I just wanted to say thank you [Warning: Spoilers]

[Ms Peaches]

So I discovered this game when I was (and still am) going through a turbulent time. I was on a trans meme subreddit and saw this cute character that a news article said was canonically trans.

Curious I decided to give the game a try. I've never cried so much when playing a game. I'm a trans woman and this game helped and still helps me in times when I'm deeply distraught. It lets me know I'm not alone and I can make it.

The world is currently railing against people like me. It's hard.... It's hard when you're told to be quiet. When your very existence is treated like some kind of political choice to be punished. Seeing all of this in the world and thinking of all the years wasted in my life in denial and an abusive environment I turn back to this game.

It helps when the world is it's darkest. It helps when I think things that can't be mentioned. It keeps me here. it keeps me grounded. and for that I wanted to say thank you.

EDIT: I'm extremely disappointed in the comments section.

[Chocos Ramabotti]

I don't want to lessen your enjoyment, but Madelines trans background was an afterthought, the games overall story was designed in a way that it can be applied more commonly, not just to trans people.
I really didn't like the inclusion of Chapter 9, because it entirely warps the picture I had from the game back then. Now you get the impression Madeline hates herself because she had to suffer a lot from her trans background, which is ok I guess but not so much when you just slap it on in hindsight. The Harry Potter franchise had a similiar controversy in. It transformed from an game with themes that everyone can relate to, to an game that only caters to a very small niche demographic.

It's obvious that the inclusion had something to do with the evolution of the creators (Maddy Thorson) gender as well, but I wished he wouldn't retcon his old game and instead create a new one which focus more on these themes.

However if you really want something comforting I suggest this game to you:
(it's in a sale right now)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/842910/The_MISSING_JJ_Macfield_and_the_Island_of_Memories/

[Perseus]

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

I don't want to lessen your enjoyment, but Madelines trans background was an afterthought, the games overall story was designed in a way that it can be applied more commonly, not just to trans people.
I really didn't like the inclusion of Chapter 9, because it entirely warps the picture I had from the game back then. Now you get the impression Madeline hates herself because she had to suffer a lot from her trans background, which is ok I guess but not so much when you just slap it on in hindsight. The Harry Potter franchise had a similiar controversy in. It transformed from an game with themes that everyone can relate to, to an game that only caters to a very small niche demographic.

It's obvious that the inclusion had something to do with the evolution of the creators (Maddy Thorson) gender as well, but I wished he wouldn't retcon his old game and instead create a new one which focus more on these themes.

(Maddy Thorson is "she/they")
Maybe you should read the article they posted about it, it would probably clear up your misunderstandings :
https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1324579049256136704

[Chocos Ramabotti]

Originally posted by Perseus:

(Maddy Thorson is "they")

My bad.

Maybe you should read the article they posted about it, it would probably clear up your misunderstandings :
https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1324579049256136704

Yeah I read the full article long ago and it only confirmed my view when they said "Madeline is trans I just didn't know at this point"
They even admit they would write the game differently with their new perspective, but I think games are a product of its author and the time in their life. Characters are fictional, Madeline wasn't intended to be trans when she was created, fictional characters don't just develop independently from the author, sry but then we have to agree that fictional characters are real, but all they try is to imitate reality / alternate reality.

[Ms Peaches]

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

Originally posted by Perseus:

(Maddy Thorson is "they")

My bad.

Maybe you should read the article they posted about it, it would probably clear up your misunderstandings :
https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1324579049256136704

Yeah I read the full article long ago and it only confirmed my view when they said "Madeline is trans I just didn't know at this point"
They even admit they would write the game differently with their new perspective, but I think games are a product of its author and the time in their life. Characters are fictional, Madeline wasn't intended to be trans when she was created, fictional characters don't just develop independently from the author, sry but then we have to agree that fictional characters are real, but all they try is to imitate reality / alternate reality.

why is this so important to you? There are literally thousands of cisgender, heterosexual, white, male characters in the world. Why do you have to try and take away something that gives people happiness?

[Chocos Ramabotti]

Originally posted by Ms Peaches:

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

My bad.



Yeah I read the full article long ago and it only confirmed my view when they said "Madeline is trans I just didn't know at this point"
They even admit they would write the game differently with their new perspective, but I think games are a product of its author and the time in their life. Characters are fictional, Madeline wasn't intended to be trans when she was created, fictional characters don't just develop independently from the author, sry but then we have to agree that fictional characters are real, but all they try is to imitate reality / alternate reality.

why is this so important to you? There are literally thousands of cisgender, heterosexual, white, male characters in the world. Why do you have to try and take away something that gives people happiness?

I don't take it away from you I just critisize it, you could identify with Madelines struggle regardless of her gender. which is an overall positive message for everyone including you. You could translate the hardships of hers to your own, it was open enough that anyone could make their own thoughts, now the whole trans theme sheds a different light on the story, so it's more like something was took away from the crowd in favour of an theme Maddy Thorson struggles with in a later part of their life.
The setting being exclusive for a certain audience contradicts the overall themes of the game, it was supposed to be for everyone, hence the assistant mode which allows everyone to experience everything the game has to offer. (without any drawbacks)

[Ms Peaches]

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

I don't take it away from you I just critisize it, you could identify with Madelines struggle regardless of her gender. which is an overall positive message for everyone including you. You could translate the hardships of hers to your own, it was open enough that anyone could make their own thoughts, now the whole trans theme sheds a different light on the story, so it's more like something was took away from the crowd in favour of an theme Maddy Thorson struggles with in a later part of their life.
The setting being exclusive for a certain audience contradicts the overall themes of the game, it was supposed to be for everyone, hence the assistant mode which allows everyone to experience everything the game has to offer. (without any drawbacks)

How does making her trans exclude her from anyone? Yes I get her struggle can be for anyone but her personal struggle relating to being trans doesn't make it translate any less. Seriously I swear any time a character is confirmed to be trans there's always someone who looses their ♥♥♥♥ and has to argue about how "woke = broke"

Stop for a second and think about why you're actually arguing about this. You're literally going out of your way to argue over an issue that doesn't need to be a thing.

[Chocos Ramabotti]

Originally posted by Ms Peaches:

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

I don't take it away from you I just critisize it, you could identify with Madelines struggle regardless of her gender. which is an overall positive message for everyone including you. You could translate the hardships of hers to your own, it was open enough that anyone could make their own thoughts, now the whole trans theme sheds a different light on the story, so it's more like something was took away from the crowd in favour of an theme Maddy Thorson struggles with in a later part of their life.
The setting being exclusive for a certain audience contradicts the overall themes of the game, it was supposed to be for everyone, hence the assistant mode which allows everyone to experience everything the game has to offer. (without any drawbacks)

How does making her trans exclude her from anyone? Yes I get her struggle can be for anyone but her personal struggle relating to being trans doesn't make it translate any less. Seriously I swear any time a character is confirmed to be trans there's always someone who looses their ♥♥♥♥ and has to argue about how "woke = broke"

Stop for a second and think about why you're actually arguing about this. You're literally going out of your way to argue over an issue that doesn't need to be a thing.

You discovered the game under the premise this game features a trans person and I just wanted to point that isn't or wasn't the case for the longest time, a lot of the dialouges from the early game weren't written under the premise Madline was trans.

I don't think the developer deserves credit for a simple retcon (in the same fashion J.K Rowling didn't), you can't add "ah yeah and she is trans" afterwards and expect the game to become more progressive.

At the same time I recommended you a game which portrays the topic (especially the struggle) in a much better sense. (actually it's a plot twist so yeah sry for spoilers)
Games like this deserve way more recognition and don't have such a large playerbase like Celeste.
It's so unfortunate that so often times, games who were made for a certain audience don't get the attention from the same audience. There is a game called "A Blind Legend", while at the same time there are 2 youtube channels of blind people who play video games (fairly known) who haven't played or spoken about the game once, but guess what they've played instead? Right Celeste.

Nothing more, that was the intention of my posting,

I didn't want to insult you and i'm definitely not from this "woke = broke" crowd.

So yeah sry nontheless if I hurted you.

[Colbasthe]

So Madeline is depressed transgender, but that doesn't mean it's just for transgender people or people with social problems.

I loved this game because I had a difficult childhood with social anxiety and found that playing this game and still have social anxiety but not severe.
Ms Peaches loved this game (what i think) because Madeline is transgender and going through difficult times like her.

Some people love this game for music, some people love this game for precise platforms.Many people loved this game for different reasons. So that doesn't mean everyone came to or liked this game for the same reasons .

(sorry for bad english)

[Perseus]

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

You discovered the game under the premise this game features a trans person and I just wanted to point that isn't or wasn't the case for the longest time, a lot of the dialouges from the early game weren't written under the premise Madline was trans.

I don't think the developer deserves credit for a simple retcon (in the same fashion J.K Rowling didn't), you can't add "ah yeah and she is trans" afterwards and expect the game to become more progressive.

You saying all of this strongly suggests you didn't read the article. Maybe you should re-read it, with extra care?

[Duckboycool]

Originally posted by Chocos Ramabotti:

I don't think the developer deserves credit for a simple retcon (in the same fashion J.K Rowling didn't), you can't add "ah yeah and she is trans" afterwards and expect the game to become more progressive.

I think it's inaccurate to call it a retconning. The game was written based off of the anxieties and stresses due (at least partially) to one of its creators being trans. I think your insistence that it would have to have been knowingly written based off of those experiences in order to be really true is silly.

Obviously this doesn't mean only trans people should be able to relate to or enjoy the game's story, but I don't see why you're denying that it's at least partially a trans story.

[williamatics16]

I love how that other guy's comment caused more anger than mine. Laughing out loud!

[Duckboycool]

Originally posted by williamatics16:

I love how that other guy's comment caused more anger than mine. Laughing out loud!

What was there to say about your comment? You're transphobic and probably weren't going to change your mind from what anybody said. I do wonder if you were just stalking the forums until you could say something about it since it was your first post here.

It's more interesting to reply to somebody who seems to actually care and might actually think about what you say.

[williamatics16]

Originally posted by Duckboycool:

Originally posted by williamatics16:

I love how that other guy's comment caused more anger than mine. Laughing out loud!

What was there to say about your comment? You're transphobic and probably weren't going to change your mind from what anybody said. I do wonder if you were just stalking the forums until you could say something about it since it was your first post here.

It's more interesting to reply to somebody who seems to actually care and might actually think about what you say.

This was my first post here, but I wasn't looking for a discussion like this. I merely saw it and realized that I had to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. (Not that the cost is very big in this case...)

By the way, I identify as a king. If you don't bow to me, call me "your majesty", and pay me taxes, you are literally giving me depression.

I'm not transphobic because I'm not afraid of trans people. Trans people are afraid of me.

[Lomax the Professional Lowlife]

Originally posted by williamatics16:

Originally posted by Duckboycool:

What was there to say about your comment? You're transphobic and probably weren't going to change your mind from what anybody said. I do wonder if you were just stalking the forums until you could say something about it since it was your first post here.

It's more interesting to reply to somebody who seems to actually care and might actually think about what you say.

This was my first post here, but I wasn't looking for a discussion like this. I merely saw it and realized that I had to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. (Not that the cost is very big in this case...)

By the way, I identify as a king. If you don't bow to me, call me "your majesty", and pay me taxes, you are literally giving me depression.

I'm not transphobic because I'm not afraid of trans people. Trans people are afraid of me.

Translation for normal people: I'm an alpha male. I know this because I listen and live by the words of other "alphas", living my life and dedicating my existence to them. I stand up for the bulling of and discrimination against trans people, and also actively try to make trans people feel unsafe. I also like to make statements about identifying as an attack helicopter, and think Ben Shapiro is smart in some way. Also I get 0 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and have a 1 centimetre long penis.

[williamatics16]

Originally posted by Lomax the Professional Lowlife:

Originally posted by williamatics16:

This was my first post here, but I wasn't looking for a discussion like this. I merely saw it and realized that I had to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost. (Not that the cost is very big in this case...)

By the way, I identify as a king. If you don't bow to me, call me "your majesty", and pay me taxes, you are literally giving me depression.

I'm not transphobic because I'm not afraid of trans people. Trans people are afraid of me.

Translation for normal people: I'm an alpha male. I know this because I listen and live by the words of other "alphas", living my life and dedicating my existence to them. I stand up for the bulling of and discrimination against trans people, and also actively try to make trans people feel unsafe. I also like to make statements about identifying as an attack helicopter, and think Ben Shapiro is smart in some way. Also I get 0 ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and have a 1 centimetre long penis.

Why are all you guys so obsessed with private parts?