The Sexuality in "Dragon Age: Origins" includes a gay option

I've been looking forward to it, and still am, although I'm afraid my poor PC won't be able to handle it.

And, just to clarify a statement you made for the benefit of those who haven't played it: at least in the first Fable, the fade-to-black was the same for gay and straight marriages, so they were treated the same.  Your basic point that DAO will go further still stands, I just wouldn't want anyone to think that Fable treated the gay marriages differently with the fadeout.

Now, it is different in that you can only work as a prostitute if you dress in drag.  Although none of your Johns seem upset with what they get.

I haven't actually played Fable 2, but I assume it's also egalitarian.

It looks like an elf on human encounter (which could also describe a Christmas revenge tale). :P Actually perhaps the game designers are simply thinking that an elf (technically immortal according to many legends) would only consider a long term relationship with another elf since humans quickly turn to dust compared to the eons elves endure.

 

And now has to study extra hard because I intend to spend at least a day or two of DA:O before my exams the week after. *sigh* Horrible timing EA. And with Mass Effect 2 coming out in Jan. Life as a student sucks sometimes.

Anyway, It's been twice confirmed by two writers at Bioware that while Zhevran is more inclined for a one-off sexual encounter based on his origins (which makes very good sense for his character, regardless), Zhevran can be pursued for a much lasting relationship, and from what the spoilers are saying, it has the ability to impact on the bigger story, somehow.

Sheryl Chee, one of the writers at Bioware:

Here's my take on this article. I think the writer was trying to sleep with characters as early and as frequently as he could. (That's okay, it's a valid way to play the game.) Some characters will sleep with you much earlier in the relationship, just like some people in real life. There is nothing in this article that says you can't have a meaningful, monogamous relationship with Zevran. Because you can.

And David Gaider, the lead writer for Dragon Age Origins posted the following in the Gay Wardens (the LGBT group in the Bioware social site) forum:

The thing to keep in mind with Zevran is that when it comes to the idea of a lasting relationship, he's really on unfamiliar ground. He leaves open the possibility that the player doesn't want to take it any further, giving the player an out as it were, but it's completely possible to continue down that line if the player so chooses -- and with Zevran it can lead to some interesting complications. I'll say no more than that. 

So yeah, apart from the femininity (which I personally do not see in Zhevran), we reallyy should not have any fear of Zhevran perpetuating the stereotype of the promiscuous elf-who-has-sex-with-other-men/elves/dwarves.

Instead, in my opinion we should applaud Bioware for putting that much effort (it's fleshed out in detailed just like any other romance, vs romances in other games which are only in passing, such as that in the Temple of Elemental Evil) in a m/m (and f/f) romance. it's definitely one step forward.

if I knew about this videogayness and THAT was why I was interested in this game but forgot or if this is the very first time I've heard of it. Regardless, my copy will be picked up on release day and jump to the head of the video game line. Sorry, Ratchet & Clank, Daddy's got an elf to sex up.

"Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself.
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)"
Walt Whitman Song of Myself

You whine about some perceived femeninity in elves (bullshit to any fantasy fan; elves would be more equivalent to dandies in a high socioeconomic ladder), but apparently have no problem with putting garbage like Project Runway and Ugly Betty, with the most obnoxious and petty effeminates to hit television in your Queerview columns?

And since when is lack of interest in monogamy in men on their sexual peak a bad stereotype? The average man doesn't want to go marrying people at 20-24, let alone any age before the 30's.

He has been in a brothel, what kind of take on relationships do you expect him to have?

I for one like the complexity, and am pleased with Bioware's depiction, given how vexed I was when they called their move to put a lesbian scene in Mass Effect-- but not a gay male one-- "courageous" given how the main audience is straight males.

Any serious gamer will know this is a good thing. We need more of this in our games.

Actually, the game developers have confirmed that you can have a monogamous relationship with Zevran. You recruit Zevran later then you recruit the female characters, so the article writer didn't advance the relationship far enough to reach that point where he actually commits. 

 

EDIT: Pabasa beat me too it :(

...my husband play Gay Tony tonight. I have to say - you either love GTA or you hate it. I played GTA I maaaany years ago and thought it was hilarious. And now it is groundbreaking - in my opinion.

 

Of course you play the womanizing, constantly swearing straight guy. But he works for Gay Tony. And he admires him and even defends him in front of his "bros". That's what I really liked about this game. "Your" character respects Tony and his sexuality. Full stop. Now I have to keep watching. :)

I did not know this, and am now super excited for the game that I was already stoked on.

MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!!

I just made sweet, sweet love to Zavren, and the best part about it was the music. As to the fleetingness of the relationship, Zavren is all up for a one night stand, but I think he's also up for more. I picked the convo path that I think will lead to a long term relationship, so I'll see!

I just got this game the other day and I love it!  Thanks for writing the article about it--if it weren't for this site, I would never have known about this game.

That's a real huge step!

 

You asked about other games that do a good job a displaying gay characters, here's a few:

 

Kanji, from Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4. PS2

 While there is no sex scene to speak of and no option to date the character, they did a good job about not falling into the stereotypes of effeminate. The dude's the most bad ass of the crew.

 

Main character from Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2, Innocent Sin. PS1/PSP

 Again, no sex scene or anything. In this one, your main character can go into a full fledged homosexual love affair with another team mate, depending of the player's dialogue choices. However, this is not considered canon in the sequel, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2, eternal punishment. Because of this and other mature subject matters (Drugs, suicide, adolf hitler and the like), the game never made it in North America.

 Grand Papillon from Shadow Hearts: Covenant.

That game goes full speed into stereotypes. Grand Papillon is a wrestler, and his master is an orgy maniac. A sidequest involves Grand Papillon  climbing 'The Men Tower', which consists of a fight again mostly naked guys, each floor. Once you defeat your master, he asks you if you want to procede to the ultimate man ritual. Screen fades to black and perverted moans are heard. This game also includes two brothers that sell item and design clothes. To unlock new clothes, you give 'em beefcake collectible cards, which are pretty suggestive visually speaking. It is of note that  the first Shadow Hearts of the series also included gay characters. A masseur to restore your hp and a vampire who took quite more pleasure in getting massaged than the other male characters. But still, it's not done with bad taste and those characters are never made laugh stock during the game. Also, their thrown at the player without it's consent. Not a bad idea!

 

Well, that covers it up for now.

 

Great news for us gay gamers! I wrote my local television news service and told 'em about it, see if they care.