Sexuality in Gaming

[powderbucket]

Inspired by my recent blog post, I thought it would be interesting to ask fellow members of MyGaming how they feel about the topic of sexuality in games.

For example, let's say that at the crux of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Snake admitted that he was, in fact, interested in the bulkier of the two sexes. This explains why things never really hit off between him and Meryl... Etc...

In other words, how would you feel about controlling a gay or lesbian character? For the more stereotypical among us, I'm not saying this will mean that your character often engages in rampant love affairs and poppers throughout the game, it is merely an aspect of the character that might play some or other role in the game's plot. That said, his sexuality is obviously a part of him or her whether it plays a role in the story or not.

So: your feelings on controlling homosexual characters and the topic of sexuality in games in general? (and I guess I should say we should keep this nice, yes?)

[Tsar]

I have no problem with it.

[to0kenZA]

Inspired by my recent blog post, I thought it would be interesting to ask fellow members of MyGaming how they feel about the topic of sexuality in games.

For example, let's say that at the crux of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Snake admitted that he was, in fact, interested in the bulkier of the two sexes. This explains why things never really hit off between him and Meryl... Etc...

In other words, how would you feel about controlling a gay or lesbian character? For the more stereotypical among us, I'm not saying this will mean that your character often engages in rampant love affairs and poppers throughout the game, it is merely an aspect of the character that might play some or other role in the game's plot. That said, his sexuality is obviously a part of him or her whether it plays a role in the story or not.

So: your feelings on controlling homosexual characters and the topic of sexuality in games in general? (and I guess I should say we should keep this nice, yes?)

I'd say in most games you want to control a character that you "want to be", if you know what I mean. For me, I wouldn't be impressed if you were to, say, control a homosexual character while having epic gun battles and then watch a cut-scene afterwards with your protagonist bagging a man. I won't say I'm homophobic, but that would just so not be my style or fall into my taste.

I also think that this might be a bit of a complicated matter at this point in time. If they were to start considering this, they should give every person the choice of which type of character they want to play.

[DenSweeP]

This can open a whole massive can of worms.

Homophobic no. Want to play a gay character, no. But having said no to playing the character, I suppose it depends on the game being played more than anything else. It's not likely that Soap McTavish is gay for instance and wants to jump Prices' bones. In fact, most FPS would most likely not be gay based characters. And I'm not stereotyping, it is simply a matter of likelihoods.

But, you could make some games ala Heavy Rain or similar RPG style games where your character is gay. In fact, it could make for some pretty interesting games if you ask me.

What I'm saying I suppose is, the question should maybe rather be, would you buy a game containing a gay character that is also the main character?

[powderbucket]

I'd say in most games you want to control a character that you "want to be", if you know what I mean. For me, I wouldn't be impressed if you were to, say, control a homosexual character while having epic gun battles and then watch a cut-scene afterwards with your protagonist bagging a man. I won't say I'm homophobic, but that would just so not be my style or fall into my taste.

What you say is very true, that when it comes to gaming you do "want to be" the character you are controlling but after thinking about that I started to wonder how the millions of gay people around the world feel about controlling 'very straight' characters, particularly in games such as God of War or Grand Theft Auto which come across as very 'heterocentric'. Just a thought.

[powderbucket]

This can open a whole massive can of worms.

Hopefully people stick to discussing rather than debating.

Homophobic no. Want to play a gay character, no. But having said no to playing the character, I suppose it depends on the game being played more than anything else. It's not likely that Soap McTavish is gay for instance and wants to jump Prices' bones. In fact, most FPS would most likely not be gay based characters. And I'm not stereotyping, it is simply a matter of likelihoods.

But, you could make some games ala Heavy Rain or similar RPG style games where your character is gay. In fact, it could make for some pretty interesting games if you ask me.

What I'm saying I suppose is, the question should maybe rather be, would you buy a game containing a gay character that is also the main character?

True story though, I guess it entirely depends on the game, what audience it is targeting and what message, if any, it is trying to send across. I don't think gay McTavish would have any point...

[Duke Dude]

I for one wouldn't mind as long as we don't have gay sex scenes. Gross. Otherwise I'm with to0kenZA, I would want to control a character that is more like me (Btw I'm as straight as they come). But I'm not saying that playing as a gay character should not be done. Just as long as they keep certain perametres (sp?) then I would be fine. But I would not endorse the idea.

[Azimuth]

I'd say in most games you want to control a character that you "want to be", if you know what I mean. For me, I wouldn't be impressed if you were to, say, control a homosexual character while having epic gun battles and then watch a cut-scene afterwards with your protagonist bagging a man. I won't say I'm homophobic, but that would just so not be my style or fall into my taste.

I also think that this might be a bit of a complicated matter at this point in time. If they were to start considering this, they should give every person the choice of which type of character they want to play.

So what about all the female gamers out there who almost invariably have to play male characters in games? ;P

[to0kenZA]

So what about all the female gamers out there who almost invariably have to play male characters in games? ;P

I'd say in most games you want to control a character that you "want to be", if you know what I mean. For me, I wouldn't be impressed if you were to, say, control a homosexual character while having epic gun battles and then watch a cut-scene afterwards with your protagonist bagging a man. I won't say I'm homophobic, but that would just so not be my style or fall into my taste.

I also think that this might be a bit of a complicated matter at this point in time. If they were to start considering this, they should give every person the choice of which type of character they want to play.

They should also give girls the choice to play as a girl then

Happy?

[Grimspoon]

I wouldn't mind controlling 2 lesbians