lgbt-in-rpgs-epq

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

I’ve decided that it’s probably easier to just post all my EPQ-related files in one link on Google Drive, instead of updating with a separate link and post all the time. I’m going to put the link in the topbar of my blog so it’s easy to access all my files at any time. I will still link individual files if relevant to the post, though.

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Mr Kristjanson replied, and answered all of my questions in full detail, which I’m certain will go a long way for my essay! 

I’ve put his answers into a shareable document here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13aAHxnxfKcyUuADhc1rHporiJ4Cho2c-lPm2vA8NdrA/edit?usp=sharing

Contacting BioWare Writers

While on Twitter, I mentioned that I wanted to interview BioWare developers. One of them, a programmer named Tim Griffith, follows me and contacted me. He kindly asked around and gave me the email of Luke Kristjanson, who is a senior writer at BioWare. I have emailed him about questioning him and I hope to hear from him soon.

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Contacting BioWare Writers

While on Twitter, I mentioned that I wanted to interview BioWare developers. One of them, a programmer named Tim Griffith, follows me and contacted me. He kindly asked around and gave me the email of Luke Kristjanson, who is a senior writer at BioWare. I have emailed him about questioning him and I hope to hear from him soon.

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

I contacted the author of the first article, and he has replied with the data, which I have now downloaded on my computer. It should be useful, and the graphs can be used in my essay with proper citation.

Initial Research: Mass Effect

Wright, Steve. 7 Jun 2017. http://stevivor.com/features/unpacked/mass-effect-romances-by-the-numbers-how-gay-males-have-been-shafted/ (I have contacted this writer to see if I can use the research that requires contacting them for.)

Cohen, Drew. 16 May 2011. http://kotaku.com/5802371/mass-effect-fans-worry-that-expanded-gay-options-will-create-inconsistencies-alter-canon

‘PureSophistry’. 15 Apr 2013. http://n4g.com/news/1258313/kaidan-alenko-from-mass-effect-explains-why-same-sex-romances-were-so-important (starts talking about relationships around 23:00)

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Player Survey

I put out my survey today, and I have shared it on Twitter, Facebook and Reddit. On Twitter, I tagged popular BioWare-related pages, and hopefully they will share the post. I expect to get responses soon!

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Dorian’s official character page. Lots of good stuff about his sexuality.

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Points to talk about in terms of Dorian:

Dragon Age as a franchise has always been more about equal options for all sexualities, so it’s no surprise they had a strictly gay character. Equal options in DA:O, playersexual in DA:2. This just happens to be the first they’ve made a big deal about. 

David Gaider, Dorian’s writer, is gay himself, and has stated that writing Dorian was a very personal experience for him. Diversity within companies = diversity within media?

First gay NPC romance (Adoribull). Even if the player doesn’t romance Dorian, he is still shown to like and be in relationships with men. Doesn’t become a background fact.

Contrast with Sera, who is similarly gay, but her sexuality is not particularly mentioned. However, Sera’s character is a lot more abrasive than Dorian’s, making the community like Dorian more for his wit anyway. Difficult to compare.

Is being a gay pariah a cliche? If so, is it still worthwhile to explore it in a world where sexuality is generally quite free, and so would be unique within said world?

Stereotypes: sassy, flirtatious, obsessed with appearance.

Counterarguments: most upper-class Tevinter seem to be due to perfection culture, uses sass as a defence, actually very sensitive, more dry wit than ‘camp’ humour.

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Initial Research: Dragon Age

Shepard, Kenneth. 2014. http://gamingtrend.com/editorials/dragon-age-games-need-characters-like-dorian-pavus/ (Very good article!)

Gray, Kate. 14 Jan 2015.  https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/14/boyfriend-dragon-age-inquisition-gay (Really good for the perspective of a straight female player about how genuine Dorian’s route feels)

Makuch, Eddie. 1 July 2014. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-inquisition-s-dorian-character-is-legitimately-gay-bioware-says/1100-6420844/ (Lots of direct quotes from David Gaider, Dorian’s writer, and a gay man himself.)

Rosenberg, Adam. 22 Jan 2016. http://mashable.com/2016/01/22/bioware-dragon-age-david-gaider/#uuKbae.QZgqE (Also lots of direct quotes from David Gaider. Very good.)

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

“The fact that you couldn't romance Kaiden as a male in me1 has no relevance since you couldn't romance tail or garrus either but could later. [sic]”

 https://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/995452-mass-effect-3/62322727

A really good forum documenting fan’s reactions to Kaidan ‘becoming’ bi.

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Possible points to talk about in terms of Kaidan:

In ME1, he states, “If I knew you were into women, I wouldn’t even have bothered.” This is only when the player character also chooses flirty dialogue options with Liara T’Soni, a bisexual female love interest. Could be considered biphobia, but also just jealousy and saying things in the heat of the moment. Consider: ME1 made in 2009. Attitude to bisexuality not as open, often considered to be unfaithful just because they like men and women.

Some people argue that changing sexuality suddenly disagrees with the character development. However, just because someone ‘seems’ straight, ie only dates members of the opposite sex, doesn’t mean they are straight. I personally identify as pansexual, and though I have never dated anyone who identifies as anything other than male, that does not mean I wouldn’t in the future. Also, it isn’t a personality trait. People of all varieties can be LGBT+.

Gay males had no love interests until the third game, though gay females had the second most. Just catching up to their own game?

[lgbt-in-rpgs-epq]

Initial Research: Mass Effect

Wright, Steve. 7 Jun 2017. http://stevivor.com/features/unpacked/mass-effect-romances-by-the-numbers-how-gay-males-have-been-shafted/ (I have contacted this writer to see if I can use the research that requires contacting them for.)

Cohen, Drew. 16 May 2011. http://kotaku.com/5802371/mass-effect-fans-worry-that-expanded-gay-options-will-create-inconsistencies-alter-canon

‘PureSophistry’. 15 Apr 2013. http://n4g.com/news/1258313/kaidan-alenko-from-mass-effect-explains-why-same-sex-romances-were-so-important (starts talking about relationships around 23:00)

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Change of Question

Now: 

Why are certain love interests in RPGs given certain sexualities?

Focusing on both within the game community, and in terms of more frequent representation in the media as a whole.

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SWOT Analysis

1) Why are certain characters in RPGs given certain sexualities? (Most likely outcome: essay)

Strengths: My knowledge and enjoyment of video games of this type; my knowledge and participation in the LGBT community (specifically in terms of sexuality); my ability to choose a specific case study (Dorian Pavus from Dragon Age: Inquisition and Kaidan Alenko from the Mass Effect series)

Weaknesses: I don’t know anyone in the industry; I don’t know what research has already been done into this; I have my school subjects and work that could get in the way

Opportunities: I could network with video game developers; I’d get to research into my dream career path; I could learn a lot more about writing LGBT characters generally

Threats: Video games are generally not considered a ‘serious’ topic; big game developers might not have time to talk to me; playing through each case study romance could take a lot of time

2) How is gender explored in RPG-style games? (Most likely outcome: essay)

Strengths: My knowledge and enjoyment of video games of this type; my knowledge and participation in the LGBT community (specifically in terms of gender); my ability to choose a specific case study (Cremisius Aclassi from Dragon Age: Inquisition and the asari species from the Mass Effect series)

Weaknesses: I don’t know anyone in the industry; I don’t know what research has already been done into this; I have my school subjects and work that could get in the way

Opportunities: I could network with video game developers; I’d get to research into my dream career path; I could learn a lot more about writing LGBT characters generally

Threats: Video games are generally not considered a ‘serious’ topic; big game developers might not have time to talk to me; playing through each case study game could take a lot of time