SAM'S PROFILE

I'm really sorry for ghosting this. Shortly after the event started, my workplace announced restructures with redundancies and my team went from twelve people down to just four of us.

I'm relieved to say I managed to keep my job, but my focus and headspace was freaking out over needing to continue having an income to support my family. Now we're coming out the other side of it, my mental energy is utterly spent. I have colleagues who also have bills to pay and mouths to feed, and they've been cut loose. I competed against them, in a sense, I did that. Definitely got some survivor's guilt.

The deadline's the 30th, right? Because so far I have done nothing, zip, nada, but I love these events so if I've got 29 days, I'll see what I can do. I might have to rescope my idea a little, but that's okay.

I'm admittedly conflicted about any contribution I could make to this event. At first, I read the title, read the description, and interpreted "create games with more representation of those who get a bum deal" very broadly.

My original plan was to do a game with an autistic main character, and I had a number of ideas for how that could be evident in the gameplay mechanics. Re-reading the description and comments so far, it's very clear this is a pride event first and foremost.

My concern is I'd be coming in as a straight white guy and hijacking a very important platform to selfishly discuss my own agenda about neurodiversity. I don't think that would be appropriate or fair, and I think that would dilute the message of what would otherwise be a very concentrated cause.

I'm going to be downloading and playing all of these! Well done, everyone!

You're right! Found it. For those curious: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/509540524

I'd just be grateful to see the game played, hear a player's live thoughts and reactions. Treat it almost as a usability test.

When, where, how, and even if they decide to stream it is up to them. They're doing me a favour, I don't get to dictate terms. We're not owed an audience.

I think some of us need to be careful. Telling someone to organise their stream around your schedule feels a bit entitled to me. Besides, even if you miss the stream, there's an archive you can watch back at any time.