RIP BG3 (Open letter to the community based on SoD)
Triaxx
Member Posts: 56
So as you're probably aware, a character was included in the new release that happened to be transgender.Between some people not liking trans people in general, to others finding the character poorly written, and even more so, several, ACTUAL trans people (whom I very much thank for speaking up) finding the character to be an unnecessary and patronizing addition, all anyone is talking about in regards to the new release is this character.
Regardless of your stance, as you can see, this is singlehandedly tanking reviews.
Which is also tanking my hopes of further releases.
It doesn't help that we are seeing statements by Beamdog affiliates that demonize and dismiss the concerns of others being posted on social media, nor that the majority of arguments I hear would land you an F in any intro philosophy/ethics/critical reasoning course.
Now, I posted about this in other threads already but I can see they are being deleted so I'll spell it out again right here.
Honestly, the lack of civility and good will to having an honest discussion about this is appalling. In my own opinion, I do find this character to be poorly written and quite obviously an attempt to be inclusive. Is inclusivity a bad thing? No, but there is a problem with how you do it. We can see that there are devs who are very openly admitting to having PC agendas, such Amber Scott and her feelings of sexism being present (which I find absurd and over sensitive). As I've also said, there are beamdog affiliates going on the record to accuse any who voice criticism as being "gamergate supporters" who aren't "real fans".
Not to mention the fact that yes, this dialogue reads like the most cringe inducing workplace sensitivity training video. You're given a choice between being absurdly polite and....being absurdly polite and praising her as the REAL hero in this story. Granted, this is such a minor character I didn't even notice on my first playthrough, which is very telling in and of itself.
Now, does any of this really matter? It shouldn't, but it does.
I assume this was done with the perception of goodwill, but ended up making our trans community members feel patronized and politicized, which I can tell you, just like with veterans, nobody likes being made a political tool for your own good-feelies and social praise. And since there is obvious prejudice against the trans community, many people are indeed making a fuss other the pure fact a trans person even be included, which is just as disappointing. It also makes these trans individuals feel like a target is being painted on them, which doesn't make them feel "included", but quite the opposite.
I mean honestly, you can't make people feel like they're normal and "one of us" if you stand next to them and go "HEY EVERYONE LOOK HOW NORMAL THIS PERSON IS. AREN'T THEY SO WONDERFULLY HUMAN LIKE YOU AND ME?. EXCUSE ME DID YOU NOTICE HOW BRAVE AND WONDERFUL AND NORMAL THIS PERSON IS? CAN YOU HEAR ME STROKING MY EGO ON HOW ACCEPTING I AM OF THIS TOTALLY NORMAL PERSON THAT IS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?"
The real problem with this is that both "sides" lack any desire to have an honest discussion about how we include trans characters in our games. Using them as a pander and political tool isn't the way to do it. Responding to it with bigotry is equally destructive and detestable.
Do I recommend the character be removed? No. Rewritten? Probably.
Do I also recommend we all grow up, admit we aren't automatically right in our initial opinions, and ACT CIVIL in how we handle this?
For the sake of BG3, damn straight I do.
Regardless of your stance, as you can see, this is singlehandedly tanking reviews.
Which is also tanking my hopes of further releases.
It doesn't help that we are seeing statements by Beamdog affiliates that demonize and dismiss the concerns of others being posted on social media, nor that the majority of arguments I hear would land you an F in any intro philosophy/ethics/critical reasoning course.
Now, I posted about this in other threads already but I can see they are being deleted so I'll spell it out again right here.
Honestly, the lack of civility and good will to having an honest discussion about this is appalling. In my own opinion, I do find this character to be poorly written and quite obviously an attempt to be inclusive. Is inclusivity a bad thing? No, but there is a problem with how you do it. We can see that there are devs who are very openly admitting to having PC agendas, such Amber Scott and her feelings of sexism being present (which I find absurd and over sensitive). As I've also said, there are beamdog affiliates going on the record to accuse any who voice criticism as being "gamergate supporters" who aren't "real fans".
Not to mention the fact that yes, this dialogue reads like the most cringe inducing workplace sensitivity training video. You're given a choice between being absurdly polite and....being absurdly polite and praising her as the REAL hero in this story. Granted, this is such a minor character I didn't even notice on my first playthrough, which is very telling in and of itself.
Now, does any of this really matter? It shouldn't, but it does.
I assume this was done with the perception of goodwill, but ended up making our trans community members feel patronized and politicized, which I can tell you, just like with veterans, nobody likes being made a political tool for your own good-feelies and social praise. And since there is obvious prejudice against the trans community, many people are indeed making a fuss other the pure fact a trans person even be included, which is just as disappointing. It also makes these trans individuals feel like a target is being painted on them, which doesn't make them feel "included", but quite the opposite.
I mean honestly, you can't make people feel like they're normal and "one of us" if you stand next to them and go "HEY EVERYONE LOOK HOW NORMAL THIS PERSON IS. AREN'T THEY SO WONDERFULLY HUMAN LIKE YOU AND ME?. EXCUSE ME DID YOU NOTICE HOW BRAVE AND WONDERFUL AND NORMAL THIS PERSON IS? CAN YOU HEAR ME STROKING MY EGO ON HOW ACCEPTING I AM OF THIS TOTALLY NORMAL PERSON THAT IS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?"
The real problem with this is that both "sides" lack any desire to have an honest discussion about how we include trans characters in our games. Using them as a pander and political tool isn't the way to do it. Responding to it with bigotry is equally destructive and detestable.
Do I recommend the character be removed? No. Rewritten? Probably.
Do I also recommend we all grow up, admit we aren't automatically right in our initial opinions, and ACT CIVIL in how we handle this?
For the sake of BG3, damn straight I do.
Post edited by JuliusBorisov on
31
Comments
Instead they picked a side and fired shots.
RIP Baldur's Gate.
Personally, I'm open to purchasing the game and basing it on its merits such as the gameplay, story, etc. I'm not running to give it negative reviews especially if the game is good. And I'm willing to see a BG3 or another D&D game, but maybe with people voicing their disdain for SoD, developers will listen and come to an understanding.
BG3's fate is not going to be determined because of intolerant assholes.
So yes, if they do have an agenda or commitment to inclusion or anything like that I damn well expect them to prove it and do it right. The poor writing, lack of innovation, and general low quality of work might however.
Question, isn't pointing out that a trans person is trans directly against what that person wants.
Question, how can people receive browny points for writing good trans characters if the player doesn't even notice they are trans...?
That's probably the question the writer asked herself, before she decided to say "fuck it, i'll just force this needles exposition on the player and because I don't want them to react in a way I don't like I'm gonna limit their response to something I approve of!".
Pathetic.
What I do think can influence that existance is:
- how many improvements to the engine SoD brings;
- what ideas were used for the gameplay;
- are new party NPCs popular among players;
- do new mods appear after the SoD release;
- how SoD sells;
- what are critics' reviews.
I do truly hope that Beamdog will be able to redeem themselves if they "fix" the game though.
As for how SoD sells, I'm pretty sure the refund system on steam is getting a workout now.
Oh wait, there aren't any. Probably because it sold worse than the predecessors.
Wat? DAI was the best of the series in terms of sold copies. Tough I dislike their overall direction of the franchise I must admit that their success was very impressive at the time.
Best wishes to Beamdog, and good luck on getting this somehow sorted out.
http://www.pcgamer.com/dragon-age-inquisition-had-most-successful-launch-in-bioware-history/