Deadline for essay pitches: Saturday, November 14th

Deadline for final essay: Saturday, December 12th

Submit your pitches to: PopMatters’ Features Editor Dawn Eyestone, eyestone(at)popmatters.com

Email subject line: PopMatters / Queer RPGs

It’s no secret that role-playing games allow players to experience the world (or another world) through the eyes of any number of characters. Players can “try on” various personas and see how the other half lives, so to speak.

But what does it mean when players take on a marginalized identity in the game? Are there consequences to this? Benefits?

How does role-playing a queer character impact the gameplay? The player? Actual LGBTQ identified people?

Is this akin to black-face performance? Or is it something different?

We’re interested in exploring the notion of role-play in connection with LGBTQ+ identities. Possible essay topics might include, but aren’t limited to:

Sandbox type video games with LGBTQ+ character options (e.g. Skyrim)

Character development in tabletop RPGs (e.g. Dungeons and Dragons, White Wolf)

Cultural studies perspectives on gaming and identity

Connections between game world and real world violence towards LGBTQ+ people

Gaming as a means of exploring sexuality

Queer-identified gamers and gaming culture as experienced by LGBTQ+ people

Analysis of specific characters/games in connection with LGBTQ+ identities

Essays should be written in PopMatters style; erudite, engaging and entertaining, but not laden with academic language. Essay length is approximately 1,200 – 2,500 words in MLA format. Shorter articles, at 800 words, will be accepted for blog entries, as well.