BAFTA Nominated game Family Dinner is about what it’s like to have dinner with a transphobic family
It’s the year 2020, and LGBT+ youth are in desperate need of help. Family Dinner, a short, narrative-based game from 17-year old Tom Hosford, is a perfect example of why LGBT+ youth are still struggling to come out and live their life with the acceptance they deserve.
In Family Dinner, you play as Tobias, a young trans man whose life is turned upside down thanks to dinner with his close-minded family members. It was written from a personal place, and is designed to help in raising awareness about a situation often overlooked – yet all too common – for LGBT+ youth.
The game has been well-received, with Hosford even being nominated for BAFTA’s 2020 Young Game Designer’s competition.
During my own time playing Hosford’s game, it reminded me of the Coming Out Simulator by Nicky Case. In this case, it is transphobia that causes for the family to finally break apart, but the design is very familiar to those who have played Case’s game. This is far from a criticism, as the focus around the dinner table is an interesting topic by itself and says a lot about location in regards to ‘coming out.’
If you’re interested in Tom Hosford’s game, Family Dinner, then go check it out over on itch.io.
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