The girls, the gays, and the gamers are eating well—again. “Dragon Age: The Veilguard,” the much-hyped, trans-inclusive fantasy RPG from BioWare and EA, made magic this week at the Gayming Awards 2025, walking away with not one, not two, but three glittering wins. If you felt a seismic shift in West Hollywood on Tuesday, now you know why.
The action-RPG sequel to “Dragon Age: Inquisition” nabbed Game of the Year, Best LGBTQ+ Character for its gender-diverse and customizable hero Rook, and Best LGBTQ+ Voice Actor for Erika Ishii, whose portrayal of Rook brought life, sass, and sword-swinging depth to the franchise’s queerest entry yet.
Held at the iconic queer watering hole The Abbey—yes, the same one that inspired Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club”—the ceremony was a celebration of unapologetically queer gaming. It was live-streamed globally, naturally, because the moment was just that major.
“We couldn’t have accomplished this without each and every person on this project,” said Gary McKay, BioWare’s general manager, in his acceptance speech. “The game reflects the passion, creativity, and unique perspectives of everyone involved. I’m honored to share this award with you all.”
McKay also got emotional over the LGBTQ+ character award, calling it “deeply meaningful to us as a team,” and sent love to the “four fabulous voice actors who brought Rook to life and championed our inclusive approach.” Because honey, it takes a village—and a fabulous cast—to build a queer fantasy epic.
Why It Matters
For queer gamers, “Dragon Age: The Veilguard” isn’t just a good time with swords and spells—it’s representation. In a gaming world still plagued by lazy tropes, oversexualized queer baiting, and sidekick-level diversity, “Veilguard” puts queerness front and center. Trans and non-binary players get to see themselves not just reflected, but celebrated, complete with top surgery scars and pronoun options baked into the narrative.
The awards aren’t just a win for a game; they’re a win for every LGBTQ+ kid who grew up feeling like the hero slot wasn’t built for them. Rook, with all their customizable queerness, is a bold counterspell to that outdated notion.
Other winners that night added to the sparkle. “The Last of Us Part 2: Remastered” won the Gayming Readers’ Award, while “Kitsune Tails” took Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game. “Arcane: Season 2” slayed with LGBTQ+ Geek Entertainment of the Year, and Code Coven was honored for its work in diversity in the industry.
But let’s be real—the night belonged to “Veilguard.” And if you haven’t played it yet, you’re missing out on one of the queerest—and fiercest—fantasy adventures in gaming.
Because when queer stories are told by queer creators for queer audiences, magic happens. Literal and metaphorical.