I'm a huge Bioware fan, and I love most of their games, even games that were not as well recieved (Dragon Age II and Mass Effect 3). Anyway, recently I was watching Dave's review of Dragon Age: Origins for some random reason, one thing came to mind.

Sex.

No, not with Dave. Sex in Bioware games. It seems to be in every single game that they've pushed out recently. Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II all have sex scenes in them. Basically what I'm wondering is this:

Do you think has a check list of certain things that needs to be in a game, and if so, do you think sex is on that list? Personally, I think yes and yes.

You said sex. Sex rhymes with checks. Checks as in lists. So yes I agree with you.

Nipples.

@Legion you gestalt consciousnesses and your constant need for input , when will you ever learn, all 1183 Geth programs in this mobile platform clearly doing all their processing in bonary

@Animasta: Three replies for this to be posted? Is this a sign that the GB forums are dying?

I think of their use of the subject as more of an experiment. When they try to tell "rich" narratives it's stupid to ignore such a pervasive part of being human (or alive for that matter, unless you're a turkey). Also, avoiding it due to some fear or moral issue doesn't make sense either. In other words, for the games they make, "WHY NOT"?

And honestly, their kind of unearned check-list treatment of it reflects that attitude, I believe.

I'd say "relationships" are what's on that check list, but that's just me as a not-horny teenager.

I'm going to take the modest and conservative position that sex should be more implied than shown in games simply because of how awkward finer animations still look.

You said sex. Sex rhymes with checks. Checks as in lists. So yes I agree with you.

 It seems to be in every single game that they push out. Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II all have sex scenes in them. B

@Ravenlight said:

@Animasta: Three replies for this to be posted? Is this a sign that the GB forums are dying?

I know right

Sex is a pretty critical part of relationships. Relationships are a big part of Bioware games.

Pretty sure anyone can connect the dots there.

I think they just want to tell stories about human interaction, and that's one of the most basic. I really think the only unusual thing is that anyone would see it as unusual and frankly I think it'd be easier for them to integrate it if they weren't placed under a microscope by the goddamn hypocritical media.

I'm sure that might be part of the reason, but I think it's acceptable in mature storytelling. I mean, when everyone knows they're gonna die very soon, might as well fuck dirty, right?

@Poppduder said:

@Legion_ said:

It seems to be in every single game that they push out. Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II all have sex scenes in them. B

You're forgetting AT LEAST 10 games on your list, a lot of which dont include sex. I dont remember sex in every single Baldur's Gate/Neverwinter game, or Jade Empire. But yeah, to your point, I think it's almost expected from them as of late.

I meant recent games. I'll just add that real quick.

Yes, I would like sex with Bioware.

It's EA's fault.

Yes sex yes.

So I see a lot of you pulling out the good ol' relationship card. And that's totally legit. But there are different ways to show emotion, and sex can be implied. What I think is kind of strange is the fact that they need to show it every time. When the sex scene itself shows up in every game, it makes me wonder if there's a check list with sex on it.

Every game they put out? You mentioned games from only two series and BioWare has made absolutely loads of games.

Bioware handles the sex in their games the same way a virgin handles sex in their horrible fan fiction.  

@Legion_ said:

 It seems to be in every single game that they push out. Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II all have sex scenes in them. B

You're forgetting AT LEAST 10 games on your list, a lot of which dont include sex.  I dont remember sex in every single Baldur's Gate/Neverwinter game, or Jade Empire.  But yeah, to your point, I think it's almost expected from them as of late.

I would pay federal dollars to be able to remove the sex scenes from BioWare games.

@Sooty said:

Every game they put out? You mentioned games from only two series and BioWare has made absolutely loads of games.

As stated both in the OP as well as a later comment: recent games. Appriciate it if you would take your time to read the whole post.

@Animasta: NO! That Dwarf looks EXACTLY the same as the one I made in my first playthrough of Dragon Age. That's just disturbing to me. On topic, yes, I think that they try to put relationships in their games, and sex comes with it.

I'd say sex definitely is on a checklist of what needs to be in a Bioware game, yes. (Except if it's with Garrus, then they fade to black. Foiled!)

This is a bit of a tangent, but it began to disturb me around ME2 how many of the romance options for MaleShep are based largely around hero worship. I'm thinking about Liara and Tali in particular, maybe Miranda, she's an edge case. I don't need you to tell me how awesome I am all the time, girls, the game is a sci-fi power fantasy, of course I'm awesome.

At least FemShep gets Garrus, who is still your same old alien bro and sniper buddy, except you fuck him.

I want Persona 5 to star the P4 cast as adults so I can romance Naoto and have teh sex....Er....Anyway, if the sex scenes fit with the mood and tone of a game, why not?

Anyway, recently I was watching Dave's review of Dragon Age: Origins for some random reason, one thing came to mind.
Sex.

No, not with Dave...

I ag... Oh.. oh yes! Yes, of course not!

There's been sex in every Bioware game (sans the Sonic : Dark Brotherhood game, I can only assume - and wait, KOTOR? I totally can't remember) since Baldur's Gate 2, and surely innuendo in games before that. Now my personal stance is a resounding "so what?" because it fits into the more mature stories they tell. Unfortunately, it's been since Baldur's Gate 2 since it was really handled exceptionally. I guess that's partly because it happens in an implied manner without some incredibly awkward animation, and even my 14 year old self was probably better with my imagination.

But yeah, it's totally become a checkmark thing. I mean, because of player feedback and a yearning for same-sex relationships, that has as well.

I was once sexually assaulted by David Gaider. He gave me a newspaper that was ripped and greasy. He called it a grimoire and a gift. Then he forced me into the tent. His breath smelled like cheese whiz and death. Even though the whole affair was very violent he kept apologizing throughout. Saying that the J Allard makeover machine had left a hole in his soul that he could only "fill with fuck".

Yeah its on a checklist. Sadly the relationships in Bioware games are pretty shallow and poorly done throughout. But its not like the sex is especially graphic and is the most realistic part of the whole thing anyway so why not? Why is this even worthy of discussion in the first place?

I would actually play as lady Shepard if she could fuck a Hanar. Mmmmm. . . .

Sex is only natural.

Between a cute blue alien lady and a military commando dude with a tripod.

@believer258 said:

I'm going to take the modest and conservative position that sex should be more implied than shown in games simply because of how awkward finer animations still look.

I completely agree. I don't care that it is in there, but the animations are so awkward (perfect word for it) that it doesn't do anything at all to make the relationship seem any more real or meaningful. Just imply it and move on. Actually showing the terrible animations takes more away than adding to the feelings they are trying to evoke.

I like the way Bioware does their sex scenes. Very romantic and with minimal nudity. That's not say I dislike nudity. In fact quite the opposite, if every appropriate game had full on hardcore sex scenes with nude models I would be way more happy then the kiddy garbage like in GTAIV. That strip club in GTAIV was the first instance where I started noticing how lame game nudity was going to be. I mean if you're not going to have actual nudity then don't put a strip club in your game. Mass Effect is a bit different because it's a story driven game and so you get attached to the characters and I liked the romantic style love scenes. A game that does it equally as well but with actual nudity is the Witcher which has the best "hardcore" sex scenes I've seen in any game.

@Legion_ said:

Do you think has a check list of certain things that needs to be in a game, and if so, do you think sex is on that list? Personally, I think yes and yes.

I also think yes and yes. I don't mind the sex itself, as much as mind the "relationship" building up to it. I realize it's a game, but a lot of the relationships in Bioware games have felt extremely shallow to me. It can essentially be boiled down to "select the nice option" and boom, you're in their pants. They don't have to turn it into a freaking VN or anything, but a little more depth couldn't hurt.

No, and, no.

But in the BioWare sex I've seen (i.e., Mass Effect 1 and 2) it's always fit the game. What do you expect from a ridiculous space pop-opera than lingering shots of Miranda's buttocks, or Princess Leia in a slave girl bikini?

Most of my favorite games don't have sex in them. If fact, most of my favorite games don't ever have you directly interact with another human being.

And, no, this is not the part where you make bestiality jokes.

I'm a huge Bioware fan, and I love most of their games, even games that were not as well recieved (Dragon Age II and Mass Effect 3). Anyway, recently I was watching Dave's review of Dragon Age: Origins for some random reason, one thing came to mind.

Sex.

No, not with Dave. Sex in Bioware games. It seems to be in every single game that they've pushed out recently. Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II all have sex scenes in them. Basically what I'm wondering is this:

Do you think has a check list of certain things that needs to be in a game, and if so, do you think sex is on that list? Personally, I think yes and yes.

@Poppduder

@Legion_ said:

 It seems to be in every single game that they push out. Mass Effect 1, Mass Effect 2, Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II all have sex scenes in them. B

You're forgetting AT LEAST 10 games on your list, a lot of which dont include sex.  I dont remember sex in every single Baldur's Gate/Neverwinter game, or Jade Empire.  But yeah, to your point, I think it's almost expected from them as of late.

I definitely recall there being sex in Jade Empire. In fact, if you play your cards right, I'm pretty sure you can get some ménage à trois action.

Sex has its place in stories. It helps if it's portrayed in a far less hamfisted way than Bioware has displayed, though.

@Hailinel said:

Sex has its place in stories. It helps if it's portrayed in a far less hamfisted way than Bioware has displayed, though.

Agreed and agreed.

They need to make the sex scene right..

Similar like Witcher 2.

QTE in sex scenes... Please.

Yeh, it needs to be like Indigo Prophecy.

You're forgetting The Lost and Donged.

I subscribe to Chris Avellone's school of thought when it comes to sex and romance - it has a place in the story if it ends in grief and tragedy.

Bioware has basically done the exact same thing when it comes to romance ever since Knights of the Old Republic. It was fine back then but I find it increasingly hokey ever time I see it.

It's always talk to the person for the entire game, chose a dialogue option that says you want a relationship and just before the final battle you have sex (Or in KOTOR's case a kiss). For me it doesn't really feel like a real relationship and feels forced to add emotional drama to the endgame.

I think games like the Witcher did this kind of thing better as while it is more graphic, the relationship between Geralt and Triss was more believable and you can have sex in the middle of Act 1, which makes your choices later on a little more interesting.