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Tell Me Why Is Free So Players Can Support Trans And Queer Communities Directly

Developer Dontnod hopes players will use the money they may have spent on Tell Me Why to instead directly support trans and queer communities directly.

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Episodic adventure game Tell Me Why is free on Xbox platforms, Windows 10, and Steam for the entire month of June to celebrate Pride Month, and developer Dontnod has a few recommendations on where players can instead spend the money they may have spent on Dontnod's game to more directly help transgender and queer communities.

In a blog post, the developers made clear their reasons for making Tell Me Why free.

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Now Playing: Tell Me Why Cinematic Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2020

"Our intention in making Tell Me Why free for June 2021 is both to allow even more people to access the game and to encourage our players to spend their money in places that will directly affect trans and queer communities," the post reads.

The developers go on to list a number of ways players can support LGBTQIA+ communities, ranging from donating to a charity, giving aid to a trans or queer person in need directly, or financially supporting games and interactive fiction from trans or queer creators, such as Happy Ray Games' Ikenfell. Dontnod points out that even for those who can't support with money, they can still be an advocate for trans and queer rights by promoting works by trans and queer creators and by learning about contributions made by LGBTQIA+ people throughout world history.

One of Tell Me Why's main characters, Tyler Ronan, is trans, and is voiced by trans voice actor August Black. The game was the first major title to feature a main, playable trans character. Dontnod worked closely with the LGBTQIA+ media group GLAAD to ensure the depiction of the game's trans and queer characters were respectful and and authentic.

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willow69

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You could not pay me enough to play that game. I have no interest in that stuff what so ever.

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rotchild

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@willow69: "stuff" = whatever triggers your obvious transphobia?

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cetaepsilon

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@rotchild: I'd like to give an honest answer but I don't think it will survive censorship.

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rotchild

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Edited By rotchild

@cetaepsilon: I guess you mean "canceled" (in your case), right? If you wanna play victim (poor fella), at least use proper wording ;)

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Proxima1025

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@rotchild: Not having an interest in something doesn't mean you hate it or are 'phobic' (still don't understand how someone can have an irrational fear of a sexual identity though).

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rotchild

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@proxima1025: Well, very true... So why comment if the person has no interest in the subject? And guess what? It's a blatant lie: the same person would probably take less money than we imagine to play the game, indeed.

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blindbsnake

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@willow69: Just out of curiosity... what stuff?

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OdinXivraj

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Good on you for bringing our attention to a good cause. Shame you didn't bother to explain the actual game to us. You know to get people interested in the game. Guess the idea escaped you.

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santinegrete

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Edited By santinegrete

@OdinXivraj: can you compare it's gameplay to game I may know to know what to expect?

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sladakrobot

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@santinegrete: TellTale games(but without QTEs),Life is Strange

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BeefoTheBold

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@sladakrobot:

Thank you. Appreciate the tip.

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mrbojangles25

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Edited By mrbojangles25

@OdinXivraj: Because most people enticed by the social justice aspect would have been turned off of the game if they knew how boring it was.

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blindbsnake

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Its a very soft game about family and trauma and misguided love. Focusing only in the Trans character to make a publicity stunt takes value out of the game... in my opinion. I liked the game, 6.5/10...

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SexyPoot

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@blindbsnake: It's almost like they're pandering or something...

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