Kudos to BioWare
I'm very proud of one of my favorite gaming studios today. BioWare, the Edmonton-based creator of Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect, and other best-of-class RPG titles, has recently released Dragon Age: Origins. The game is rated M for Mature, in case anyone is wondering, but as far as I know, it is the first mainstream release to include an option for roleplaying a gay male character to the point of, well, hot elven action.
I'd like to think that my yammering at them to create romance options for female characters equal in number and quality to those of the male characters had something to do with it. :) When I was at WomenGamers in the early part of this decade, I exchanged plenty of e-mails with several staff members. I always really liked and appreciated their willingness to hear me, and to have that dialogue. We had some good discussions.
You've come a long way, baby, as the saying goes. Gay gamers have traditionally been excluded from such storylines, but it is only fair that those paying customers should have options as well, should they choose to pursue them.
Kudos to BioWare and EA for going forward with this.
EDIT: Thanks to jasondemotte, who alerted me to the presence of such in Jade Empire, another BioWare game, as well.
I'd like to think that my yammering at them to create romance options for female characters equal in number and quality to those of the male characters had something to do with it. :) When I was at WomenGamers in the early part of this decade, I exchanged plenty of e-mails with several staff members. I always really liked and appreciated their willingness to hear me, and to have that dialogue. We had some good discussions.
You've come a long way, baby, as the saying goes. Gay gamers have traditionally been excluded from such storylines, but it is only fair that those paying customers should have options as well, should they choose to pursue them.
Kudos to BioWare and EA for going forward with this.
EDIT: Thanks to jasondemotte, who alerted me to the presence of such in Jade Empire, another BioWare game, as well.