Harle Cerulean wrote...
aldien wrote...
I feel that if you are writing for a roleplaying game it might be a good idea not to state what you had in mind for a character's sexual orientation. It kind of breaks the illusion that Fenris was meant to be a character for people of different sexual preferences. No, they didn't exclude a heterosexual relationship in the game, but, all the same, I didn't want to know that the wall slamming scene was made with a Fenris/MHawke in mind. I didn't want to know any of this honestly. But, someone with good intentions felt the need to tell me. Now I'm stuck with it swirling around in the empty space that is my mind.
In David Gaider's vizualisation male Hawke was the choice for the Fenris romance. Isn't the intent then that Fenris is homosexual? This is why I keep what the writer says and what is in the game seperate, because it become somewhat of a contradiction.
Wasn't that short story released after the game?
Blah, when it comes down to it all I want to do is perv Fenris in peace. I really should stay off the forums, but I like the pictures too much! Then I get into debates. I need my therapist pronto! 
Sorry for the double post!
For starters, no, that does not make Fenris homosexual. Sexuality is not determined by who you are with, sexuality is determined by who you are attracted to. Fenris is attracted to both males and females regardless of Hawke's sex or gender. He is the same character, no matter what is between Hawke's legs or ears. Fenris is attracted to men and women, therefore he is bisexual.
Second, a female Hawke's romance with Fenris is no less meaningful or complete than a male Hawke's. Would you consider the male romance less meaningful if Gaider had a female Hawke in mind when he wrote it? I highly doubt it, since heterosexual romance is the socially reinforced 'default', and homosexual romance, when present, is expected to be, at most, an "extra." Might it have been wiser of him not to mention his mental visualization? Possibly, if only because there are people with confused ideas of what makes sexuality and meaning.
Fenris' feelings and actions are the same whether Hawke is male or female. This makes the romances equal. If you truly can't stomach that Gaider thought of male Hawke, and not female Hawke, then I'm very sorry, but . . .
Welcome to the world of every gay gamer playing every game out there except this one. The options are both there, which is a hell of a lot more than can be said for most games.
According to the game he can be attracted to either a male or female. But, as far as I know, David Gaider never stated that he had a bisexual character in mind when he was writing Fenris. If he had, I would not have taken offense. I am simply going on what was stated by the writer and he stated male. That is why I think it would have been best if he had not elaborated on this particular subject.
Do I have a problem with homosexual male relationships? I could care less. What people do in their bedroom is their own business. It doesn't define a person or make them less than or worthwhile. Human sexuality in all forms is a beautiful thing. I just wish the rest of the world saw it that way.
Do I have a vendetta against the writer? No.
Do I have an opinion on the matter? Yes.
If we are talking about the game, Fenris can be whatever sexual preference you wish. I applaud Bioware for that. This is why I seperate the game from the writer. It is also why I see things as a contradiction between the two, if that makes sense?
Second, a female Hawke's romance with Fenris is no less meaningful or
complete than a male Hawke's.
I agree and I never said that it was not.
Would you consider the male romance less
meaningful if Gaider had a female Hawke in mind when he wrote it? I
highly doubt it, since heterosexual romance is the socially reinforced
'default', and homosexual romance, when present, is expected to be, at
most, an "extra."
You are putting words into my mouth and assuming you know what I think.
Does this mean because I am a heterosexual female that I don't deserve the same consideration as a homosexual male?
There aren't exactly a lot of games out there that have heterosexual females in mind when they are made. Trust me, we are very much an afterthought too. Actually, most games are designed for heterosexual men and women tend to be overeaggerated in certain areas to please them. We are sometimes little more than a piece of mutton.
Might it have been wiser of him not to mention his
mental visualization? Possibly, if only because there are people with
confused ideas of what makes sexuality and meaning.Sexuality and its meaning is different to everyone. I get that. It's a beautiful thing regardless of body parts. But this is a very specific discussion about a game and a writer . It's about roleplaying and everyone should be allowed to play as they see fit without feeling like they were an afterthought.
You know what's funny? When David Gaider made that statement I felt like an afterthought. I felt like the character wasn't intended for my sexual preference and I was crushed. I felt like Fenris was being pigeonholed and that saddened me when the game made it feel like it was meant for everyone. That is exactly how I felt. I just didn't have the balls to say it until now.
If you truly can't stomach that Gaider thought of male Hawke, and not female Hawke, then I'm very sorry, but . . .
I didn't say I couldn't stomach it. I didn't say anything of the sort. All I said is that I didn't want to know, that it shattered the roleplaying illusion. I am certain there are people out there who would have been equally disappointed if he had mentioned an FHawke in mind for the Fenris romance. There are many who love this game because it does not adhere to the 'default' heterosexual views of romance. I am one of them. I believe everyone should play how they want and without feeling the characters are defined in any way. Isn't that what gives a person the feeling of freedom when they play this game?
I just wanted Fenris to remain a blank slate. That's all.