And then I quit.
Why? You might ask. Was it the stupid comments by other players? Their contributions to rape culture? Actually, not really. In fact, back then, you might be surprised to know, people didn't use "rape" so much to describe defeating another group - I'm sure it happened, but even in the player killing environment of UO I didn't hear it much. So, was it the objectification of women? Certainly EQ had skimpier outfits that was an aspect I did not like very much. But, par for the course, I could be disgusted and annoyed by it but still play. (I mean really, do you think bikini chain mail would do anything for protection in a fight?) So what was it that made me quit? In reality: my wrists. But today, I'm downloading a demo for a new game: Dragon Age 2.
I know that this will hurt my wrists (but maybe I can managed to limit my play-time; after all I have a kid now, and a time consuming job). I expect I will find aspects that will find things that annoy me. But you know what? I kind of feel like I should give this one a chance. Maybe it'll surprise me... it has been a very long time since I've played. And I have hope, because they've decided that relationships are for everyone.
Of course, someone (a straight male gamer, who claimed to speak for "all" straight male gamers) complained. Their response was shockingly ... reasonable:
And if there is any doubt why such an opinion might be met with hostility, it has to do with privilege. You can write it off as “political correctness” if you wish, but the truth is that privilege always lies with the majority. They’re so used to being catered to that they see the lack of catering as an imbalance. They don’t see anything wrong with having things set up to suit them, what’s everyone’s fuss all about? That’s the way it should be, any everyone else should be used to not getting what they want.
[...]
The very best we can do is give everyone a little bit of choice, and that’s what we tried here.
And the person who says that the only way to please them is to restrict options for others is, if you ask me, the one who deserves it least. And that’s my opinion, expressed as politely as possible.
I can only hope that this attitude carries over to the rest of the game. I've downloaded the demo - but I may just have to pick up this game on principle, if only to support people in the gaming industry who actually think everyone deserves options. There's a stereotype out there that only straight male gamers are out here - it's clearly not true, and it's nice to see a company acknowledge that and then do something about it.
Perhaps it's time I paid attention to the game industry again too.
Read the actual complaint and the full response here: http://www.nomorelost.org/2011/03/25/st ... y-bioware/ so you don't have to wade through the forums.
Sticking this in Sci Tech instead of Feminism 'cuz why not?
ARRR!
