I hope you're not referring to me, because that's not how I feel. I don't like the sort of romances that seem to appeal to many gamers, because I think the romance arcs are usually shallow and poorly developed. The Aliens series really only has two romances of any real magnitude: between Ripley and Hicks in Aliens and Ripley and Clemens in Alien 3. Arguably Elgyn and Hillard also had a romance in A:R and Vasquez/Drake in Aliens, but those were pretty short-lived as far as audience involvement is concerned. Anyway, Ripley's romances were romances that I consider to be "good": chemistry develops in realistic ways and at a realistic pace -- and importantly, in ways that fit well into the rest of the established characters and universe.

 

I have nothing against romances in game storylines. But I would definitely argue that romances in the Aliens universe are very different from romances found in a lot of popular RPGs.

 

 

Someone I know enjoys the romances in Obsidian RPGs, and she plays them specifically for that reason. I was considering buying her Storm of Zehir, but I found out that particular game/expansion is more open-ended (I won't go into my anti-Oblivion and anti-MMO rant again) and also doesn't contain a playable romance. I also tend to prefer having romances in RPGs as they tend to add a little extra depth to the games, but romance isn't a deal breaker for me. However, open-ended gameplay at the expense of good story-telling and plot pacing does not interest me at all (if I want I want useless storytelling and open-ended sandboxes, I'll play an MMO). I'm not saying SoZ won't have good story-telling; I'm just talking in general.

 

I've read that you don't particularly care for romances in RPGs, and I do realize the Alien movies don't really have romances in them (or not in a traditional sense). That said, I see no particular reason to use the Alien films as a crutch (or as an excuse), and I hope you don't mind potentially alienating (no pun intended) part of Obsidian's fanbase by choosing not to implement them in your games. Some gamers do really enjoy romances (having been introduced to them in rpgs by Bioware and Black Isle) and definitely prefer having the capacity to play them.

 

I'll buy your Alien RPG regardless, but I know someone who won't (and she's probably not alone) unless the game contains a playable romance. Granted, the name "Alien" alone will garner sales.

Edited October 17, 200817 yr by Webslinger

A person who absolutely demands romance in his or her entertainment is probably not attracted to the Aliens franchise in the first place. I think it would be a greater disservice to Aliens franchise fans to shoehorn romance into an setting that specifically downplays romance in favor of other thematic elements.

A person who absolutely demands romance in his or her entertainment is probably not attracted to the Aliens franchise

 

While that may be true, she had no interest in playing Planescape:Torment either until I mentioned there were a few romance options, even though you can only play that game as a male. She did say she would have preferred to play a female character with male romance options, but she ended up loving Planescape: Torment, and then I mentioned Chris Avellone being at Obsidian Entertainment. So now she's a big Chris Avellone fan.

 

So it is possible for someone that would otherwise dismiss a game to be attracted to it due to certain elements being in it.

 

She's probably a stereotypical teenaged girl gamer, by the way (the Sims, that sort of stuff . . . I heard the Sims franchise has romance and, oddly, sold a few copies. Kooky).

 

 

I think it would be a greater disservice to Aliens franchise fans to shoehorn romance into an setting that specifically downplays romance in favor of other thematic elements.

 

I have a hard time believing Alien fans (and I count myself amongst them) being utterly offended by an optional romance (although I admit I'm not sure that makes tons of sense in a survival horror setting, but I still think an optional light one, done properly, could add some extra tension). That said, I couldn't care less if this game contains romance, so long as you manage to scare the bejesus out of me (and as long as there's a good story; that's really all I care about: story).

Edited October 17, 200817 yr by Webslinger

There was some subtle tension between Dallas and Ripley in the first film, or at least, some of their interactions (the argument over Ash as science officer, planning out the air duct search) gave the vibes of their being old exes or at least very familiar with each other, but it certainly wasn't a focus of the film in any respect at all. It really only served to flesh out the characters and their relationships, which is a very effective tool in the arsenal of a horror film (one that far too many, the vast majority even, neglect)

 

So in that respect I agree with Josh. Where in a normal sort of RPG, be it D&D or what have you, a romance plot might serve solely to ingratiate the player, in an Aliens RPG it should be used to create a dramatic tension, if it's going to be used at all.

A person who absolutely demands romance in his or her entertainment is probably not attracted to the Aliens franchise in the first place. I think it would be a greater disservice to Aliens franchise fans to shoehorn romance into an setting that specifically downplays romance in favor of other thematic elements.

 

Very nice to hear. <3

How is Obsidian going to screw this up?, this will be my first RPG game, so I,m not sure yet..., they will probably screw the very Aliens by making them wall walking doing all sort of buggy things as all alien games till date, but I got used to it anyway xD. When Will I be able to see again an alien game where the human aliens go on their legs?, I think never again. I think Obsidian will screw this too as the others did before xD.

A person who absolutely demands romance in his or her entertainment is probably not attracted to the Aliens franchise in the first place. I think it would be a greater disservice to Aliens franchise fans to shoehorn romance into an setting that specifically downplays romance in favor of other thematic elements.

Like horror and suspense.

A person who absolutely demands romance in his or her entertainment is probably not attracted to the Aliens franchise in the first place. I think it would be a greater disservice to Aliens franchise fans to shoehorn romance into an setting that specifically downplays romance in favor of other thematic elements.

Like horror and suspense.

 

Hey, you bastards. Most of my romantic events have been full of horror and suspense. Well, my suspense. Their horror.

teehee

I do want an explanation for why a romance wouldn't fit a horror-survival setting and/or Alien franchise? double v, t and f?

Personal survival instincts trump reproductive instincts. Characters in films like Alien, The Thing, etc. are typically in state of perpetual anxiety, distrust, and shock. They barely have enough time to sleep or think straight, much less form the sort of romantic relationships that people seem to enjoy in RPGs. Characters typically devote themselves to maintaining whatever supplies and safety they have, researching the current threat, or actively going out to find a way out of their current predicament.

 

Even though it was handled relatively well, the relationship between Ripley and Clemens still felt weird in Alien3. It also illustrated the price of tenderness in the Aliens universe (death).

It also illustrated the price of tenderness in the Aliens universe (death).

Well, man. After being stuck on a prison colony for years with only lice and a bunch of bat**** inmates for company, I'm guessing one can get pretty desperate. Let the player make that call!

 

Since romance is out of the question, I still expect at least t1ts to feature in the game. Heavily.

 

And beards.

Edited October 21, 200817 yr by random n00b

Personal survival instincts trump reproductive instincts. Characters in films like Alien, The Thing, etc. are typically in state of perpetual anxiety, distrust, and shock. They barely have enough time to sleep or think straight, much less form the sort of romantic relationships that people seem to enjoy in RPGs. Characters typically devote themselves to maintaining whatever supplies and safety they have, researching the current threat, or actively going out to find a way out of their current predicament.

 

Even though it was handled relatively well, the relationship between Ripley and Clemens still felt weird in Alien3. It also illustrated the price of tenderness in the Aliens universe (death).

 

You have a point in the first line, I even put it in bold. but rest implies that you are trust into an intense experience from the first start like alien3 and well... the Thing had Norwegian scientist fumbling about in Antarctica... thats just absurd. Are you saying that there will be no 'foreplay' before one is trust into the action? Heck even Hicks and Ripley get it off with their survival instinct trumpeting about. It doesn't actually have to be a player romance, but I do would love to see how people (or A.S) handle love life in extreme situations. Like Ripley and Newt kinda characters (although I am of the romance part here)

 

Although I agree on the nwn2 romance was bit on the "romance crap you might find in a teen magazine" where "he just swept me off my feet and I had no idea I could love a man just because the moon was bright" and that wasn't what I think is romance. IT DOESN'T NEED TO END IN BED IT CAN GO SO MUCH FURTHER... like threesome *ahem*

 

Even though one is in a though situation you can bet your kitchen sink that at some point a guy will definitively think sexual in some way on how to best preform surgical precision on the girl with his magical expanding stick. If your the last guy on earth with a chick; he will not think about the best way to do his taxes. its just primal instinct.

romance

(rō-măns', rō'măns') pronunciation

 

romance

 

n.

 

1.

1. A love affair.

2. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people; love: They kept the romance alive in their marriage for 35 years.

3. A strong, sometimes short-lived attachment, fascination, or enthusiasm for something: a childhood romance with the sea.

2. A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful:

I don't care about romances as long as they don't get in the way of the story or the gameplay. The only romance I've seen that added to the game was the one between one of the Nameless One's earlier selves and the spectral chic. That was probably successful because all of the background was in the character's past and none of the control lay in the player's hands. In some games, it wasn't terrible, but still remained superfluous. For example, the romance in Indigo Prophecy wasn't so bad, but it really lacked development and, frankly, time. Still, that probably goes along the lines of Sargoth's "guys want to get laid, even when they're down."

 

Still, it's stupid to suggest that guys will think about getting laid at all times and will try to act out their desires for sex in every situation. Don't get pissed off, Sarg, I'm not saying that's your point. I'm just covering the base because I'm afraid that some folks will want romances even though if the time involved doesn't permit sexual/romantic behavior. For instance, Hick and Riley didn't have time to be intimate while they're running for their lives or fighting aliens. Romance/Sex requires a lull in the action. ...Or at least the opportunity to move from survival action to sexual activity. For my part, I would rather see those periods of less frantic activity taken to advance the story as a whole. If some sort of romance, between either the PC and an NPC or between NPCs, is central to the overarching story, fine. Hell, if the romance is part of a subplot, that would be okay, but don't waste time putting a romance into the game just to have either sappy romantic dialogue or gratuitous sexual encounters.

 

If I have my wish, there won't be any romance. If there is on, I hope it's well written and fits into the story or is, at the very least, by and large so remote I can completely ignore it.

Still, it's stupid to suggest that guys will think about getting laid at all times and will try to act out their desires for sex in every situation.

Yeah, guys never get laid during a war. Still, romances are dumb and useless and people who like them should go play hentai games.

Still, romances are dumb and useless...

 

Let me guess, you also think girls are "icky" and will run from them fearing "cooties."

Still, it's stupid to suggest that guys will think about getting laid at all times and will try to act out their desires for sex in every situation.

Yeah, guys never get laid during a war.

 

They might get laid during war, but I doubt many of them get laid in the middle a pitched gun fight. I doubt most men think about refining their pick up lines while they're dodging bullets.

Still, romances are dumb and useless...

 

Let me guess, you also think girls are "icky" and will run from them fearing "cooties."

Yes, romancing virtual girls is way macho.

Yes, romancing virtual girls is way macho.

 

I never said it was, nor did I say it was not - you are the one claiming that "romances are dumb."

Still, romances are dumb and useless...

 

Let me guess, you also think girls are "icky" and will run from them fearing "cooties."

What's cooties?

Cooties is a word in North American English, used by children, referring to a fictitious disease or condition, often infecting members of the opposite sex.

Yes, romancing virtual girls is way macho.

 

I never said it was, nor did I say it was not - you are the one claiming that "romances are dumb."

 

Good one, but let's grant him the context argument!

 

But yes, I do like the inclusion of romances in CRPGs.

I think Obsidian is likely to do a good job on this game.

I'm just curious. For how many of you is the Romance component a deal breaker? Wait, let me rephrase that. For how many of you is Romance a major selling factor. In other words, will you look at two games of somewhat equal interest and make your decision based on the inclusion of a playable romance?

 

I'm not a macho guy. I don't dislike romances in video games because they're girlie. I dislike romances in video games because they tend to be underdeveloped, forced, and distracting. ...And, unless they've been developing the romance from the ground up, I don't think the aliens crpg will have a transcendent romantic storyline. Well, to be fair, even if they've been developing it from the ground up, it's not going to be transcendent, but at least it might not completely suck. If they bow to pressure to include romance at a late stage, then it will almost definitely be a distraction.

 

Hey, I haven't even decided whether I'm going to buy the game or not. I'm just trying to read up on it and thought the title of the thread was funny. I guess, judging by the posts, the big question about how Obsidian could screw up the game revolves around romances.

I don't care about romances as long as they don't get in the way of the story or the gameplay. The only romance I've seen that added to the game was the one between one of the Nameless One's earlier selves and the spectral chic. That was probably successful because all of the background was in the character's past and none of the control lay in the player's hands. In some games, it wasn't terrible, but still remained superfluous. For example, the romance in Indigo Prophecy wasn't so bad, but it really lacked development and, frankly, time. Still, that probably goes along the lines of Sargoth's "guys want to get laid, even when they're down."

 

Still, it's stupid to suggest that guys will think about getting laid at all times and will try to act out their desires for sex in every situation. Don't get pissed off, Sarg, I'm not saying that's your point. I'm just covering the base because I'm afraid that some folks will want romances even though if the time involved doesn't permit sexual/romantic behavior. For instance, Hick and Riley didn't have time to be intimate while they're running for their lives or fighting aliens. Romance/Sex requires a lull in the action. ...Or at least the opportunity to move from survival action to sexual activity. For my part, I would rather see those periods of less frantic activity taken to advance the story as a whole. If some sort of romance, between either the PC and an NPC or between NPCs, is central to the overarching story, fine. Hell, if the romance is part of a subplot, that would be okay, but don't waste time putting a romance into the game just to have either sappy romantic dialogue or gratuitous sexual encounters.

 

If I have my wish, there won't be any romance. If there is on, I hope it's well written and fits into the story or is, at the very least, by and large so remote I can completely ignore it.

 

I don't get offended by point of views I don't hold. I was just trying to point out that ignoring romance (if it can be used as a character development) is stupid.

 

 

I'm just curious. For how many of you is the Romance component a deal breaker? Wait, let me rephrase that. For how many of you is Romance a major selling factor. In other words, will you look at two games of somewhat equal interest and make your decision based on the inclusion of a playable romance?

 

I'm not a macho guy. I don't dislike romances in video games because they're girlie. I dislike romances in video games because they tend to be underdeveloped, forced, and distracting. ...And, unless they've been developing the romance from the ground up, I don't think the aliens crpg will have a transcendent romantic storyline. Well, to be fair, even if they've been developing it from the ground up, it's not going to be transcendent, but at least it might not completely suck. If they bow to pressure to include romance at a late stage, then it will almost definitely be a distraction.

 

Hey, I haven't even decided whether I'm going to buy the game or not. I'm just trying to read up on it and thought the title of the thread was funny. I guess, judging by the posts, the big question about how Obsidian could screw up the game revolves around romances.

 

I don't need romance in a game. And therefor its not a factor.