Trans Folks Walking

Trans Folks Walking is a 3D, first person narrative game made with Unity that explores experiences of trans embodiment, being, and mobility. The game currently puts players in several situations drawn from the experiences of trans folks in contemporary America, ranging from the everyday such as using the bathroom through the particular such as being trans in a Christian church. The game creates space for trans folks to share their stories and for players to experience small parts of what it means to be trans. The game is intentionally designed as an anthology of short experiences that will grow in collaboration with trans people and their communities.

Cody Mejeur is the project director for Trans Folks Walking and can be contacted at codymeje@buffalo.edu. The narrative, social media, and communications lead for the project is Madison Ford, they can be reached at madison.fay.ford@gmail.com.

Trans Folks Walking on Twitter: @transfolks, https://twitter.com/transfolks

Trans Folks Walking is currently funded in part by a Mellon Foundation grant. It received initial funding from the Empathic Games Initiative at Michigan State University (2018-2020).

DECEMBER 2023 PRODUCTION UPDATE!

After playtesting our complete version of the game, consisting of three levels and stories, this Fall, we are currently doing final polishing on the game for an early 2024 release. Please stay tuned for a final release date and announcements soon!

Team:

Cody Mejeur (lead designer, project director, artist, programmer)

Famous Clark (lead programmer, level designer)

Madison Ford (project manager, narrative designer)

Austin Wilson (composer, sound designer)

Wes Turner (artist, environment designer, 3D models)

Past Team Members:

Ellie Locatis (programmer)

Angela Satullo (artist, environment designer)

A screenshot of the second level, which tells the story of a trans woman returning to the church she grew up in. The image shows a large, dimly lit interior space for a cathedral-like church, filled with pews and columns. There are blue chat bubbles spread throughout the area that provide interactive text and narrative.
A screenshot of the first level, which tells the story of a trans man who is a student studying for finals in a university library and must choose between binary bathroom options. The image shows two chairs, a coffee table, and standing lamp in the hallway outside the bathroom. Behind the chairs are windows showing a sunset outside. The hallway is lit by fluorescent lights.