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[KappaOmicron]

Since i've seen so many Bioware people commenting quite freely on some of the threads regarding questions and discussions people have started, I would like to ask if any of you could tell us what the bad language level is going to be in Dragon Age II.

In DA:O I heard "bastard" often enough but perhaps there may be some moments in the game where putting "****ing" within a sentence to show your emphasis on the matter you are talking may be appropiate? After all this is an 18 game and I have read that there are much more decapitations now.

I would be most grateful if someone from Bioware could answer this, I would not hate DA:II if not, in a matter of fact i'm loving how it's sounding at the moment, this would just be a small plus for me and perhaps some others in the community.

I am not making a big deal out of this in any way what-so-ever, it is but a question where no matter the answer to it I will still be extremely excited and waiting patiently for DA:II

Thank you for reading this fairly long post.

[David Gaider]

We try to be very careful about using profanity that is too anachronistic-- though of course one's individual tolerance for anachronism is going to vary. The meeting where we hashed out exactly what profanity was acceptable and what was unacceptable was, I have to say, one of the most bizarrely fun I've ever attended.

Regardless, I'm not telling you **** just yet.

[David Gaider]

Riona45 wrote...
I agree with you--people in a "medieval" setting don't need to polite or refrain from dirty language.  Hasn't vulgar language existed since people could speak?

Oh, they had many, many vulgar words-- some we would even recognize.

The point is, however, that most we would not. The point is picking a feel for a fantasy game and going with that, and avoiding phrases as often as possible that break the illusion that you're not in a medieval-ish setting even if you're being communicated to in a modern tongue. That said, the fact that you're being communicated to in a modern tongue means that some level of idiomatic language is unavoidable.

I've read plenty of fantasy that indulged in very vulgar language, and I think it's fine so long as it's impactful. That's a key word, there. I remember back in the day watching Degrassi Junior High (showing my Canadian roots, here) when they changed the profanity rules on CBC.

You see, it was the final episode and Caitlin had finally found out that Joey had been cheating on her. OMG, right? Anyway, she wheels on him in an utter rage and shouts "You were f****** Tessa?!"

It was shocking-- but it also worked. The fact that it was so out of the norm made it work, because it underlined just how angry she was. She swore, which is what people who are THAT angry do... they don't say "poop" or "firetruck" or "gosh darn it!" Not unless they're the Church Lady, I guess. Thing is, if it fits for the character, profanity can be very impactful so long as it is occasional and not overused.

[David Gaider]

dan107 wrote...
What about low-brow people that curse so much that they incorporate profanity into their everyday language? Surely there should be people like this in the Middle Ages? The Witcher did this well IMO - when you enter a seedy tavern you are not met by some kind of Shakesperean cast, you encounter a bunch of drunks cursing, gambling, and fighting. Makes the place feel authentic.

Maybe. I think at that point it's a question of style. If profanity is used that often, in my opinion, it becomes just background noise... which some people might consider a good thing, but which would also serve to lessen the impact of more occasional use.

In other words, I would not be interested in writing a character that used profanity as punctuation, even if it's plausible that such people exist. That such a character might use profanity more often, sure, but I'd rather it be indicative of their anger or used for emphasis than just because someone f***ing feels like it.

[David Gaider]

Brockololly wrote...
I demand Deadwood style profanity in DA2. 

Like this?



Writing the entire game in iambic pentameter would be tough. Thankfully f***, f***ing and m*****f***er provide a nice set of 1, 2 and 3-syllable words for you to use.

And yes, I also demand Ian McShane be somewhere in DA2. That man is epic beyond words.

Stop! Don't make me drool. A dwarven Ian McShane might cause my head to explode.

EDIT: Fixed link, okay? Stop getting on my goddamned case.

Modifié par David Gaider, 25 juillet 2010 - 04:45 .