The Things Left Behind

The Things Left Behind is a soft, narrative-driven, 2D indie-queer game that explores the little moments of Disabled and Queer experiences and the intersections between. These stories have been woven together by our team, drawn from our lived experiences. In this game, you flow through everyday moments shaped by care, honor, humor, intimacy, and connection. Each self contained level invites you to be present and explore with care. Come Along With Us for Playable, Raw Moments Move through a child’s birthday party as sound builds and escape into their imagination to help them ground themselves… Breathe in… Breathe out… Journey with a pair of friends through a forest, talk with them and discover trinkets- while subtly one of the duo visually transitions, their affinity remains the same. Help us find some executive function in Harried, try to complete our litany of tasks and get sidelined while time slips away… Why did I let it get so bad in here… Navigate a chaotic morning where tasks overlap and time feels slippery, capturing the experience of overstimulation and survival. Do you think things will always be like this? What do you mean? Like… will things always get to be this way? 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 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.