Queering Spacetime
You are destined lovers across the whole of space and time.
In each millennia and every passing moment, you find each other again.
Sometimes you are just friends, and other times you fall deeply in love.
Each time you find each other, you are always a little different. It takes time to relearn what you both enjoy and how to take care of each other, but you are determined to make it work.
Whether or not you stay is another story, but sometimes all we have is the here and now, and we do our best to enjoy it with the people we have.
It is in this queer space, the in-between space, that we begin.
NOTE: Some of this info is outdated, since I will no longer be doing a Kickstarter.
BASIC INFO
Developer: Joyce Lin, Based in California
Website: https://jowlin.wixsite.com/queeringspacetime
Twitter: @queerspacetime
Projected release date: 2020
Projected Kickstarter date: Early 2020. Doing a Kickstarter solo is hard and there's still a lot I'm learning
Platform: Tabletop
Number of Players: 2-4
Time per Game: 15-30 minutes
Age: 14+
GAME DESCRIPTION
Queering Spacetime is a whimsical and inclusive pastel dating sim card game for 2-4 players, set in liminal spaces (e.g. a gas station at 1am). Roleplay girls with big crushes on each other, who also happen to be destined lovers across spacetime.
I created this game for those who want to see more positive LGBT+ and POC representation in media. Asian and African characters are often depicted without the recognition that those categories hold many specific ethnicities. That is why I created characters specifically Nigerian and Vietnamese, which excited players of those ethnicities. Similarly, I included romantic and sexual orientations such as biromanticism, asexuality, and demisexuality. I want players to feel represented in media made for them and create a sense of solidarity and belonging for them.
Queering Spacetime is unique because it is a queer and inclusive dating simulation card game set in mostly liminal spaces with an end goal of increased intimacy between players. It was designed with values against the capitalistic values of many games today. Instead of linear points-based progression, it focuses on a compromise mechanic in creating a series of enjoyable dates, emphasizing all players finding joy in subverting space and time, and celebrating queer existence. The end goal is an increased intimacy between players, and suggesting ways to bring that love into the non-diegetic space.
HISTORY
I made Queering Spacetime for a Visual Communication Interaction Design course at UC Santa Cruz, taught by Marcelo Viana Neto. Last year, I was awarded the Koret Undergraduate Research Fund of $2000 for revising and expanding it with mentorship from Marcelo. I aim to do a Kickstarter for it and publish it in 2020.
KICKSTARTER INFO
Joyce Lin is Kickstarting to fund for the printing of Queering Spacetime.
The game is 95% finished. Joyce is planning to add 4 more characters to add butch and racial diversity, as well as finalize the logo design and reformat the cards for printing.
Still working out the details, but the expected core reward price where you get the game will be 20~25. The campaign will conclude after 30 days. Backers are expected to receive their rewards within 3 months of the Kickstarter's conclusion.
GAMEPLAY
The goal is to work together to craft the perfect dates that they would both/all enjoy. Players draw character cards that represent the girl they will roleplay. On them are personality traits and love languages (Are they introverted or extroverted? Lean or buff? Do they enjoy touch, time, knitting, or decoding alien languages?)
Dates are prompted by situation cards with multiple choice or fill-in-the-blanks. Each player decides what action would best suit their character. Once everyone reveals their choice, they can choose to compromise according to what would spark the most joy for all characters involved.
The twist is that starting the second turn in each round, they must roll a D10 or higher before drawing a prompt card. If they roll a 1, the round ends. Time shifts and players enter another life. Each person with a character card must draw a new character card, and another round begins.
The game is as long or short as players want it to be. Players win the game if they are smiling and happy and enjoying themselves, having crafted and experienced by proxy an experience that takes care of both/all of them and is wholesome and good.
PICTURES
Current Logo:
Pictures Credit to Simon Boas
Character and Prompt Card Examples
PRESS COVERAGE:
Articles:
Fear, Anxiety and Hope: What It Means to Be a Minority in Gaming, NYT Feature
AWARDS & ACCOLADES:
IndieCade Nomination for Spotlight in Tabletop Award, 2019
Bit Bash at MSI - Showcase Selection, 2019
Game Devs of Color Expo - Official Selection, 2019
Playdate Pop-up - Official Selection, 2019
Koret Undergraduate Research Scholarship, 2018
Different Games Conference Arcade - Official Selection, 2018
PERMISSION
I give permission to the press to use any of the words and assets in this presskit.