True Avatars - A Queer Video Game Podcast

Hosting solo again and covering a big week of queer game reveals: Life is Strange: Reunion, 1348 Ex Voto, and possibly even Fable.

There was a bunch of Mario news (including trans reps in the new movie), Warframe is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 very soon, the PS6 might be delayed, Ubisoft is laying off even more people, and so much more!

 

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

00:03:17 - What I’ve Been Playing

00:10:41 - News

 

Mild spoilers for the ending of Life is Strange: Double Exposure

 

This episode was recorded on January 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

 

Sources:

https://youtu.be/b2eHeCKYHJc?t=1806

https://www.youtube.com/live/hXn6bvU1Kh4

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/fables-evil-landlords-wont-grow-devil-horns-as-reboot-ditches-classic-character-morphing-due-to-a-lack-of-belief-in-objective-arseholery

https://1348exvoto.com/

https://x.com/1348ExVoto/status/2014714742108024903?s=20

https://www.gematsu.com/2026/01/1348-ex-voto-launches-march-12-for-ps5-and-pc-xbox-series-version-canceled

https://www.ign.com/articles/ubisoft-cancels-6-projects-including-prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-remake-closes-2-studios-and-confirms-further-layoffs-in-major-company-restructure

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ubisoft-stockholm/

https://www.reddit.com/r/PS5/comments/1qk6qd6/rumor_sandstoneinsights_analysis_sony_expects_the/?share_id=jwMnzRpiBdD8gCbT0PdXG&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1

https://www.digitalextremes.com/news/january-warframe-devstream-highlights

https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/free-update-for-mario-kart-world-lets-you-race-as-a-team-in-knockout-tour/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVB3hZoOF0A

https://youtu.be/yP5RGz_CRFM

https://x.com/USJ_Official/status/2014203076266348758

Ekamy and I dive into the strange queer game phenomenon: the Lesbian Plot Twist™. Isn’t it a little odd that so many gaymes prefer a mid-game “she’s actually a lesbian” surprise? Spoilers abound (see below).

We also discuss the news (including updates on the Life is Strange 5 and Sims 4 leaks, some queer games are being delisted, layoffs, and anniversaries), what we’ve been playing, and Queer Game of the Week!

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:12:06 - What We’ve Been Playing

00:16:40 - News

00:47:37 - The Lesbian Plot Twist

01:23:58 - Queer Game of the Week: Of the Devil

 

SPOILER WARNING: Gone Home, Unpacking, This Bed We Made, The Last of Us Part I - Left Behind DLC, Life is Strange 1, Lock & Key, A Normal Lost Phone, Another Lost Phone, Tacoma

 

This episode was recorded on January 18 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

 

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2eHeCKYHJc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsi1cN3O48

https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/the-values-that-shape-the-sims

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/the-sims-studio-says-its-values-are-unchanged-including-inclusivity-as-eas-saudi-takeover-progresses/

https://x.com/accidentalq/status/1998069196224385420

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/meta-has-closed-several-studios-including-splosion-man-studio-twisted-pixel-and-asgard-wraths-sanzaru-games/

https://aftermath.site/meta-layoffs-camouflaj-batman-arkham-shadow/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-hits-the-division-and-avatar-studio-massive-entertainment-with-layoffs/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisoft-shuttering-freshly-unionised-halifax-studio-71-jobs-affected

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendos-share-price-has-dropped-33-in-the-last-five-months-in-japan/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4le852wgeo

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sega-announces-sonic-35th-anniversary-plans-to-celebrate-sonics-legacy/

I said I wasn’t gonna record a new episode this week, and then the Life is Strange: Reunion leak was just far too juicy to ignore. So I took the opportunity to also cover some older news stories I missed during December.

This week is a little shorter because it’s just me and it’s only the headlines. Other news includes Netflix buying Warner Bros and significantly undervaluing its games division, Fortnite is collaborating with She Who Must Not Be Named to offer Harry Potter cosmetics, more video game adaptations are coming to the big and small screens, and Sims 4 might have a new expansion coming soon.

PLUS, if you somehow missed it, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – remember that indie darling? – got DISQUALIFIED from winning one of its many Game of the Year awards (and that same awards show snubbed most of its queer nominees).

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:05:42 - News

 

SPOILERS for the ending of Life is Strange and mild spoilers for ending of Life is Strange: Double Exposure

 

This episode was recorded on January 10 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

 

Sources:

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/a-rating-has-leaked-an-unannounced-life-is-strange-sequel-with-strong-language-and-drug-use/

https://www.gematsu.com/2017/09/esrb-rates-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-vice-city-stories-max-payne-2-midnight-club-3-ps4

https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/s/FiwgBXORSD

https://x.com/NateTheHate2/status/2009691766191165501

https://larian.com/news/divinity-original-sin-2-is-now-available-on-switch-2-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-s_147

https://productionlist.com/filming-may-frederick-e-o-toye-direct-upcoming-series-fallout-season-3-santa-clarita-ca-united-states/

https://www.inverse.com/gaming/fallout-season-2-jonathan-nolan-interview-phil-spencer-xbox

https://screenrant.com/fallout-season-2-filming-wrap-ella-purnell-bts-photo/

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sonic-spinoff-movie-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-live-action-film-2028-release-dates-1236596459/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/helldivers-movie-justin-lin-sony-1236438370/

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/01/toby-fox-shares-development-update-on-deltarune-chapter-5

https://twistedvoxel.com/stardew-valley-shadow-drops-on-switch-2-with-free-upgrade/

https://x.com/concernedape/status/2006079498849247743

https://x.com/ConcernedApe/status/2006086790311272546

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/fortnite-dragged-for-collaboration-with-jk-rowling-after-canceling-pride-celebration/

https://kotaku.com/netflix-warner-bros-games-batman-harry-potter-deal-2000651695

https://www.indiegameawards.gg/

https://insider-gaming.com/indie-game-awards-disqualifies-clair-obscur-expedition-33-gen-ai/

https://www.reddit.com/r/expedition33/comments/1prr5f6/sandfall_clarifications_about_their_use_of_genai/ (post was removed a day after I double checked it, but the paywalled source from the reddit user is the next URL)

https://english.elpais.com/culture/2025-07-19/the-low-cost-creative-revolution-how-technology-is-making-art-accessible-to-everyone.html

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/battlefield-head-infinity-ward-co-founder-and-respawn-ceo-vince-zampella-has-died/

https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/01/08/xbox-developer-direct-2026/

https://simstime.net/2026/01/04/confirmado-the-sims-4-legado-realeza-e-a-proxima-expansao/

Cleo and Lloyd are back, and together we break down all the queer games scheduled for 2026! There’s tons of indies and AAAs, plus a whole bunch of non-queer games we’re excited for too!

But we don’t know everything that’s coming out next year; we also make some bold predictions for games (and where the industry might be heading).

Let’s find out what queer gaming is going to look like in 2026!

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:09:23 - Looking Ahead to 2026

 

SPOILERS for Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis (and the original Tomb Raider)

 

This episode was recorded on December 18 2025.

 

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/

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

 

Queer indies highlighted:

Usual June: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2702430/Usual_June/

Interplanetary Love Guide: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3390210/_Interplanetary_love_guide/

Hedgehog’s Dilemma: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3192120/Hedgehogs_Dilemma/

Monster Gal’s Voyage: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743860/Monster_Gals__Voyage/

BrokenLore: Unfollow: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2133830/BrokenLore_UNFOLLOW/

Steel Century Groove: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1858950/Steel_Century_Groove/

Laugh Track: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3765430/Laugh_Track/

Scarlet Hollow Episode 5: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1609230/Scarlet_Hollow/

Key Fairy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2878580/Key_Fairy/

Dead in Antares: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2511800/Dead_in_Antares/

Coffee Talk Tokyo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3161220/Coffee_Talk_Tokyo/

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

Lap of the Gods: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3138230/Lap_of_the_Gods_A_Visual_Novel/

Building Relationships: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2666920/Building_Relationships/

Frame of mind: a game of thoughts.: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2515480/Frame_of_Mind__A_game_of_thoughts/

Hungry Horrors: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3048840/Hungry_Horrors/

Find this Pixel Anomaly: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3290400/Find_This_Pixel_Anomaly/

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

High Times - Dating/Cooking Sim: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2251220/High_Times__DatingCooking_Sim/

Neo Junk City: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2378230/Neo_Junk_City/

Messy Hearts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3892820/Messy_Hearts/

Paralives: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1118520/Paralives/

Sucks To Be In The Sticks: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3665100/Sucks_To_Be_In_The_Sticks/

Neverway: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2318330/Neverway/

Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix (technically not indie): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3509140/Fear_Effect_2_Retro_Helix/

IKUMA: The Frozen Compass: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1728620/IKUMA__The_Frozen_Compass/

Scott Pilgrim EX: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2640950/Scott_Pilgrim_EX/

Dosa Divas: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950710/Dosa_Divas/

Cyber Paradise: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2431790/Cyber_Paradise/

WILL: Follow the Light: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3144860/WILL_Follow_The_Light/

Banned Together: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3551960/Banned_Together/

Love in the Time of Spellphage: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3825300/Love_in_the_Time_of_Spellphage/

Virtue and a Sledgehammer: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743260/Virtue_and_a_Sledgehammer/

Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3256150/Moomintroll_Winters_Warmth/

 

Sources:

https://www.ign.com/articles/after-a-relatively-quiet-the-game-awards-microsoft-says-it-has-a-packed-xbox-developer-direct-coming-in-january-2026

https://bsky.app/profile/anniemay.bsky.social/post/3ma6wi5kfvc2g

https://bsky.app/profile/unburntwitch.com/post/3ma4ozsue5c22

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/hardware-sales-and-physical-game-spending-in-the-us-just-had-the-worst-november-in-30-years/

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/global-games-revenue-in-2025-is-expected-to-grow-7-5-compared-to-last-year-analysis-suggests/

https://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-18/sony-s-naughty-dog-studio-orders-employee-overtime-on-intergalactic?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc2NjA4NTY0MSwiZXhwIjoxNzY2NjkwNDQxLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUN0hDRFNLR0lGUEUwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJCMUVBQkI5NjQ2QUM0REZFQTJBRkI4MjI1MzgyQTJFQSJ9.jGluGdyZVa1EEBKJKLlY2aRo0tCwewmOk2TBd_9y2Iw

2025 is almost over and I’ve invited Zoe, Ekamy, and Lloyd on to discuss our favourite moments from the year, as well as the many scandals.

This is also a much more conversational and laid back discussion than most episodes, a kind-of “party” vibe, so join us for a laugh or two!

 

00:00:00 - Intro

00:12:57 - 2025 Year in Review

 

This episode was recorded on December 16 2025.

 

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:

Zoe: https://bsky.app/profile/zoeleet.bsky.social

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

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

 

Sources:

Pixel art video Zoe mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-8y2R6IxI

https://x.com/LenteGameDev/status/1991473653771599957?s=20

The many podcasts we recorded throughout this year! :)