Global InformationGLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game information
| GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Excellence in depiction of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community in video games |
| Venue | Varies |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | GLAAD |
| First awarded | March 28, 2019 |
| 2023 winner(s) | Apex Legends |
The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game is an annual award that honors video games for excellence in the depiction of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, which are presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization founded in 1985—at ceremonies in New York City and Los Angeles between March and May.[1]
The award was first given at the 30th GLAAD Media Awards in 2019 to The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset, an expansion pack developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks for The Elder Scrolls Online. The 32nd ceremony in 2021 marks the only instance where a tie has occurred, with The Last of Us Part II (developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment) and Tell Me Why (developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios) both winning the award.
For a video game to be eligible, it must contain "outstanding LGBTQ-inclusive content",[2][3] consisting of LGBT characters and stories that are "authentic and impactful".[4] An important criterion is to what extent the LGBT-inclusive content is integrated into the gameplay, specifically in regard to player agency and the game's world.[3] Said LGBT-inclusive content must be revealed either within the game itself, or alternate media that are canonical to the game's world.[4] Since 2021, only video games from major developers and publishers are eligible as standard, although a game from non-major developers and publishers can still be nominated if it achieves a similar level of visibility and impact to a mainstream work.[5] If a game was released prior to the eligibility period, it can still be nominated if "substantial new first-party content" is released during the eligibility period, with said content being evaluated.[4][2]
Video games selected by GLAAD are evaluated based on four criteria: "Fair, Accurate, and Inclusive Representations" of the LGBT community, "Boldness and Originality" of the project, significant "Impact" on mainstream culture, and "Overall Quality" of the project.[6] GLAAD monitors mainstream media to identify which video games will be nominated, while also issuing a Call for Entries that encourages media outlets to submit games for consideration. Video games created by and for an LGBT audience must be submitted in order to be considered for nomination, as GLAAD does not monitor such works for defamation.[6] Winners are determined by a plurality vote by GLAAD staff and board, Shareholders Circle members,[a] as well as volunteers and affiliated individuals.[6]
The award has received some criticism, especially during 2019 and 2020, for its emphasis on mainstream Triple-A video games, which is often viewed as occurring at the expense of indie ones. Furthermore, criticism has also been aimed at the fact many of the mainstream games nominated contained minimal levels of LGBT-inclusive content and representation. Since its inception, the award has been given to six video games. At the 34th GLAAD Media Awards in 2023, the award was given to Apex Legends, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts.
- ^ "GLAAD Media Awards Selection Process". GLAAD. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Polygonwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Official 30th GLAAD Media Awards Category – Outstanding Video Game". GLAAD. 2018. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Official 31st GLAAD Media Awards Category – Outstanding Video Game". GLAAD. 2019. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
- ^ "Official 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Categories". GLAAD. 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c "GLAAD Media Awards Selection Process". GLAAD. October 2012. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ^ "Become a Member. Donate Today. Help us make a difference". GLAAD. 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
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