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Or, rather, feminism and romance and gamer fandom. Specifically, I'm looking for pet peeves and kudos dealing with relationships in computer/console games. I.e. where it's scripted, and while you may have a choice between potential romance partners, there's generally a 'right' way and a 'wrong' way already programmed in.
What thrills me? (Good stuff first!)
Romances between characters of equal ability. Because computer/console games are strongly protagonist-centered, I don't expect equality of importance, but I do require that it not feel...skeevy. The one that I think of most readily is the Jaheria/PC romance form Baldur's Gate 2. Yes, you can argue that Jaheria is /way/ too eager to jump into another relationship after her husband is murdered, but the relationship itself is pretty solid. Jaheria is /clearly/ a strong, self-confident woman, she has her own plots to deal with and she doesn't ask you to get involved unless you want to. More, the conversations with her reveal a rather likable, if forceful, personality, and not someone who has Major Psychological Issues that you need to fix. I am fond of this romance.
...hmm, okay, that's kinda it for the good stuff.
What makes me grind my teeth?
Broken women. Aerie and Viconia from BG2 seriously fit here. These two are both really, really broken people, but they end up nevertheless neatly fitting into Madonna/Bitch stereotypes. Aerie is an 80's romance heroine, used and abused, innocent and frightened, and hitting on her really kind of makes me feel like a pedophile. Viconia at least has her own personality and strengths, but conversations with her largely circle around her sexual abuse at the hands of men, her incredible sexual experience, and her willingness to treat you like crap until you prove your true manliness to her. They are very shallow personalities for a romantic partner, which is a shame, since at least Viconia has potential for a lot more depth. I mean, would it kill us to have the occasional conversation about her clerical beliefs, or greater issues?
Lack of choice. This is across large amounts of games. Even in games where men are allowed to choose romantic plotlines, there's usually far more choices for male characters than female characters, if there are any choices for female characters at /all/. (If you can even PLAY a female PC, but that's a different rant.)
Girlfriend-to-rescue-object. In a strongly plotted game where my character falls for a female NPC, I pretty much cringe, because I /know/ she's going to be kidnapped (no matter how powerful she is in battle), killed, or turned against me. It's /old/. It's /tired/. Give us a twist on it, why don't cha?
So what are your thoughts on it?
What thrills me? (Good stuff first!)
Romances between characters of equal ability. Because computer/console games are strongly protagonist-centered, I don't expect equality of importance, but I do require that it not feel...skeevy. The one that I think of most readily is the Jaheria/PC romance form Baldur's Gate 2. Yes, you can argue that Jaheria is /way/ too eager to jump into another relationship after her husband is murdered, but the relationship itself is pretty solid. Jaheria is /clearly/ a strong, self-confident woman, she has her own plots to deal with and she doesn't ask you to get involved unless you want to. More, the conversations with her reveal a rather likable, if forceful, personality, and not someone who has Major Psychological Issues that you need to fix. I am fond of this romance.
...hmm, okay, that's kinda it for the good stuff.
What makes me grind my teeth?
Broken women. Aerie and Viconia from BG2 seriously fit here. These two are both really, really broken people, but they end up nevertheless neatly fitting into Madonna/Bitch stereotypes. Aerie is an 80's romance heroine, used and abused, innocent and frightened, and hitting on her really kind of makes me feel like a pedophile. Viconia at least has her own personality and strengths, but conversations with her largely circle around her sexual abuse at the hands of men, her incredible sexual experience, and her willingness to treat you like crap until you prove your true manliness to her. They are very shallow personalities for a romantic partner, which is a shame, since at least Viconia has potential for a lot more depth. I mean, would it kill us to have the occasional conversation about her clerical beliefs, or greater issues?
Lack of choice. This is across large amounts of games. Even in games where men are allowed to choose romantic plotlines, there's usually far more choices for male characters than female characters, if there are any choices for female characters at /all/. (If you can even PLAY a female PC, but that's a different rant.)
Girlfriend-to-rescue-object. In a strongly plotted game where my character falls for a female NPC, I pretty much cringe, because I /know/ she's going to be kidnapped (no matter how powerful she is in battle), killed, or turned against me. It's /old/. It's /tired/. Give us a twist on it, why don't cha?
So what are your thoughts on it?