A Normal Lost Phone

A Normal Lost Phone, a puzzle video game from 2017, was created by developer Accidental Queens and released by Playdius and Plug In Digital across platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch. The game’s programming was handled by Diane Landais. Its spiritual sequel, *Another Lost Phone: Laura’s Story*, followed in September 2017. Both games delve into LGBT identity and domestic abuse by having players piece together the life of a phone’s owner through its contents. The project began during a game jam, and the team later acknowledged design flaws they corrected in the sequel. Gameplay in both titles consists entirely of navigating a simulated smartphone. Players voyeuristically search through a lost device, using clues from one app to unlock another—for instance, deducing a birth year from one section to use as a password elsewhere. In *A Normal Lost Phone*, the player examines the phone of Sam, a resident of the fictional city Melren. They uncover that Sam is a bisexual transgender woman named Samira, who had been presenting as a straight male to many. The story reveals an attempted rape of a friend by an acquaintance, Sam’s dating profiles as both male and female, and a transgender forum where she accepts her identity. After coming out to Lola and facing hostility, Sam discovers her parents and girlfriend Melissa hold bigoted views, leading to a breakup. She finds acceptance from friend Alice, but is devastated when Alice leaves for college, especially given her family’s history of disowning gay relatives. On her 18th birthday, Sam’s father gives her a motorbike, prompting her to leave home and discard her phone, hoping a finder will erase its data. Alice’s message guides the player to delete the phone’s contents, ending the game. *Another Lost Phone: Laura’s Story* has players investigate Laura’s discarded phone. Initially, her life seems perfect with boyfriend Ben. However, the player learns that a fake email account sent a private erotic video of Laura to her work contacts, causing harassment and forcing her to work from home. Laura suspects ex-boyfriend Alex, but he proves his innocence. A woman named Claire warns Laura that Ben is manipulative and responsible, but Ben had previously discredited Claire. Laura, possibly pregnant, feels unprepared for a child.