True Avatars - A Queer Video Game Podcast

• Ep. 57 - The Beautiful Sapphic Terror of “Fear the Spotlight”

  Please forgive the audio quality this week! There was an issue with the recording service we use that created a very challenging sync error. To help with a bandage, the service gave me a lower quality cloud backup to use (while they try to fix the issue… much too slowly, unfortunately). But this week Cleo joins me to talk about the news and a horror game that’s steeped in sapphic vibes! For the news: Sims players are planning a boycott, EA has a weird commitment to AI, Kirby Air Riders is surprisingly accessible (for a Nintendo game), more layoffs, and 5 different queer games got release date updates… plus a whole lot more! In the second half, Cleo and I are diving into our discussion on 2024’s Fear the Spotlight, a PS1 style horror game that plays like Resident Evil but with lesbians! It’s not a game that advertises its queerness, but this game is so scary and beautiful and well designed, it almost caught us off-guard.   00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:31 - News 00:50:13 - Fear the Spotlight   SPOILER WARNING: In explaining how Fear the Spotlight is similar to Life is Strange in some aspects, we inadvertently spoil a major twist in the original Life is Strange game.   This episode was recorded on October 25 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/   Sources: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/final-fantasy-14-director-yoshi-p-says-hell-keep-working-on-the-game-for-at-least-a-good-while/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZHYjYHHiBM https://gaymingmag.com/2025/10/ive-lost-my-safe-space-lgbtqia-the-sims-players-boycott-game-over-potential-conservative-acquisition/ https://www.tweaktown.com/news/108403/report-eas-internal-ai-is-causing-issues-with-games-development/index.html https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/ea-is-diving-headfirst-into-generative-ai-with-new-partnership https://www.outsports.com/2025/10/14/24119785/lgbtq-sports-execs-coaches-athletes-outsports-power-100/ https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-2-release-date-changes-once-again-but-this-time-its-good-news https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rovio-is-laying-off-36-staff-says-angry-birds-dream-blast-has-not-been-performing-as-expected/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/thegamer-website-suffers-widespread-editorial-layoffs/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ubisoft-is-asking-staff-at-the-division-studio-massive-entertainment-to-volunteer-to-be-laid-off/ https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/elden-ring-delayed-on-switch-2-to-allow-time-for-performance-adjustments https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/assassins-creed-shadows-has-finally-been-officially-confirmed-for-nintendo-switch-2/ https://bethesda.net/en/article/N00XVTawnzBBH7HNwv0hN/fallout-4-anniversary-edition-announced https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpy9SYCxuk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Dj9vrW20g https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/after-numerous-delays-sonic-rumble-finally-has-a-release-date/ https://bsky.app/profile/blacktabbygames.com/post/3m3uuxpdzf22p https://store.steampowered.com/app/1609230/Scarlet_Hollow/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/were-seeing-people-evolve-way-past-that-xboxs-sarah-bond-says-the-idea-of-exclusives-is-outdated/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/confirmed-halo-is-coming-to-ps5/

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• Ep. 56 - Pokémon Legends Z-A is actually quite gay, but could it be even gayer?

  This week, it’s just me – Zoey – for the news. Headlines include the Horizon movie getting a possible release date, the PS6 and Xbox 720/Two/Series Y&T (whatever they're calling it) getting a possible release date, and Nintendo reassures us they didn’t get hacked and your user data was not stolen. Additionally, there were no layoffs this week and the industry has even started to fight back on two fronts, which gives me some cautious optimism. In the second half, some familiar guests are back: Amy-Lynn, Juno, and Nicole! And we’re talking all about the new Pokémon game: Legends Zed to Eh. Zee, Ay. Zeyay. Anyway, it turns out the game is actually surprisingly quite queer, but as is tradition, Game Freak may be a few steps short of perfect queer representation.   00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:42 - News 00:28:04 - Pokémon Legends Z-A Discussion   Spoiler warning for Pokémon Legends Z-A: we talk about everything up to the first Vinnie battle, and we spoil one unrevealed Mega Evolution from later in the game (a Pokémon with a silly design that has gone viral – you’ve probably already seen it).   This episode was recorded on October 19 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: Amy-Lynn: https://www.instagram.com/amethystlylac Juno: https://twitter.com/ThatTransNPC Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/nicoletyngs/   Sources: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ps6-and-next-xbox-console-are-both-aiming-for-2027-release-separate-reports-claim/ https://thegamepost.com/sony-horizon-zero-dawn-movie-filming-release/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/mindseye-studio-build-a-rocket-boy-is-being-sued-by-union-members-over-alleged-mishandling-of-layoffs/ https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/saudi-arabias-acquisition-of-electronic-arts-faces-pushback-from-game-developers-petition-calls-on-ftc-to-scrutinize-this-deal-closely/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/quantic-dreams-first-multiplayer-game-is-spellcasters-chronicles-a-3v3-strategy-action-game/ https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/nintendo-responds-to-reported-crimson-collective-hack-with-official-statement https://x.com/pinapberi/status/1979116389941043478 https://x.com/Keisaraynja_/status/1979228043580207106

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• Ep. 55.5 - BONUS - We played 7 gayme demos from Steam Next Fest!

  It’s that time of the season, and Steam Next Fest has returned! Ekamy, Cleo, Lloyd and I played 7 gayme demos (and it was hard to pick, there were so many amazing queer games)!   00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:27 - Steam Next Fest - October 2025   This episode was recorded on October 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: Ekamy: https://www.twitch.tv/ekamy Cleo: https://www.instagram.com/cleostrophobia/ Lloyd: https://www.twitch.tv/lloyd_lloydster   Games: Steel Century Groove: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1858950/Steel_Century_Groove/ Laugh Track: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3765430/Laugh_Track/ Killer Chat - Original Edition: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3476730/Killer_Chat__Original_Edition/ Winter Burrow: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3008740/Winter_Burrow/ Lap of the Gods: A Visual Novel: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3138230/Lap_of_the_Gods_A_Visual_Novel/ Messy Hearts: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3892820/Messy_Hearts/ Dead Pets Unleashed: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1851720/Dead_Pets_Unleashed/

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• Ep. 55 - Interview w/Chris Schroyer: From Telltale Games to the Attainable Fantasy of “Three Days to Chicago”

  This week it’s just me for the first half: I talk about what I’ve been playing (Three Days to Chicago, a visual novel by Chris Schroyer, as well as the news! Headlines include a character from the Fallout TV series coming to Fallout 76, A Minecraft Movie is getting a sequel, there were more layoffs, and Fortnite has officially skipped its Pride event this year. For the second half, remember the game I mentioned I played this week? Three Days to Chicago? Well Chris Schroyer, the game’s creator, joins me for an interview! Chris has had a long and exciting career working at Telltale and other studios, and his gameography includes The Wolf Among Us, Tales from the Borderlands, and more! He discusses his time at Telltale and his approach to what he calls “attainable fantasy” in Three Days to Chicago.   00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:37 - What I’ve Been Playing 00:21:29 - News 00:36:08 - Interview with Chris Schroyer   Note: I mentioned Super Mario Galaxy might run at 120fps on Switch 2, but a quick search after recording indicates   This first half was recorded on October 11 2025. The interview was recorded on October 10 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: Chris Schroyer: https://bsky.app/profile/schroyer.bsky.social   Three Days to Chicago: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2495380/Three_Days_to_Chicago/   Sources: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-skipped-pride-this-year/1100-6535186/ https://deadline.com/2025/10/minecraft-2-release-date-1236574896/ https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1o2ckvv/minecraft_sequel_announced_official_teaser_poster/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/we-are-all-hurting-metal-hellsinger-studio-closed-as-part-of-funcom-cuts/ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/development-ends-on-hyper-light-breaker-as-studio-heart-machine-says-its-making-layoffs/ https://www.ign.com/articles/world-of-warcrafts-long-awaited-housing-releases-in-december https://x.com/discussingfilm/status/1973388284895072318?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ https://bethesda.net/it/article/2nqh2JMnLeJnjpxwUUi5n6/inside-the-vault-burning-springs-public-test-server-release-notes https://gaymingmag.com/2023/08/three-days-to-chicago-is-midboss-first-third-party-game/

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• Ep. 54 - Ghost of Yotei Impressions, EA Gaymes in Danger, Kojima Casts Hunter Schafer

  For the first half of the show, Cleo and Lloyd are back to discuss yet another piece of hot gossip: EA has been purchased by Jared Kushner and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund for $55 billion, which is the second largest video game company purchase of all time. What does this mean for the queer games at EA, namely Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and The Sims? Of course, we also talk about what we’ve been playing along with a bunch of other headlines (Kojima has cast a trans woman as a lead in his new PT-inspired horror game, and we’re pretty excited)! Plus lots of other queer game news, including indies and AAAs. In the second half, it’s me and a new guest: Juno! Juno and I have played the first chunk of Ghost of Yotei, which features genderfluid actor Erika Ishii as the player character Atsu. We discuss minor spoilers for the early sections of the game and our experiences with it.   00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:01 - What We’ve Been Playing 00:25:35 - News 00:59:00 - EA Gaymes in Danger? 01:13:55 - Ghost of Yotei Discussion   ***Minor spoilers for early section of Ghost of Yotei***   The news segment was recorded on Oct 3 2025, and the Ghost of Yotei segment was recorded on Oct 5 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   Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHCqxLtwy5g https://www.ign.com/articles/hideo-kojima-reveals-debut-poster-for-playstation-exclusive-physint-first-cast-announcement https://insider-gaming.com/konami-asked-fans-which-metal-gear-remade/ https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/09/classic-mech-anime-and-tactical-card-combat-collide-in-battle-chef-brigade-devs-new-rpg https://battlesuitaces.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/tanatb.housefuckinggame.com/post/3m2aub7jc6s27 https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/days-before-release-borderlands-4-is-indefinitely-delayed-on-switch-2/ https://www.theverge.com/games/784264/pokemon-legends-z-a-hands-on-fashion-nintendo-switch-2 https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/avalanche-is-closing-its-liverpool-studio-following-contrabands-cancellation/ https://www.ign.com/articles/just-one-month-after-xboxs-contraband-cancelation-developer-avalanche-announces-layoffs-and-uk-studio-closure-plans https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/starbreeze-has-cancelled-its-dungeons-dragons-game-and-is-laying-off-44-staff-as-it-focuses-on-payday/ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/dune-awakening-developer-funcom-announces-redundancies https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/xbox-game-pass-is-increasing-in-price-by-50/ https://x.com/lbabinz/status/1973394895017845236?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ https://x.com/lbabinz/status/1973395627183935628?s=46&t=sVUrhNeL5EXDMRDpzdemfQ https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/9/24195312/microsoft-xbox-game-pass-ultimate-price-increase-standard-subscription https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/ea-confirms-that-it-will-be-acquired-for-55-billion-by-investors-including-saudi-arabias-pif/ https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/eas-new-owners-are-leaning-heavily-on-ai-to-make-some-money-and-its-huge-debt-go-away-which-seems-like-one-helluva-gamble-to-me/ https://insider-gaming.com/bioware-staff-worried-about-studios-future/ https://www.reddit.com/r/gaymers/comments/1nuzffk/are_we_screwed_for_the_simsbioware_games/?share_id=_1xwZ04x__KFgmQKnGdzj&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 Petition: https://www.change.org/p/protect-the-sims-from-censorship-and-political-control

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