Moving forward from class discussion, I’ve started focusing more on how this game will situate itself in my own creative practice and in the Chicago games scene.
As mentioned, the first keyword will remain “drag” as this is the central topic of my game. Not just the visual representation of drag, but also what it means on a deeper level. Especially in the time we live in now, where there are numerous legislations being waged against drag culture, this project needs to represent drag’s potential as social commentary and role in social change.
The second keyword is now “community” and/or “community engagement,” both as the audience and research focus of the project. As someone who is not a drag artist, there is no way to make this game respectfully without interviewing and including the entities it is inspired by. Also, as this idea is inspired by the metroidvania genre, I envision representing local drag culture in the game’s weapons, clothes, environment, and soundtrack. I already have the idea to base each area on local clubs such as Roscoe’s, Sidetrack, and Hydrate, while possibly integrating other notable queer areas such as the now-closed Berline, and the leather bar Cellblock.
The third keyword is now “dress-up,” as this will be a core mechanic of the game. I use the word since “dress-up” games have been around since the dawn of video games, and the act of “dressing-up” is in itself a form of play. The simple act of dragging items onto a character, watching them come to life in the player’s vision, has so much room for exploration, development, and inclusion to game genres it is not typically associated with.
My biggest takeaway from class discussion is the need to explore the relationship between drag and play. I’m not sure exactly what this looks like yet, but this means bringing the game from just an aesthetic representation of drag to a deeper representation of its values, structures, and community.
From this feedback, I have also started a mindmap to help brainstorm ideas and organize my practice. I have attached that below, although this is definitely just the starting point. I am definitely moving forward with this project, and despite the many ideas already percolating, these tools all help to create a clearer vision of how this project will unfold.
