Soft, narrative-driven 2D indie-queer game that explores the little moments of Disabled and Queer experiences and the intersections between. Our team has woven these stories together, drawing from our lived experiences.

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Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“We have three independent stories ready to be told from beginning to end, and we’re excited for feedback from our community to refine and finalize them. There are more in the works, but we can’t wait to share these little snippets of life in the meantime. We are and will remain free-to-play.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Around a year and a half, although we’re not married to that timeline. We’re focused on refining the performance and accessibility of our current three narratives while we keep the wheels turning behind the scenes on more. Keep an eye on our updates here and our social channels for more in the coming weeks! ”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“There will be more polish on the existing levels, planned accessibility features should be operational, and we are working on more Queer and Disabled stories to add to the collection. ”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“We currently have three fully playable levels, ready for our community to explore and find themselves, friends, loved ones reflected back at them. You may find a few bumps along the road, Could gain the powers of invisibility? Battle endless, inescapable pop-ups? (we’ll fix that before EA rolls out, but who knows- maybe it’ll come back in a Send the Email- Hard Mode mini-game). ”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“No, we will remain free to play. The Things Left Behind is designed as an open-access project. ”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“As we approach Early Access we have plans in place to review feedback from multiple pathways. We are also conducting targeted playtesting sessions with Disability and LGBTQIA2S+ community partners; we can’t wait to share more Developer Diaries reflecting on the updates and changes we make!”
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About This Game

The Things Left Behind is a soft, narrative-driven, 2D indie game about the little moments of Queer and Disabled life, the ways our identities intersect, and the love, humor, tenderness, and care woven into our everyday experiences.

Told through a collection of intimate, playable slice-of-life vignettes, the game invites you into the worlds of Queer and Disabled characters as they navigate friendship, identity, intimacy, overwhelm, joy, and simply being together. These are stories drawn from our own lived experiences, woven together by a community of Queer and Disabled creators.

Every level is its own little world, lovingly crafted by Queer and Disabled artists, writers, musicians, and game designers. Each vignette features its own distinct art style, original music, story, and interactive mechanics, reflecting the unique creative voices and experiences behind it. Some moments are funny, some are messy, some are vulnerable, and some are wonderfully ordinary. All are grounded in the ways we find care, connection, and belonging in one another.

Rather than asking you to win, overcome, or fix anything, The Things Left Behind invites you to slow down, be present, and share in these small, meaningful moments of Queer and Disabled life.

Come Along With Us for Playable, Raw Moments

Move through a child’s birthday party in So Much World, All At Once as sound builds and escape into their imagination to help them ground themselves as those that love them can be just a little too loud celebrating them… Breathe in… Breathe out…

Journey through a forest alongside two friends, sharing quiet conversations, discovering little trinkets, and finding joy in simply being together. As you wander, one friend, a transfemme individual subtly transitions in appearance. It's never announced or explained; it's simply a part of her life, embraced within the warmth and familiarity of their friendship. Through it all, their affection, honest conversations, and shared joys remain. Do you think things will always be like this? What do you mean? Like… will things always get to be this way?

Step into the messy, meandering day of a transmasc person in Harried, where finding a little executive function is easier said than done. Try to tackle a seemingly endless list of tasks, get pulled into distractions, and watch as time slips away. Amid the frustration, unfinished chores, and small everyday struggles, find humor, tenderness, and comfort in the care of a loving partner. Why did I let it get so bad in here…

Each story stands on its own, with distinct art styles, mechanics, and tone. Together, they form a growing collection of playable experiences grounded in lived reality.

Designed Around Care

• Narrative-driven 2D gameplay
• Short, self-contained vignette structure
• Dialogue and exploration-focused interaction
• Distinct art styles and mechanics per level
• No fail states, no score pressure
• Keyboard, mouse, and controller support
• Built in Unity

A Community-Centered Design Process

The Things Left Behind is a game made by Queer and Disabled people, about Queer and Disabled lives, for anyone willing to spend a little time in our worlds.

The Things Left Behind is created through partnerships with disability and LGBTQIA2S+ organizations that support workforce development and inclusive creative practice. Collaborators are brought into the project from the beginning. Partners begin by learning Unity-based game development, contributing to design and narrative decisions, and participating in play-testing and iteration. This is not a game about marginalized communities made from the outside. It is a game co-designed and built by Queer and Disabled creators, with paid roles, mentorship, and shared authorship baked in from the beginning. Lived experience shapes every step of the game- from concept to completion.

These are our little stories. We're happy to share them with you.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • OS: Windows 10 or newer
    • Processor: Dual-core 2.0 GHz
    • Memory: 4 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Integrated graphics (Intel HD 4000 or equivalent)
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    • Sound Card: Any
    • VR Support: N/A