Developers Explore Romance and Sexuality in RPGs with Diverse Approaches

In the ever-evolving landscape of RPGs, developers have taken diverse approaches to incorporate romance and sexuality. One notable method involves assigning specific orientations to characters, such as Zevran in Dragon Age: Origins, who is bisexual, and Alistair, who is straight. This approach allows for a clear representation of character identities within the game.

Another intriguing method, exemplified by Baldur’s Gate 3, features “playersexual” companion characters whose sexualities adapt to the player's preferences. This flexibility offers players a unique sense of authorship over their party members' romantic attractions, making the gameplay experience more personalized.

Diverse Romantic Interactions

In a recent interview, Busche, the creator of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, shared his perspective on character sexuality. He considers the cast to be implicitly pansexual, meaning that player identity does not influence the characters' identities. This approach fosters diverse romantic interactions within the game, allowing players to explore various facets of romance and sexuality without predefined limitations.

As a pansexual man, I find myself with mixed feelings about these approaches. On one hand, playersexual characters provide a sense of control and customization over romantic narratives. On the other hand, characters with canon sexualities enable more explicit discussions about sexuality within the game world, enriching the narrative depth.

Upcoming Release: Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Busche has confirmed that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will feature sex scenes with nudity, aiming to further characterize the diverse personalities of the companions. These scenes are designed to add layers to the characters, making their relationships more authentic and engaging.

The game is set to be released this Autumn, promising players an opportunity to delve into a new RPG setting where romance and sexuality are explored in innovative ways. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, such approaches highlight the importance of inclusivity and representation in creating immersive and relatable game worlds.

Update: 13 Jun 2024