GLAAD Media Awards chooses Paper Mario after Nintendo reinvents the format

Ten video games have been received to be chosen for the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The program celebrates media work that includes “fair, accurate and inclusive portrayals of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTQ) people and the issues that affect their lives.” There are candidates for television, film, music, theater, journalism and comedy and video games.

One of the 2024 nominees for the top video game is the re-release of Paper Mario: The Millennium Door for Nintendo Switch. The original Japanese version of the GameCube title also included a young character named Vivian who was transgender. The game featured a dialogue about his often overlooked struggles and his journey to understanding who he is. However, the 2002 international version of the game, including the English version released in the US, removed that aspect of the character, removing the language surrounding Vivian’s gender and pronunciation. Last year’s Switch re-release restored the character’s original lines and story for English-speaking players to experience.

A selection of video games is also included Dragon Age: The Veilguard. BioWare has a long history of introducing mysterious characters and romantic options in their games, and it’s great to see them continue to do so with the latest title. Blumhouse’s first horror film adaptation of the game, a fascinating indie project Fear the Lighthe also accepted the title. Here is the full list of nominees for the game:

• Caravan SandWitch (Studio Airplane Toast / Dear Villagers)

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard (BioWare/Electronic Arts)

• Dread Delusion (Lovely Hellplace / DreadXP)

• Dustborn (Red Star Games / Quantic Dream Features)

• Fear the Light (Pals Adventure Games / Blumhouse Games)

• Life Is Strange: A Double Exposure (Deck Nine / Square Enix)

• Thoughts Below Us (BearBone Studio)

• Paper Mario: The Millennium Door (Intelligent Systems / Nintendo)

• Sorry We’re Closed (game mode / Akupara Games)

• Until then (Polychroma Games/Multiple Fun)