A simple question: What is it that you think generally makes romance options alluring and meaningful to players?
I think romance options add spice to the story, depth to the PC and the NPC in question, and you're attracted to them like you would be attracted to someone in real life almost. That's why I think players like them.
Blond, blue eyed, snarky hot dudes are popular in all media. So Alistair/Cullen being popular is not surprising. .
I think romance options add spice to the story, depth to the PC and the NPC in question, and you're attracted to them like you would be attracted to someone in real life almost. That's why I think players like them.
Blond, blue eyed, snarky hot dudes are popular in all media. So Alistair/Cullen being popular is not surprising. .
That's certainly a large part of it, but fiction is filled with very attractive characters. A great romance still takes more than that. What's missing?
A simple question: What is it that you think generally makes romance options alluring and meaningful to players?
Do you mean, why do players decide to pursue romance options at all? Or why do players choose one romance over another?
Anyway, what indie games? Please suggest a few, because I have no idea and would like to try some.
On the top of my head: Trine & Trine2, Fez, Botanicula, Psychonauts, Broken Age (anything Double Fine does actually), Limbo, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Transistor, Amnesia, The Binding of Isaac, Hotline Miami, Papers Please, Shelter, Super Meat Boy...
I could also include my favorite, Journey, thatgamecompany being indie, even though they're a part of Sony.
Oh, and two games that weren't made by indie companies, but definitely were brought to life thanks to the popularity of the indie scene: Child of Light & Valiant Hearts.
I like the freedom in artistic direction most of those games can have, making them look really unique and stand out compared to the trend of hyperrealism we're having in video games. Also, some of them can be very weird and experimental, almost redefining the concept of "what is a video game" (Mostly thinking about Mountain from David O'Reilly, but then again, O'Reilly has never been anything but experimenting, the guy is quite weird & genius at the same time).
Do you mean, why do players decide to pursue romance options at all? Or why do players choose one romance over another?
More why they to choose one option over another. If a game offers romance, I'll do it even if I don't like the romance options much.
More why they to choose one option over another. If a game offers romance, I'll do it even if I don't like the romance options much.
This is to answer you above:
So I think it's attractiveness - the particular romance is pushing the players "attractive" buttons. Blackwall doesn't do **** for me but he has a pretty big fan base. Regarding your question above - what makes a great romance? None? They are VG romances. They are purposefully manipulative. I don't mean that in a bad way either. But for BW games, you have to pursue their companion path, game the approval in order for them to like you. Then the reward is a sex scene, kiss, angst-train...what have you. Regardless it's a victory. You've won the game. It's no different than killing the boss. It likely sets off the same pleasure centers...among making you feel some small affection for that NPC for "rewarding" you.
EDIT: This is boiling it down to the most base parts. I still think personal preference plays into why you pursue one in the first place. For me, Solas was charming. I always pursue romances when I can because they spice up the game play. Solas' fortunately did not disappoint and it turned out to be pretty story relevant. So...bonus points.
More why they to choose one option over another. If a game offers romance, I'll do it even if I don't like the romance options much.
I suppose it just comes down to a matter of personal preference. Some people choose based on their preference of physical or personality type. Others will choose based on what that romance adds to the story, taking into account their preference for certain types of stories.
Personally, I initially chose the Solas romance because his character has a certain type of personality that appeals to me. Though, I'd say that romance arc was my favourite in the game because it adhered to story themes or tropes that I personally find enjoyable in stories. Additionally, I feel like it's the most narratively cohesive romance in the game, which is something that's important to me.
What people find enjoyable and their reasons for pursuing in game romances (or not) is entirely subjective.
Replying to old posts, because that's what I do.
Garrus Vakarian is Best Digital Boyfriend. Bar none. Though he does have the rather unfair advantage of three games. So for me that was three in-game years, 5 IRL years, and close to 150 hours of screentime per playthrough.
I'm really hoping we'll get to do the same thing with Dragon Age, I'd be willing to have the Inquisitor die in the end if it means I get three games of Solavellan XD
I can't WAIT until I can actually start the Garrus romance, it's driving me nuts.
"Yeah, sure Garrus. I'll just go get drunk. Don't mind me."
Of course, I didn't have to wait years for the games to come out in order to actually romance him/continue the romance, so I guess I have a definite advantage there.
You are lucky.. mine was stolen by that green stupid ill drell. <.<
lol I haven't met him yet, so you never know. If his romance is tragic, no doubt I'll be inevitably smitten. 'tis my lot in life.
What people find enjoyable and their reasons for pursuing in game romances (or not) is entirely subjective.
And yet inescapable trends emerge.
The answer is qualities. Qualities are what give characters allure. More so than attractiveness, and more so than personality. Qualities are what's necessary for a great romance. And it's just as much the case in real life as in fiction.
And yet inescapable trends emerge.
The answer is qualities. Qualities are what give characters allure. More so than attractiveness, and more so than personality. Qualities are what's necessary for a great romance. And it's just as much the case in real life as in fiction.
Although I agree to a degree (For me what makes a great romance is the character's personality [qualities and personality are basically the same thing by definition, aren't they?]), what gives characters their allure as a romance option IS subjective. We all have different reasons as to why we find a certain romance option appealing.
This is accurate for me at least. I romanced Alistair on my first playthrough of DAO, but as I've gotten older I've been less and less interested.
Similar to how I can chart my journey into adulthood on a scale of how attractive I've found Mark Ruffalo.
(From not to very. For anyone who's interested).
I appear to be maturing at the same rate as you....damn, he looks good these days.
As for Alistair and Cullen, well. I romanced Alistair and Cullen. In fact, Solas was my first elf, but my third DAI romance. And he's my absolute favorite BW romance of all time. (Didn't romance anyone in DA2 because I wasn't into any of them, meh. sorry Fenris fans)
I thoroughly enjoyed both Alistair and Cullen's romances. Though I sacrificed my Warden and made Alistair king with Anora and I have to admit that Cullen's 'kiss me anytime' smirk left me feeling like a chump. It's the way he pulls away just as you're starting to get into the kiss and smirks as if he's suddenly this cocky guy who likes leaving you wanting more. It's so out of character for him. *shrug*
After Solas though....there's just no going back to the sweet innocent romances of my BW youth. Bring on the fade nerd, let's talk ancient Arlathan for hours. 
And yet inescapable trends emerge.
The answer is qualities. Qualities are what give characters allure. More so than attractiveness, and more so than personality. Qualities are what's necessary for a great romance. And it's just as much the case in real life as in fiction.
Does this mean I failed your test?? PROFESSOR PUNCHER, I WASN'T PREPARED! Is there extra credit?
On the top of my head: Trine & Trine2, Fez, Botanicula, Psychonauts, Broken Age (anything Double Fine does actually), Limbo, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Transistor, Amnesia, The Binding of Isaac, Hotline Miami, Papers Please, Shelter, Super Meat Boy...
I could also include my favorite, Journey, thatgamecompany being indie, even though they're a part of Sony.
Oh, and two games that weren't made by indie companies, but definitely were brought to life thanks to the popularity of the indie scene: Child of Light & Valiant Hearts.
I like the freedom in artistic direction most of those games can have, making them look really unique and stand out compared to the trend of hyperrealism we're having in video games. Also, some of them can be very weird and experimental, almost redefining the concept of "what is a video game" (Mostly thinking about Mountain from David O'Reilly, but then again, O'Reilly has never been anything but experimenting, the guy is quite weird & genius at the same time).
Seconding Trine, Limbo and Valiant Hearts. Trine is so beautiful and fun as a co-operative game, Limbo is so very awesomely dark, and I'm playing Valiant Hearts right now and am really enjoying it. It's super emotive. And Never Alone is another I've been meaning to pick up. It looks pretty fantastic.
Though I personally love the style of Inquisition, it'd be cool to see the game or characters re-imagined within various indie-settings. :3
And yet inescapable trends emerge.
The answer is qualities. Qualities are what give characters allure. More so than attractiveness, and more so than personality. Qualities are what's necessary for a great romance. And it's just as much the case in real life as in fiction.
I wasn't aware this was a pop-quiz.
I will endeavour to do better in the future.
And yet inescapable trends emerge.
The answer is qualities. Qualities are what give characters allure. More so than attractiveness, and more so than personality. Qualities are what's necessary for a great romance. And it's just as much the case in real life as in fiction.
Nothing wrong with trends, especially when it comes to selling a product. Why not sell a certain type of romance to consumers if the consumers prove time and again they not only want but prefer it? What you're describing only speaks to the fact that many people have a similar personal preference. This may not produce romances for those with a different preference, but it's good business sense.
As someone said above, a person's "qualities," basically equates to their personality. I don't think I've ever looked at a video game character and thought, "Wow, I like his rustic ideals and how he thinks on the subject of taxation. What great qualities." It's a sum of many things, and it's going to be different for everyone. There is no answer. Terrifying, I know.
Am I the only one who was manipulative enough to only romance Solas for lore reason? Not his oddly-proportioned face or hard-to-impress grandpa personality. I made out with him for knowledge.
Am I the only one who was manipulative enough to only romance Solas for lore reason? Not his oddly-proportioned face or hard-to-impress grandpa personality. I made out with him for knowledge.
Why not both?
Dat lore...dat booty...
Am I the only one who was manipulative enough to only romance Solas for lore reason? Not his oddly-proportioned face or hard-to-impress grandpa personality. I made out with him for knowledge.
I was a pre-release fangirl. I was lost the moment those tight long johns made their first apperence on the elf we thought was Dorian.
Am I the only one who was manipulative enough to only romance Solas for lore reason? Not his oddly-proportioned face or hard-to-impress grandpa personality. I made out with him for knowledge.
SUKETCHI DISAPPROVES.
...knowing Solas, he would probably approve though. Lover of seekers-of-knowledge-and-truth-or-whatever that he is.
Why not both?
Dat lore...dat booty...
Dat lore, dat booty, and that chuckke..I was doomed at "is that a serious question." At that point I was all aboard the Solas train into the hellspiral of feels.
[qualities and personality are basically the same thing by definition, aren't they?])
It would depend on how broadly you defined 'personality,' but I really wouldn't say so.
You can have all sorts of personalities and pretty much all stories do, even by the least skilled writers. Characters who are silly, loud, reserved, stoic, aggressive, polite. None of that really equates to important qualities.
Liara is by far my favorite BioWare romance because of the courage she demonstrates during Lair of the Shadow Broker, but that's rarely a quality associated with her rather timid personality.
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