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Romance options in games (a rant) (self.SRSGaming)

CitadelOfMyThoughts が 投稿

Yes, this is a rant, if you're not interested in watching me vent, please skip this post :)

For the first time ever a AAA title that has in-game romance options has fewer options for straight male characters (or I suppose more accurately, straight males don't have the majority of the romance options). I'm talking about Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Well, not everyone is happy with it. a redditor was deeply concerned about straight males not being proportionally represented in the game. He was specifically upset that the "core gamer" demographic was not being catered to properly and that Bioware shouldn't cater to those filthy casuals who play Angry Birds on their phones.

To the credit of the community, the post was downvoted to oblivion and ridiculed but I still feel like I need to vent.

That one post showed very clearly the privilege of the straight male gamer. It's not enough to be represented, you've got to be top dog or it is literally misandry.

Props to Bioware for their stance. They might not be perfect, they get some things wrong, but over all their hearts are in the right place and I'll always support them.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest :)

Edit: The thread since I've been asked to link it. Just don't touch the poop :) http://np.reddit.com/r/dragonage/comments/2k8ee2/equality_i_think_not/

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[–]erunamiryene 30 ポイント31 ポイント  (5子コメント)

Ah yes, the "core demographic". The same dudes who whined about Anders' supposed "stealth flirting", the same dudes who whined about being able to reverse your ME3 cover to show FemShep, the same dudes who flipped their shit because Zevran liked everyone, the same dudes who complained that because some NPCs/companions could like characters of either gender that it was somehow "wrong".

Well, all I have to say about that is a quote from David Gaider from the last time he had to smack down this nonsense (Dragon Age 2):

"And the person who says that the only way to please them is to restrict options for others is, if you ask me, the one who deserves it least. And that’s my opinion, expressed as politely as possible."

[–]GammaTaintedRUN, COWARDS! I HUNGER! 15 ポイント16 ポイント  (3子コメント)

I was a little put off about Zevran flirting with my male PC, because I was really hoping for a gay romance option with Alistair. I was all, "Not now, dude, you're reminding me of my unrequited crush."

[–]erunamiryene 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (2子コメント)

I generally play ladies, so I always end up in that uncomfortable situation where they're like "okay now you have to pick" and all of my wardens are just like "but what about both".

I finally solved my problem with the Polygamey mod. My last playthrough I romanced everyone. The scene at the gate when you leave to fight the archdemon took awhile, LOL.

[–]lathomas64 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I remember being so frustrated with Zevran trying to step out of the way for me and Morrigan. No Zevran!

[–]notquiteunliketeaanti-GG for profit 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Also tried to do this, but in ME1 with FemShep. I should look to see if there's a similar mod for that one, too. (Though it'll likely cause problems in the sequel storyline structure .... hmm.)

[–]BZenMojoall your neckbeards belong to us 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

"Core demographic." Translation: entitled people demanding their privilege be universal.

[–]Sansa_Culotte_ 22 ポイント23 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Well, they didn't harass and doxx the developer responsible for it this time around, so I guess that's a plus.

[–]so_srs 28 ポイント29 ポイント  (2子コメント)

You have to give them time to find a woman to blame.

[–]GammaTaintedRUN, COWARDS! I HUNGER! 18 ポイント19 ポイント  (1子コメント)

If they can't, they'll probably just say "fuck it" and harass Jennifer Hepler again.

[–]padijun 10 ポイント11 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Hurr hurr dae "hamburger hepler" a durr doo durrr

[–]Maymaytics 19 ポイント20 ポイント  (1子コメント)

He was specifically upset that the "core gamer" demographic was not being catered to properly

Someone has never visited the Bioware forums lol. Core audience wants options.

But, seriously, this dude's take on it is the perfect example of the "bigger pie + I get an objectively larger slice of pie + other people get pie too = less pie for me" mentality.

[–]tuba_man 21 ポイント22 ポイント  (0子コメント)

There was apparently a study done showing that a lot of people (especially men) see representational parity as minority over-representation. I wish I was surprised

[–]CoelhoAssassino666 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (0子コメント)

About the thread you're talking about:

Goddamn elves with their unique options, it is misanthropy.

[–]so_srs 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (3子コメント)

Are we in a time warp?

[–]missandric 12 ポイント13 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yeah that straight male gamer that wanted to have a gay toggle. Fuck off.

Anders hitting on him ONCE was too much for him to deal with. It's a reddit type of view of progressiveness. You can be gay as long as you don't bring it up, ever!

[–]CitadelOfMyThoughts[S] 5 ポイント6 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Sigh, I wish I could say that things have changed, but that's exactly what's going on now with Goobergate.

[–]Gunvorsejl 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I wish

[–]drjgm74 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (1子コメント)

Vent away! I wouldn't worry. There is a lot of interest in different romance options in gaming (I think). One post is just one post. I suspect that a lot of the "core gamer" demographic would welcome more varied options.

Addit: can you link the thread to add context? Ta.

[–]CitadelOfMyThoughts[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (0子コメント)

I edited my post to include a link

[–]dudeseriouslynoSomeday I'll make the most politically correct game ever 3 ポイント4 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Hell, if they're gonna try to exploit the appeal to majority demographics, Han Chinese men have a thing or two to say to them.

[–]OthelloNYCGAMERA IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR 4 ポイント5 ポイント  (6子コメント)

Didn't this also happen with Dragon Age 2 because the straight male options included no 100% white human women?

[–]SuchPowerfulAlly 7 ポイント8 ポイント  (1子コメント)

I think the really well known instance where someone complained about DA2's romance had that person complaining about Anders flirting with his (male) character.

[–]OthelloNYCGAMERA IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Yeah, I guess we all have parts that stick out to us, personally.

[–]30K100M 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (4子コメント)

Link to the post?

[–]CitadelOfMyThoughts[S] 0 ポイント1 ポイント  (3子コメント)

I commented in it so you can find it in my post history. I don't want to be accused of brigading :)

[–]30K100M 2 ポイント3 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Thanks :)

[–]jayjaywalker3Computer enabled for now 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (1子コメント)

You could drop a no participation link.

[–]CitadelOfMyThoughts[S] 1 ポイント2 ポイント  (0子コメント)

Edited my post with a link