amount of money we were losing to put it on became too much of a burden to keep at this pace." Not all is dead and gone, however. The GaymerX account wrote, "we may one day do other, smaller events and we don't want to say gaymerX is forever gone." Joystiq has reached out to the GaymerX organizers for further comment and clarification. We will update if we hear back. [Image: GaymerX]
GaymerX2 funded, upcoming event to feature WWE guest Darren Young
All-inclusive gaming convention GaymerX2 met its funding goal in the first 48 hours of its recently launched Kickstarter campaign, securing July weekend dates for the upcoming San Francisco event. Launched last year, GaymerX is an LGBTQ-friendly expo celebrating diversity and inclusivity in gaming. Along with a series of panel discussions, this year's convention will feature a gaming space curated by IndieCade, a multi-musician concert, and a guest appearance by Fred Rosser (WWE Superstar Darren Young). The event will also host a public wedding, following up on a proposal accepted during last year's GaymerX. Organizers note that tickets will likely sell out prior to the event, making the Kickstarter project a reliable way to reserve entrance badges. Though the convention's initial funding goal has been met, continued backer support will fund additional bands, celebrity appearances, and game tournament prizes, among other announced stretch goals. [Image/Video: GaymerX]
Queer-friendly cyberpunk adventure game Read Only Memories reaches funding goal in final 48 hours
Read Only Memories, a cyberpunk adventure game from the founders of the GaymerX convention, has successfully hacked its way into people's hearts as well as their wallets. The game reached its Kickstarter goal of $62,064 on December 11, and closed funding yesterday with a total of $64,378. The actual final funding tally is closer to $126,000 though, as Ouya will match the initial $62,064 goal with their own money in exchange for a period of exclusivity on the system, thanks to Read Only Memories participating in the Free the Games Fund. Read Only Memories is advertised as featuring "queer-friendly characters," according to the game's Kickstarter page, and also includes non-gender-binary options for players. In one released screenshot, a robot assistant - who also happens to be the mascot for GaymerX - asks which pronoun the player would like to be referred to with, and there's more than just "he" and "she" to choose from. The game is expected to ship for PC, Mac and Ouya in fall of next year, with Android and iOS versions planned to release six months thereafter. In the meantime, it's also up for voting on Steam Greenlight.
Cyberpunk adventure 'Read Only Memories' from GaymerX founders
Read Only Memories plays out in 2064 Neo-San Francisco, when all forms of personal electronics have been replaced by little robot buddies called ROMs. As a young journalist, the main character must uncover the mystery of a vanished friend while surviving the feral streets of this future city. Read Only Memories takes inspiration from 90s adventure games, and one in particular: Snatcher, the cyberpunk adventure created by Hideo Kojima. Read Only Memories comes from Midboss Games, a newly established studio from the founders of GaymerX, a convention focused on queer issues in gaming. GaymerX was funded via Kickstarter in September 2012, and Midboss is looking for the same success with Read Only Memories. The team needs $62,064 by December 13 on Kickstarter, and it's part of Ouya's Free the Games Fund, meaning Ouya will match all pledges up to $62,000 if it all works out. The game is slated for PC, Mac, Ouya, iOS and Android, and Midboss wants to have a playable build ready for GaymerX2 in July. Read Only Memories has queer characters, but it isn't "a gay game," GaymerX founder Matt Conn says: "A lot of queer characters can be presented on an equal level with their straight counterparts. It's really important that we create more games that have queer characters in them, but the point is also not to shoehorn them in."
GaymerX2 scheduled for July 2014
Queer geek culture convention GaymerX returns to San Francisco for "GaymerX2" from July 11-13, 2014. The convention has been expanded to three and a half days, with triple the capacity of this year's inaugural event, which included panels on gay and lesbian inclusion in games such as The Sims and BioWare's oeuvre. "For games to be taken seriously as the pieces of art that they are they can't live in a culture that is afraid to tackle and discuss issues like gender, sexuality, race, and identity," said GaymerX co-founder Matt Conn. "The amount of support that we've gotten for GaymerX shows that the gaming community is coming around to the idea of having serious debates on how to improve the medium." Tickets are available now at the GaymerX site. Cards Against Humanity is a sponsor of this year's event, which gives that team 10 months to come up with a special bonus deck just for the event. No, we're not being passive aggressive at all. Nope.
Do you con?
This past weekend I made a 5-hour drive to San Francisco for the inaugural run of GaymerX. If you're not familiar, the gay gaming convention made pretty big news in tech circles when it successfully Kickstarted itself into existence this year. And it's still making news after the fact thanks to the unbelievably rad live rendition of GLaDOS's Still Alive making the rounds on the Interwebs (above). I met up with a lot of awesome people there and helped moderate a panel on podcasting with the dudes from Horde House, WoW Insider regulars Spike and Slagkick of Game Buoy, and some other great folks from Qoopa Klub and Gayme Bar. I ran into nerd heartthrob Orkchop and his wife, played a killer game of Cards Against Humanity, and made a lot of gaming friends from around the country that I'll hang out with again. This was a triumph. I'm making a note here: "Huge success." It's hard to overstate my satisfaction. So, the question of the day is this: Do you guys love going to conventions as much as I do? Have you gone to any memorable ones lately? And are there any you're really looking forward to (*cough, cough* BlizzCon)?
