First, I agree that all cutscenes should be skippable,
Some games use cutscenes as a buffer so they can load in the next section of a level or load additional data which is why scenes are not skipable, note this isn't for all UN-skipable events but it is for some.
Some games use cutscenes as a buffer so they can load in the next section of a level or load additional data which is why scenes are not skipable, note this isn't for all UN-skipable events but it is for some.
Sort of like those ME1 elevator scenes... 
Please, oh please, run me through the logic of how sex scenes depicted in visual media cheapen the experience.
Because I don't think that the sexual elements should be separated from the relationship elements. The whole point of having the sex scene is to explore the relationship.
I don't get this line of reasoning. Is any sex scene in any movie or TV show automatically cheapened because we the viewer can see a part of it happening? That strikes me as a bit shallow. Also, this is kind of strange when considering the fact that a fictional character, by its very nature, has no privacy from the eye of the viewer. We can even go so far as to see or hear their thoughts. We are already a "voyeur" in a great many ways in that we have access to things other characters in that setting do not, unless of course that character can do this:
I would argue that Traynor's shower scene would have been more tasteful if she was actually nude, and that Shepard actually stripped as well. I don't think the bra and Shepard getting her uniform/hoodie wet because she's just so damn hot for not-yeomen is particularly good aesthetic judgment. It just looks dumb. Of course, a simple solution that satisfies this without causing any kind of stir would simply be to have the proper shots that just omit the "naughtiest" bits of the scene. If you're going to go full upper torso in an intimate scene that is typically done without clothing, it's silly to half-ass it.
The Traynor shower scene was bizarre because movies do non-nude shower scenes all the time, and they don't do it by having the characters involved be fully clothed. Camera angles and lighting can obscure the naughty bits while implying that a character is appropriately undressed for the shower.
I think the issue here is that they didn't want to put in extra work to create a semi-nude model for Traynor, since all female human characters shared the same partially undressed character model, but why even go with the bra route if you know you're going to have one of those female characters showering? Instead they should have created a female model similar to Liara's, where nudity could be implied, and just developed the romance cutscenes differently to accommodate.
The Traynor shower scene was bizarre because movies do non-nude shower scenes all the time, and they don't do it by having the characters involved be fully clothed. Camera angles and lighting can obscure the naughty bits while implying that a character is appropriately undressed for the shower.
I think the issue here is that they didn't want to put in extra work to create a semi-nude model for Traynor, since all female human characters shared the same partially undressed character model, but why even go with the bra route if you know you're going to have one of those female characters showering? Instead they should have created a female model similar to Liara's, where nudity could be implied, and just developed the romance cutscenes differently to accommodate.
That wouldn't be hard. They'd just have to change Liara model's blue/scaly texture. I guess it's just time constraints... but even that is stretch to me. I could do it fairly quick.
That wouldn't be hard. They'd just have to change Liara model's blue/scaly texture. I guess it's just time constraints... but even that is stretch to me. I could do it fairly quick.
The other possibility is that as much Bioware tried to deny it, development decisions were influenced by the nudity controversy with the first game. If so I find that particularly sad, because they allowed their artistic intregrity (LOL!) to be compromised by a far right evangelist blogger and a few media talking heads, none of whom are gamers or even played the game they were criticizing.
First, I agree that all cutscenes should be skippable, after all, I might not want to watch a cutscene I have seen during an earlier playthrough.
Hell, I wish those dreams in ME3 were skippable, they were probably the lowest point of ME3 for me aside from the ending.
That said, I don't see why you think that a sex scene is equal to a character using a restroom. It's rather sad actually.
Depiction of sex does add to immersion when romance is included in the story, if done correctly and not awkwardly it can add
some much needed spice to the story.
Many liberals are strangely conservative and apologetic when it comes to sex and depiction of sex, especially when it's not same-gendered.
Probably because it's very easy to get blamed for sexism / objectification / whatever else by SJ storm troopers.
I'm not saying they're equal in every respect. That response is meant to deal with certain assertions such as "it's realistic, it adds immersion" or "you've got an m rating, might as well use it". Those statements both support showing people using the restroom just as much as they support showing people having sex, which suggests there's a hidden premise inside their argument and the real driving force (in my opinion) behind this entire debate: most people want to see people having sex because they think it's hot.
Now why do you think, in specific, sex (and specifically showing explicit aspects of sex) adds immersion? Remember my counter-example, you can't add "it's realistic!" as that would apply equally to people using the restroom. You too must have a hidden premise in my opinion.
I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't be too hard for them to implement a "I love you, but I don't want to have sex with you right now" option for those who don't like nudity like the OP. They handled it perfectly with Dorian in DAI and did a pretty good job with Kaidan in ME3 if you ask me.
This is quite a silly question. I bought Skyrim, even though I hate cliche main stories in video games. I bought it for lore, for gameplay, for modding potential to craft it into something I could really enjoy...
I still hate the bloody main story and wish it were different.
We buy games for the things we like in them, that doesn't mean we can't say we'd prefer something in them were different. We buy games if we find them to be overall fun/good. I dislike many things in Mass Effect 2 and it's my favorite game of all time. You're saying I shouldn't buy Mass Effect 2 because it has very linear game missions? I'm very against that!
In that case I want a toggle in ME:A, with which to toggle the entire story off, and instead bea game about fluffy bunny-monkey things going around collecting dirt..... Choice is good and all, but it needs to be reasonable. If a simple "skip" scene (usually space or escape) isn't enough, then BioWare really shouldn't care. THEY are the creators of the media that we consume, and they got ultimate pwoer over it. If they don't want to waste time on useless toggles for every single little quirky person out there to be pleased, then they shouldn't. If BioWare wants THEIR story to contain swearwords and nudity, then it damn well will. THe ONLY thing we can do, is voice our opinion with our money.
Toggles are NOT the future.
I'm not saying they're equal in every respect. That response is meant to deal with certain assertions such as "it's realistic, it adds immersion" or "you've got an m rating, might as well use it". Those statements both support showing people using the restroom just as much as they support showing people having sex, which suggests there's a hidden premise inside their argument and the real driving force (in my opinion) behind this entire debate: most people want to see people having sex because they think it's hot.
Now why do you think, in specific, sex (and specifically showing explicit aspects of sex) adds immersion? Remember my counter-example, you can't add "it's realistic!" as that would apply equally to people using the restroom. You too must have a hidden premise in my opinion.
You seem to believe that sex is something to be ashamed of, I don't blaim you, religion worked very hard to ingrain that belief in people.
Is having a sex scene in game "hot"? I should hope so. And what's wrong with that exactly?
You should be able to skip the cutscene if you want, but aside from that there is nothing wrong with sex in a video game.
And yes, despite what you are saying, it does it adds immersion to romance.
Sex is an important part of romantic relationships, and therefore there is no reason not to include it.
Using a restroom on the other hand is a basic, not interesting, everyday activity.
You could include everyday activities to add immersion I suppose, but watching someone taking a crap won't be high on my list...
I simply would not feel any connection or appeal while watching someone in this situation.
In that case I want a toggle in ME:A, with which to toggle the entire story off, and instead bea game about fluffy bunny-monkey things going around collecting dirt..... Choice is good and all, but it needs to be reasonable. If a simple "skip" scene (usually space or escape) isn't enough, then BioWare really shouldn't care. THEY are the creators of the media that we consume, and they got ultimate pwoer over it. If they don't want to waste time on useless toggles for every single little quirky person out there to be pleased, then they shouldn't. If BioWare wants THEIR story to contain swearwords and nudity, then it damn well will. THe ONLY thing we can do, is voice our opinion with our money.
Toggles are NOT the future.
We can also ask for stuff on the internet forum that they set up specifically to get feedback from us.
and more control over how we consume our media is still a good thing provided it is financially viable. Your insane example that is trying to make a point wouldn't be considered financially viable. Arguably even a "mature content filter" wouldn't be, which is what a lot of the last 114 pages were about.
I'm not saying they're equal in every respect. That response is meant to deal with certain assertions such as "it's realistic, it adds immersion" or "you've got an m rating, might as well use it". Those statements both support showing people using the restroom just as much as they support showing people having sex, which suggests there's a hidden premise inside their argument and the real driving force (in my opinion) behind this entire debate: most people want to see people having sex because they think it's hot.
Now why do you think, in specific, sex (and specifically showing explicit aspects of sex) adds immersion? Remember my counter-example, you can't add "it's realistic!" as that would apply equally to people using the restroom. You too must have a hidden premise in my opinion.
Because clearly they aren't. There were complaints.
Complaints from whom, the developers? Or from players who want to see more skin?
If the latter, why is their pov more valid than this one?
Wait, aren't you the "destination is just as important as the journey" guy?
It's an extension of the drama itself, impacted by the context of said drama, and very frequently the culmination of said drama.
Yes. But I'm also the "player choice is important" guy.
And sex should not always be the "culmination of drama" And even if it is, it is something that should typically be left to the player's imagination
Aren't you the "speculation is good" guy? 
Not by conservative standards, I'm guessing.
Dreamgazer, I like debating with you, but keep saying that and I'm going to start reporting for dragging politics into the discussion.
Pillars of Eternity isn't Mass Effect 1.
And yet they have the same rating. For Blood, sexual themes, strong violence, and language. Very similar to what got ME1 its rating.
On a side note, I have legitimately seen people on the Star Citizen forums arguing that mandatory restroom breaks and showering be a thing in the game "because immersion".
Because I don't think that the sexual elements should be separated from the relationship elements. The whole point of having the sex scene is to explore the relationship.
You really aren't getting this? I'd get into it further but I don't know where the communication failure is. I'll just reference Outlander again. Sure, you could write the show to the limitations of, say, basic cable, but it would be different, and worse, and there's no good reason to do that. Games are no different.
So skipping conversations is okay, toggling off gore is fine. But skip past a sex scene and YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR!!!! ? 
I haven't seen Outlander so I can't comment on the show. But tv=/=a game. This distinction has gotten Bioware in trouble before, thinking the two are indistinguishable. One size does not fit all. when it comes to sex and romance.
Sex is a personal thing. For some it may be no big deal but for others it's an intensely personal experience. Are you getting that?
Games have the chance of that benefit of narrative, like cinema or novels, but also immersion. Not voyeurism. If done well at least.
Do you really trust the same company that designed the outfits of Samara, Miranda, Jacob, and Jack to be able to do a sex scene tastefully?
On a side note, I have legitimately seen people on the Star Citizen forums arguing that mandatory restroom breaks and showering be a thing in the game "because immersion".
That place is full of the worst kind of neckbeards.
I liked the Wing Commander games though.
Do you really trust the same company that designed the outfits of Samara, Miranda, Jacob, and Jack to be able to do a sex scene tastefully?
Funny you mentioned Jacob. That's racy? I never even registered that. Maybe it is. I thought it was supposed to be like a pilot suit or something though.
As stripped down as Jack is, I don't think she was supposed to be racy either. My first thought was "feral". But definitely hot.
Do you really trust the same company that designed the outfits of Samara, Miranda, Jacob, and Jack to be able to do a sex scene tastefully?
Why, yes.
In that case I want a toggle in ME:A, with which to toggle the entire story off, and instead bea game about fluffy bunny-monkey things going around collecting dirt..... Choice is good and all, but it needs to be reasonable. If a simple "skip" scene (usually space or escape) isn't enough, then BioWare really shouldn't care. THEY are the creators of the media that we consume, and they got ultimate pwoer over it. If they don't want to waste time on useless toggles for every single little quirky person out there to be pleased, then they shouldn't. If BioWare wants THEIR story to contain swearwords and nudity, then it damn well will. THe ONLY thing we can do, is voice our opinion with our money.
Toggles are NOT the future.
Your request is not feasible due to 1) nobody else wanting that and 2) it costing too much to do it. The request to add a toggle for certain things is not unreasonable (ie Squad power usage, Subtitles, Auto leveling, No conversation choices), I'm not supporting a toggle for swearing or even violence because I know both take too much investment. But if you're going to sit here and tell me it's not feasible for them to add a toggle that, say, makes fade to black scenes in place of the sex itself... you're delusional and/or being deceptive. You know full well that's not too much to ask.
You do realize that Mass Effect 3 literally has an option that auto selects all dialogue for you right? That's a toggle they created, yet you think it's utterly unreasonable to request a toggle for us?
I agree, it's ultimately up to Bioware. That's why this is a request by people who would prefer this kind of option. If they don't want to add it, they won't, and you'll not hear from us again. You sound just like people who wanted to stop Bioware from adding same gendered romances, desperately talking about how it's pointless to do anything for a minority or add options for people to enhance their own enjoyment. No sympathy for people who don't share your world view, simply because you disagree with it?
Sure, you could write the show to the limitations of, say, basic cable, but it would be different, and worse, and there's no good reason to do that. Games are no different.
I said that they should be skippable in the exact same way as other cutscenes should be skippable. (I think that was in a followup clarifying post.) If you're willing to miss relationship dialogue, go ahead and skip.Why, though? In game, the vast majority of things are skippable, but when it comes to sex scenes, those in particular absolutely must not be skippable? You can skip so many important things over the entire trilogy of Mass Effect if you want, but in your opinion this just absolutely should not be skippable?
Games are completely different. They ask the player to take control of a character and make choices on their behalf.
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