Molly House! There’s a good chance you’ve heard of this recent release about queer joy in 18th-century London. Today we’re joined by Jo Kelly to discuss the origins, development, and challenges of creating such a game, including the perils of “emotional hit points,” the difficulties of representing queer joy, and why it’s so important that betrayal was included as an in-game option.

Listen here or download here. Timestamps can be found after the jump.

TIMESTAMPS

1:00 — what is Molly House?
5:30 — Molly House in the Zenobia Award
15:48 — getting connected with Wehrlegig Games
23:12 — the struggle to get Molly House right
27:15 — attribution and development
38:02 — representing queer joy
46:37 — betrayal
56:39 — getting away from “emotional hit points”
59:31 — exposing Dan’s prudishness
1:06:50 — emphasis on community and individual

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