True Avatars - A Queer Video Game Podcast

Sorry for the late episode this week, True Avatars! I am traveling again but there is a lot of queer game stuff happening these days, thankfully.

This week’s headlines include Stardew Valley’s 10th anniversary (with new marriage candidates), Overwatch has a new (mobile) spin-off, Until Then has DLC (with trans rep), Wolverine has a release date, eSports are coming to the Gay Games, and a pretty big update about the Discord age verification scandal.

Pokémon just reached its 30th anniversary and they had tons of news to share in their Direct-style live stream. Amy-Lynn and Nicole are back to discuss it all, including the new games: Winds and Waves!

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:05:21 - News

00:35:17 - Pokémon Turns 30 and Announces Winds and Waves

 

This Pokémon segment was recorded on Feb 27 2026 and the news segment was recorded on March 2 2026.

 

Follow True Avatars:

Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars

Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social

Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars

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Guests:

Amy-Lynn: https://www.instagram.com/amethystlylac

Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/nicoletyngs

 

Sources:

https://fortune.com/2026/02/24/discord-peter-thiel-backed-persona-identity-verification-breach/

https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/discord-delays-its-global-age-verification-rollout-and-cuts-ties-with-peter-thiel-backed-verification-vendor-after-upsetting-almost-everyone-on-earth-weve-made-mistakes/

https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24244645/development-update-overwatch-rush

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geiTg6Z7w3A

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-finally-confirms-marvels-wolverine-release-date-and-its-coming-before-gta6/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7GI-k5Gqnw

https://cogconnected.com/2026/02/until-then-is-getting-the-afterimages-dlc-later-this-year/

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/uk-retailer-game-closes-all-standalone-stores-as-it-enters-administration

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-02-27/sony-s-bluepoint-pitched-bloodborne-remake-before-closure?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3MjIyMjY3OSwiZXhwIjoxNzcyODI3NDc5LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQjRWUTJLR0NURlowMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.s6maZIveh-F152mZBWUNjPFeE0Lm7AFRegwaizQvVlA&leadSource=uverify%20wall

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/eas-skate-studio-confirms-layoffs-as-it-moves-to-better-support-the-games-long-term-future/

https://www.gamefile.news/p/tencent-timi-montreal-closed

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/games-media-set-for-more-layoffs-as-ign-owned-eurogamer-cuts-editorial-staff/

https://checkpointgaming.net/news/2026/02/valve-sued-by-new-york-attorney-general-for-promoting-illegal-gambling/

https://bsky.app/profile/kemowoomy.bsky.social/post/3mfqenszzxk2l

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-sues-game-developer-promoting-illegal-gambling-through

https://gaymingmag.com/2026/02/gg-valencia-the-gay-games-welcomes-esports-to-the-quadrennial-event-for-the-first-time/

https://www.gaygames.org/

https://www.ign.com/articles/saudi-owned-rts-takes-full-ownership-of-evo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh2WcRJOVPU

https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/see-the-new-trailer-for-pokemon-winds-and-pokemon-waves-coming-to-nintendo-switch-2

https://x.com/SerebiiNet/status/2027436478591103269?s=20

https://serebii.net/news/2026/27-February-2026.shtml

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/pokemon-pokopia/

Steam Next Fest is back and Ekamy, Cleo, and I checked out 6 (or more…?) very exciting queer game demos!

 

00:00:00 - Intro and What We’ve Been Eating

00:04:36 - Fishbowl

00:12:40 - Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery

00:18:27 - Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts

00:24:04 - I'm Making a Monster

00:35:02 - The Witch's Bakery

00:45:06 - 1348 Ex Voto

00:53:15 - The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish

 

This episode was recorded on February 25 2026.

 

Follow True Avatars:

Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars

Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social

Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559

 

Guests:

Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy

Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia

 

Demos:

Fishbowl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1638070/Fishbowl/

Feline Forensics and the Meowseum Mystery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2945150/Feline_Forensics_and_the_Meowseum_Mystery/

Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3119540/Scriptorium_Master_of_Manuscripts/

I'm Making a Monster: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4047160/Im_Making_a_Monster/

The Witch's Bakery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2967950/The_Witchs_Bakery/

1348 Ex Voto: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1895900/1348_Ex_Voto/

The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3172760/The_Wide_Open_Sky_is_Running_out_of_Catfish/

All Will Rise: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3165340/All_Will_Rise/

Moorage: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4178140/Moorage/

It’s an episode jam-packed full of controversy, drama, and discourse! Where to begin?

Well, there’s lots of good news! Pokémon’s 30th anniversary is already in full swing, Sonic 4 has found its Amy voice, and This Bed We Made is getting a sequel.

But there were more layoffs, AI is gaining ground in the games industry, and the RAM shortage impacts are felt even more. And what else could go wrong? Since you asked, Yakuza Kiwami 3 removed a pro-trans storyline…

In the second half, I’m joined by Devona to discuss the Discord age verification news. What does it all mean? How worried should we be? Is there even a good alternative?

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:03:41 - What We’ve Been Playing

00:11:56 - News

00:53:14 - Discord Age Verification Controversy

01:38:06 - Queer Game of the Week: Monster Prom

 

The news segment was recorded on February 21 2026 and the Discord segment was recorded on February 22 2026..

 

Follow True Avatars:

Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars

Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social

Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559

 

Guests:

Devona: https://www.twitch.tv/heldevo

 

Sources:

https://x.com/pokemon/status/2024757682851233891

https://x.com/pokemon/status/2024756120313807015

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sonic-4-kristen-bell-voice-amy-rose-1236508342/

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jim-carreys-dr-robotnik-return-in-sonic-4-gets-a-major-update/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/yakuza-kiwami-3-dark-ties-review/

https://www.thegamer.com/yakuza-3-remastered-transphobic-sidequest-removed/

https://www.resetera.com/threads/yakuza-kiwami-3-cuts-the-original-games-trans-acceptance-substory-that-was-originally-removed-for-the-west-but-added-back-in-later-with-the-remaster.1430275/

https://www.reddit.com/r/yakuzagames/comments/1r0wgdn/people_focusing_on_the_removed_trans_substory/

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/stardew-valleys-new-update-for-nintendo-switch-2-is-now-live

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/stardew-valley-creator-teases-two-more-marriage-candidates-for-update-1-7

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/bethesda-releases-skyrim-update-1-2-for-switch-2-includes-60hz-mode-and-much-more

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Ga_cAccQg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoInIGhXHYY

https://www.nintendo.com/jp/switch/blfga/index.html?modal=1

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/destiny-2-fans-face-long-wait-as-bungie-delays-and-overhauls-next-major-update/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/steam-deck-is-out-of-stock-in-the-us-as-valve-warns-of-intermittent-memory-and-storage-shortages/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-considering-holding-back-playstation-6-until-2028-or-2029-report-claims/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/huge-xbox-shakeup-phil-spencer-retiring-sarah-bond-resigns-microsoft-ai-boss-becomes-new-microsoft-gaming-ceo/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/numerous-video-game-company-share-prices-dropped-following-googles-project-genie-ai-rollout/

https://www.ign.com/articles/tunic-night-in-the-woods-publisher-says-tiktok-is-creating-and-running-racist-genai-ads-for-its-games-without-permission

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xcoms-jake-solomon-announces-his-new-studio-is-closing-reveals-now-cancelled-ai-driven-narrative-game/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/midsummer-studios/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-confirms-layoffs-at-toronto-studio-but-insists-splinter-cells-remake-is-still-coming/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-19/sony-is-shutting-down-the-playstation-studio-bluepoint?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc3MTUyNzAyNiwiZXhwIjoxNzcyMTMxODI2LCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUQVBZWlBLR0lGUFkwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.utABYnI4m_K6kqNqybZarBQ9T5WW_aWCH6NI3kt8Q64

https://kotaku.com/sony-email-bluepoint-hermen-hulst-studio-closing-why-2000671437

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAbyOXDwRXM

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/assassins-creed-shadows-claws-of-awaji-expansion-lands-switch-2-release-date

Lost & Found: A This Bed We Made Story: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4333200/Lost__Found_A_This_Bed_We_Made_Story/

https://x.com/lowbirthgames/status/2024625302815518790

https://www.theverge.com/tech/875309/discord-age-verification-global-roll-out

https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service

https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/oh-good-discords-age-verification-rollout-has-ties-to-palantir-co-founder-and-panopticon-architect-peter-thiel/

https://www.pcgamer.com/software/security/security-researchers-claim-persona-the-provider-behind-discords-uk-age-verification-experiment-performs-269-individual-verification-checks-on-user-data-including-those-for-terrorism-and-espionage/

https://mashable.com/article/age-verification-may-impede-on-adults-rights-study-suggests

Ring Lost Dog Superbowl Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OheUzrXsKrY

https://www.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/1r05vkj/comment/o4j5nl1/?context=3

https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-launches-teen-by-default-settings-globally#age-assurance-clarification

I took a week off from recording and during that time, there were so many queer game announcements that it’s gonna take me an hour to get through them all! We’ve got Final Fantasy, Diablo, Overwatch, Horizon, Hollow Knight, Oblivion, Fallout, and… Thomas the Tank Engine…?!

In the second half, Cleo joins me for our long overdue discussion of the off-the-wall rhythm game UNBEATABLE. Was the game actually beatable after all? Cleo gives us all the details (including a dose of spoilers in the last 10 minutes)!

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:10:51 - News

01:02:41 - UNBEATABLE

01:28:34 - SPOILERS for UNBEATABLE

 

The news segment was recorded on Feb 16 2026. The UNBEATABLE segment was recorded on January 28 2026.

 

Follow True Avatars:

Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars

Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social

Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559

 

Guests:

Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia

 

Sources:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/den-of-wolves-studio-10-chambers-confirms-large-number-of-layoffs-including-several-co-founders/

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alex-graner-a37262114_alex-graners-resume-activity-7427480816940892161-hmDh/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/designer-claims-most-of-highguards-dev-team-have-been-laid-off-weeks-after-launch/

https://www.polygon.com/ubisoft-strike-workers-france-italy/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/overwatch-is-dropping-the-2-adding-10-new-heroes-and-coming-to-switch-2-in-major-revamp/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/we-agree-that-she-can-be-even-better-overwatch-director-vows-to-redesign-anran-following-player-and-voice-actor-backlash/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/france-gives-28-clair-obscur-developers-a-knighthood-and-says-video-games-have-reached-a-new-level-of-recognition/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/clair-obscur-expedition-33-wins-five-awards-at-the-d-i-c-e-awards-2026-including-game-of-the-year/

https://deadline.com/2026/02/baldurs-gate-3-tv-show-craig-mazin-hbo-1236710583/

https://deadline.com/2026/02/jason-momoa-helldivers-release-date-1236715868/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JubgL46Xkmk

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/playstation-and-guerrilla-announce-tactical-co-op-horizon-game-horizon-hunters-gathering/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Ym9SCKFpc

https://www.teamcherry.com.au/blog/hollowknightupgraded

https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-2-games/Granblue-Fantasy-Relink-Endless-Ragnarok-3017587.html?srsltid=AfmBOorhQ3-uZMqM7eIViFQbSYBIcz5otAFbrhK6pxKj9UoBleVhUWBe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tnOYh_jIZ0

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3839790/Granblue_Fantasy_Relink__Endless_Ragnarok_Upgrade_Kit_Standard_Edition/

https://x.com/Borderlands/status/1970609156936868102

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGdFBim7nYY

https://www.konami.com/games/darwins_paradox/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/fromsoftware-owner-reiterates-duskbloods-is-still-coming-this-year-exclusive-to-nintendo-switch-2/

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/psa-apex-legends-switch-version-shutting-down-this-august

Diablo 30th Anniversary Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnAsWN-6hvw

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/diablo-2-gets-its-first-new-class-in-25-years-as-diablo-4-director-promises-players-will-freak-out-at-whats-coming/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/valve-confirms-steam-machine-price-and-release-details-have-been-delayed-by-exploding-component-prices/

Valve release date schedule (Valve time): https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Valve_Time

https://www.wondersofsodor.com/gb

https://x.com/cartycinema/status/1880062136766067108?s=20

Nintendo fulfilled its promise to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life, but they didn’t stop there! Just how queer is the new Nintendo wacky life-sim? We’ve got all the big gay details!

Lloyd joins me for this episode in which we also discuss the first steps into our Celeste journeys, plus the news, and finally a discussion about generative AI in video games.

Headlines include game developers reportedly *maybe* skipping the Game Developer Conference, a bold industry response to the Ubisoft layoffs/restructuring, and Scott Pilgrim EX has a release date.

Please note that our connection was a bit weaker than usual so there is a bit of a delay between some of mine and Lloyd’s discussion. Sorry about that, True Avatars!

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:06 - What We’ve Been Playing

00:38:18 - News (incl. Tomodachi Life)

01:15:49 - Generative AI in Video Games

 

This episode was recorded on January 30 2026.

 

Follow True Avatars:

Official website: https://trueavatarspodcast.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrueAvatars

Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/trueavatars.bsky.social

Twitter: https://x.com/TrueAvatars

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@trueavatars/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@true.avatars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueavatars/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569951551559

 

Guests:

Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster

 

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_0kl1WiSPg

https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/71317/

https://gamerant.com/gdc-2026-ice-concerns-us-safety-fears-dev-comments/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gdc-organiser-says-it-hasnt-seen-cancellations-from-overseas-visitors-attendance-tracking-in-line-with-expectations

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-proposes-to-cut-18-of-workforce-at-france-headquarters-as-part-of-major-reset-plan/

https://insider-gaming.com/ubisoft-employee-suspension/

https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-it-s-time-for-real-accountability-ubisoft-unions-call-international-strike?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

https://bsky.app/profile/wario64.bsky.social/post/3mdgfmwvhtf2y

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/scott-pilgrim-ex-brings-more-beat-em-up-action-to-switch-in-march

https://www.polygon.com/gaming/604420/scott-pilgrim-ex-new-game-release/

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simoncarless_interestingly-pc-video-game-platform-steam-activity-7417944215675908096-OGNg/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/valve-has-significantly-rewritten-steams-rules-for-how-developers-much-disclose-ai-use/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/google-rolls-out-prototype-of-project-genie-an-ai-tool-which-generates-playable-worlds/

https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption

https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/artificial-intelligence-types

https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/computer-vision