The Character Romance thread (Official)

And this is kind of a weird question since it ignores context. There's more barriers for LGBT game writers to "make it" so to speak, especially if they write LGBT content and feel it's important to them, which leads a lot of them into indie games where there's less of a hassle to get into it. And of course, a few moderately successful indie games aren't going to look as impressive as a few moderately successful AAA games on a resume. Basically, this question assumes they've had the same kinds of opportunities. Besides that, it also assumes that the resume (which I'm assuming only includes a list of previous work and some references) is the only factor in hiring a writer. There's often writing samples, connections, interviews, etc.

Now, again, I've never asked for a hypothetically awful LGBT writer to be chosen over a fantastic straight writer (and I'd like to emphasize that what you submitted is only really a hypothetical), but these are the things you gotta consider. And if you keep hiring the same cookie cutter dudes to write these games, you're not gonna get much diversity in the writing team, which is reflected in the final product.

Not to mention that when we (or any marginalized group) actually DO follow that and create our own, these same people who told us 'go make your own' get upset because we made something and excluded them. "It's not right to exclude ANYONE, sweaty!"

Damned if you do, damned if you don't, because since the problem doesn't have any effect on them, that must mean there's not REALLY a problem... Gah.

Short answer to your hypothetical question? I'd pick skill first, regardless of sexuality, if that's what you're trying to gauge from this conversation.

Game writing jobs are difficult to secure a position, so those vacancies are a once in a blue moon thing. There are more straight people than there are lgbt+ people, let's face it. So because straight people are the majority, more chances you'll see a sterling resume and writing sample from them than an lgbt+ person. BUT that does not mean an experienced lgbt+ game writer who probably rose through the ranks of the indie games dev scene (seriously, that's a thing- heard of game jams? Happens every so often where I am- and yet, Brisbane doesn't have a lucrative gaming scene because there isn't the financial backing for it here), does not exist. And it's only in recent memory lgbt+ representation start to pick up in games, so it would be a hit or miss to find any LGBT+ content in a resume, writing sample, and squizz through their previous body of work.

Which is it?

"We want to see better lgbt+ protagonists"
"Well, do it yourself."
"Okay, cool, give us opportunities to do so, then, for those with experience."
"Uh, are you saying that straight writers shouldn't write lgbt+ characters?"
"But you just-"

Fuck that noise with razor blades.

Shit's very black and white with you, isn't it?

Enjoy your only two limited gay male options in Andromeda, then.

As black and white as it is for you????

Seeing as you haven't read my other replies on this matter, not as much.

I just think it's funny that I'm not even against some hypothetical Magical Unicorn straight writer writing us amazing LGBT content and yet this argument shaped up to be me arguing that more LGBT writers is the priority.

I don't mean to like, go at you or anything. I felt the same as you do once upon a time.

I just think that we all kind of pin our hopes on companies that essentially profit from appearing to care about LGBT issues, which often leads to disappointment. In Bioware's case, it seems to be more the work of individuals rather than a general company thing.

Can we have a Magical Unicorn straight creative director, lead designer, producer, and vice president of a game company too? Some particular game really needs them! 

(Did I miss any higher-ups devs that I need to talk shit at?)

I didn't interpret your posts as hostile, playing devils advocate to flesh out my understanding of perspectives (mine and others') is just my bag. I appreciate the meaningful engagement. 

I'm hoping Maevaris is written by a woman for similar reasons. Yeah, men can write women, but this particular instance seems more meaningful.

How is that not illegal? It's a serious question, as I don't know how the law applies in those cases. It cuts both ways. You can't discriminate in hiring by refusing on the basis of sexual orientation for LGBTQ+ people, but it also applies to straight people as well.

Just to be clear, I agree with you in principle. I don't know how it would actually work out in practice if you tried to do this.