wicketygeeky

[wicketygeeky]

A view on Burning Shores DLC

I hope Seyka returns in Horizon 3. She and Aloy are a perfect fit. And the DLC tells us an important story. I want to shine some light on what Horizon is really about. Because it feels like many forgets, or simply ignores, the story of Aloy. I’ll also mention the power this one flashpoint holds over the fandom and the future of Aloy and Seyka, and the possibility of a step back in queer representation in games.

I personally don’t understand comments like: «The DLC/Seyloy was rushed». In a world like Horizon, they fight hard for their survival everyday, it makes sense they would love just as hard. No judgement was given to Varl and Zo. Heck, even Talanah fell fast for Amadis, and tracked him down all of FW. If anything, this opinion is so subjective on how a player experienced the DLC. Horizon isn’t supposed to be a RPG based on a player’s choice, but it feels like it’s going that direction. And that worries me a lot because: it’s not the player’s story; it’s Aloy’s!

Horizon is afterall a narrative driven game with RPG elements. Guerrilla should push on to deliver the story they want to tell us about the world, and about Aloy.

The DLC delivers perfectly the next step for Aloy, which Forbidden West literally has foreshadowed all along. Varl and Zo, Talanah and Amadis, Alva with a gf back home, and especially the storyline about Tilda and Elisabet. So many other sidequests are about love. And many about romantic love. Forbidden West is about Aloy opening up for friendship and finding a team, finally starting to rely on others than herself. And when she allows herself to do that, she starts to allowing herself feeling romantic feelings.

And that’s the point with the DLC. It’s about Aloy’s next step. Horizon has always been about Aloy and her journey. Not our journey as a player. And the flashpoints at the end of BS, is constructed very bad. It’s one of the few that has a different outcome, normally the flashpoints are there to convict Aloy’s deepest emotions in different ways, but almost every outcome goes the same.

Here we can end or build a relationship with Seyka - and it’s up to us as players? It’s the most cowardly move I have ever seen in a game.

Aloy has through the whole DLC, fallen more and more for Seyka. And to deny her these feelings at the end because PLAYERS should decide if Aloy is ready for the next step?? No. Aloy is ready. She has proved that. Aloy even says: «I thought I would never feel this way about anyone»- this is the first time she has fallen in love. And that should be respected. But we can deny her that? It’s super weird when you take a step back and think about it.

Seyka is perfect for Aloy, because they recognize a lot in each other. And often, that is something that attracts us to another person. They challenge eachother, banter a lot, but there is always respect. They respect eachother quickly. Seyka especially is honest about what’s going on, and what she needs help with, and sees that she can help Aloy in return. They both keep their secrets. But then they both open up to eachother.

It’s also sad to read about Seyka only being treated as the romance option, which ofc is a natural state that she enters because of the development of the DLC. But many forgets that she is her own person, and in many ways she is the main protagonist in BS. I can write a whole post about Seyka to explore this further, but for now:

Seyka has a lot of emotions and shows struggles with the Quen beliefs, and belonging to a tribe. Which Aloy also has dealt with! BUT, the point with FW is that Aloy learns about the importance of a people again. Something she ran away from in Zero Dawn. And when she sees Seyka struggling, Aloy sees a part of herself, and she knows the pain. And she wants to help Seyka with this. They bond over it. And that’s why the theme «home» at the end is so important. They both realize and learn this from eachother.

Also, it had to be a new character to romance. Imagine it being a character we already know, it wouldn’t have been fair to any of the multiple ships that is out there. And if one reason to romance an existing character is that we already have a connection to them, then we are missing the point again. Because it’s about Aloy, and who she falls in love with- not us. And also, it wouldn’t have guaranteed that fans would be okay with an existing character to romance, you would have to learn to like that character as well.

And so if Horizon 3 moves forward to give us multiple romance options, it will be the biggest set back in the series. It should not be a focus on romancing characters at all, because Horizon has never been about that, and frankly, Aloy doesn’t have time for it. That’s why in every scenario, Aloy needs to leave Seyka behind regardless. And that makes sense. If Aloy starts romancing seven different characters, it will not make sense for her story at all.

Horizon 3 should give us Seyka or no one, and honestly, it will be fine if they don’t end up together before the ending. Because the main story will be about Aloy’s finale battle to save the world from a threat- the side story will be about Aloy’s emotions. And it will be much better if they focus on her current development with Seyka, than pleasing fans and give us many choices. Because when will we have time to develop that connection with these other characters so that it will make sense? And if that isn’t an issue, than what’s wrong with Aloy and Seyka’s «rushed» romance? Perhaps that wasn’t the issue all along; the issue was perhaps that fans don’t like Seyka because she is the only romance option, and people are jealous. Then I ask again: do you really understand Horizon and respect Aloy’s story?

Fanshipping, fanart and fanfiction is one thing. But all in all, Aloy’s canon journey should be respected. These two years I’ve seen the majority of fans neglecting this side of Aloy, and pushing this narrative out of the picture, which also means Seyka has been pushed away. The danger with this message is: «we want gay characters, but not like this». And it even shows on Guerrilla, who has stopped promoting their queer characters, IN OUR TIME OF 2025!!

Should we not protect what we have and got in Burning Shores DLC? Instead fans complain, and wants other romances, and neglects Aloy’s queer journey by choosing NO?! How petty can one be, to not seperate your fanship with an actual queer representation because «it’s not good enough». This is what we have. And imagine what we can have if we unite instead of pushing it away and pretend it never happened.

And so what about ship wars? This is just as petty as neglecting. But I think the root of these wars is that we don’t respect each other, and because we all have different views on Aloy’s story. If you are reading this and already feel angry about it, it’s most likely because our views are different. Or maybe it’s because you know deep inside that I’m onto something, that you don’t want to acknowledge.

But if we can agree on anything, it should be about fighting to keep the queer representation in Horizon, rather than fighting among ourselves and complain so much that even the gaming developers stops promoting it.

[wicketygeeky]

RETURNING TO SAY HAPPY PRIDE!!

Your joy is beautiful. Your joy is radical. Your joy is resistance. I love you queers I love you I love you

- Nico

[wicketygeeky]

happy pride y'all 🌈🌈🌈

[wicketygeeky]

aloy and seyka being in love in horizon forbidden west: burning shores

[wicketygeeky]

It’s only after having met you did I discover Home isn’t a place, it was with You.

happy pride month everyone!

[wicketygeeky]

Happy Pride 🌈

[wicketygeeky]

missing thunderbolts post-credit scene

[wicketygeeky]

Have a Seyka

[wicketygeeky]

aloy and seyka cooling off a little

[wicketygeeky]

The Idea of Home ~

[wicketygeeky]

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores is 2 years old today! This DLC is so special to me 💖

[wicketygeeky]

I will help you, I promise

I think about how conflicted and hopeless Seyka feels after being shunned by her tribe for doing wrong. She’s alone and have probably become used to not getting help from her people anymore.

And then Aloy shows up.

They see the opportunity to help each other. But what happens when their task is done? Aloy gives Seyka hope and reassures her she won’t be alone, and she will help her.

Because Aloy wants to, and she cares for Seyka. Because Aloy knows how it feels like to be alone.

Thanks😭

[wicketygeeky]

thank u guerrila games i owe you my life

[wicketygeeky]

FANCY MOVES - FULL COMIC A series of sketches turned into this super fun collaboration with @verthanthi. (LINK) make sure to read "Fancy Moves" by Verthanthi if you want a smile on your face!

Thank you Verth for a very fun time with the two dumbasses!

[wicketygeeky]

Hello y’all! 👋🏼

I want to announce a celebration of the Burning Shores DLC and Aloy and Seyka!

You are free to join in with Virtual Photography, fanedits, fiction, art, texts, or what you like🤗 It can be posted in here, or other socials.

Time: 14-20th April

Hashtag: #SeyloyWeek25

Why: 2 years ago we got a DLC that introduced us to Aloy catching feelings for Seyka. Most important is that this confirmed Aloy being queer. And we also got a queer character in Seyka!

Queer representation in games is important to many, and that should be celebrated and highlighted regardless.

This is a casual celebration in hopes of no ship-hate. You are free to celebrate the DLC alone, or focus on Aloy, or Seyka, or all of it together🤗

Feel free to show and link to your work using the hashtag: #SeyloyWeek25 🥰

Welcome!!

[wicketygeeky]

Okay, so here is the final version!!

One thing that I've come to love about Aloy as a character is that she is unknowingly incredible at loving and showing love, but understands very quickly that the world she lives in, often stands in its own way. So she always gives. Meeting Seyka allowed her to finally RECEIVE. Despite knowing she didn't have time for something like a romance, Aloy simply couldn't help it. She found a version of herself in Seyka that she could not only like, but love. The weight of that love seemingly frees and suffocates both of them at the same time, but they ultimately decide it's worth it. While others find hope in Aloy's abilities, Seyka discovered it in her eyes, her touch, her words.

I appreciate the little things they put into this DLC. The biggest thing I loved was getting to see Aloy live a little. Laugh, and smile and blush and be shy and be frazzled. I appreciate the boldness they built Seyka with. Bold enough to call Aloy out, bold enough to be vulnerable, bold enough to admit she lied, bold enough to admit she wanted more from Aloy.

The gay panic is top notch, the gentleness that they pull out of each other is enough to make me puke butterflies. But the biggest thing I admire most about this DLC is they were not afraid to tell the narrative that love is hard and scary and often does not come without obstacles to overcome.

I hope you all enjoy this little video of Aloy and Seyka 🙂 THRIVE IN THE GAY PANIC AND BABY GAY THAT IS ALOY! MELT IN THE BOLDNESS OF SEYKA! whatever you do, just don't forget about them? Okay?

[wicketygeeky]

"see you up there!"

little smugloy to start us off