{"id":928005,"date":"2020-07-23T16:25:21","date_gmt":"2020-07-23T20:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/?p=928005"},"modified":"2025-02-03T16:48:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T21:48:53","slug":"tell-me-why-is-the-first-major-studio-game-to-feature-a-playable-transgender-lead-character","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glaad.org\/tell-me-why-first-major-studio-game-feature-playable-transgender-lead-character\/","title":{"rendered":"Tell Me Why is the First Major Studio Game to Feature a Playable Transgender Lead Character"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated, August 27, 2020<\/strong>: Chapter 1 of\u00a0Tell Me Why<\/em>\u00a0is\u00a0now available to play<\/a>\u00a0on Xbox One, Windows 10, and Steam!\u00a0Click here<\/a>\u00a0for a behind-the-scenes look at creating Tyler, a sneak peek playthrough of the beginning of Chapter 1, and a round up of reviews.<\/p>\n

Updated, July 23, 2020<\/strong>: Today Xbox Game Studios\u00a0and DONTNOD\u00a0released a new\u00a0Chapter One\u00a0trailer for\u00a0Tell Me Why<\/em><\/a>, and announced that the game’s three episodes\u00a0will be released over three consecutive weeks beginning August 27, 2020.\u00a0Tell Me Why<\/em>‘s web site was also updated with\u00a0new information about the game<\/a>, including whether or not Tyler’s birth name is used in the game (it’s not),\u00a0and the game’s approach to trans trauma in storytelling.<\/p>\n

In a frequently asked questions format on the site, the question is posed: “Did Tyler transition as a result of his childhood trauma?” The team answers:\u00a0“No. As players explore the Ronan twins’ childhood home, they will discover memories and sentimental objects which depict the ways Tyler expressed himself as a boy even before his mother’s death. The idea that being transgender is caused by trauma is a stereotype that has no basis in fact, and it plays no role in Tyler’s story.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Another question about possible tragic endings for Tyler is answered:\u00a0“Because so many mainstream narratives about trans people are rooted in pain or trauma, it was important to our team to tell a different, more multi-dimensional story with Tyler. We hope you\u2019ll enjoy everything Tyler\u2019s story has to offer!”<\/em><\/p>\n

On June 26, 2020, Xbox and DONTNOD\u00a0revealed on Twitter<\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0Tell Me Why<\/em> will include another queer character named Michael: “Meet Michael Abila, Alyson’s best friend and coworker! Michael is a queer Tlingit man who’s studying to become a chef. He has plans to leave Delos Crossing and move to Juneau.”<\/p>\n

\"Tell<\/p>\n

As we shared in November, 2019 when the game was announced,\u00a0Nick Adams, GLAAD\u2019s Director of Transgender Representation, has worked alongside DONTNOD and Xbox Game Studios from early in the game\u2019s development to bring this authentic trans narrative to life. Through consultation in story, dialogue, character design, environmental design, and voice casting, GLAAD and the game\u2019s creators have taken care to ensure that Tyler is a genuine, multi-dimensional character, avoiding the many harmful transgender stereotypes and tropes of the past. Tyler is voiced by out trans actor\u00a0August Black<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In a statement released last November, Nick Adams said, \u201cMicrosoft and DONTNOD have approached Tyler with a real commitment to authenticity. Tyler is a fully-realized, endearing character, whose story is not reduced to simplistic trans tropes. Creating a playable lead trans character \u2013 and taking such care to get it right \u2013 raises the bar for future LGBTQ inclusion in gaming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out the\u00a0game’s web site<\/a>\u00a0for more FAQ and watch the trailer for Chapter One\u00a0here<\/a>! Follow the official\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0accounts for more updates on\u00a0Tell Me Why<\/em>!\u00a0Read on for more information about the game released last year.<\/p>\n

Original Post, November 14, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tell Me Why<\/em><\/a>, a new game revealed today at the Xbox X019 celebration in London, promises to set a new standard for transgender representation in gaming. This gripping narrative adventure from\u00a0DONTNOD Entertainment<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Xbox Game Studios<\/a>\u00a0will be the first game from a major studio to feature a playable transgender lead character. Check out the trailer below.<\/p>\n