As the gaming landscape continues to evolve with advancements in technology, a growing number of female characters, non-binary protagonists, and diverse development teams creating them, one cannot help but wonder if progress has been made or simply lost amidst a surge of backlash. The current state of the industry seems bleak, with mass layoffs, cancelled projects, and an increasing reliance on video game memes as recruitment tools for ICE – a stark contrast to the optimistic tone of recent years.
For those who have long identified as gamers but never felt represented by mainstream media or advertising, there is a growing sense of frustration. The loss of influential feminist websites like Teen Vogue has left a void that cannot be overstated, and it is this void that the new publication "Mothership" aims to fill. This independent, worker-owned website will focus on reporting on both the good and bad of modern-day game-making – from in-depth reviews and criticism to historical deep dives into games and developers who paved the way for today's industry.
Launched by a queer woman and long-time feminist journalist, Mothership seeks to provide a space where readers can engage with news and discussions centered around gaming without being bombarded by Gamergater rhetoric. The website is built on the principles of subscriber-supported journalism – a model that has shown promise in allowing publications to maintain editorial autonomy while still generating revenue.
The idea for Mothership came about during a particularly tumultuous time for the journalist, who had recently quit her job at Polygon due to mass layoffs and an acquisition that left her feeling undervalued. The experience served as a catalyst for creating a publication that would address the industry's shortcomings while providing a platform for underrepresented voices.
Since its launch six months ago, Mothership has attracted over 1,200 paid subscribers – a testament to the demand for content centered around gaming and identity. The website is poised to serve a specific audience often overlooked by mainstream media: those who don't fit the traditional mold of hardcore gamers. By providing a platform for these voices, Mothership aims to contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations about representation in games and the industry's response to its own shortcomings.
Ultimately, the launch of Mothership represents an urgent need for more nuanced discussions around gaming and identity – one that acknowledges both progress and setbacks. As the publication continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a reminder that journalism can be a powerful tool in shaping public discourse and fostering meaningful change.
For those who have long identified as gamers but never felt represented by mainstream media or advertising, there is a growing sense of frustration. The loss of influential feminist websites like Teen Vogue has left a void that cannot be overstated, and it is this void that the new publication "Mothership" aims to fill. This independent, worker-owned website will focus on reporting on both the good and bad of modern-day game-making – from in-depth reviews and criticism to historical deep dives into games and developers who paved the way for today's industry.
Launched by a queer woman and long-time feminist journalist, Mothership seeks to provide a space where readers can engage with news and discussions centered around gaming without being bombarded by Gamergater rhetoric. The website is built on the principles of subscriber-supported journalism – a model that has shown promise in allowing publications to maintain editorial autonomy while still generating revenue.
The idea for Mothership came about during a particularly tumultuous time for the journalist, who had recently quit her job at Polygon due to mass layoffs and an acquisition that left her feeling undervalued. The experience served as a catalyst for creating a publication that would address the industry's shortcomings while providing a platform for underrepresented voices.
Since its launch six months ago, Mothership has attracted over 1,200 paid subscribers – a testament to the demand for content centered around gaming and identity. The website is poised to serve a specific audience often overlooked by mainstream media: those who don't fit the traditional mold of hardcore gamers. By providing a platform for these voices, Mothership aims to contribute meaningfully to ongoing conversations about representation in games and the industry's response to its own shortcomings.
Ultimately, the launch of Mothership represents an urgent need for more nuanced discussions around gaming and identity – one that acknowledges both progress and setbacks. As the publication continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a reminder that journalism can be a powerful tool in shaping public discourse and fostering meaningful change.
just saw that another big game studio is laying off hundreds of staff... like, what's next? The gaming industry is all about "progress" but it's still so white, male, and able-bodied 
. New site Mothership is trying to fill the void left by lost feminist sites like Teen Vogue, but I'm skeptical 
. It'll be interesting to see how they balance being a worker-owned site with commercial pressures... meanwhile, let's just keep an eye on ICE recruitment ads for video games 
It's like, we needed a breath of fresh air from all the toxic gaming communities out there. I mean, who needs all that drama when you got a platform to share your thoughts and opinions? 
The fact that it's worker-owned and subscriber-supported is giving me all the feels - it's like they're doing it for the love of the game, not just for the clout 
. And 1,200 paid subscribers in six months? That's lit! 
I'm loving the vibe of this site so far - let's keep it up and show the gaming industry what we're made of 
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. It's all about nuance and depth, not just surface-level stuff. They're tackling tough issues head-on, and it's inspiring to see 
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. We can't get complacent or satisfied with just talking about change. We gotta be the ones making that change happen 
. It's about time someone created a space where devs who care about representation can share their thoughts without getting skewered by haters. The fact that they've already got 1,200 subs in six months is a huge win – it shows people are hungry for real journalism on gaming and identity 
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its not about being tokenistic, its about actual representation & inclusion thats what mothership needs to focus on, not just the good vibes 
gaming industry still got a long way 2 go, especially when u consider all the cancelled projects & mass layoffs 
i mean its crazy how much progress we've made but also how much work is left to do on this issue, especially when it comes to women and non-binary folks in the industry 
its like we really need publications that can have tough conversations about the industry's shortcomings without getting too caught up in drama or controversy 
. The good news is that Mothership is trying to fill that void with some much-needed representation and critical reporting