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[Maria Caliban]

The Kirkwaller’s Guide to Social Justice

It’s fairly safe to say that Dragon Age 2 has been polarising, at best; considering the mechanical and the thematic changes it introduced over its predecessor, I suppose that’s hardly surprising. And while the “mainstream” gamer press has been busy debating the merits of dialogue wheels and sped-up combat sequences, a parallel conversation has been going around the social justice gaming blog (a-har) circle, in part spurred by DA2 lead writer David Gaider’s unexpectedly accurate understanding of the concept of privilege.

Hence this post. It’s about social justice (mostly). And where and how BioWare nails it, with examples.

[Rheia]

This was an enjoyable read, thank you for putting it up!

I found myself nodding along with their examples, and, in particular, I couldn't have made a better case for Isabella if I tried.

And I just had to laugh at how sad and true this is: 

No, it’s not perfect — it’s not perfect as a game and it’s not
perfect as a social justice narrative — but if we don’t hold it up and
scream, “YES! THIS! MORE OF THIS!” we’re going to keep getting games
like Duke Nukem Forever, well, forever.
And, really. You can’t possibly tell me that’s a better option.

Modifié par Rheia, 20 avril 2011 - 05:34 .

[Rinji the Bearded]

I kind of lost interest after the second or so link to TV Tropes. Too distracting.

[hoorayforicecream]

I like the article, but I think that parts of it aren't going to be received well by everyone. For a lot of people, the whole concept of "passing" is a very sore spot, since it's like a giant, flopping, boneless chicken in the china shop of their suspension of disbelief.

I do love it when people mention Isabela as awesome. I wonder how many folks noticed that she doesn't even wear high heels?

[ImoenBaby]

Huh. So mage Hawkes can be blatant apostates because of privilage.

An interesting interpretation. An interesting blog.

[Maria Caliban]

hoorayforicecream wrote...

I like the article, but I think that parts of it aren't going to be received well by everyone. For a lot of people, the whole concept of "passing" is a very sore spot, since it's like a giant, flopping, boneless chicken in the china shop of their suspension of disbelief.

What do you mean?

ImoenBaby wrote...

Huh. So mage Hawkes can be blatant apostates because of privilage.

It's an interesting suggestion, but I am not sure the text supports it.

What about the Count's boy in 'On the Loose?' His family were wealthy, Orelesian nobility. Hawke interacts with a number of socially privileged people in the game and no where is it suggested that you can remain an apostate by greasing the right palms.

Modifié par Maria Caliban, 20 avril 2011 - 06:00 .

[Addai]

I don't think I got a single cogent point from this except "DA2 is so cool." Someone want to explain what the writer is trying to get at with all the "scare quotes" and (parentheses)? There was a bit about Isabela being the epitome of a female character or something.

Modifié par Addai67, 20 avril 2011 - 06:09 .

[hoorayforicecream]

Maria Caliban wrote...

hoorayforicecream wrote...

I like the article, but I think that parts of it aren't going to be received well by everyone. For a lot of people, the whole concept of "passing" is a very sore spot, since it's like a giant, flopping, boneless chicken in the china shop of their suspension of disbelief.

What do you mean?  

For some, it's an acceptable conceit that there's a bunch of social pressure offscreen to allow Apostate Hawke free reign. They accept that the nobles, the merchants, or somebody out there (Hawke herself?) is exerting pressure to allow Hawke to remain free, maybe through some unseen bribery or threat of violence.

For others, it's immersion-breaking and stupid that ApostaHawke can join in a battle with Cullen against Wilmod and use blood magic without being called on it. It's even further stupid that Hawke can walk into the Gallows at practically any point in the game, pull out a big, magical staff, and cast a bunch of big magical spells and be completely ignored. They never see the palms being greased, or people being threatened to let it go, and it seems silly that people who don't necessarily care about money or threats like Meredith giving ApostaHawke a pass.

[Maria Caliban]

Oh, you were talking about mage Hawke.

Addai67 wrote...

I don't think I got a single cogent point from this except "DA2 is so cool." Someone want to explain what the writer is trying to get at with all the "scare quotes" and (parentheses)? There was a bit about Isabela being the epitome of a female character or something.

1) Depictions of gender and sexual orientation are far more progressive than the norm in video games.

2) The Aveline romance doesn't cater to typical heterosexual male fantasies.

3) The game deals with passing and privilege.

4) Isabela is cool.

5) The game does Low Fantasy well.

6) There's too much criticizing the game's handling of social issues and not enough praise.

Modifié par Maria Caliban, 20 avril 2011 - 06:17 .

[hoorayforicecream]

Yes, I was talking about Mage Hawke. That bit is probably the hardest pill to swallow for many people, since there's so much time spent on the mage conflict.

[Addai]

Maria Caliban wrote...

Oh, you were talking about mage Hawke.

Addai67 wrote...

I don't think I got a single cogent point from this except "DA2 is so cool." Someone want to explain what the writer is trying to get at with all the "scare quotes" and (parentheses)? There was a bit about Isabela being the epitome of a female character or something.

1) Depictions of gender and sexual orientation are far more progressive than the norm in video games.

2) The Aveline romance doesn't cater to typical heterosexual male fantasies.

3) The game deals with passing and privilege.

4) Isabela is cool.

5) The game does Low Fantasy well.

6) There's too much criticizing the game's handling of social issues and not enough praise.

Okay.

Nobody told my Vault Dweller in Fallout 3 that she couldn't fight because she was a girl, nor my dark elf assassin in Oblivion.

And, what Aveline romance?

[Wulfram]

The idea that Apostate Hawke can use status and wealth to suppress rumours and discourage templar interest is reasonable. Just like blood mage DuPuis can get Meredith hereself to intervene to stop investigations into him.

But Hawke takes things far too far for this to be justifiable.

[The Baconer]

Maria Caliban wrote...
5) The game does Low Fantasy well.

I don't know if I'd call it a Low Fantasy. It's certainly a Dark Fantasy, though.

[Beerfish]

The way i always justified the leeway that Hawke gets is a small part privilege and status and a large part of fear. You have heard the dumb guys that growl "It's da Champion! Get em!" And you instantly kick the crap out of his group of lackeys in 5 seconds? Not every one is like that.

1 part - This guy and his friends are frighteningly tough and could possibly wipe us out, better leave him alone.
1 part - This guy has tons of cash and is a noble, better leave him alone or the nobles might get pissed
1 part - The people love this guy for dehorning the Arishok, we can use him for political gain, better try to manipulate him for our own gain.

(edit...bah I need to proof read more before posting.)

Modifié par Beerfish, 20 avril 2011 - 07:47 .

[hoorayforicecream]

Addai67 wrote...

And, what Aveline romance?

I believe the blogger was insinuating that her initial impression was that Aveline was going to be similar in circumstance to Jaheira in BG2 - her husband was killed early in the story to pave the way for the conquering hero to romance her. The blogger was saying how it was a refreshing subversion of the trope when Aveline's story strayed from the norm.

[jlb524]

That was a very interesting article.

On the subject of Mage!Hawke, wouldn't the same difficulties of traveling around Kirkwall as an apostate apply to the mage party members like Merrill, Anders, and Bethany? Though, if it's as Beerfish mentioned, they would get the same leeway by associating with Hawke.

[Addai]

hoorayforicecream wrote...

Addai67 wrote...

And, what Aveline romance?

I believe the blogger was insinuating that her initial impression was that Aveline was going to be similar in circumstance to Jaheira in BG2 - her husband was killed early in the story to pave the way for the conquering hero to romance her. The blogger was saying how it was a refreshing subversion of the trope when Aveline's story strayed from the norm.

And a couple paragraphs above that, the post is saying that of course everyone would fall in love with the PC.  ??

[jlb524]

Addai67 wrote...

hoorayforicecream wrote...

Addai67 wrote...

And, what Aveline romance?

I believe the blogger was insinuating that her initial impression was that Aveline was going to be similar in circumstance to Jaheira in BG2 - her husband was killed early in the story to pave the way for the conquering hero to romance her. The blogger was saying how it was a refreshing subversion of the trope when Aveline's story strayed from the norm.

And a couple paragraphs above that, the post is saying that of course everyone would fall in love with the PC.  ??

It says "Almost" everyone.

[Camenae]

I wasn't aware people have been criticizing DA2's portrayal of mental illness. Link to what those critics are saying?

[Maria13]

Good article but it left out the class/economic aspects of social justice in the game which are extremely prominent. Whatever your standing in Ferelden initially Hawke and companions as refugees are bottom of the pile in Kirkwall. As the game goes on you get to see other compatriots of yours being exploited, like Hubert's miners, only Fereldans are desparate enough to work for him. Even once you've made it every now and then you are subject to casual insults due to your ethnic origins. When Aveline solely on merit makes it to captain of the guard, a disgruntled Kirkwaller attempts a mutiny against her only because she is a Fereldan. Nice also to see that when Alistair offers refugees the opportunity to return home and regain their previous status that may have been removed by Loghain/Anora on political grounds, she decides not to go back.

And bloody hell, as a half Spaniard this last reminds me soooo much of what happened over here, teachers, soldiers, exiles who supported or fought for the republicans lost their pensions and their ranks only to have them re-instated when Franco died. Social justice indeed!

Modifié par Maria13, 20 avril 2011 - 07:41 .

[sereture]

Very interesting read.

Thank you for the link!

[Sherbet Lemon]

The section on passing in that article was on the spot. Feynriel's story hit a particular cord with me and I remember thinking about that parallel while playing the game.

Like all of its dealings with privilege, DA2 doesn’t pretend to give any pat answers to this; Feynriel is Othered when you meet him and he’s still Othered when he writes you his final letter about life in the Imperium. But writing Feynriel off as BioWare erasing ethnic identities is, in my opinion, a bit of missing the forest for the trees.

This! 

Though I fear for Feynriel in Tevinter, I hope his story is contiuned in future content somehow/someway. 

That was an interesting read. Thanks for sharing!

Modifié par Village Idiot, 20 avril 2011 - 08:15 .

[Maria Caliban]

Camenae wrote...

I wasn't aware people have been criticizing DA2's portrayal of mental illness. Link to what those critics are saying?

At the end of this article. I believe Jennifer (Anders' writer) posted in the comment section about mental illness as well.

[Paraxial]

The Baconer wrote...

Maria Caliban wrote...
5) The game does Low Fantasy well.

I don't know if I'd call it a Low Fantasy. It's certainly a Dark Fantasy, though.

I agree, I don't think that Dragon Age can qualify as 'Low Fantasy'. The traditional elements of Fantasy are cleary used in the Dragon Age universe, a work that is qualified as 'Low Fantasy' is something more like 'A Game of Thrones'.

After all the use of traditional fantasy races are used quite frequently, and the entire series takes place in an alien land.

Modifié par Bible Doctor, 20 avril 2011 - 08:24 .