Each year across the world, millions of people celebrate Pride month. Xbox has outwardly been a supporter of the cause in the past, and this year is no different, with the console manufacturer giving away a free game on Steam while also donating to charities.

Making the announcement on their blog, Kate Rayner, the Vice President and Technical Director at The Coalition and Member of Team Xbox LGBTQIA, said:

“Celebrating Pride this year, we invite LGBTQIA+ communities and allies to unite in their support for justice and equality, and to amplify voices that combat discrimination around the globe. Team Xbox shares our support for the LGBTQIA+ communities within gaming, while raising awareness of current issues impacting these communities.”

With that, it was revealed that Tell Me Why, the “award-winning narrative adventure from Dontnod Entertainment and Xbox Publishing” is being given away for free across both Xbox and Steam for the entire month of June, adding that in “[acknowledging] that this year has seen a sharp rise in anti-trans sentiment in the United States, Xbox Publishing is accompanying the free period with donations of $25,000 each to Transgender Law Center and Trans Lifeline, two non-profit organizations offering resources and support to trans, non-binary, and genderqueer people.”

Alongside some in-game Pride items, new Xbox Pride merch, and a custom Pride themed Xbox controller, Microsoft has announced that they will be donating “an additional $170,000 to OutRight Action International, African Rainbow Family, National Center for Transgender Equality, Mermaids, Lavender Rights Project and Fulcrum UA to help in the fight for LGBTQIA+ equity and equality”

Each year during Pride we see companies paying lip service to the LGBTQIA+ community without offering any real support for this marginalised group. Being a $2 Trillion company, $170,000 sounds relatively paltry, but regardless it is a welcome move.

Tell me Why can be added to your library HERE, and the full statement from Kate Rayner can be read HERE.

KitGuru says: Have you played Tell me Why? What did you think of it? Let us know down below.

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