The truly amazing aspect of gaming that has been getting highlighted more and more over the years is the impact of culture. As gaming is an artistic reflection of the developer, it stands to reason that one’s culture and ethnicity will be a part of that vision. We have seen more globalized coverage of such work in showcases like the Women-Led Games Showcase, the Southeast Asian Games Showcase, and the Latin American Games Showcase. We can also see it more locally at times. During Gamer Social Club’s recent coverage of Play.NYC, we were given the opportunity to connect with Latinx in Gaming. Over the course of the weekend, we were able to connect with two game developers from the Latinx community and their passion projects!
More on Latinx in Gaming
Founded in 2018, Latinx in Gaming (LXIG) is a non-profit organization who’s mission is connecting, supporting, and uplifting Latine professionals, students, and other creative endeavors with the gaming industry. Their work stretches across the United States, the Caribbean, as well as Latin America.
Their amazing work also promotes the appreciation of the various Latinx cultures in the world, as well as advocacy of representation within the gaming and gaming-adjacent fields. Their initiatives include such projects as:
- Grant Programs to assist both students and professionals in their continued growth and development within the gaming field.
- The Android Porting Program, which provides direct financial support to Latinx developers looking to test and port their games to Android for eventual publication in the Google Play Store.
- La Escuelita, which is an extensive resource library for developers and those in the field, all provided in Spanish.
We’ve given you a decent serving of information about Latinx in Gaming and their astounding work in the industry. Now, let’s shine the spotlight to the two creative teams featured at the 2025 Play.NYC and what they’re working on!
Toad Tavern
- Developer & Publisher: Community Couch
- Release Date: TBA
- Platform(s): PC (Steam)
In the early 1900’s, the United States went through the era of Prohibition. No booze for anyone! Well anyone…that didn’t know where to look. This era saw the rise of the speakeasy. Ever wonder what it would be like to tend a speakeasy in that time? What if…you were a toad while doing so? That’s the question that is being answered in Toad Tavern!
Toad Tavern is a unique simulation game that takes place in the 1920’s Prohibition Era…in Amphibiopolis. The aim of the game: make drinks and bring success to your boss, Don Pac! The game itself is a series of simulation style mini-games to craft the perfect cocktails. Get the right ingredients, add them in the right ratios, mix, and serve in the right glass. The better your skills, the more options of drinks you’ll have! You will also get the chance to mingle and chat with the other patrons who frequent the joint.
I gave the demo of Toad Tavern a whirl and, honestly, loved what I played! Are the mechanics somewhat simple? Sure! Is it still fun? Yes! And truthfully, that is sometimes what I want at the end of the day – little mini-games in a universe where toad rules.
We also had a chance to speak with Gabriela, Game Director of Toad Tavern, and we discussed some of the inspiration of the game. As the Toad Tavern team is based in Puerto Rico, one of the inspirations Gabriela discussed with us was the coquÃ. This little guy, native to Puerto Rico, is also the unofficial national symbol of this Caribbean island.
You can add Toad Tavern to your Steam Wishlist today!
The Coldest Winter
I adore games that are situated in New York City. I’ve lived just outside the city since 2012. Were I to leave, there would definitely be aspects of it I would miss. Something that I would definitely not miss is what we are treated to in The Coldest Winter.
The Coldest Winter is a psychological horror point-and-click game where your choices will drive the narrative! The best comparison: the Give Yourself Goosebumps series from the mid-90’s by R.L. Stine. The aspect of this point-and-click game that makes it truly unique is the incredibly tense nature that is created. Your options constantly move and shift around the screen, adding to the high-strung nature of the demo…where you’re being mugged at gunpoint. Stressful, no?
The added element of stress? You have your cursor. There is also a cursor that represents the protagonist’s hand that you need to wrangle with your own cursor when making your decision. The best way to describe it: not only are you making a decision in game, you are also influencing the decisions being made by the protagonist.
I got to sit with my partner and fellow Gamer Social Club writer Stephanie for this demo. It was unnerving and sets the stage for what promises to be a truly unique game.
We also had the opportunity to speak with two of the creative minds behind The Coldest Winter: Evan (Game & Art Director, Founder of Vibe XP) and Josué (Audio Director & Composer). During our conversation, the topic of Jovanna, the game’s protagonist, arose. Evan and Josué were able to confirm that Jovanna will be video gaming’s first ever Dominican protagonist!
The Coldest Winter has a demo on Steam and can be added to your Wishlist today!
More Play.NYC Coverage
Be sure to review Gamer Social Club’s top five projects that we tried out during the course of the 2025 Play.NYC and stay tuned for one additional piece of coverage within the next day!
