Would You Love An LGBT Version Of Leisure Suit Larry?

Disclaimer:

This is an article reflecting on a video game franchise that features strong sexual content aimed at mature audiences, along with some concerns regarding suicide, rape jokes and paedophilia. Reader discretion is advised.

When was the last time we heard about a middle-aged man named “Larry” trying to get laid? Ah yes, Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry [2] [6] [17]. I have not read such a filthy game title since the titles of some of the Ratchet and Clank instalments [26] [27]. Despite how a taller Larry Laffer who ended up in the 2010s stated that most reboots “fail” in the trailer for his latest point-and-click adventure that beats itself up [2], I believe there could be a spin-off with some very notable differences that could at least be passable, especially for a new secondary audience. As I stated in the conclusion my article on how a new spin-off of Tomb Raider that features a new character using British Sign Language can appeal to tomb raiders with hearing difficulties [38] [39], I believe a spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise that is heavily themed on LGBT dating can make homosexual, bisexual and pansexual gamers feel more welcome in the new generation of gaming, which is quite similar to how I believe that there can be an anime based on the Rayman franchise with certain recommendations to radically increase a certain limbless hero’s appeal in Japan [42] [43].

It has been over a year since the soft-reboot of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise was established [2] [6]. Any ideas for more instalments? I have one. [17]

We obviously know that Mr. Laffer is heterosexual [14]. Furthermore, we would need a new homosexual, bisexual or pansexual protagonist for an LGBT-themed spin-off for a new generation of grown-up players. After all, many of us should know that homosexuality, bisexuality and pansexuality are not choices by now [10] [29]. Since a nephew for Mr. Laffer has already been established as “Larry Lovage” in Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude [15], a new protagonist for a new spin-off would need to be his niece who might as well be attracted to both handsome men and provocative women [10]. Making her bisexual would be the best choice as it will balance the premise of trying to seduce beautiful ladies in the previous instalments with a new premise of trying to charm good-looking men for heterosexual female players who are curious to see a role-reversal [30]. Gender equality anyone? Introducing a bisexual or pansexual niece for Mr. Laffer who could be nicknamed “Leisure Dress Lily” as a new playable protagonist should not be a sign of a new perspective in the franchise seeming somewhat misandristic, but it could be an interesting rehash of how Passionate Patti was a playable character in Leisure Suit Larry 5 [1] [19].

Remember Passionate Patti? A new niece for Larry Laffer ought to be playable in an LGBT-themed spin-off to remind older fans of how a woman was playable at some point in the series [1]. [19]

Remember Larry Lovage, Larry Laffer’s nephew? Making a new bisexual niece for Laffer as a sibling for Lovage may be quite tacked on, but it would be a legitimate reason to officially establish her in the franchise. [15]

If there ought to be an LGBT-themed spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise, the portrayal of homosexuals, bisexual and transgendered people should ditch the outdated stereotypes from the previous instalment [10] [13]. In Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out!, Gary Fairy is an over-the-top gay stereotype who results in a game over screen when Larry unzips his trousers at him [12] [31]. At least an LGBT-themed spin-off would let a more open-minded portrayal result in an achievement. The feminine character Shablee who turns out to be male crossdresser forced himself onto Larry in Leisure Suit Larry 6 [21] [30]. Even though the scene in the game was censored, any references to rape simply for shock humour should remain no longer present in the franchise since rape is a very serious subject that should not be taken lightly [8] [20]. Rin from Catherine: Full Body turned out to be a male crossdresser and he has a heart of gold [5] [40] [41]. The themes of homosexuality and so on should be more humanised in order for the perspective of Mr. Laffer’s niece to be appealing to grown-up gamers in the 2020s, but consist of raunchy and clever adult jokes to maintain the charm from the original games. 

Instead of a game over, this would be an achievement in an LGBT-themed spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise. [31]

If a niece for Mr. Laffer ought to be pansexual, she would not mind if a feminine character turns out to be a male crossdresser. [30]

I am not saying that an LGBT spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry that ditches the outdated LGBT stereotypes of the ‘80s and ‘90s has to be as politically correct as possible [10] [13]. I know that lust and desire towards another fully grown human being are natural, but I can see why some feminist reviewers believed that Mr. Laffer’s perspective saw attractive women solely as objects [11] [31]. Nevertheless, I also completely understand that Al Lowe believed that sacrificing a certain amount of political incorrectness would not please the fans of the franchise, along with how plenty of female players at least tolerated main instalments [11]. Additionally, I am grateful for how the Leisure Suit Larry franchise has never featured any paedophilic or incestuous premises in any of the games [44], along with how Mr. Laffer has never considered being abusive to a woman. I am looking at you, Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey [4] [45]. Making only one or two politically correct alternations occur does not automatically mean that a franchise has to be a paradise for extreme social justice warriors [28]. But aside from that, I think it would be fun to tick off some homophobic hate groups with an LGBT-themed Leisure Suit Larry instalment [7] [34].

A lolicon version of Leisure Suit Larry [44]? Hell no! Not even if it would be a spin-off series for Japanese audiences featuring a Japanese version of Mr. Laffer who has anime-like features like the Japanese version of Crash Bandicoot [3]. We just want a Larry attracted to adult women, thank you very much. [25]

It seems likely that an LGBT-theme spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry will not consist of the same amount of risky adult humour as the original series [31], but I believe that how motivating the point-and-click adventure gameplay would be more important to think about in order for the spin-off to be considered a “good game” [25]. Cartoonish deaths can still be present as a sign of the challenge to progress through the game as logically as possible being present [30] [31], as long as none of the deaths will be the protagonist committing suicide like in the original Leisure Suit Larry game [24], which thankfully was not included in its 2013 remake, Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded [25]. One example of a mishap from making a wrong decision in a previous instalments would be not having enough money to pay a taxi driver, thus being attacked by him in Reloaded. Furthermore, a new spin-off must maintain that unpredictable journey of safely guiding the protagonist with careful thinking. Of course, an LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry can still have raunchy adult humour [25] [30] [31], as long as there are no jokes involving rape or any outdated gay jokes that could make a new LGBT audience feeling quite betrayed.

As someone who takes suicide very seriously, I must firmly suggest that any characters committing suicide should not be present in another instalment of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise, even as shock humour. [24]

There can still be cartoon slapstick because letting a bisexual or pansexual protagonist get it will not make the gameplay homophobic. It will just be a sign of the protagonist getting the same kind of adventure as the heterosexual Larry Laffer. Equality, yes? [31]

It would be highly likely that a new LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry would be set after the events of Wet Dreams Don’t Dry as if it is a chronological sequel to try and enhance the franchise’s legacy in the 2020s [2] [6] [17]. Larry Laffer, the main man ought to make an appearance to greet and attempt to motivate his niece at some point, even though the fact that he does not understand the term “bisexual” could annoy her [14]. I suppose it would be nice to let Larry Lovage return to the franchise in the vibrant art style of Wet Dreams Don’t Dry after the disastrous reception of Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust from 2009 [16]. Since Larry Laffer only has one sibling [14] [18], it would make sense if his niece is established as Larry Lovage’s sister. Seeing Mr. Laffer and possibly Mr. Lovage interact with a new bisexual or pansexual female relative would not only make an LGBT-themed spin-off more faithful to the franchise but could expand on their perspectives and developments in a new decade of gaming for mature audiences.

Since Wet Dreams Don’t Dry is set in the 2010s instead of the 1980s [17], a new LGBT-themed spin-off would definitely need to be set in the 2010s as well. [6]

Overall, I would love to see a witty and promiscuous, but LGBT-friendly spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise at some point in the 2020s. Surely the new decade has only just begun and some new instalments of other franchises have been or are yet to be released in 2020 [9] [23] [36] [37], but there will be hope for even more ambition for the next nine years. Suggesting such a concept that will allow new Leisure Suit Larry players to see the franchise’s prime premise in a new perspective to keep it going in a new decade does not automatically make me an extreme social justice warrior [28], but just someone who would be interested in a franchise eventually trying something a little different. Having hopes and discussing suggestions for how to keep a less frequent gaming franchise fresh are signs of proactive, creative and reasonable thinking among our local and online gaming communities. It is no wonder there are mods and fanmade games created by fans of franchises [22] [32] [33] [35]. If you agree or disagree with the idea of an LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry being established at some point in this new decade, feel free to let yours truly know.

I would not mind if the idea of an LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry is put into a fanmade game instead of an official instalment. After all, the purpose of a fanmade game is usually to express inspiration from the company and show admiration for the property under fair use, not to simply plagiarize it and support copyright infringement. [35]

Each and every single day, Larry wants it right away! Larry…has a crush on me [6]. [2]

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