inherit
1104
0
538
naughtynomad
508
Aug 21, 2016 15:51:50 GMT
August 2016
naughtynomad
|
Post by naughtynomad on Jan 11, 2019 16:45:58 GMT
Bioware is getting a bit predictable in their romances. You get to flirt around, then you get called out by your partners asking to go exclusive, then you get prompted to go break it off with the others so you can either go exclusive or lose access to that one relationship.
It's been like this since... Origins and ME1...
How about giving us the option to cheat? To play with the affections of two companions? Why can't we end the game with a state like this being canonized?
Why are we supposed to be strictly monogamous? Aren't there companions who would be ok with being in a 3 way relationship? Iron Bull and Dorian come to mind as being open to sharing...
I dunno, things like this would be fun for roleplaying as a polyamorous rogue, or a twisted villian who doesn't care for his companions feelings that much.
Even the romances that start off as just flings evolve into exclusivity if you pursue them... why aren't there relationships where YOU can be the side partner? Like they're married to someone else, but have feelings for you on the side, but you never get them away from their spouse...
I guess I just feel options like these would be refreshing.
|
|
inherit
4964
0
Jun 17, 2017 17:29:55 GMT
3,700
arvaarad
1,465
Mar 18, 2017 16:32:40 GMT
March 2017
arvaarad
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Jade Empire
|
Post by arvaarad on Jan 11, 2019 16:52:31 GMT
To my understanding, this isn’t so much a creative restriction as a practical one. Once you’ve got multiple people who can react differently to multiple combinations of other people, the math becomes ridiculous really fast.
|
|
cankiie
N3
People are too forgiving when it comes to video games, and their focus is malplaced.
Posts: 457 Likes: 281
inherit
9149
0
281
cankiie
People are too forgiving when it comes to video games, and their focus is malplaced.
457
August 2017
cankiie
|
Post by cankiie on Jan 11, 2019 17:02:36 GMT
Gotta agree with arvaarad here.
We already have a lot of different romances for different sexualities, going with different types of couplings may be a little too much.
Although, personally I just feel that it might take more resources away from other game mechanics. Romances can be a fun little side thing in Dragon Age, but I'd rather the franchise NOT turn into a dating simulator, we already have a lot of those on steam and other parts of the website.
|
|
monkeylungs
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 766 Likes: 811
inherit
10729
0
811
monkeylungs
766
Dec 29, 2018 23:09:15 GMT
December 2018
monkeylungs
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by monkeylungs on Jan 11, 2019 21:46:40 GMT
Gotta agree with arvaarad here. We already have a lot of different romances for different sexualities, going with different types of couplings may be a little too much. Although, personally I just feel that it might take more resources away from other game mechanics. Romances can be a fun little side thing in Dragon Age, but I'd rather the franchise NOT turn into a dating simulator, we already have a lot of those on steam and other parts of the website. Even if they just kept up with how ME:A handled it and let you go further into a friendship if you didn't want to enter a sexual relationship would also be pretty cool.
That said, there really are not 'a lot' of games doing companion/ party interaction the way Bioware does it (in fact I would argue there are NONE). Maybe there are dating simulators on steam but that is not the same thing nor is it what people are asking for. The dynamics of party interaction and long term companions potentially developing into love interests is not 'dating simulator' as many people want to write it off as. Not only is this potential commonplace in sci-fi and fantasy since 'ever since', it has also become quite a beloved part of Bioware RPG's in general. And it makes perfect sense.
Relationships of depth, both sexual and non sexual, would very much form under the conditions our heroes endure. If for no other reason than comfort in the face of such adversity. Further these characters are frequently question and challenging each others beliefs and morals, learning intricate details of each other lives and putting themselves into peril for each other routinely. Writing it off as 'dating simulator' does the entire concept a disservice.
|
|
anarchy65
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 891 Likes: 1,080
inherit
8825
0
1,080
anarchy65
891
Jun 25, 2017 23:54:40 GMT
June 2017
anarchy65
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by anarchy65 on Jan 11, 2019 22:37:43 GMT
I agree with your reasoning, I found pretty weird on Origins when I had sex with Morrigan she said "I have no intention of limiting your personal freedom", but then I have something with Leliana she starts "hey, I want exclusivity".
But, as said already, the math would be quite difficult, I mean, there are already enough problems with saves and world states without this. But, since I'm not a progammer, I couldn't say how difficult it would be to do that.
|
|
inherit
4964
0
Jun 17, 2017 17:29:55 GMT
3,700
arvaarad
1,465
Mar 18, 2017 16:32:40 GMT
March 2017
arvaarad
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Jade Empire
|
Post by arvaarad on Jan 11, 2019 22:59:28 GMT
I agree with your reasoning, I found pretty weird on Origins when I had sex with Morrigan she said "I have no intention of limiting your personal freedom", but then I have something with Leliana she starts "hey, I want exclusivity". But, as said already, the math would be quite difficult, I mean, there are already enough problems with saves and world states without this. But, since I'm not a progammer, I couldn't say how difficult it would be to do that. It’s not a programming thing so much as a pure math thing. You can see it with just dots on a piece of paper. Put down 1 dot for a protagonist and maybe 4 dots for compatible LIs. Now draw lines from the protagonist to the LIs. Each line represents some amount of work to support that state. With monogamous relationships, there are 4 lines. Add in a generic dialog where the LI dumps you if you’re with any other person, and that can be represented by drawing a second line from the protag to each LI — 8 total. i.e. there’s the “relationship” line, and the “dumping” line. If you want, you can also add “never in a relationship” lines, now we’re up to 12. In each case, we’re drawing one line from the protagonist to each LI. Now imagine doing the same thing, but there are also lines connecting some or all of the LIs to each other, representing people you may or may not romance simultaneously. Go ahead and count how fast the lines grow in that case. See, no programming knowledge needed!
|
|
inherit
Scribbles
185
0
30,241
Hanako Ikezawa
22,352
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Jan 11, 2019 23:12:40 GMT
I remember BioWare said how complicated it would be when asked about having a polyamorous romance, stating it would be a nightmare to create due to all the variables. The only feasible way they later said would be if the two NPCs are already in a relationship and the PC can join.
|
|
inherit
3555
0
Apr 14, 2022 23:07:25 GMT
11,193
gaycaravaggio
Oy Gay
2,940
February 2017
gaycaravaggio
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion
|
Post by gaycaravaggio on Jan 12, 2019 0:25:36 GMT
I don't believe this would be feasible with official romances due to the reasons already explained here, but I could see a questline where you can be "the other (wo)man" for an NPC and potentially fuck up someone's marriage. Or more varied reactions to casually sleeping with a random NPC.
|
|
inherit
1909
0
Apr 12, 2024 10:24:43 GMT
2,366
10k
Cerberus is Humanity! Join us today and receive a limited edition commemorative pin!
1,131
November 2016
10k
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2
|
Post by 10k on Jan 12, 2019 0:38:07 GMT
Goodness is romance the only RP aspect this community cares about? lol BW should just make dating sims.
|
|
inherit
529
0
7,815
Nightscrawl
3,266
August 2016
nightscrawl
Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Nightscrawl on Jan 12, 2019 0:47:48 GMT
Dorian come to mind as being open to sharing Not sure why you think this about Dorian. (I can't speak to one way other the other about Iron Bull.) Dorian has never been in a relationship before; I don't think there's anything in the game to indicate either way.
|
|
monkeylungs
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 766 Likes: 811
inherit
10729
0
811
monkeylungs
766
Dec 29, 2018 23:09:15 GMT
December 2018
monkeylungs
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by monkeylungs on Jan 12, 2019 1:10:10 GMT
Goodness is romance the only RP aspect this community cares about? lol BW should just make dating sims. Nah it is just that nobody else does it like Bioware does it so fans of that aspect will naturally gravitate towards Bioware games.
Read my post above for refutation of 'dating sims'. It goes way beyond that. It is the interconnection of the dating, the friendships, the interpersonal struggles based on morals and world views all while being intertwined into a sci-fi or fantasy adventure that not only affects the PC's interactions with companions but other characters in the world while at the same time affecting how your companions react to the world and each other and the adventure.
It makes the fiction feel more real. It's why movies and books also have this kind of stuff. It is why human stories had this before people etched them onto cave walls. It is just much more labor intensive to replicate in a game because your are adding player choice and increasing the variables needed to tell the story of all the potentialities by orders of magnitude.
|
|
inherit
Friend of Red Jenny
90
0
18,890
vertigomez
5,281
August 2016
vertigomez
|
Post by vertigomez on Jan 12, 2019 2:39:47 GMT
Goodness is romance the only RP aspect this community cares about? lol BW should just make dating sims. Out of the thirty topics on front page of this subforum, only four of them have anything to do with romance. Obviously the community cares about more than just romances.
|
|
inherit
1909
0
Apr 12, 2024 10:24:43 GMT
2,366
10k
Cerberus is Humanity! Join us today and receive a limited edition commemorative pin!
1,131
November 2016
10k
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2
|
Post by 10k on Jan 12, 2019 3:04:15 GMT
Goodness is romance the only RP aspect this community cares about? lol BW should just make dating sims. Out of the thirty topics on front page of this subforum, only four of them have anything to do with romance. Obviously the community cares about more than just romances. Actually it's 5, which is 16% of the first page. Also let's not act as if other threads on the first page don't contain conversation on romance inside them. BSN can't help but to talk about romance all the time.
|
|
Sanunes
N6
Just a flip of the coin.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Prime Posts: 4392
Prime Likes: 882
Posts: 5,899 Likes: 8,927
inherit
1561
0
8,927
Sanunes
Just a flip of the coin.
5,899
Sept 13, 2016 11:51:12 GMT
September 2016
sanunes
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
4392
882
|
Post by Sanunes on Jan 12, 2019 3:45:31 GMT
I rather have a game that has good content throughout instead of spending all that time with dialogue, animations, and voice acting so people can live out some situation that still won't meet their personal expectations of how that romance will turn out. If anything I want to go back with less romantic entanglements so they can go back and improve the base game instead of having 12+ romance options.
|
|
Andraste_Reborn
N4
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
Posts: 1,460 Likes: 6,307
inherit
469
0
6,307
Andraste_Reborn
1,460
August 2016
andrastereborn
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by Andraste_Reborn on Jan 12, 2019 4:20:27 GMT
I remember BioWare said how complicated it would be when asked about having a polyamorous romance, stating it would be a nightmare to create due to all the variables. The only feasible way they later said would be if the two NPCs are already in a relationship and the PC can join. It's telling that the only RPG I know of that does have a poly romance in it handles it like that - you can break Octavia and Regongar up by romancing only one of them or you can join their relationship and make it poly, but either way their relationship exists before the player meets them, which makes things far simpler mathematically.
|
|
inherit
Elvis Has Left The Building
7794
0
Oct 31, 2020 23:57:02 GMT
8,068
pessimistpanda
3,804
Apr 18, 2017 15:57:34 GMT
April 2017
pessimistpanda
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Mass Effect Andromeda
|
Post by pessimistpanda on Jan 12, 2019 4:27:13 GMT
Goodness is romance the only RP aspect this community cares about? lol BW should just make dating sims. You wanna talk about something else, make a thread for it.
|
|
inherit
1104
0
538
naughtynomad
508
Aug 21, 2016 15:51:50 GMT
August 2016
naughtynomad
|
Post by naughtynomad on Jan 12, 2019 6:35:25 GMT
I rather have a game that has good content throughout instead of spending all that time with dialogue, animations, and voice acting so people can live out some situation that still won't meet their personal expectations of how that romance will turn out. If anything I want to go back with less romantic entanglements so they can go back and improve the base game instead of having 12+ romance options. People play BioWare games for the story content... not really the gameplay. Romances are huge parts of any story.
|
|
inherit
507
0
Jun 21, 2021 22:15:41 GMT
5,802
Artemis
Somewhere, out there...
2,630
August 2016
artemis
CuriousArtemis
curiousartemis
|
Post by Artemis on Jan 12, 2019 8:39:56 GMT
Man... you gotta really be pandered to in the romance department to start asking for the chance to cheat on your LI. I mean, I'm just like, for the love of god BioWare, give me a romance I actually really like and is at least vaguely plot relevant.
|
|
Sanunes
N6
Just a flip of the coin.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Prime Posts: 4392
Prime Likes: 882
Posts: 5,899 Likes: 8,927
inherit
1561
0
8,927
Sanunes
Just a flip of the coin.
5,899
Sept 13, 2016 11:51:12 GMT
September 2016
sanunes
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
4392
882
|
Post by Sanunes on Jan 12, 2019 14:12:11 GMT
I rather have a game that has good content throughout instead of spending all that time with dialogue, animations, and voice acting so people can live out some situation that still won't meet their personal expectations of how that romance will turn out. If anything I want to go back with less romantic entanglements so they can go back and improve the base game instead of having 12+ romance options. People play BioWare games for the story content... not really the gameplay. Romances are huge parts of any story. Where did I say gameplay? There is story in other aspects of the game where they can spend that time.
|
|
inherit
∯ Oh Loredy...
455
0
26,660
gervaise21
10,774
August 2016
gervaise21
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights
|
Post by gervaise21 on Jan 12, 2019 16:45:49 GMT
Even the romances that start off as just flings evolve into exclusivity if you pursue them... why aren't there relationships where YOU can be the side partner
To be fair they did something along these lines if you romanced Alistair and then married him off to Anora but remained as his mistress. Also a male Cousland could marry Anora and then continue to have a relationship with either Leliana or Zevran and a male city elf technically still had his betrothed back in Denerim. So it is not that the writers were against you being in multiple relationships but, as already pointed out, it would add too many layers of complexity for you to have this situation with two fully scripted companion characters.
|
|
Sah291
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Prime Posts: 1,240
Prime Likes: 1340
Posts: 862 Likes: 1,935
inherit
306
0
1,935
Sah291
862
August 2016
sah291
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Jade Empire, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
1,240
1340
|
Post by Sah291 on Jan 12, 2019 17:12:50 GMT
Yeah, it seems to me they already did have a lot of this stuff early on back in the Origins and DA2 days... you could romance everyone and get called out on it, characters would act jealous or dump you, and you could end up a mistress. DA2 had characters coming on to you first, and relationships starting off as one night stands. If I remember correctly, I believe they got rid of a lot of that because it wasn't popular (people didn't like ninjamances, or being forced to flirt with characters they didn't like, etc). In my opinion, Bioware sort of overcompensated a little too much. Now we get about 100 warning messages that we are about to start a romance. I did like how the romances were done in DAI overall though. Maybe just allow for a little more surprises and ease up a bit on the romance/flirting warnings (I know you can turn off the indicators in the dialog wheel, but that unfortunately turns off all the dialogue tone indicators and not just the romance related ones--maybe include a separate toggle for that).
|
|
inherit
Ohm's Law Compels You
207
0
19,211
Qui-Gon GlenN7
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
5,762
August 2016
quigonglenn
Bottom
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, KOTOR, Jade Empire
qui_gon_glenn
2108
|
Post by Qui-Gon GlenN7 on Jan 12, 2019 19:21:11 GMT
Thread title reminded me of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Allowing isn't the right term I think. This is a degree of complexity - to allow for this would be to allow more time to the devs.
However, what is Dragon Age, primarily? A relationship simulator or an apocalyptic fantasy?
|
|
inherit
Scribbles
185
0
30,241
Hanako Ikezawa
22,352
August 2016
hanakoikezawa
|
Post by Hanako Ikezawa on Jan 12, 2019 21:44:41 GMT
Thread title reminded me of The Count of Monte Cristo. Allowing isn't the right term I think. This is a degree of complexity - to allow for this would be to allow more time to the devs. However, what is Dragon Age, primarily? A relationship simulator or an apocalyptic fantasy? ”It’s a dating sim with a Save the World mini game.”
|
|
rapscallioness
N3
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, Jade Empire
Posts: 731 Likes: 1,531
inherit
223
0
1,531
rapscallioness
731
August 2016
rapscallioness
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquistion, Jade Empire
|
Post by rapscallioness on Jan 13, 2019 4:17:55 GMT
When I think of complicated in this regard, I don't think of cheating..necessarily, or going poly, rather just more complexity within any given romance between two ppl. A little more.....tension? Emotion? Build up, maybe. Something. At present, the romances feel too easy. Too fast. I do like the build up, and the tension that can come with that. Falling in love can be both thrilling and agonizing all at the same time. It's beautiful. lol! So, I guess complicated to me would be a more complicated, emotional build up within the romance. Read some good romance novels for research. Key word being "good". I don't have any recommendations, I'm just saying. There are writers that very adept at creating that type of build up. And I don't care abt ninjamancing and all that. As long as I'm not accidentally locked into something. I mean, if one of the companions happens to fall in love with me due to my irresistible charm, I can't help that. heheheh. However, I'd prefer for my character not to have to be on the prowl all the time like they're LeisureSuit Larry. Let us be hit on sometimes, and if they disapprove of me because I don't like them back, so what.
|
|
inherit
1104
0
538
naughtynomad
508
Aug 21, 2016 15:51:50 GMT
August 2016
naughtynomad
|
Post by naughtynomad on Jan 13, 2019 5:37:13 GMT
I'd also find it pretty interesting if you weren't locked in to a relationship. But you could cheat on your "exclusive" relationship. And then it gets found out, and creates this huge drama/falling out. With some of your other companions asking how you could do that to your partner. Some drastic approval losses and your partner possibly leaving for good.
|
|