Romances, yay or nay?

[Data4]

[satire] See, this is what happens when you let women in the club. First they want to put curtains on all the windows, and then they go nuts when you leave the lid up in the privy. Gods help you if you screw up and walk into the house without taking your boots off! And now... now they want romance. Gary Gygax is spinning in his crypt.

[Gorth]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

 

[Grimlorn]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

They don't call movies chick flicks because men love them. Same with those romance novels and soap operas. Women love that stuff. Edited September 24, 2012 by Grimlorn

[ravenshrike]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

Depends. Perhaps not modern Bioware style, but from what I remember most of the people writing BGII romance mods were women. Well, they seemed like women. This is the internet after all. Of course, that probably can be ascribed to the general difference in preference for porn between men and women.

[Ieo]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

Depends. Perhaps not modern Bioware style, but from what I remember most of the people writing BGII romance mods were women. Well, they seemed like women. This is the internet after all. Of course, that probably can be ascribed to the general difference in preference for porn between men and women.

 

There is, however, a critical difference between officially mandated canon content and fan-made content that ostensibly serves to fill a distinct gap between official content <-> audience.

 

(To clarify, I mean that there was only the meh Anomen romance for women while the guys got three.)

Edited September 24, 2012 by Ieo

[Gorth]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

Depends. Perhaps not modern Bioware style, but from what I remember most of the people writing BGII romance mods were women. Well, they seemed like women. This is the internet after all. Of course, that probably can be ascribed to the general difference in preference for porn between men and women.

It would be interesting to get one's hands on all the data that Bioware mined while people were playing. They probably have a decent idea of what their "target group" is, both gender and age-wise.

 

[KhaineGB]

Yes please... IF Obsidian have time and IF it won't take time/funds away from other aspects of the game.

 

Otherwise I'd rather it be a patch later on.

[The Sharmat]

Yes, if they're done well and suit the character/characters in question.

 

No if every party member has a romance and is playersexual.

[Uomoz]

So my vote is a basic "No, there's so much more general content accessible by the entire audience that they could be working on" qualified with "But if they truly believe can do it without being half-assed (e.g. only 1 het man and 1 het woman) and with PS:T depth, then sure. Impress me." All or nothing.

 

It's not half-assed if there are only 2 hetero romances. See PST. It's not like the type of sexuality determines the quality of a romance in the first place. Jeez.

[mya79]

Yes me too but I prefe

r quality than quantity 2 romances for men and women , and please no fanbase same as Bioware.

[^Rayne^]

Yes, but I think it should be limited to only a couple PC's at most and I'm interested in quality interactions that will have consequences in the game and will be as plausible and realistic as they can manage. If time doesn't allow for quality romance options or the designers are not enthusiastic about adding them then I say no. I enjoy them and I think they make for a better game, but if the Obsidian isn't in it to do this right then I would rather have it left on the cutting room floor.

[dlux]

yaaaay

[Zero]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

Depends. Perhaps not modern Bioware style, but from what I remember most of the people writing BGII romance mods were women. Well, they seemed like women. This is the internet after all. Of course, that probably can be ascribed to the general difference in preference for porn between men and women.

 

Considering they only had ANOMEN as an option, I'm not really surprised.

 

I mean ANOMEN.

 

 

 

Dude was a douche.

[Ieo]

So my vote is a basic "No, there's so much more general content accessible by the entire audience that they could be working on" qualified with "But if they truly believe can do it without being half-assed (e.g. only 1 het man and 1 het woman) and with PS:T depth, then sure. Impress me." All or nothing.

 

It's not half-assed if there are only 2 hetero romances. See PST. It's not like the type of sexuality determines the quality of a romance in the first place. Jeez.

 

Fair point, I didn't mean to imply that. The PS:T bits, I thought the romances were officially cut so what was left was flirting or one-sided; I admit I never tried to go down that road with Annah because I find her annoying as hell. Grace was infinitely classier, but that didn't amount to a "romance," biology aside...

[Data4]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

 

Well, females and dudes with too much estrogen. No difference.

[Gorth]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

 

Well, females and dudes with too much estrogen. No difference.

I would suspect young males with too much testosterone, too little social skills, and a need for back patting and instant gratification to be the loudest group. But as said above, the only ones I know of that has systematically analysed behaviour is Bioware and they are unlikely to share their numbers.

[Shevek]

Romances, bromances, friendships, rivalries, etc... they are all worthwhile. Just don't turn this into a dating sim where the player sees every able bodied biped that follows him as a potential sexual conquest.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Shevek

[TCJ]

I have nothing against them personally, but I'm hesitant to encourage it. So after a little thought, I'd say leave them out. The BG2 ones were fine. Other ones that I've heard/read about from other games don't seem to be any good.

[Data4]

In all seriousness, the reason why I'm against them is because I see them as purely fluff (that's like, my opinion, man... I know), and we're talking about a game being developed with limited resources. There's going to be stuff left on the proverbial cutting room floor, simply because of this. I'd hate to see more compelling content get cut just because Joe Hormone demands he be able to bork his companions.

[ravenshrike]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

Depends. Perhaps not modern Bioware style, but from what I remember most of the people writing BGII romance mods were women. Well, they seemed like women. This is the internet after all. Of course, that probably can be ascribed to the general difference in preference for porn between men and women.

 

Considering they only had ANOMEN as an option, I'm not really surprised.

 

I mean ANOMEN.

 

 

 

Dude was a douche.

Most of the female companion romance mods were written by women as well, not just the male ones.

[BruceVC]

I would be very surprised if the female half of the population were the loudest proponents for "romances" in crpgs.

 

Well, females and dudes with too much estrogen. No difference.

I would suspect young males with too much testosterone, too little social skills, and a need for back patting and instant gratification to be the loudest group. But as said above, the only ones I know of that has systematically analysed behaviour is Bioware and they are unlikely to share their numbers.

 

I don't think any of the points above would realistically qualify for reasons that most people want Romance\Sex in a game. Basically you, and others like Grimlorn and Twinkie, are suggesting that people address some inadequacy or social ineptitude that exists in real life when they insist on Romance\Sex in the game. It sounds really absurd that you guys would think that a person is somehow going to satisfy a real life insecurity by a few lines of text or some pixel generated image of a character in there party that says " l love you, ravage me quick"

 

 

People want Romance\Sex for many reasons, for me its about the role-playing aspect of the character and his actions. I want an immersive experience that allows me to explore cloud castles , kill dragons, visit towns, rescue maidens in towers, find unique items in subterranean dungeons and have Romance\Sex with the members of my party who have experienced these trials and tribulations.

 

Asking for Romance\Sex in a RPG is no more unreasonable than wanting any of the other things I have mentioned in a RPG

Edited September 24, 2012 by BruceVC

[Gorth]

In all seriousness, the reason why I'm against them is because I see them as purely fluff (that's like, my opinion, man... I know), and we're talking about a game being developed with limited resources. There's going to be stuff left on the proverbial cutting room floor, simply because of this. I'd hate to see more compelling content get cut just because Joe Hormone demands he be able to bork his companions.

I can understand your line of reasoning. Consider this though, they have to come up with some kind of personality, plot hooks, story etc. for companions. If it fits the story, they might as well include a bit of intimacy in the relationship. Not necessarily "Nice dress, let's have sex", but the kind you would find in say, PS:T where there is "something" between Grace and the player. Sometimes a hint or subtle tension can be a great substitute for the more ham-fisted attempts.

[Data4]

In all seriousness, the reason why I'm against them is because I see them as purely fluff (that's like, my opinion, man... I know), and we're talking about a game being developed with limited resources. There's going to be stuff left on the proverbial cutting room floor, simply because of this. I'd hate to see more compelling content get cut just because Joe Hormone demands he be able to bork his companions.

I can understand your line of reasoning. Consider this though, they have to come up with some kind of personality, plot hooks, story etc. for companions. If it fits the story, they might as well include a bit of intimacy in the relationship. Not necessarily "Nice dress, let's have sex", but the kind you would find in say, PS:T where there is "something" between Grace and the player. Sometimes a hint or subtle tension can be a great substitute for the more ham-fisted attempts.

 

Flirty personalities are one thing. I've no problem there. I'm talking about the mini-questlines that end with a badly animated cutscene of the PC getting it on that Bioware has developed a cult following around. That type of thing requires earmarked resources, as opposed to a bit of dialog here and there, thrown in for flavor.

Edited September 24, 2012 by Data4

[Dark Elf]

It depends.

 

Romance as in "please fetch this item for me, OH GOD YOU DID IT WE ARE BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, of course I'll marry you and serve as your pack mule!" I wouldn't really care for, especially seeing as it would divert resources from other things.

 

Romance as a mature and well-written element of the general interaction with followers and NPC:s used as a catalyst for choices and far-reaching consequences I could support.

[catmorbid]

If the devs see it worth spending some time on, then they will. It's not my place to tell them what kind of stories they should write, let them keep their full artistic freedom in that particular area. I wouldn't want anyone restricting my artistic freedom in the same sense.