This is just a mild response to a video from The Escapist by the Jimquistion. In his most recent video rant, he talked about the latest Bioware interview that the "sex scenes" in the upcoming Dragon Age Inquistion would be "more mature and tasteful". (Insert my internal groaning...because I'm not surprised.) His point was that no, they were not. They were the same as any "sex scene" in a game: pandering, with no consequences, and often following a mechanic of "give gifts, get reward".
For the majority of this I say, true. Yes. This is a thing. This element is a selling feature and making such promises about possibilities, boosts sales. And to be honest, some element of romantic interest is something I look for in a game story. But, personally I wish that explicit sex scenes were not allowed in any form of media ever.
I would love a game where the romance had more weight and consequence and if it weren't just a coin slot. So, I guess I'm up to the challenge. Next month is NaNoWriMo month which many writers use as a challenge to write a novel in 1 month. (National Novel Writing Month...by the way.) While I'm not writing a novel, throughout November (and into December), I'm going to write up and plot out a romance option game that does not cater to the stereotypes of gifting and complimenting, displays a maturing relationship within an overarching adventure story. It will be a challenge to myself to then translate that into some form of game engine. That part will take much longer.
Also for fun, one of my favorite video blogs about Sex in games. I'm sure I've linked it before but it deserves more linking.
I'll try to keep this blog updated with progress if any gets made.