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Homosexual characters in MMOGs
Jorev
Member Posts: 1,500
There is a gay debate raging in the off topic forum and I thought a more relevant thread would be interesting.
I believe the standard of female and male characters in MMOGs has been to represent them as heterosexuals, but I wonder how long it will be before a MMOG is released that specifically allows character customization for homosexuality.
Homosexuals seem to want to stand out and be recognized in society and be treated equally, not just blend in without being noticed. What do you think of the possibility that a game might allow character customization based on sexual orientation?
"We feel gold selling and websites that promote it damage games like Vanguard and will do everything possible to combat it."
Brad McQuaid
Chairman & CEO, Sigil Games Online, Inc.
Executive Producer, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
www.vanguardsoh
Comments
Could you explain more in detail what you mean, jorev? like, do you mean clothing customization, or things like ingame marriage (some games, such as Ragnarok Online have a marriage system) ?
I don't want to suggest stereotypical behavior or fashion. I am not really sure how it would be represented. It just seems like a plausibility since the homosexual agenda is one of recognition and being noticed. Homosexuals want to be proud of their way of life and want to be represented so I think it could be a possibility for a MMOG to market that option.
"Coming out" of course supports that philosophy, as well as trying to force heterosexuals to recognize unions as marriages, even though unions already have the same legal protections, and the english definition of the word marriage specifically defines it as a union between opposite sexes.
My interest for this thread is purely relating to MMOGs though. I don't want to stray from the topic.
"We feel gold selling and websites that promote it damage games like Vanguard and will do everything possible to combat it."
Brad McQuaid
Chairman & CEO, Sigil Games Online, Inc.
Executive Producer, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
www.vanguardsoh
"We feel gold selling and websites that promote it damage games like Vanguard and will do everything possible to combat it."
Brad McQuaid
Chairman & CEO, Sigil Games Online, Inc.
Executive Producer, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
www.vanguardsoh
Well I know that in eve there's a rather powerful alliance called the "Minmatar Gay Rights League", consisting of players who are either homosexual or RP homosexuals. In EVE atleast you don't need some tag above your head that states your sexual orientation, if you want to play a gay character it's up to you I suppose. Also I don't think anyone is offended by them, though some do ridicule them. However their alliance is a bit to powerful to ridicule to their face, since they might war declare you then proceed to pod your miserable hide into oblivion.
Player x "Man I really hate these fags!"
Elton John "Say what noob?"
Player x "Erm, I meant I hate this lag. Nice Battleship BTW"
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
And just how would you customize a character as a homosexual?
Short of giving them a straight rainbow or some other little "tag" they could put on their clothing, I mean what could you do?
Do you want to support stereotyping of indivduals by over playing characteristics many consider to be "gay"? Or are they just going to be well dressed and always matching (then, is he gay, or metro???)
How a player plays his/her toon is their own buisness, and if you want to play homosexual then do it however you want or see fit. I just don't see how you could customize a character to be homosexual without causes a stir with a lot of people. Homophobes for it being there, and some homosexuals for you stereotyping them.
I don't really see why a game would have to add anything at all. People can play their characters gay or paranoid or as pirates or cheerleaders, if they want. It's not like most games have RP police jumping out from behind trees, yelling "FREEZE! STOP KISSING THAT ELF OR WE'LL BE FORCED TO SHOOT!" ...
... Though, if they did, that would be pretty hilarious.
Once, my husband and I were both playing female characters in a game, minding our own business when somebody shouted something stupid, and my husband replied, and the shouter called us gay, so I shouted back that we were lesbians. But, of course, I was just being obnoxious. (Oh, like I've never been obnoxious before! LOL)
...
This is where I draw the line: __________________.
Sexual orientation never figures into my character development in a MMOG.
I have had gay friends who were reasonably open about their sexuality but at the same time hated the kind of cliched image that many gays adhere to.
I also have a relative who is gay. Howver, I suspect from knowing him it's probably not the most important thing by which he would define himself. He is also a vegan, a strong support of animal rights, and a highly competent FPS player.
Perhaps instead it may be better to allow players a large varieties of ways to express themselves, in clothing mannerisms etc. Eventually, as in real life, some of these will naturally become associated with sexuality. Why force the process.
D&D Home Page - What Class Are You? - Build A Character - D&D Compendium
I'm not saying that being gay is a disability, I'm saying that it's something people are born with and cannot help, but theres really no need to incorperate it into online gaming.
I picked boycott, as that was the answer that best fit for me, but its really only half true. I wouldn't want to play any game that put emphasis on my character's sexual orientation at all. It's not something I think about at all when playing a game or creating a character, but I know other people do- I used to have a Twi'lek female in swg.. I learned quickly that was a bad idea in that game as other players felt that was somehow a representation of me as a person.
Some people's answer to that is that its my fault for playing a character that doesn't accurately depict me, but to me its no different from choosing to look like an alien, or picking a class like assassin, when clearly I'm not in real life. But since my views on this are far from universal, I stick to games that downplay these issues, and I stick to races like dwarves- strangely, nobody sends me tells assuming I'm a midget who might want to cyber.
I think it's a timely subject because there is a movement currently in the gay community, to challenge heterosexual traditions and forcefully inject the topic of homosexuality into the lives of heterosexuals, who normally would be indifferent and agreeable to gay rights.
The Advocate, a gay magazine, has created a buzz, suggesting that Superman is gay, who traditionally has been a heterosexual character. Brokeback Mountain, a fictional movie, also chose cowboys to depict as homosexuals, to evoke a reaction, because they are traditionally representative of heterosexuals.
I can see this trend being applied to the virtual gaming world as well, and I am confused by the motivation. If the goal of these gay groups is to force an in your face discussion of homosexuality resulting in acknowledgement of equality, I don't think it's working as it mainly just makes people angry.
I agree with the notion that sexual orientation should not be a focus for character creation, but if heterosexuality is the status quo, isn't it already.
"We feel gold selling and websites that promote it damage games like Vanguard and will do everything possible to combat it."
Brad McQuaid
Chairman & CEO, Sigil Games Online, Inc.
Executive Producer, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
www.vanguardsoh
Everytime I feel the need to come out, I just start a female Alt.
I would rather go to a gay MMO than a gay nightclub.
I am unlikely to take offense from people openly displaying their homosexuality, although there a circumstances where it could make me uncomfortable. I do not wish to be explaining sexual orientation to minors for example.
If I was to openly flaunt my gayness, I would expect the same level of abuse in an MMO as I would receive in any other social enviroment. If people who do this do not have the social skills to pull it off, they would be canon fodder for my ignorelist. There is potential here for drama bores and flamebaiters.
I have not noticed any sexual orientation in any character builders. Not default or otherwise.
Second thoughts, all elves are gay.
this truely made me LOL.
why be bigoted based on sexual orientation when you have religion? nice.
This is a silly thread, but what the hell...
I do see a lot of people trying to be homosexual in a game, and i find it kind of ridiculous because they are most likely homophobic 12 year olds.
Whatever, I don't really care, let them be what they want to be as long as I can still own them like any other person
Yeah, elves are ghey! lol
I spit my beer on my keyboard. Nice one. You owe me $22 for a new keyboard. lol
Oh, BTW, I also voted for a boycott. Not because of that summer camp thing with the camp counselor either.
I'm all for games being games; not sex hot spots.
Oh and elves are ghey! Not that there is anything wrong with that. lol
this was a stale thread till I read your reply,.LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Never mind your beer and key board,What about mine now =p