2090 réponses à ce sujet

[Ianamus]

 

Which ones do you guys want most?

 

For Female LI's I'm a fan of relatively cold on the outside, no-nonsense and authoritative, but softer and more romantic underneath it all romances. The defrosting Ice queen trope I guess. It's vital that female LI's have some form of agency though. I really don't like those "nodding doll" kind of characters who have no opinions of their own and take no actions of their own. 

 

As for Male LI's I really like "Too nice for his own good" kind of male characters. I also quite like the idea of a flirty male character who you think is really outgoing and confident, but actually becomes really embarrassed and awkward if any of the flirting is actually reciprocated.

[Former_Fiend]

I think that the arguments of "companions LIs are better because they have more content" and "NPC romances could be expanded to have as much content" are kind of arguing around two different points. The way I feel and the way I think some others saying this feel is that all communication with a character you're romancing is a part of the relationship, not just flagged "romance plot" information. You could have an NPC with just as much dialog as a companion related to the LI plot, but being able to take your companion LI everywhere and get their responses to every quest is still going to result in a much more fleshed out relationship.

 

It's a game mechanics view to separate out the romance plot and the "other" dialog, but for an immersive view of an organically developed relationship, all dialog develops an overall relationship. When you're in a relationship with a real person in the real world, talking about politics, or what you did at work, or grocery shopping together, or any number of other things is a part of your relationship. There's not specific discourse that only affects the relationship with everything else being some vague other. So, if I take a companion LI on a quest mission and they chew me out for my choices, even if that dialog is there outside of a romance, it still changes the emotional tone of the relationship if you're in one. 

 

So, for me, the only way NPCs could be "equal" is if they somehow had as much dialog and plot involvement as a companion LI as a whole. Just having as much romance specific dialog isn't enough. To me, all interaction is a part of the relationship. 

 

It's interesting because what I argue to be one of the strengths of the NPC romance is that you don't have them with you all the time, which creates great opportunities for romantic tension.

 

Though I admit I also never been in the mind set of wanting to spend all my time with my significant other. When I'm with my significant other I tend to be very close and affectionate, but I enjoy having my space, as well.

 

Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but for me, personally, not having the LI with you all the time isn't a bad thing; it isn't something I'd miss.

[Ianamus]

 

 

So, for me, the only way NPCs could be "equal" is if they somehow had as much dialog and plot involvement as a companion LI as a whole. Just having as much romance specific dialog isn't enough. To me, all interaction is a part of the relationship. 

 

Where do you draw the line regarding "plot involvement" though?

 

If a character has a really long and in-depth personal story arc that is related to strengthening the Inquisition but not vital to the overarching story and is optional content, do you no longer consider that to be "plot involvement"?

 

I know of several stories where individual character arcs are far more gripping, compelling and well written than the overarching story and have the most depth in them, even though they are not vital in terms of the overarching plot. in fact stories like that are those I tend to be fondest of.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

 

It's interesting because what I argue to be one of the strengths of the NPC romance is that you don't have them with you all the time, which creates great opportunities for romantic tension.

 

Though I admit I also never been in the mind set of wanting to spend all my time with my significant other. When I'm with my significant other I tend to be very close and affectionate, but I enjoy having my space, as well.

 

Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but for me, personally, not having the LI with you all the time isn't a bad thing; it isn't something I'd miss.

I've seen other people say similar things about favoring the dynamic. It's totally subjective as to which is "better". Again, I'm not against them being added, just not with the 2/2/2 spectrum. Since some people do favor them, it makes even more sense to have them open to everyone. If they fill a hetero/homosexual slot, then those that favor the dynamic, but don't align with the assigned sexuality, will still be stuck with companion LIs. 

 

Limiting the NPC/companion LIs by sexuality runs the risk of alienating both sides, but there's a pretty easy way to "have your cake and eat it, too" on this.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

What do you draw the line regarding "plot involvement" though?

 

If a character has a really long and in-depth personal story arc that is related to strengthening the Inquisition but not vital to the overarching story and is optional content, do you no longer consider that to be "plot involvement"?

 

I know of several stories where individual character arcs are far more gripping, compelling and well written than the overarching story and have the most depth in them, even though they are not vital in terms of the overarching plot. in fact stories like that are those I tend to be fondest of.

For me personally, it just has to be something that relates to the lore and the world, overall. If you could take the character out of the game and not really lose any advancement in the ongoing plot, then they weren't very important, imo. 

 

To be honest, though, I'm more skeptical of whether they could offer as much interaction with NPCs, period.

[Ispan]

For Female LI's I'm a fan of relatively cold on the outside, no-nonsense and authoritative, but softer and more romantic underneath it all romances. The defrosting Ice queen trope I guess. It's vital that female LI's have some form of agency though. I really don't like those "nodding doll" kind of characters who have no opinions of their own and take no actions of their own. 

 

As for Male LI's I really like "Too nice for his own good" kind of male characters. I also quite like the idea of a flirty male character who you think is really outgoing and confident, but actually becomes really embarrassed and awkward if any of the flirting is actually reciprocated.

 

I agree with your other points, but I especially like this one.  We literally know nothing about DHMG (we don't even know if he's going to be a companion) but I immediately thought of him upon reading this.  He looks cocky and confident, so it might be sweet to find out he uses the facade to distract from his sensitivity or self-doubt.

[Former_Fiend]

So, here's another configuration I don't think has been seriously discussed yet. 

 

Assuming four companion romances and two NPC romances, the four companions will be bisexual but the NPC's will be either heterosexual or homosexual, and they won't necessarily have the same orientation(One may be straight, the other gay).

 

While I certainly think everyone agrees that a balanced approach, whether it is 2/2/2 or a full bisexual spread, is the best way to go, I don't know if it's a guaranteed assumption to make. Going back to DA2, Sebastian(who was, admittedly, DLC) was the odd one out, being a straight romance, and also making it 3/2 in favor of male LI's. 

 

So while(I think we can all agree) the balanced approach would be ideal, I wouldn't say it's a sure thing.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

So, here's another configuration I don't think has been seriously discussed yet. 

 

Assuming four companion romances and two NPC romances, the four companions will be bisexual but the NPC's will be either heterosexual or homosexual, and they won't necessarily have the same orientation(One may be straight, the other gay).

 

While I certainly think everyone agrees that a balanced approach, whether it is 2/2/2 or a full bisexual spread, is the best way to go, I don't know if it's a guaranteed assumption to make. Going back to DA2, Sebastian(who was, admittedly, DLC) was the odd one out, being a straight romance, and also making it 3/2 in favor of male LI's. 

 

So while(I think we can all agree) the balanced approach would be ideal, I wouldn't say it's a sure thing.

I've considered this. I've also considered that it could be exactly like DA2 and Cullen will just be one extra heterosexual LI. 

 

It's not my ideal, but I'd honestly rather an imbalance with NPC romances than to not have a choice between 2 companion LIs. 

[smoke and mirrors]

For Female LI's I'm a fan of relatively cold on the outside, no-nonsense and authoritative, but softer and more romantic underneath it all romances. The defrosting Ice queen trope I guess. It's vital that female LI's have some form of agency though. I really don't like those "nodding doll" kind of characters who have no opinions of their own and take no actions of their own. 

 

As for Male LI's I really like "Too nice for his own good" kind of male characters. I also quite like the idea of a flirty male character who you think is really outgoing and confident, but actually becomes really embarrassed and awkward if any of the flirting is actually reciprocated.

 

I really love the LI`s you have described but i would like to be able to inter change the roles for both sexes from one sex to the other because you have picked two great characters . Bastila Shan`s romance in KOTOR was like the male romance you decribe and i loved the way she became flustered when you flirted with her .

 

PS i hope you can understand what i mean

[Sugarjaye]

Another thing I wonder about is the sorts of romance things we'll see...the desperate "before we die" romance...the "second chance at true love" type of romance, the "never thought I'd fall in love" romance, the "instant connection" romance, the "I just barely got over my dead love" romance, the "you remind me of someone" romance, the "can't resist my charm" romance, or  "with you til the end, and by the way, if we die taking out that dragon, remember I dealt the killing blow" romance.

 

Which ones do you guys want most?

 

This one made me think of Iron Bull.

[Hanako Ikezawa]

This one made me think of Iron Bull.

Iron Bull under the Garrus type romance...it could work.

[Hellion Rex]

What does make me curious about the romances is how they're going to occur along side the plot which seems so big and daunting. I guess it's the same as the campside stuff in Origins which could be a moment away from all the stress...often deceptively calm despite what the goal is. And Hawke had a whole different type of life.  But now that we're back on the front lines, as it were...I wonder how they'll grow and develop alongside the story.

 

Another thing I wonder about is the sorts of romance things we'll see...the desperate "before we die" romance...the "second chance at true love" type of romance, the "never thought I'd fall in love" romance, the "instant connection" romance, the "I just barely got over my dead love" romance, the "you remind me of someone" romance, the "can't resist my charm" romance, or  "with you til the end, and by the way, if we die taking out that dragon, remember I dealt the killing blow" romance.

 

Which ones do you guys want most?

I honestly don't know what kind of romance story I want...if we get the Warden (I still have my candle lit for him, dammit!) I'd be all for the tragic romance, considering he is older and near his calling. If I get IB, I have no clue, but I'd bet it'd be an absolute blast. In the end, I'd prefer an LI who can make me laugh as well as be pretty damn hot and sexy. As for his romance "type", I'll take whatever.

[Hellion Rex]

Iron Bull under the Garrus type romance...it could work.

Ugh, I hate Garrus.

[Nocte ad Mortem]

As for what kind of LI I'd like, I like witty, confident, extroverted LIs. I'm not really into awkward LIs, or the "virginal" type. I like personalities like Zevran and Isabela, but I wish they wouldn't always equate promiscuity with an inability to connect emotionally. I mentioned this in the thread earlier, but I really would like to see a character that actually enjoys casual sex and their interest in it isn't just used as subterfuge for personality issues. I'd like a relationship that starts out casual and grows more serious over time, but hopefully with less broody "LOVE IS FOR THE WEAK I TRUST NO ONE" crap, which usually goes along with those types of characters. 

 

I also tend to favor over confident character arcs instead of characters that lack confidence. Someone like Morrigan, who sees herself as superior over most others and often voices that opinion. I could see this applying to a mage character, like a Tevinter magister, or maybe a Dalish character, since they tend towards the superiority complex archetype, already. 

[Hellion Rex]

*like*

[Sugarjaye]

Iron Bull under the Garrus type romance...it could work.

Kind of, except I see IB more as a rough and tumble smart ass who purposefully tries to give you the shits.

[Divine Justinia V]

tbh I'd rather it be playersexual just so no one gets excluded.

[daveliam]

tbh I'd rather it be playersexual just so no one gets excluded.

 

But wouldn't all bisexual LI's also mean that no one gets excluded?

[Mockingword]

But wouldn't all bisexual LI's also mean that no one gets excluded?

Why is it so important to know that they are bisexual specifically?

 

Why not just have their sexuality... never come up?

[Divine Justinia V]

But wouldn't all bisexual LI's also mean that no one gets excluded?

 

it doesn't matter to me honestly

[Blackrising]

For Female LI's I'm a fan of relatively cold on the outside, no-nonsense and authoritative, but softer and more romantic underneath it all romances. The defrosting Ice queen trope I guess. It's vital that female LI's have some form of agency though. I really don't like those "nodding doll" kind of characters who have no opinions of their own and take no actions of their own. 

 

As for Male LI's I really like "Too nice for his own good" kind of male characters. I also quite like the idea of a flirty male character who you think is really outgoing and confident, but actually becomes really embarrassed and awkward if any of the flirting is actually reciprocated.

 

Ianamus, I do believe we have found something we agree on. Who would have thought that day would come? I'm downright emotional here.

 

 

 

Why not just have their sexuality... never come up?

 

I wouldn't be bothered by this at all. I have no problem not knowing the sexuality of every single one of my companions. I have lots of friends who never had a romantic entanglement in the time we've known each other and never bothered telling me about what kind of junk they prefer, simply because they aren't the type to tell or because it never came up.

But if that happened, it would lead to a situation like in DA2 and people would keep complaining that we 'change the companion's sexuality', nevermind that there is nothing to prove that theory. Some people aren't happy when their companions don't make a big deal out of their own sexuality, apparently. I guess it depends on whether you put a lot of stock in labels or not. *shrug*

[Mockingword]

Well, I don't put a lot of stock in labels. They are useful, but ultimately limited, and I think our society's preoccupation with placing everyone in neat little venn diagrams is ultimately harmful, because some people just do not fit.

 

Besides which, these labels don't even exist in Dragon Age. Zevran and Leliana exhibit attraction to men and women, but that doesn't mean that they are "bisexual", or that they would classify themselves as such. There are plenty of other labels that could potentially fit, based on the limited information we have about them.

[Divine Justinia V]

i'd be fine with never learning their sexuality

[Nocte ad Mortem]

There are going to be some people dissatisfied regardless what choice is made, you can count on that. To me, what makes the most sense is for companions to mention past relationships or attractions when they're relevant and for the situation to be left vague when it's not relevant. Sexuality doesn't require an in depth explanation, or, even more ridiculous a suggestion I've seen, a justification. Trying to shoehorn that kind of thing in is just going to look forced and unnatural. 

[Chari]

As if companions' sexuality based on PC choice of word is natural and not forced.
Let the companions and their writers themselves choose what gender, race, age, beliefs etc they prefer, not the player