I kinda wonder... If the reason we'd all be talking about Solas in the end is because they're going to leave it very vague about what he is. One of the possibilities I've been considering more lately is that he might actually be Fen'Harel, whether he's just an ancient elf, a spirit, or something else. Since it's unlikely that we'd get solid confirmation about any deities in the game, it would make sense if we're not given a real answer.
I dunno. Just another theory I've been playing with.
I find myself wondering about the race-gates again. It's funny that some are so convinced that Solas would be race-gated when, out of all of them, he has the most personality evidence to NOT be race-gated from what we know so far
And David Gaider's comment may have thrown a monkey wrench in what everybody once assumed, so one of the straight or gay LIs may very well be one of the race-gates. If it doesn't turn out that BOTH come from the ones we already know.
I just can't see Solas being race-gated. I think he's most likely to be bisexual and ungated. Now Cullen...he's got some preexisting biases I could see leading to gates. But it's impossible to make a decent guess, really. We barely know the characters' backstories, so we wouldn't know their baggage. I know a lot of people think Viv would be race-gated, and...maybe, but I also feel like a lot of people are selling her short as this one dimensional, nasty, utterly selfish social climber. I expect she's a lot more, er, complicated than th--okay, I really need to quit it with that!
I have been thinking about this quote, and it coincides with my mental ramblings about Solas being... "Something Else" basically living in the body of an elf.
Solas is actually the reincarnation of Neo. He is The One. We'll know when his skill tree involves slo-mo Kung Fu.
Seriously, though, this is what makes me nervous. Looks like an elf but is...not? It's fascinating, even if it sounds like it'd make a happy ending a little more difficult. High drama potential.
I kinda wonder... If the reason we'd all be talking about Solas in the end is because they're going to leave it very vague about what he is. One of the possibilities I've been considering more lately is that he might actually be Fen'Harel, whether he's just an ancient elf, a spirit, or something else. Since it's unlikely that we'd get solid confirmation about any deities in the game, it would make sense if we're not given a real answer.
I dunno. Just another theory I've been playing with.
Oohhhh...this is a cool theory. I like this theory.
I kinda wonder... If the reason we'd all be talking about Solas in the end is because they're going to leave it very vague about what he is. One of the possibilities I've been considering more lately is that he might actually be Fen'Harel, whether he's just an ancient elf, a spirit, or something else. Since it's unlikely that we'd get solid confirmation about any deities in the game, it would make sense if we're not given a real answer.
I wonder if Zathrian and Solas were in the League of Extraordinarily Bald Gentlemen 
I still subscribe the theory that he'll be race-gated to dwarves because they can't connect with the Fade the way the other races can if he's a romance.
I have just spent over an hour catching up on the thread after a long day with the kids and I just want to say wow! I know I am late to the love fest but I am in awe of the bravery and the power of each of you speaking your stories. Each new voice sharing from the heart and it is amazingly beautiful. And it matters. I spent time with each post because each post deserved my full attention and to give less or skim just wasn't an option. I can tell you at 43, the seeking and growing never stops.
Bioware as a company and the individual writers, producers, designers, techs, everyone has held my love and respect in a way that seems foolish to give but they have never let me down. Not only have their stories moved me and allowed me to make choices but they have also show me new ways and perspectives simply by making a choice available. Even if I never go down that path. They first won me over with Neverwinter Nights when I discovered that I could play as a female. Until that game, I would have never believed that my gender would be represented in a game and in a way that gave me control. And then two expansions later and a flirtation with Valen Shadowbreath, I was done. Completely. I must have saved and reloaded so many times just to try every option because it was all so much fun and gave my character a story just for her. From then, it has only gotten better.
In a way, Bioware helped give me a voice. I grew up invisible in my own family. I was taught that was the only way to survive as I was tossed between households of neglect and severe criticism where I couldn't do anything right. I was taught that I didn't matter or have value and it has taken my years to get to where even posting on a message board was possible. Playing as a female, having the power to choose who to save and romance or not, is an incredible feeling. I have learned so much about writing characters and paying attention to dialogue that has improved my own writing. Taking a risk in the game was teaching me that I could make mistakes and it was okay. Having a choice in a game over who to romance in DA was so powerful to me that frankly, I don't care if there they had decided only gay or bisexual options and they left out straight representation in order to give everyone that same feeling. I have no problem sharing because I know how it feels to be left out. 
I love that this thread could open up a space for these stories where we all share an interest in a fascinating elf mage who is more that he seems. I just, as someone gif and picture impaired, *hugs for everyone*
I still subscribe the theory that he'll be race-gated to dwarves because they can't connect with the Fade the way the other races can if he's a romance.
Surely the Inquisitor would be an exception, though?
I love that this thread could open up a space for these stories where we all share an interest in a fascinating elf mage who is more that he seems. I just, as someone gif and picture impaired, *hugs for everyone*
Ack, what a time to be out of likes! Chrislynn, I adore your post, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us. *hugs* And I know what you mean about the ability to play your own gender and being able to romance someone making a difference. For the longest time I searched for video games that allowed me to play as a female protagonist. I scoured the internet for them, though most of what I stumbled across were lists of "hottest female video game characters", created by straight guys for straight guys. And the majority of female video game protagonists that I found were never able to express any attraction towards men (because apparently playing a heterosexual woman feels too 'gay'), or their gender was a complete afterthought, or they were just designed to be looked at by the assumed straight male player. So stumbling upon my first Bioware game was a revelation.
I have just spent over an hour catching up on the thread after a long day with the kids and I just want to say wow! I know I am late to the love fest but I am in awe of the bravery and the power of each of you speaking your stories. Each new voice sharing from the heart and it is amazingly beautiful. And it matters. I spent time with each post because each post deserved my full attention and to give less or skim just wasn't an option. I can tell you at 43, the seeking and growing never stops.
Bioware as a company and the individual writers, producers, designers, techs, everyone has held my love and respect in a way that seems foolish to give but they have never let me down. Not only have their stories moved me and allowed me to make choices but they have also show me new ways and perspectives simply by making a choice available. Even if I never go down that path. They first won me over with Neverwinter Nights when I discovered that I could play as a female. Until that game, I would have never believed that my gender would be represented in a game and in a way that gave me control. And then two expansions later and a flirtation with Valen Shadowbreath, I was done. Completely. I must have saved and reloaded so many times just to try every option because it was all so much fun and gave my character a story just for her. From then, it has only gotten better.
In a way, Bioware helped give me a voice. I grew up invisible in my own family. I was taught that was the only way to survive as I was tossed between households of neglect and severe criticism where I couldn't do anything right. I was taught that I didn't matter or have value and it has taken my years to get to where even posting on a message board was possible. Playing as a female, having the power to choose who to save and romance or not, is an incredible feeling. I have learned so much about writing characters and paying attention to dialogue that has improved my own writing. Taking a risk in the game was teaching me that I could make mistakes and it was okay. Having a choice in a game over who to romance in DA was so powerful to me that frankly, I don't care if there they had decided only gay or bisexual options and they left out straight representation in order to give everyone that same feeling. I have no problem sharing because I know how it feels to be left out.
I love that this thread could open up a space for these stories where we all share an interest in a fascinating elf mage who is more that he seems. I just, as someone gif and picture impaired, *hugs for everyone*
It's so true. Playing Bioware games opened me up to a whole new enjoyment of video games. I mean, I played them when I was little (Super Mario, Zelda), and a bit when I was a teenager (BG, NWN) but I never got far into them, and prefered to play online in persistant worlds and MMO's because I was a role player. I still remember playing DAO for the first time and going, "****, is his flirting with me? That can't be, this stuff isn't in games." when Alistair starting flirting. And then, BAM, I was sold, and it's been a steady downward spiral from there. I play Bioware games multiple times, and over years. Most other single player games I only play once, and then shelve. But Bioware games seem to have a infinite lifespan for me.
Being able to play as my own gender, making the choice of who to romance, and the absolutely stunning and emotionally involving stories have caught me hook line and sinker.
I've got to say that this resonates with me so much, you literally brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes, I just don’t have the words to express myself and I doubt I ever will but when I read your story I couldn’t help seeing my life. I remember for the longest time, I never even wanted a picture taken of me (and if they were taken I would destroy them) because I hated myself so much. I wanted to block out my years of growing up from age 12 to 19; no videos, no pictures nothing. There’s this big gaping hole in my life that doesn’t even feel like I even existed and it really depresses me now that I think about it. But it’s wonderful people, like you and everyone in this thread, that really picks me back up and I just wanted to say thank you for being you and thank you for making me feel like I wasn’t alone.
I decided to de-lurk and share my story and opinions. But, as warning it, one, might be rather long, and two, not an easy story to hear. It certainly is not a story easy to share. To start off, I would like to thank Bioware for their inclusion of LGBT content in their games. I am someone that accepts people no matter their sexual orientation because I don't see that when I look at someone. When I look at someone, I see just another person that's different in every way from me. And, as a person they deserve to be treated with the same respect that I would treat everyone else. I have friends that don't identify as straight. One of them, who spent the past four years telling us he was gay, recently came out and told us that he wanted be called Alice and have female pronouns used. I was totally cool with that. It didn't change they way I look at him, now her. He(She) is still a fabulous person. My best friend identifies as pan and even I am not straight, I identify as biromatic. But this isn't the story. My story isn't about a fight with my sexuality or an acceptance of the different sexualities. My story is about a war with my own mind and a struggle to survive. It starts off with this. I am an introvert, a massive introvert. I would sit in a roomful of fellow high schoolers and not say a single word, not ask a single question, not say anything. To a lot of people, that's probably a bit freakish. Now add the fact that I'm not anything close to being a physically attractive female, I am a band geek, and probably extremely intelligent. Now, throw in a bunch of attractive, preppy girls that love gossiping and this story is not going anywhere pleasant. From eight grade until early eleventh, I suffered from a severe case of low self-esteem and depression. It was horrible to go through. There were people that looked at me like I was a freak, they would talk about me when I was around, loud enough I could hear them doing it. And I would take, put on a brave face, and pretend it didn't mean anything. Then, when I was home I would cry about it for a few hours, go to bed, and wake up the next morning and do it all over again. It was hard, having to go to school and see so many people so confident with who they were, so proud of themselves. While I was in a corner, hating myself because I wasn't them. It was painful. But things changed, as things always do. Eleventh grade, on a band trip, in a hotel room, I yelled at some girls because they wanted me to take a shower because I didn't smell nice enough for them. I told them that I couldn't change the way I smelled and that is was a part of who I am. It was the first time I defended myself and it felt good. After that I began seeing someone incredible every time I looked in a mirror. I saw someone worth being alive, someone beautiful in every way, even if no one thought so. Eventually, I stopped caring about what other people thought about me. I became proud to be me. I began smiling for absolutely no reason and laughing at nothing. Now, as I sit writing this, I love being me and I want nothing more than to be me. And throughout all of this, through the dark nights that felt like they would never end and, the bright days I look forward to and those I remember fondly, I had art to keep me going. There was music and band class and movies and video games, namely Bioware games, that I could get lost in and forget about my problems. When I would turn my Xbox on and start playing a game I would become that character. The choices I made I did so because they felt like something I would do, choices I would make. And let me tell you, all the numerous playthroughs of ME I have; all maxed out Paragon. I cannot stomach making a single Renegade choice. I can't even give one point to intimidation because it feels so out of character for me. That is another thing I would like to thank Bioware for, the ability to have choices, because even if I don't pick it, someone else will. Thank you. This is really long, and I do apologize for that. I just saw everyone sharing stories and I felt like sharing mine. As well as give many thanks to everyone at Bioware for making the games that they do. I have been a big fan for many many years and I'm really, really excited for DA:I. And I will end this enormous post with: OMG SOLAS!!!!!!!!!!! *flails arms like maniac while running in a giant circle*
I left this forum for a while expecting to come back and be disappointed but all I really feel right now is love, as cheesy as it sounds.
I just had an awesome flashback of when I was little and my dad would let me watch him play Neverwinter Nights. It's funny - I only just made the connection that it was a Bioware game. And I just realized that I was such a completionist even at the age of five.
Little Me: Daddy, you forgot to open that chest!
Dad: But I already have a bunch of things in my bag....
Little Me: But you have to!
Dad: But why?
Little Me: 'Cause there's stuff in it.
Ah, that was fun.
Anyway, I think if Solas is going to be race-gated LI, then it would be against dwarves since they don't dream. I have a feeling he won't be gated, though, assuming he is an LI. And if he is an ungated LI, honestly, I think I'll go and romance him with every race, because why not?
Ha, always a completionist 
I totally want to romance Solas with an elf (because I like elf/elf) but that is as far as my plan goes. No idea about gender or class.
Well, at the risk of being painfully teasing I did want to say...
Solas has a very lovely voice
Well, considering we know his VA and he said Solas sounds even Welsher, I think we're all expecting an amazing voice. So it's great of you to confirm it 
In my book, that's good teasing.
Wow I just came back to a mass of feels, I knew stuff would happen during my blackout...
Just wanted to jump in real quick and tell everyone how awesome you are!
I've got to say that this resonates with me so much, you literally brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes, I just don’t have the words to express myself and I doubt I ever will but when I read your story I couldn’t help seeing my life. I remember for the longest time, I never even wanted a picture taken of me (and if they were taken I would destroy them) because I hated myself so much. I wanted to block out my years of growing up from age 12 to 19; no videos, no pictures nothing. There’s this big gaping hole in my life that doesn’t even feel like I even existed and it really depresses me now that I think about it. But it’s wonderful people, like you and everyone in this thread, that really picks me back up and I just wanted to say thank you for being you and thank you for making me feel like I wasn’t alone.
I left this forum for a while expecting to come back and be disappointed but all I really feel right now is love, as cheesy as it sounds.
I know know you feel, I felt like that for a really long time too, that there's a gape in my life
I'll tell you what helped me, maybe It'll help you too
It feels kinda weird when I say I was bullied, because what happened to me can't compare to what other people suffer though
So it was more like I was simply being ignored by everyone, always alone
Eventually I went to art school because my entire family expected me to, drawing was the only thing I was interested in for a long time
But after I was done I felt empty, so when I applied for a art university they didn't take me because the portfolio I made was total crap
So I had to look for something different, I got a place for a free social year at a school for disabled children
It was honestly the best year of my life, I've learned so much about life, working with these beautiful kids
But what helped me the most was one girl in particular, she's mute and always carries a diary with her, so that she can write down all of the things that happened to her for her parents to read
And she really wrote down everything, the good things and the bad things
One day we went shopping to the supermarket, and some kids made fun of her, really disgusting stuff, because she looks a little different
When we came back to school, she wrote what happened into her diary, and my friend asked her "Why would you write something like that down?"
And the girl wrote "Because everything that happens to me makes me into who I am. And I like myself the way I am"
All my life I'll never forget these words, and even when something bad happens to me I think of them
Everything that happens to us makes us into who we are, I hope it helps you too
Sry for bad grammar
I gotta go back to studying now, bye Solas thread stay lovely!
Wow I just came back to a mass of feels, I knew stuff would happen during my blackout...
Just wanted to jump in real quick and tell everyone how awesome you are!
I know know you feel, I felt like that for a really long time too, that there's a gape in my life
I'll tell you what helped me, maybe It'll help you too
It feels kinda weird when I say I was bullied, because what happened to me can't compare to what other people suffer though
So it was more like I was simply being ignored by everyone, always alone
Eventually I went to art school because my entire family expected me to, drawing was the only thing I was interested in for a long time
But after I was done I felt empty, so when I applied for a art university they didn't take me because the portfolio I made was total crap
So I had to look for something different, I got a place for a free social year at a school for disabled children
It was honestly the best year of my life, I've learned so much about life, working with these beautiful kids
But what helped me the most was one girl in particular, she's mute and always carries a diary with her, so that she can write down all of the things that happened to her for her parents to read
And she really wrote down everything, the good things and the bad things
One day we went shopping to the supermarket, and some kids made fun of her, really disgusting stuff, because she looks a little different
When we came back to school, she wrote what happened into her diary, and my friend asked her "Why would you write something like that down?"
And the girl wrote "Because everything that happens to me makes me into who I am. And I like myself the way I am"
All my life I'll never forget these words, and even when something bad happens to me I think of them
Everything that happens to us makes us into who we are, I hope it helps you too
Sry for bad grammar
I gotta go back to studying now, bye Solas thread stay lovely!
Your friend was very strong.
It amazing how so many of us have been through times like this, and it's not until we hit adult hood (for most of us) that we realize the profound effect we had on each other in youth.
At 30, I still struggle with loving and respecting myself as I am, and not always trying to change something. I was bullied to the point of an eating disorder. People would chew up their food and spit it in my lunch so I couldn't even eat. I was extremely lucky to have a supportive family that noticed my struggles before they became very bad. But even now, after so many years, a wonderful husband, and a wonderful son, I still feel these things, and I have to make a concious effort not to tear myself apart on any given day.
I have to say that working in the hospital helped my confidence greatly, and turned me into a person that takes no **** from other people. I wish I had that so many years ago. But, it's my experiences that have shaped me as a person, and without those struggles I had then, I likely wouldn't be the person I am now, the person that I am really working on trying to love. This summer I told myself that I wouldn't continue to wear jeans and sweaters, that I would dress cool, and not be afraid to show myself the way I am, and be proud of it. Proud of this body that gave me my son, proud of this body that has grown muscular through weightlifting, and proud of this body that takes me through life. I had to stop hating it, I just couldn't live like that anymore.
It's a long road, and it's far from over, but I feel like I've come so far.
It's lovely to share these things with you Solas thread, and lovely to be able to read your stories. 
Wow I just came back to a mass of feels, I knew stuff would happen during my blackout...
Just wanted to jump in real quick and tell everyone how awesome you are!
I know know you feel, I felt like that for a really long time too, that there's a gape in my life
I'll tell you what helped me, maybe It'll help you too
It feels kinda weird when I say I was bullied, because what happened to me can't compare to what other people suffer though
So it was more like I was simply being ignored by everyone, always alone
Eventually I went to art school because my entire family expected me to, drawing was the only thing I was interested in for a long time
But after I was done I felt empty, so when I applied for a art university they didn't take me because the portfolio I made was total crap
So I had to look for something different, I got a place for a free social year at a school for disabled children
It was honestly the best year of my life, I've learned so much about life, working with these beautiful kids
But what helped me the most was one girl in particular, she's mute and always carries a diary with her, so that she can write down all of the things that happened to her for her parents to read
And she really wrote down everything, the good things and the bad things
One day we went shopping to the supermarket, and some kids made fun of her, really disgusting stuff, because she looks a little different
When we came back to school, she wrote what happened into her diary, and my friend asked her "Why would you write something like that down?"
And the girl wrote "Because everything that happens to me makes me into who I am. And I like myself the way I am"
All my life I'll never forget these words, and even when something bad happens to me I think of them
Everything that happens to us makes us into who we are, I hope it helps you too
Sry for bad grammar
I gotta go back to studying now, bye Solas thread stay lovely!
Out of curiosity, which school did you go to for that year? Maybe I know it.
O-oh goodness...I made myself an icon (I'm not faceless anymore! Yeah wooh!) and came back to upload it... and the likes on my two messy posts are STILL coming in??? [blushing furiously] w-why YOU GUYS i wasn't even COHERENT I-I-I i don't know what to say i was a babbling mess and i wanted my next post to be better but I'M STILL A MESS asdfjs eek i owe this thread better oh dear. [stuttering and fumbling] I so wanted to say something of proper contribution. It's very sweet of you all to be supportive of my first sad attempts and being part of a discussion, eheh... I-INCLUDING ALLAN??? AJSHD EEP. [trips over self while scrambling for the door in embarrassment]
bioware has now witnessed my gooey tear-ridden rambles first hand oh creators... then again, they do like tears...
It's cool I appreciate you taking the time to share it
Any teasing that deals with Solas is the best kind of teasing imoWell, at the risk of being painfully teasing I did want to say...
Solas has a very lovely voice
Can't wait to hear him in-game!
Any teasing that deals with Solas is the best kind of teasing imo
I sure hope we can see him in a combat video/trailer soon. Crossing my fingers for Gamescom!
Yeah, I would like to see him, Blackwall, and Cole in a demo. They are the only three companions not shown in a big demo yet and make an even party of classes. Plus Solas and Cole are friends.
Wow guys, I don't know what to say after reading all your posts. I didn't really want to butt in because I feel like I didn't really have something that could contribute to the conversation. I've never really been struggling with my sexuality actively, mostly because I'm probably the most open-minded person in my family and I wouldn't care one bit if I decided later on that I liked girls better than boys, or maybe both, and I feel even stronger about that now I'm reading your stories, I can't express in words how much all of your stories radiate with strength and frankly, it makes me feel very proud to have known any of you because you all wanted to share it with (almost) complete strangers. I live in a small country where I feel that being gay is generally well accepted, and I have never felt uncomfortable with that, because love can come in any form, doesn't matter if it's between a man or a woman, or two woman or two men, it'll always remain beautiful and pure (I don't bloody care how cheesy that sounded, because that's how I feel about it ) Bioware games have taught me that, and so have all of you. So even though I still have to figure out my sexuality myself, all of your posts have made me more sure of it that it will come eventually, and that process and what comes of it is something to feel proud of. Big hugs (see spoiler) to everyone and sorry if I didn't like everyone's posts but my likes have decided to hide somewhere in a corner 
And welcome to all the new people too!! I'm so glad to have you all here, make yourself comfortable, everyone is welcome!
It's so true. Playing Bioware games opened me up to a whole new enjoyment of video games. I mean, I played them when I was little (Super Mario, Zelda), and a bit when I was a teenager (BG, NWN) but I never got far into them, and prefered to play online in persistant worlds and MMO's because I was a role player. I still remember playing DAO for the first time and going, "****, is his flirting with me? That can't be, this stuff isn't in games." when Alistair starting flirting. And then, BAM, I was sold, and it's been a steady downward spiral from there. I play Bioware games multiple times, and over years. Most other single player games I only play once, and then shelve. But Bioware games seem to have a infinite lifespan for me.
Being able to play as my own gender, making the choice of who to romance, and the absolutely stunning and emotionally involving stories have caught me hook line and sinker.
Same story here, I'm 41 now but NWN was my gateway into hardcore gaming. My fiancee at that time was playing Wolfenstein very competitively pretty much 24/7, I'd tried to play that with his clan but FPS's are just not for me, I was a bit like a clan mascot, I'd become a gaming widow, so I set about finding a game that I wanted to play, that I would enjoy and there was NWN, the fact that I could create my own gender and customise it was amazing to me and through it I made a boatload of friends all over the world, that was my birth as a gamer and the rest is history.
It would be cool if you knew the school, but I'm from germany, and I don't think you are?Out of curiosity, which school did you go to for that year? Maybe I know it.
It would be cool if you knew the school, but I'm from germany, and I don't think you are?
Yeah, probably not. Our kind of schools are connected, but I don't think that connected. Oh well.
Oh but I had to. I exploded with feels a bit messily there, but it's just. Things can get so ugly with nasty words like "pandering" and "unrealistic" and "AGENDAaAaA" (ohhhh! [ghost noises]) being thrown around (and many, many others but who wants to hear them?) and all manner of ridiculous things being said...
At the end of the day, it's not "just a game." I love BioWare games. I have spent... almost embarrassing amounts of time in the likes of Origins and Mass Effect and KOtOR. I mean, I'm proud to firmly know the ins and outs of these worlds and everything in them, but... when you add up all the hours on my timestamps, it paints a dreadful picture of my social life, ahah. But in all seriousness. Before I played Mass Effect (first BW game), I... I honestly am finding it hard to recall a game that let me play as my own gender? My boyfriend bought me Mass Effect & Mass Effect 2 as a bundle during one of the Steam seasonal sales... I distinctly remember opening the CC and being UTTERLY AMAZED when I saw I could be a woman. All I could do was screech at him in excitement "I DON'T HAVE TO BE A MAN??? AaAaAaA!"
I've been playing video games since I was a little girl. And always, ALWAYS... men. And if there WAS a female to be found, she was either bait or completely sexualized (not that I understood what that was when I was small, but even then I knew I didn't like it). Or worse! Both. Honestly, a female lead? Something I desperately wanted but... didn't really ever expect.
Now I've sunk several hundred hours of my life into BW games and I won't even play things with a fixed protagonist, nope!
Something looks awesome? Great! Oh, wait. Is that yet another scruffy white dude protagonist? YAWN. Moving on.
People ask me if I think I'm being "extreme" but like, why should I? I've been forced to be a male so many times. I'VE PAID MY DUES, as I like to say. Not that I really should have had to, but hey. Beside the point.
And that was just my gender! It was so NICE to see this competent, powerful, valuable woman who was actually wearing, you know, armor. And she was in charge! And commanding! And no on questioned her! But when I discovered HOLY CRAP IS ALENKO FLIRTING WITH ME. I... IS T'SONI FLIRTING WITH ME? IS THAT A THING??? Well, that was something else entirely.
I was confused about myself for a long time. I was not interested in relationships, dating, more... physical things. And I got so much crap for it. Either being accused of being a closeted lesbian or weird or prudish or stuck up or a frigid b****... all manner of delightful, charming stuff. But always, though. It was something that needed to be fixed. ALWAYS. And as if just NOT being interested in this thing that everyone around me was so obsessed with wasn't confusing enough, it got that much worse when I'd get "strange" (as they seemed at the time) feelings for other ladies. I spent YEARS brushing them off and sweeping them under the rug and re-writing them to be something "harmless." Goodness, I even had a GIRLFRIEND at one point and managed to convince myself that I didn't like GIRLS, I just liked HER. High school was a ridiculous time...
And it's only very recently I've been able to confidently shout "PANROMANTIC DEMISEXUAL!" to the world and I think BioWare games really helped me with that. I've always felt safer with fictional characters and fictional worlds have always allowed me to explore things I couldn't in the real world. So when the likes of Miranda strolled by me and all I could think was "jakshd umm WOW," I could go with that feeling instead of shunning it. And when Tali blushed and stuttered over having my Jane be the only one she's link suits with, I could totally roll around in the warm, squeeing bubble that rose up inside of me instead of running from it. These games, the few that allow us these choices, are important for a myriad of reasons... weather it allows people to FINALLY see themselves reflected in a hero (because no matter what any detractors try to say, it is INVALUABLE to ALL and if they honestly think it's so meaningless then I challenge them to do without for years on end), or to come out of their guard a little and experiment safely, or to even just try something out they'd otherwise not be exposed to...
So yeah, no. It's not "just a game." It's a story, it's a narrative, it's a world. And stories are important to humanity. It's why we tell them. It's why we've ALWAYS told them. And it's why evolving them to treat ALL people like, well, PEOPLE, is incredibly important. Because if we don't talk about it, don't implement it, how will it ever be common? And if it doesn't become common, how will it become familiar? Because familiar is really what is meant by the word "normal." And experiencing something in a fictional world, in a mental space, is a lot easier than doing it firsthand right off the bat. And THAT is why I love these games, these romances, these characters like I do. They're wonderful in their own right, but they're helping. People can try to write it off all they want, but they ARE helping. As this thread proves. And that's why I, for one, will scream about BioWare and fight and argue to the end, even if it's over something that's "just pixels."
...There. Something coherent! I did it!
...gosh i hope that was worded well...
[scampers back into hiding]
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