ChatGPT - The Future of Queer Play?

Abstract

Can Large Language Models provide new ways of playing? This paper examines ChatGPT as an avenue to explore new playgrounds for queer play — player behavior which subverts game systems and objectives to meet queer desires. Categorizing queer play into two distinct natures — invasive and non-invasive, the study delves into how queer gamers have ingeniously reacted to heteronormative game systems. In response to this tension, the paper investigates: Are Large Language Models able to solve the conflict between restrictive game structures and queer player desires? To assess the performance of ChatGPT as a facilitator of queer play, I developed a game prototype where players engaged in open dialogues with NPCs linked to ChatGPT. Players completed a short questionnaire. The findings show that ChatGPT can indeed facilitate queer play. Moreover, players engaging in queer play experienced a greater sense of autonomy. Queer play, however, did not heavily affect the overall player experience. Finally, the paper calls for an embrace of Large Language Models as a promising tool to queer games and encourage queer play.