We've recent spoken with Bioware's Dr Ray Muzyka regarding Mass Effect 2 and 3. It's a wide-ranging interview (up after lunch here in the UK). One area we covered, of course, was sex. Here's some of what he had to say.
"(The sex), it’s never casual, it’s meant to be... the relationships you build in our games you have to invest time in. Romance is just one possible outcome of your actions in investing character relationships, but it’s not the only outcome. It’s all about reflecting emotional intensity, and really making an emotionally engaging experience."
Check the full piece find out what Ray thinks about Fox News!
"(The sex), it’s never casual, it’s meant to be... the relationships you build in our games you have to invest time in. Romance is just one possible outcome of your actions in investing character relationships, but it’s not the only outcome. It’s all about reflecting emotional intensity, and really making an emotionally engaging experience."
Check the full piece find out what Ray thinks about Fox News!
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Comments
Peter 2 Dec 2009 13:02
1/14
Yeah, with all the characters revealed, it looks REALLY difficult to get laid. You are going to have to invest SO much time in a REAL relationship. They are all such moral, upstanding beings...what a joke. Emotionally engaging?! Romance?! What is in the water up in Canada?! Delusional! It is irritating that Bioware feels the need to include sex and vice to sell the game. I guess aliens and space farers don't wear clothes anymore in the ME universe. Hopefully we can change the armor of Subject Zero and Samara to cover that junk up...I for one, don' t want to see that stuff. Just a thought.
Dan 2 Dec 2009 13:50
2/14
@Peter
Then don't play. Nothing is "wrong with the water" up here, Bioware is one of the most respected game publishers in the industry. They're able to deliver an emotional, epic stories that no other game publisher has been able to produce. It's all part of making the playing feel emotionally involved in their decisions. If you really grow to like someone in the game and decide to have an in game relationship with them, and to do that you really have to be best friends... when it comes down to it, are you going to want to save your best friend at all costs? What if they die? I bet it'll make you a little upset. It's all part of the plan, but trust me, they don't need "sex" or "relationships" to sell these games. I find your lack of faith in Bioware disturbing. Just a thought.
Then don't play. Nothing is "wrong with the water" up here, Bioware is one of the most respected game publishers in the industry. They're able to deliver an emotional, epic stories that no other game publisher has been able to produce. It's all part of making the playing feel emotionally involved in their decisions. If you really grow to like someone in the game and decide to have an in game relationship with them, and to do that you really have to be best friends... when it comes down to it, are you going to want to save your best friend at all costs? What if they die? I bet it'll make you a little upset. It's all part of the plan, but trust me, they don't need "sex" or "relationships" to sell these games. I find your lack of faith in Bioware disturbing. Just a thought.
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poopface mcgee 2 Dec 2009 21:55
3/14
im glad that at least some people are smart enough to realize that you don't have to pander to the politically correct nuts who have tried to ruin almost everything else. Viva la Mass Effect!
Peter 3 Dec 2009 18:07
4/14
@poopface_mcgee, Dan
Politcally correct?! You're a tool. My only point is that romance does not equal sex and I will be interested to see how much of a choice is given to those who chose not to have sex in game. While the good Dr is implying such colossal choices, one might argue his ability to provide this. For example, in ME, you eventually reached this "climactic choice", whether or not you have sex w/ a party member. Personally, I did not talk to Liara or Ashley except when needed yet the pre-programmed point in the game still initiated for me to choose to have either one of them. You can't tell me that this is the relationship intended or even portrayed by Bioware. I will be curious to see the choices given to those who choose not to see breasts hanging out of clothes or to have sex in the game. If it truly is about choice, a healthy respect for all involved would be great. The problem is that I am interested in the story and scope of choice but disagree with the implementation of it (i.e. "romance") that could be better spent elsewhere.
Politcally correct?! You're a tool. My only point is that romance does not equal sex and I will be interested to see how much of a choice is given to those who chose not to have sex in game. While the good Dr is implying such colossal choices, one might argue his ability to provide this. For example, in ME, you eventually reached this "climactic choice", whether or not you have sex w/ a party member. Personally, I did not talk to Liara or Ashley except when needed yet the pre-programmed point in the game still initiated for me to choose to have either one of them. You can't tell me that this is the relationship intended or even portrayed by Bioware. I will be curious to see the choices given to those who choose not to see breasts hanging out of clothes or to have sex in the game. If it truly is about choice, a healthy respect for all involved would be great. The problem is that I am interested in the story and scope of choice but disagree with the implementation of it (i.e. "romance") that could be better spent elsewhere.
Jiun 17 Dec 2009 05:27
5/14
Actualy in Mass Effect 1 you can chose to be "just friends" so it's up to you if you want romantic relation or not.
Correct me if i'm wrong.
Correct me if i'm wrong.
Jess 20 Dec 2009 20:59
6/14
Might I just point out, this is put under the genre of "RPG" which respectfully means "Role-Playing Game" therefore I think adding romance/relationships/sex or whatever it is you want to call it is appropriate. If this is such an issue with you perhaps you should stick to the shooters ne?@Peter
Avernus 12 Jan 2010 09:48
7/14
Whilst Peter’s impassioned words are impressive, the typical close-mindedness he shows is distressing. The game is not meant for children. It is an adult game, meant to explore the dark side of decision-making and prove enjoyable for mature minds. A roleplaying game has a full exposure to living the life of this person. Living fast and loose is present in real life without video games. Besides, the sex 'scenes' are probably 1/70th of the game in total, including the romancing and the like. Romantic relationships have sex, and considering the fact that you can't actually play the game for a year, it has to be somewhat condensed. And in no way should you judge people by the options of a game.
Moreover, it's not even REAL. Someone might delight in romancing an alien on the screen, but it has no affect on their real life. Most of all it is a nitty gritty roleplaying game with some third person shooter thrown in, and I don’t see Peter going into spasms of outrage over the fact that you regularly kill people in the game.
If all you do is concentrate on the sex, then you're going to miss out. You have stated that you played the game without romancing anyone, which is fine. That is a choice. But some of us want to explore those facets, and would simply enjoy the excitement of it. Peter, you would prefer to be treated as a child, corralled into a clean, safe environment when gaming, then go pick up a child's game. But when you're mature enough to enter the adult world of gaming in all of its facets, good, bad and ugly, feel free to join us. Until then, you have no right to condemn other, consenting, educated adults for the decisions we make and the games we enjoy. We don't deserve your overbearing, irrational and judgemental opinion. Grow up.
Bioware is notorious for creating involving, engaging and thoroughly entertaining roleplaying games and, honestly, they have yet to disappoint. Dragon Age Origins earns huge kudos for their daring and their skill at game-making is superb. I hope that Mass Effect 2 follows in the footsteps of breaking the limits of gaming. I, personally, am greatly anticipating what they will present in their new instalment.
Moreover, it's not even REAL. Someone might delight in romancing an alien on the screen, but it has no affect on their real life. Most of all it is a nitty gritty roleplaying game with some third person shooter thrown in, and I don’t see Peter going into spasms of outrage over the fact that you regularly kill people in the game.
If all you do is concentrate on the sex, then you're going to miss out. You have stated that you played the game without romancing anyone, which is fine. That is a choice. But some of us want to explore those facets, and would simply enjoy the excitement of it. Peter, you would prefer to be treated as a child, corralled into a clean, safe environment when gaming, then go pick up a child's game. But when you're mature enough to enter the adult world of gaming in all of its facets, good, bad and ugly, feel free to join us. Until then, you have no right to condemn other, consenting, educated adults for the decisions we make and the games we enjoy. We don't deserve your overbearing, irrational and judgemental opinion. Grow up.
Bioware is notorious for creating involving, engaging and thoroughly entertaining roleplaying games and, honestly, they have yet to disappoint. Dragon Age Origins earns huge kudos for their daring and their skill at game-making is superb. I hope that Mass Effect 2 follows in the footsteps of breaking the limits of gaming. I, personally, am greatly anticipating what they will present in their new instalment.
sugar q 14 Jan 2010 13:41
8/14
I have to be honest with the men on behalf of the women here. We love the romance, period. We look forward to the cut scenes and are delighted to experience a more personal touch in a game. No idiots yelling about lag and or "BS I shot that dude point blank" ! Just simple cinematic yet real life scenarios. We love shooting the bad guys, believe me, but a little sugar on top keeps a smile on our beautiful faces.... Hot and steamy is real life! If you dissagree then get off the game and discover the wonderful world of multipul org@sms. Yummy ;)
anon 26 Jan 2010 06:55
9/14
would you be willing to help with that?
leptoid 1 Feb 2010 12:12
10/14
I think Peter's problem, is he wanted male on male scenerios. From his statement "Hopefully we can change the armor of Subject Zero and Samara to cover that junk up...I for one, don' t want to see that stuff." he obviously has a problem with people who are not wearing full body covering as seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etiquette_in_the_Middle_East
Peter, you're a loser.
Peter, you're a loser.
lol 1 Feb 2010 21:05
11/14
@peter
Obvious troll is obvious
Obvious troll is obvious
anon 6 Feb 2010 07:12
12/14
Peter. Your f**kin gay lol's.
anon 24 Feb 2010 05:57
13/14
Actually, that brings up a very interesting point. I'm not getting into the who is/isn't argument, but:
I am male (hetero), and realize that I am the target audience. Still, it does feel a little unfair to the gay population. This is really too bad that bioware, a respected RPG publisher, cannot have the guts to do a male/male romance, when they have no problems doing a female/female. Interestingly enough, I noticed they had no problems with it in Dragon Age: Origins. My only theory is that Dragon Age is "more" of a RPG than Mass Effect.
I am male (hetero), and realize that I am the target audience. Still, it does feel a little unfair to the gay population. This is really too bad that bioware, a respected RPG publisher, cannot have the guts to do a male/male romance, when they have no problems doing a female/female. Interestingly enough, I noticed they had no problems with it in Dragon Age: Origins. My only theory is that Dragon Age is "more" of a RPG than Mass Effect.
ignoramus 4 Apr 2011 04:28
14/14
I really have not played this kind of game, but the way people are exchanging bad words both in the defense and in the attack of the game leaves me to ponder. This game is kinda bowing people's minds out. Just a thought.
Let us not deject the opinions of Peter, I mean he is entitled to his/ her opinion as much as you do. With the inclusion of sex in the game, this could be one of pornographic elements children and minors would be feasting about creating a negative implication to the real society. You may state it 1 million times that this game is strictly for adults, however, can you really assure 1 million times that children cannot access to this game? I'm sure this gonna be an exciting game for children to be allured.. F*ck!....I had been an addict in role-playing games online, and I enjoyed. but not with romance or worse sex. The objective of role-playing games is to create a virtual image of yourself that would gain skills as game progresses and with sex or romance included--it would only create a diversion.
Let us not deject the opinions of Peter, I mean he is entitled to his/ her opinion as much as you do. With the inclusion of sex in the game, this could be one of pornographic elements children and minors would be feasting about creating a negative implication to the real society. You may state it 1 million times that this game is strictly for adults, however, can you really assure 1 million times that children cannot access to this game? I'm sure this gonna be an exciting game for children to be allured.. F*ck!....I had been an addict in role-playing games online, and I enjoyed. but not with romance or worse sex. The objective of role-playing games is to create a virtual image of yourself that would gain skills as game progresses and with sex or romance included--it would only create a diversion.