Ultimate Gay Fighter

Many of us have fantasized about challenging a conservative public figure to a duel on the L train, but now you can actually take on homophobes—well, on your iPhone at least—with Ultimate Gay Fighter (UltimateGayFighter.com). The new fighting game, which will be available on iOS, Android and Windows phones later this week, features 10 different 2D characters (similar to the classic game Mortal Kombat) with an over-the-top queer bent. Fighters like “Gogo Gary” and fabulous drag queen “Carrie Cupcake” square off against villains like “Anne Paylin” and “Preach” from the League of Oppressive Self-Righteous Zealots—a.k.a. LOSRZ—which, if you happen to be a homophobe, you can play as after an additional purchase.

“The inspiration came from ‘90s fighting games mixed with some gay culture I’ve experienced in New York,” explains UGF creator Michael Venker, of Handsome Woman Productions. “It’s supposed to be campy fun and a caricature of the gay community, not really a true representation. With the characters, I’m just having some fun with the concept of the gay community and old school fighting games. Think of it as a Pride parade in a boxing ring.”

Some of the most entertaining aspects of the throwback game are the catch phrases many of the fighters use while attacking their enemies. “That belt, those shoes, bad idea,” “Can I get a shot over here?” and “Bow honey, I’m the only queen in this castle,” are a few of the sassy declarations that accompany different characters’ most fatal moves. And once you beat a competitor? “KO. Congrats, slut,” the screen announces.

“Some of it was written by me, but a lot of it was improvised by the voice over artists, who are all friends of mine,” explains Venker. “I told them to go wild when they were in the studio and the stuff that came out of their mouths was amazing to me,” he says with a chuckle.

Venker is a little surprised that there aren’t more gay games like his available. “We carry smart phones, like games and have moments of free time just like everyone else, so why not have more gay-inspired games?”