In this second part of our journey into the Woke Games Steam List, Matt, Jem, and Alex continue dissecting the spreadsheet compiled by a Steam group determined to flag games they believe are “too woke.” The list includes 1,600 titles categorised based on content they find politically or socially objectionable, particularly anything seen as pro LGBTQ+, progressive themes, or diverse narratives.

In this episode, the GTS Pod explores what motivates this kind of cataloguing, who benefits from it, and what it tells us about gamers and the industry.

Absurd - Calling Hades out for LGBTQ+ characters - you've read some Greek myths right!?

Overt - Elden Ring - overly pro-LGBT!? - There's not a single overt moment in the game.

No stone left unturned - You have to play a lot of The Witcher 3 to find a minor character's hidden gay backstory.

“They’ve done a really good piece of research here… what they’ve shown is that people want woke games.” — Jem

“You don’t need to understand why these horrifying things happen, just that they can—and that should inform how you live.” — Matt

“They have to play the shit out of these games to get some of the conclusions they’ve got.” — Alex

While serious in theme, this episode balances critique with a touch of dry humour and clear-eyed reflection. The hosts neither dismiss the spreadsheet outright nor let its authors off the hook. Instead, they explore how such attempts to gatekeep culture often backfire—offering more insight into societal change than the creators may have intended.

As always, the team brings an intersectional feminist lens to the conversation, grounding their analysis in empathy, history, and an unflinching look at how backlash often reveals more about fear than fact.

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If you love Gaming The System, consider supporting us:
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🎙 Gaming The System releases new episodes every Thursday

Thanks for listening, and remember – there’s always another game to play that isn’t full of nonsense. 🎮✨

#GamingTheSystem #GamingNews #MarvelRivals #BoobPhysics #GamingCulture #FeministGaming #ElonMuskGamingScandal #GamerGuilt #feministgamingpodcast​ #feministgamers​ #intersectionalgaming​ #equalityingames #girlgamer​ #gamergirl​

In this first half of our two-part deep dive, the Gaming the System crew tackles a bizarre and troubling corner of the gaming world: a Steam curator list designed to help players avoid so-called “woke” games. Yes, really.

Matt, Jem, and Alex dissect this extensive (and often baffling) database compiled by those who see diversity, empathy, and inclusion as threats to gaming. We explore the origins of the term "woke," how it's been weaponised by the political right, and how it's used here as a catch-all for anything remotely progressive, from LGBT+ representation to pro-environmental themes.

What does “woke” even mean anymore? Why are empathy and awareness now considered dangerous? And what can this curated list tell us about the broader culture war in games?

You’ll hear reflections on historical context, linguistic appropriation, and how control over language shapes the battlefield. We also look closely at the group's supposed “discussion rules” behind the list, and what those reveal about attempts to mask ideological extremism behind a facade of reasonableness.

From mocking the list’s contradictions to tracing its deeply political implications, we keep things sharp, critical, and (as always) intersectionally feminist.

Highlights:
Shifting definitions of “woke” and its appropriation across decades
Representation in games becomes a lightning rod for backlash
Forum rules can serve as a cloak for exclusionary ideology
Children of Men, the roots of the term “stay woke,” and more
DEI or DIE?

📢 Support the Podcast!

Let us know on BlueSky (@gamingthesystem.bsky.social), Instagram (@gamingthesystempodcast) or in the comments on YouTube!

If you love Gaming The System, consider supporting us:
🔹 Patreon: patreon.com/gamingthesystem – get exclusive content!
🔹 PayPal Donations: gamingthesystem@gmail.com
🔹 Subscribe & Review: Share the podcast with fellow gamers!

🎙 Gaming The System releases new episodes every Thursday

Thanks for listening, and remember – there’s always another game to play that isn’t full of nonsense. 🎮✨

#GamingTheSystem #GamingNews #MarvelRivals #BoobPhysics #GamingCulture #FeministGaming #ElonMuskGamingScandal #GamerGuilt #feministgamingpodcast​ #feministgamers​ #intersectionalgaming​ #equalityingames #girlgamer​ #gamergirl​

In the second half of our conversation with Chris on writing in games, we dive even deeper into how writing has evolved across the gaming industry. From the early days of text-based adventures to cinematic storytelling powerhouses like God of War and Baldur's Gate 3, we explore what makes game writing work.

We touch on the layered history of iconic characters like Lara Croft and James Bond, and how their portrayals reflect broader societal shifts. Is Lara’s journey just about tomb raiding, or does it say something deeper about class, identity, and representation? Why does 007's timeless charm continue to appeal?

Don't miss:

• How good writing transformed a rage machine into a compelling father figure in God of War.
• Marvel-style quippiness is invading game scripts - good or bad?
• Can dialogue be Shakespearean in a game about space marines?

If you care about how stories are told in games—whether through dialogue, narrative structure, or absence thereof—this one’s for you.

Links and Mentions:

• Baldur’s Gate 3
• The Witcher
• Disco Elysium
• Tomb Raider (Classic to Modern Trilogy)
• God of War (2005 & 2018)
• Uncharted
• The Last of Us
• Forspoken
• Warhammer 40K and the Horus Heresy books
• Lutin (YouTube channel)

Join the conversation:
Do you think quippy dialogue ruins a game? Can a storyless game still be good? Let us know your thoughts and stay tuned for more deep dives.

📢 Support the Podcast!

Let us know on BlueSky (@gamingthesystem.bsky.social), Instagram (@gamingthesystempodcast) or in the comments on YouTube!

If you love Gaming The System, consider supporting us:
🔹 Patreon: patreon.com/gamingthesystem – get exclusive content!
🔹 PayPal Donations: gamingthesystem@gmail.com
🔹 Subscribe & Review: Share the podcast with fellow gamers!

🎙 Gaming The System releases new episodes every Thursday

Thanks for listening, and remember – there’s always another game to play that isn’t full of nonsense. 🎮✨

#GamingTheSystem #GamingNews #MarvelRivals #BoobPhysics #GamingCulture #FeministGaming #ElonMuskGamingScandal #GamerGuilt #feministgamingpodcast​ #feministgamers​ #intersectionalgaming​ #equalityingames #girlgamer​ #gamergirl​