Video game producer Ivan Venturi is calling for greater acceptance and inclusiveness in the gaming world, saying "it's super important" that games cover issues related to the LGBTIQ+ community.
According to (VGC), Venturi is the project director behind a , which seeks to translate the 'inclusive energy' of Pride into an action-game experience.
Featuring the likenesses of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, the game doesn't pull any punches when it comes to communicating a political message - which is important, Venturi says.
“Three years ago I was producing a game called Riot: Civil Unrest, which is a game about fighting between police and rioters,” he told VGC.
“So I had this pixel art crowd in the game already and then on October 11 it was International Coming Out day and I heard young people on the radio talking about coming out to their friends and family.
'Pride Run' has no problem getting political. Source: Green Man Gaming
“It touched me and I wondered as a game producer if I could do anything to help this process: to help give young people courage and show that there’s nothing wrong with who they are.”
He added: “I think it’s super important that games cover these issues. First of all we want to make a fun video game, of course, but also build awareness for example that there is no Pride in Moscow or Istanbul – it’s very dangerous to be homosexual in those places still."
Green Man Gaming told that they were always looking for other ways to support the LGBTIQ+ community.
"As part of the launch of the game, Green Man Gaming is exploring ways of supporting LGBTQ+ rights charities who we feel are aligned with our inclusivity and diversity values," Head of Developer Relations, Jonny Merritt, said.
The gaming community is no stranger to getting political - or queer.
In 2017, a Sydney-based creative studio inspired by the same-sex marriage postal survey, encouraging players to mail their 'yes' votes and overcome a range of political hurdles. Other games have been celebrated in recent years for experience and .
You can watch the trailer for 'Pride Run' below:
