Thanks, its just my opinion / criticism and I am dealing with it quite successfully... I honestly haven't been 'triggered' at all, so no need to worry
No doubt. Your tastes are your own.
It's pretty out-of-hand to claim that there is some sort of social statement being made though.
No doubt. Your tastes are your own.
It's pretty out-of-hand to claim that there is some sort of social statement being made though.
True, and not something I can prove. But if you look at the romance options (assuming you accept my criticism), also look at the armour designs (not talking bikini armour here but why no skirts, it worked for the Greeks and Romans), no desire demons, and I believe the brothels have gone (certainly not seen any).
Also the following are all led by women: Chantry, Mages, Rebel Mages, Grey Wardens, Dalish, and Orlais. Fereldon and the Inquisition can be led by a woman, which only really leaves the Templars as a faction that has to be led my a man (ok I accept that Tevinter, the Dwarves, and some of the other states are led by men but those characters are not in the game - as far as I have played). Of course you do seem to have a majority of male leaders when it comes to the antagonist i.e. the people you are supposed to hate in game.
Now I don't care about all of that stuff (and I wouldn't have noticed if not for the romance options), but it does start to look like a policy to portray the world in a particular way. Personally I would be happy if we could just have a couple of love interests of the same kind of quality as Morrigan and Lelianna from DAO, (without being ruined by politics).
Am sure josie and your inquisitor engage in sexual activities as well, its just not on screen.
If anything, all of the female leaders would probably just be an overcorrection, not any sort of explicit statement in and of itself.True, and not something I can prove. But if you look at the romance options (assuming you accept my criticism), also look at the armour designs (not talking bikini armour here but why no skirts, it worked for the Greeks and Romans), and I believe the brothels have gone (certainly not seen any).
Also the following are all led by women: Chantry, Mages, Rebel Mages, Grey Wardens, Dalish, and Orlais. Fereldon and the Inquisition can be led by a woman, which only really leaves the Templars as a faction that has to be led my a man (ok I accept that Tevinter, the Dwarves, and some of the other states are led by men but those characters are not in the game - as far as I have played). Of course you do seem to have a majority of male leaders when it comes to the antagonist i.e. the people you are supposed to hate in game.
Now I don't care about all of that stuff (and I wouldn't have noticed if not for the romance options), but it does start to look like a policy to portray the world in a particular way. Personally I would be happy if we could just have a couple of love interests of the same kind of quality as Morrigan and Lelianna from DAO, (without being ruined by politics).
True, and not something I can prove. But if you look at the romance options (assuming you accept my criticism), also look at the armour designs (not talking bikini armour here but why no skirts, it worked for the Greeks and Romans), no desire demons, and I believe the brothels have gone (certainly not seen any).
Also the following are all led by women: Chantry, Mages, Rebel Mages, Grey Wardens, Dalish, and Orlais. Fereldon and the Inquisition can be led by a woman, which only really leaves the Templars as a faction that has to be led my a man (ok I accept that Tevinter, the Dwarves, and some of the other states are led by men but those characters are not in the game - as far as I have played). Of course you do seem to have a majority of male leaders when it comes to the antagonist i.e. the people you are supposed to hate in game.
Now I don't care about all of that stuff (and I wouldn't have noticed if not for the romance options), but it does start to look like a policy to portray the world in a particular way. Personally I would be happy if we could just have a couple of love interests of the same kind of quality as Morrigan and Lelianna from DAO, (without being ruined by politics).
I think it's more like a reflection of the faith-inspired set up we have in our world. The varied churches here are set up and run by men, so there is a bias that has extended from that into all forms of governance.
In Thedas, the prophet-figure was a woman, not a man, so the church hierarchy followed that example. Female 'pope', 'bishops' and assorted clergy mean that the people in Thedas quite naturally see women as leaders. The opposite to our own patrimonial world-view.
To me it seems that this is not a specific policy, but rather an example of subtle and clever world-building on BioWare's part.
Full or no what other choice do you have if you're playing a straight male? Cassandra or Josephine - choose.
They're both ok as companions but not as romances in my opinion. Cassandra is too manly for my taste. She's so manly to the point that her acting like a woman feels awkward to me. Although she is my Inquisitor's best friend. I have her on high approval without romance.
Josie on the other hand is feminine enough that I don't feel awkward when my Inquisitor makes kissy faces at her. As for the romance scene. Use your imagination I guess because that's pretty much all you have.
Romances for straight males is a bit lacking this time around for me. Morrigan looking absolutely stunning in this game is an added taunt to straight male Inquisitors.
Also the following are all led by women: Chantry, Mages, Rebel Mages, Grey Wardens, Dalish, and Orlais. Fereldon and the Inquisition can be led by a woman, which only really leaves the Templars as a faction that has to be led my a man (ok I accept that Tevinter, the Dwarves, and some of the other states are led by men but those characters are not in the game - as far as I have played). Of course you do seem to have a majority of male leaders when it comes to the antagonist i.e. the people you are supposed to hate in game.
Would it be an 'agenda' if those leaders were all men?
Also, wasn't the Big Bad antagonist of the last game a lady and the head of a major political faction? It's not like it doesn't happen in the series. I'm glad that they mix things up a bit. I don't need Meredith v2.0 in this game.
It would be about as much of an agenda as a huge majority of antagonists being male is an agenda. It's traditionalism. I hope that one day this is not the case, becuause it is quite tiring, but I acknowledge that it would take a concerted effort (e.g. agenda) to change it.Would it be an 'agenda' if those leaders were all men?
Also, wasn't the Big Bad antagonist of the last game a lady and the head of a major political faction? It's not like it doesn't happen in the series. I'm glad that they mix things up a bit. I don't need Meredith v2.0 in this game.
Would it be an 'agenda' if those leaders were all men?
Also, wasn't the Big Bad antagonist of the last game a lady and the head of a major political faction? It's not like it doesn't happen in the series. I'm glad that they mix things up a bit. I don't need Meredith v2.0 in this game.
I don't think it would be an agenda if most of the leaders were male I think it would be traditional sexual bias (which is no better or worse). I really have no problem with most of the leaders being women, I point it out as evidence that the lead writers want to make a positive statement about female leadership, and frankly that's ok. What annoys me slightly is when an issue of some value like this gets mixed up with nonsense such as... we can't have women who are too attractive in game as it makes female players insecure (or whatever the logic is).
Also most of the antagonist being male is not an agenda its traditional sexual bias (the type we ignore). As in "girls are made of sugar and spice and all things nice", we have a bias to avoid seeing women as 'evil'. Meredith's character was excused by being under the control of red lerium, and we catch a glimpse that her real character knows what she is doing is wrong. That being said the Grand Duchess in DAI is a genuinely bad antagonist because she is motivated by greed and a thirst for power.... but this kind of depiction of female antagonists is very rare.
Hm that's kind of lame. You'd think after saying I love you she'd be open to more than just kissing. Seems too tame.
Careful there, bucko. That might get you in trouble in real life! 
What annoys me slightly is when an issue of some value like this gets mixed up with nonsense such as... we can't have women who are too attractive in game as it makes female players insecure (or whatever the logic is).
Has Bioware ever made a statement like this? Or is it just conspiracy-theory, tin foil hat wearing, paranoia? Because, frankly, Josephine is gorgeous and Cassandra, while not traditionally beautiful, is certainly attractive to many men.
Has Bioware ever made a statement like this? Or is it just conspiracy-theory, tin foil hat wearing, paranoia? Because, frankly, Josephine is gorgeous and Cassandra, while not traditionally beautiful, is certainly attractive to many men.
No its purely supposition, I accept that I might be wrong. But I think there is a patten that is suggestive, and David Gaider has voiced support for Anita Sarkeesian (who makes a living from criticising female depictions in games). I think they therefore tried to avoid traditionally beautiful women - but 'traditionally' is a badly used term here because what you are really talking about are women that most men (and women) will find attractive. This is the very cause of the objection because virtually everybody thinks those types of women are beautiful - if that wasn't true there wouldn't be any complaint.
Josephine was great, it felt very romantic to me. It doesn't have to end up in the bed for me to feel it was a complete romance option. Thumbs up for this actually.
Josephine was great, it felt very romantic to me. It doesn't have to end up in the bed for me to feel it was a complete romance option. Thumbs up for this actually.
Is it a full romance? Yes. It has content to match the others.
If you're asking if they have sex at the end:
Spoiler
THIS. i actually thought josephine's romance story arc was one of their best since Ashley (mass effect).
Did he really? I find that so weird, because she often brings around clips of Origins taken out of context and uses them as prime examples of misogyny in gaming. I figured he would be of the "I support feminism, but not that particular feminist" camp.No its purely supposition, I accept that I might be wrong. But I think there is a patten that is suggestive, and David Gaider has voiced support for Anita Sarkeesian (who makes a living from criticising female depictions in games). I think they therefore tried to avoid traditionally beautiful women - but 'traditionally' is a badly used term here because what you are really talking about are women that most men (and women) will find attractive. This is the very cause of the objection because virtually everybody thinks those types of women are beautiful - if that wasn't true there wouldn't be any complaint.
I'm a straight woman and I think Josie's romance is pretty amazing. A little rocky to start but the duel scene is my kind of cheese.
Did he really? I find that so weird, because she often brings around clips of Origins taken out of context and uses them as prime examples of misogyny in gaming. I figured he would be of the "I support feminism, but not that particular feminist" camp.
I think that it's because he recognizes that her critiques, while probably not the most accurate at times, aren't completely invalid. He's said numerous times, in response to criticism about her, that they are interested in hearing critiques of their games from different perspectives. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen anyone from Bioware speak out against her, despite her critiquing of their games. All of the references that I've seen from devs about her are either neutral or supportive. I think it's very telling that the backlash against her from using Origins in her last video didn't come from them, but came from some of the fans.
But, we should probably not go in that direction in this thread. I'm not sure if speaking of Anita ever leads to anything positive on gaming boards. She's become a bit of a bogeyman in that respect. Like, if you look into the mirror and say 'feminist' three times, Anita will appear behind you and suck out the 'toxic masculinity' through the back of your skull.
Wow, this tread is still alive...
The only traditionally beautiful man among the companions is Cullen. So yeah, we women get ONE handsome romance. But the rest? Surely Solas is way more ugly than Cassandra or Josephine. I agree that Cass and Josie are not the most stunning women, but they are not ugly. The most unappealing thing about Josie is her awful outfit imo.
And what's up with people saying Cassandra ACTS manly? O_o She has a masculine face. And that's about it. Her body is feminine. And while she acts a bit brash, she's way way softer and EMOTIONAL than I'd picture a guy in her position, since we're being stereotypical here. While men are as emotional as women but deny it, women are said to be pure (irrational) emotion which is a broad generalization too. But Bioware didn't even go against that bias with her AT ALL. Cassandra *is* pure emotion. Her drive for a better world comes from a very emotional, altruistic place. Her impulsiveness is part of that. She doesn't want power and fame, she just wants everyone to get along and be happy. She's a healer with a sword. She embodies all the qualities people associate with women. It's always about the great good, not about herself. She takes care of everyone. She's supportive of you even if she disagrees. So no hurt "male ego" and putting you in your place. She's very skeptical but ultimately sees things from your perspective, she just wants what's best for everyone. And she doubts herself all the time. She frets and worries. That's something women do a lot more than men. Her manliness is a split-second thunderstorm, followed by a woman's soft soft gentle summer rain.
It's in her voice too. The voice actress is fantastic. She sounds both harsh and vulnerable, often at the same time. Cassandra often sounds as if she's choking on her emotions. There is a VERY distinctive softness about her. It's very well done. I only had to listen to her for 10min to understand exactly what kind of person she is, all soft and kind inside. But apparently Bioware anticipated that many people won't get it, so they went out of their way to make a point about her soft side with her romance novels. It was not necessary at all, but it's still cute, so I'm fine with it.
Hell, ultimately Cassandra just wants strong male arms to hold her while she cries about the world like all the other women (and men ;P) in the game! She's not making it hard on the male players to feel like knights in shining armor from what I've heard (haven't played the romance yet).
There is nothing manly about her other than her face. It's sad how people are so hung up about it...
And Josephine is the most girly woman Dragon Age ever head. Lelilana is a stone cold b*tch compared to her.
Am sure josie and your inquisitor engage in sexual activities as well, its just not on screen.
Its rather heavily implied after the return to Skyhold following the defeat of the big bad.
I've done Josie's, Iron Bull's, and Blackwall's thus far.
Josie's is the best, despite the lack fo a bowchika scene.
Why?
It feels like an actual courtship. And that is more important than bewbs.
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