Polygamer – A Podcast of Equality and Diversity in Gaming & Video Games

Host Ken Gagne concludes eight years of Polygamer with clips and reflections from eight of his most memorable episodes. The post Polygamer #128: Reflecting on Eight Years first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Helene Utterback discusses polyamory, why we don't see this romantic relationship modeled in video games, and how modders have closed the gap. The post Polygamer #127: Helene Utterback on polyamory first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

A podcast interview with Aenne Schumann, narrative designer of the Arcade Spirits visual novels, about social justice, ADHD, and FMV games. The post Polygamer #126: Aenne Schumann of Arcade Spirits first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Game to Grow is a non-profit that promotes the therapeutic, educational, and community growth benefits of gaming. With structured online sessions of Dungeons & Dragons and Minecraft, as well as their own tabletop game called Critical Core, Game to Grow teaches gamers of all ages and to become more confident, creative, and socially capable. In […] The post Polygamer #125: Game to Grow first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Cyndi Wiley is the Digital Accessibility Lead for Iowa State University's Digital Accessibility Lab. Equipped with everything from screenreaders to Xbox consoles, the Lab helps students and faculty create, advocate for, and consume media that is accessible to users of all different abilities. In this interview, Cyndi and I chat about how disability is a […] The post Polygamer #124: Cyndi Wiley, Iowa State University's Digital Accessibility Lead first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Honey P. Rosenbloom is the executive director of Friendship Garden, a founding member of the Alphabet Workers Union, and an accomplished indie game developer. The post Polygamer #123: Honey P. Rosenbloom of Friendship Garden first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

A podcast interview with Allison Holt, a Webby-award-winning web developer who's worked at such video game companies as Turbine, Harmonix & 38 Studios. The post Polygamer #122: Web developer Allison Holt first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Arthur Inasi has spent the last 15 years at Harmonix, developer of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band rhythm games, working as a sound designer, level designer, voice actor, mocap actor, and more. As creative lead of Dance Central VR, he oversaw the series' reboot for Oculus virtual reality headsets. His side hustles include producing […] The post Polygamer #121: Arthur Inasi of Harmonix & Greasy Says first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

After years as a Dungeons & Dragons player, Sabriel Mastin stepped behind the DM screen to run her own campaign. She immediately loved it, creating her own adventures in the world of Eberron. With that experience under her belt, she realized she could help other DMs with their own creations as well. She now offers […] The post Polygamer #120: Sabriel Mastin, D&D editor & Overwatch player first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Bonnie Gordon is an actor, voice actor, and musician extraordinaire. Having previously been a Starfleet ensign at Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas, she now voices the ship's computer on the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. And as part of the Library Bards musical comedy duo, she sings pop culture songs rewritten with nerdy […] The post Polygamer #119: Bonnie Gordon of Star Trek & Con Artist first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Chel Wong is a Boston-based video game composter and sound designer. As a freelancer, she has worked on such titles as the music puzzler Kine, the Starfox-inspired Whisker Squadron, and the surreal adventure RPG She Dreams Elsewhere. Not only has she also helped run the Game Audio Boston group, but as a freelancer, she invests […] The post Polygamer #118: Freelance composer & sound designer Chel Wong first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Dr. Lindsey Migliore, also known as GamerDoc, is a licensed esports physician. While hiking the Appalachian Trail, she realized that only by abandoning her original goal of becoming an NFL team doctor could she combine her passions for medicine and video games. She now works with esports athletes to maintain and improve their health; and, […] The post Polygamer #117: GamerDoc esports physician Dr. Lindsey Migliore first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Beth Daggert has been a game designer, software engineer, lead programmer, director of engineering, and vice president of engineering, within and without the gaming industry. Having worked on such historic franchises as Lode Runner and Star Wars, she recently accomplished a bucket-list item of contributing to the development of an Ultima-inspired role-playing game — for the […] The post Polygamer #116: Beth Daggert of Lode Runner, Star Wars & Nox Archaist first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Brianna Dym is a Ph.D student in the University of Colorado Boulder's information science department under Dr. Casey Fiesler. Brianna's field of study is fanworks: the original creations, derivations, and reimaginings of existing brands and media, from movies to video games. LGBTQIA+ authors engage in this creative component of fandom to produce original stories and […] The post Polygamer #115: Brianna Dym on fanworks first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Dr. Melissa Chaplin is the head of client strategy at Game If You Are, a UK-based marketing firm helping indie video games get the attention they deserve. When not writing press releases, editing trailers, and landing podcast spots for upcoming developers, Melissa is busily building community. She's the founder of Games Industry Lunch Club, a […] The post Polygamer #114: Dr. Melissa Chaplin on indie game marketing first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Maia Weinstock is the creator of LEGO Women of NASA, a kit she proposed on the LEGO Ideas site that won approval to be made into a real product. Now she’s pitching the Women of Computing, a set that pays homage to Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, and other women who were instrumental in the early […] The post Polygamer #113: Maia Weinstock of LEGO Women of Computing first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Kate Olguin knew that finishing her undergraduate career and searching for a job would be difficult; she did not expect a pandemic to make it even harder. Fortunately, armed with a degree in interactive media and game design from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Kate landed as a game designer at Other Ocean Interactive, where she currently […] The post Polygamer #112: Kate Olguin of Other Ocean Interactive first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Ivy Dolamore is an artist, cryptid, and unschooler. The product of a curriculum-free homeschooling education, Ivy quit her job at GameStop to become a full-time artist, supported by commissions, Patreon, and an extensive social media following. Her creations span a variety of art styles and media, including prints, jewelry, and Diamond Art. In this episode, […] The post Polygamer #111: Artist & unschooler Ivy Dolamore first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Amanda Pegg-Wheat is a children’s librarian and branch manager in Quincy, Massachusetts. In addition to books, movies, video games, and Internet access, Amanda offers her patrons another service: Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. As the DM, she guides young adventurers through the fantasy world of Theros — even when the pandemic keeps them from gathering around the […] The post Polygamer #110: Librarian Amanda Pegg-Wheat first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Dianna Lora is an account manager at Massive Entertainment, the Ubisoft studio working on the next Star Wars video game. She is an accomplished multimedia maven, having written reviews, produced videos, and edited podcasts for such outlets as Sony, DualShockers, and GoodgameTV. Now, from her new home in Sweden, Dianna manages corporate relationships with producers, […] The post Polygamer #109: Dianna Lora of Massive Entertainment first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Dr. Rachel Kowert is the host of Psychgeist, a YouTube series that examines the psychology of video games. In her videos, Dr. Kowert examines such concepts as escapism, flow, esports, and Animal Crossing. She is also the research director for Take This, a non-profit that seeks to destigmatize mental health issues in the gaming industry; […] The post Polygamer #108: Dr. Rachel Kowert of Psychgeist first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Kelsey Lewin is the co-director of the Video Game History Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and teaching the history of video games. When not collecting, digitizing, and archiving game history, Kelsey is co-owner of Pink Gorilla Games, a chain of two video game retail stores in Seattle, Washington. In this podcast, Kelsey and […] The post Polygamer #107: Kelsey Lewin of Video Game History Foundation & Pink Gorilla Games first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Courtney Garcia is the host of Screen Therapy, a blog and YouTube channel about how movies and games can be used to promote mental and emotional well-being. Whether they are putting us in a good mood or fulfilling unconscious emotional needs, video games can be used to help us develop our empathy and emotional intelligence […] The post Polygamer #106: Courtney Garcia of Screen Therapy first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Dr. T.L. Taylor is a professor at M.I.T. and the author of several books, including Watch Me Play – Twitch and the Rise of Game Live Streaming. Her ethnographic research into esports and online game streaming have led her to co-found AnyKey, an advocacy organization that supports diversity, inclusion, and equity in competitive gaming; and […] The post Polygamer #105: T.L. Taylor on Twitch streaming first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Creatrix Tiara is a shenaniganist — one who performs in a variety of media and activities, from spoken word to interactive storytelling to sleight of hand to event organizing. Tiara performs as Queer Lady Magician, has been a writer for such games as Here’s Your Fuckin’ Papers and What The $!#&@! Do They Need Now?, and […] The post Polygamer #104: Creatrix Tiara first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Jordan Jones-Brewster is the narrative designer of We should talk., a short-form narrative game available for Steam and consoles. During a single night at a local bar, players will interact with several characters while maintaining a conversation with their girlfriend via text message. Using an innovative “sentence spinner”, players can choose from dozens of responses […] The post Polygamer #103: Jordan Jones-Brewster of We should talk. first appeared on Polygamer - A Podcast of Equality & Diversity in Gaming & Video Games.

Jason Oda is the designer and developer of Waking, a game that uses gamers’ personal memories as weapons in the fight to awaken from a coma. As players explore the landscape of their subconscious, they are prompted to meditate and reflect on their experiences, choosing the memories that will strengthen them and fight alongside them. […]

Parents are raising the next generation of gamers — but let’s give some self-care to the current generation, too. How do we hold onto our identity as gamers after becoming parents? When do we find time for our favorite hobby, and how does having children change what games we’re playing? At PAX East 2020, I […]

Sarah Elmaleh is an actor and voiceover artist best known for her work in video games, including indie titles Gone Home, Read Only Memories, and Pyre, to AAA titles Final Fantasy XV, Gears 5, and Anthem. Her credits also include radio dramas and on-screen performances such as Hey Ash Whatcha Playin’?. Last year saw the […]

Dr. Dana Plank is a ludomusicologist, devoted to the study of video game music and sound. She has researched how game audio is used to represent disability, sensuality, gender, and exoticism, and she has been interviewed for books, podcasts, and MAGFest panels about games including Final Fantasy VI, Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario […]

Nic Tompkins-Hughes has been a freelance writer, company administrator, and panel moderator in the games industry. They are currently raising the next generation of gamers, empowering them to explore gaming, gender, sexuality, and orientation on their own terms. Nic also identifies as transmasculine and is transitioning to non-binary, enjoying the newfound confidence that comes with […]

Dr. Carly Kocurek is an associate professor of digital humanities and media studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Her work in the analysis and preservation of games includes Save Point, a zine about the history of video games whose second issue is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter. She is also researching the “Games for […]

Caspian Whistler is the founder and creative director of A Profound Waste of Time, an independent magazine inspired by video games. Each issue is available in hardcopy only, and each page is uniquely illustrated, combining prose and design from renowned gaming journalists, critics, and developers into a thoughtful collection of essays. The first issue of […]

Dr. Jessica Hebert is a placentologist and nerdy musician with the PDX Broadsides, a Portland, Oregon-based pop-folk trio. Their recent, debut East Coast tour featured songs about Nathan Fillion, Settlers of Catan, and mental health. Jessica is now back home, where she continues her work studying the role of the placenta (the human body’s only […]

Jeri Ellsworth recently launched the Kickstarter for Tilt Five, a mixed-reality headset and game board. Its proprietary approach to augmented reality allows gamers to bring Dungeons & Dragons, racing, pinball, and other games to life, using either symmetrical or asymmetrical gameplay, both locally and online. Having successfully reached its crowdfunding goal of $450,000 in just […]

Dr. Aurit Lazerus, PsyD, is gamer and board game geek with a private clinical practice in Providence, Rhode Island. She uses playfulness and creativity to help her patients feel more understood, connected, balanced, self-aware, and empowered. In this podcast, we chat about the mental health benefits of video games; what playfulness can look like, and […]

Bobbi Augustine Sand is the game designer and author of Knife Sisters, a visual novel published by Transcenders Media. In Knife Sisters, players assume the role of Leo, a non-binary twenty-something exploring BDSM relationships and the occult. Players navigate this black-and-white world by choosing who to spend time with, what kink to explore, and how […]

Alicia Caillier is a product manager at Harmonix Music Systems, developer of music-rhythm video games such as Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Amplitude, and Frequency. Their most recent release is Dance Central for Oculus, the first virtual-reality entry in the long-running Dance Central series. For the first time, players can go online and explore a virtual […]

Athena Z Peters is the founder and co-owner of Adventure Pub, a gaming gastropub located in the suburbs of Boston in Arlington, Massachusetts. Friends, families, and strangers can order from a full food and drink menu, borrow from a library of 400 board games, card games, and role-playing games, and even reserve event space for […]

TQ is a Twitch variety streamer and Take This Ambassador. Her channel frequently hosts charity streams in support mental health, children’s hospitals, and other non-profits close to her heart. This advocacy recently extended to PAX East, where TQ appeared on the panel “Avoiding Burnout in Creative Professions“, speaking from her experience working 60+ hours a […]

The tenth annual PAX East was held last month, and I was honored to host two panels of brilliant speakers. One, “The Return of Couch Play”, can be seen and heard on the IndieSider podcast. The other was “The Art of Craft: Inspiring Game Creations”, featured on this week’s Polygamer podcast. Video games are art […]

Tifa Robles is the author of The Explorers of Azullucent, a young-adult fantasy novel currently on Kickstarter. Over 16 years in the making, this book features a trio of diverse female protagonists on an epic adventure of discovery. Tifa is no stranger to writing, being a regular contributor to the board game website Tabletop-Test. Her […]

Geneviève “Eve” Leblanc is the community manager and QA tester for Clever Endeavour Games, developer of Ultimate Chicken Horse, a multiplayer, multiplatform game. UCH’s community has grown with the game’s original Windows release in 2016, PS4 and Xbox One debut in 2017, and Nintendo Switch port in 2018. Since last year, Eve has fostered this […]

Shannon Symonds is a curator at The Museum of Play, home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games (ICHEG). This institution in Rochester, New York, is home to 60,000+ artifacts of gaming history, from rare game consoles, coin-ops, and prototypes to design documents, periodicals, and transcripts. Shannon, who last month was profiled […]

Meagan Marie is the author of Women in Gaming: 100 Professionals of Play, a new hardcover book and e-book featuring interviews with more than a hundred women in the games industry. The book profiles not only luminaries who have created, diversified, and preserved the industry, such as Jennifer Hale, Perrin Kaplan, Sheri Graner Ray, and […]

Bahiyya Khan is the developer of after HOURS, a full-motion video (FMV) game about sexual assault and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Presented as an interactive film, after HOURS has received critical acclaim and awards at game conferences around the globe for its innovative storytelling and willingness to tackle difficult subjects. The game has also earned […]

Stacy and Mari collectively form Geek Remix, a popular YouTube channel in which the two women Let’s Play and analyze mainstream and indie video games. They don’t stray from terrible or problematic games, acknowledging the challenging aspects of gaming and using them as an opportunity to engage in dialogue about how to make them better. […]

Cynthia Lowen is the director and producer of NETIZENS, a documentary that details the proliferation of online harassment faced by women. The film follows feminist critic Anita Sarkeesian, attorney Carrie Goldberg, and businesswoman Tina Reine as they fight back against the online harassment that has threatened their careers and livelihoods. Lowen ran a successful Kickstarter […]

Angela O’Hara is a senior artist at Big Viking Games, creators of mobile and social games such as YoWorld and Fish World. At Big Viking Games, O’Hara creates vector art for avatars and accessories that players use to design their virtual world. Many of the games are popular with middle-aged women, and diversity and representation […]

Abbey Perl is the founder of the Diverse Gaming Coalition, a non-profit organization charged with ending bullying both online and off. Founded in 2016, the Diverse Gaming Coalition provides resources, education, and safe spaces by organizing events and entertainment media. In this episode, I spoke with Abbey about her own experience with bullying and being […]

Katie Kaitchuck is the executive director of GaymerX, an LGBT-focused gaming convention. In the past year, the organization became a non-profit, separated from the for-profit MidBoss Games, sent diverse indie developers to GDC, and began planning next year’s GaymerX conventions. Amid all this and after only two months as GaymerX’s program director, Kaitchuck became executive […]