Publisher has no intention of removing same-sex relationship options from its games Share this Tweet + Submit Article To N4G Submit Article To Reddit Submit Article To del.icio.us Submit Article To Digg Submit Article To StumbleUpon Close Comments 43 By Tom Ivan for computerandvideogames.com
EA has reportedly received "several thousand" letters and emails condemning the inclusion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) content in its games, but the company says its development strategy won't be influenced by bigotry. 
According to GamesIndustry.biz, plenty of small-minded types have been directing messages to EA's executive team and creative heads threatening to boycott the publisher's games if it doesn't remove same-sex relationship content.
Some of these critics claim EA has been pressurised by LGBT groups to include homosexual content in its titles, which they say is being forced on children, while others complain that EA has been deleting anti-LGBT posts on its official forums.
Jeff Brown, VP of corporate communications at EA, told GI: "Every one of EA's games includes ESRB content descriptors so it's hard to believe anyone is surprised by the content. This isn't about protecting children, it's about political harassment.
"EA has not been pressured by any groups to include LGBT characters in our games," he added. "However, we have met with LBGT groups and sponsored industry forums to discuss content and harassment of players in online forums. In short, we do put options for same-sex relationships in our games; we don't tolerate hate speech on our forums."
We think the inclusion of LGBT content in its titles has shown EA to be something of a progressive game maker, and its admirable defence of its viewpoint isn't one you'd traditionally associate with a firm recently named 'the worst company in America'.
computerandvideogames.com Tom Ivan Recommended Links From The Web Comments 43 comments so far... Post a comment Report this post Reply with quote Rob_McBride on 5 Apr '12 said:Why are so many people complaining about this.
This is the way of the world today its 2012 now
A man can love a man
A woman can love a woman
And a blue alien chick can love a man or a woman
And so on
But its in the world its on TV and now its in gaming and as a straight male I say About time and Well done to EA for sticking those Choices of romance in the game.
Ending sucked but I'll leave that alone
Report this post Reply with quote TroubleMaker411 on 5 Apr '12 said:Are you guys just finding any excuse to link the lesbian femshep video?
OT.
I kinda respect EA for making this statement and showing the narrowminded morons that they won't be pushed.
But my question has to be, why didn't they react this strongly when they removed the taliban from MoH 2010?
Don't try and tell me this isn't about politics EA. Ofcourse it is!
Report this post Reply with quote Niknak106 on 5 Apr '12 said: You'd have to be a special kind of asshole to complain about something like this. I'm surprised they could manage to tear themselves away from beating up gay people to send the emails in the first place. Sub-human scum.
Report this post Reply with quote JCHN on 5 Apr '12 said:So what if this content is included??? If you don't like these options, then don't choose them. They are there for the people that want these options, if you don't, then go for the other options that do not involve same-sex relationships!!!
Report this post Reply with quote Stan_Goodspeed on 5 Apr '12 said:As long as the sexual content is advertised through the game's rating, and the same-sex stuff not forced upon us I don't see what's the problem here.
Back then the God of War minigames didn't pull any punches, and these "boycotters" never complained 
Report this post Reply with quote veato on 5 Apr '12 said: I don't care but unless I'm going mad three separate male characters came onto my male Shep in ME3. It's like I was a gay magnet.
Report this post Reply with quote kirankara on 5 Apr '12 said:possibly only good thing I can find to say about EA is in regards to this article. Fair play to them for this stance. (im guessing the majority of complainers are evangelical bible bashers in USa anyway)
EA after the company almost went tits up during late 90's , seemed to have turned a corner, with a positive attitude towards developing ip's and a caring approach to consumers, they were one of first to start putting out decent ps3 ports of games for example, but it was alas just a ruse, and theyve promptly gone back to their former evil status. I cant help but worry about next gen with publishers being as they are.
interesting articles here for you guys
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... l-shooters
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... e-industry
Report this post Reply with quote c3dpo on 5 Apr '12 said:Not that I played it as its a bug fest like the others...
But, from that video it's more of a clumsy bumping of polys then anything else lol!
i was expecting more GOW, Bayonetta, Heavy rain "romancing", heck I think "romancing" in Viva pinata is more sexy lol
Edit: [
but it was alas just a ruse, and theyve promptly gone back to their former evil status. I cant help but worry about next gen with publishers being as they are.
*Sigh* they've always remained evil I'm afraid, never were "protecting the consumer" as they put it back in XB1 days good sir.
Report this post Reply with quote Drusus on 5 Apr '12 said: Different sex, same sex, whatever, it doesn't matter to Dayman, aaAAAaaah, fighter of the Nightman!
Report this post Reply with quote Imaduck on 5 Apr '12 said:It's always going to draw touchy feedback really. I don't think EA have handled it well though. There's obviously a pile of default morons going to be bitching about all sorts but some of the complaints are self-made. On the likes of the BW forums, pro-gay stuff is elevated to grandeur while threads that are often completely civilised, reasonable debates about the whole issue while not being entirely pro or against are flat out locked, even if soem have interestin outlooks
LGBT forum goers are free to spew "bigot" and "homophobe" at anyone, anywhere, anytime, bomb any thread that's not entirely in agreement, not matter how civil and nothing will be done about it because it's seen as politicaly correct. And there has been years of pro-LGBT storming on the forums and slaggign of Bioware by a hardcore few who trampled over others, so I can see why stuff like this is seen as "them getting their way". Personally I see it as a sure way to breed hatred of the LGBT community but hey man, their own goal, not mine.
I agree with the idea of inclusion but then, once again, Bioware did a s**t job with "Steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeve!" in ME3. Do it right, or spend time on other tihngs, like a proper ending perhaps?
SPOILERS
. Despite being your supposed hardcore, together, combat pilot, he's bawling his eyes out within 5 hours of the game start. If that's not another stereotyping own goal I don't know what is.
. If you treat Steve with respect, like "no worries dude, you'll pull through this man" it gets worse to my mind, clunkier. He eventually invites you to meet him for a drink on the Citadel for a chat, some down time to help him clear his head basically. However, that chat quickly narrows to 3 options:
- I only came here watch the strippers
- I'm gay, let's sex
- f**k off
Super mature that. Where's the "I came here to help you iron out some creases", friend to friend chat, shoulder to lean on option? That WAS the purpose of the visit.
It's one extreme or the other at the moment, thats the problem to my mind. Mid ground is trampled on and time is wasted on poorly executed attempts at political correctness (which is often seen as appeasing a minoirty at the expenxe of a majority). If they actually want to add that content, go ahead! But do it right! And try not to look so biased on your own forums.
Probably going to be slated for this, but I actually don't give a f**k so go mad, heard it all before 
Report this post Reply with quote TheDragonDoji on 5 Apr '12 said: I have come to the conclusion that Mass Effect fans are predominantly a bunch of f**king hate-filled morons. Sure I can kinda understand the 'Ending Hate'.......but this makes no sense. How do you experience the gay aspects of the game unless you made the choices to get there!?!
Though if Uncharted had a gay 'queen' character, I'd be writing in complaining. Hate queens.
Report this post Reply with quote bamozzy on 5 Apr '12 said: That is one thing that I applaud EA for doing!!! LGBT relationships are part of life and should not be ignored. We have an age rating on games for a reason and Children should not be exposed to sexual content - if they are then it is the parents fault for buying them games that are NOT rated for them to play!!
It also exposes the Bigotry and Hate that still remains within the human population but if they were on the receiving end I am sure they would be campaigning for tolerance, equal rights and respect!!!
I am also glad that EA refuse to budge on this and maybe with more exposure, people will become more accepting of people and their choices (although I am sure a lot did not choose to be the way they are it just happens to be that way and they certainly do NOT deserve to be disrespected and/or hated) and hopefully end up a more tolerant and respectful society.
Imagine if they said there should be no (insert colour of skin) in a game - they would be branded racist and certainly wouldn't be able to get away with saying that!!
Report this post Reply with quote Sherlock Houses on 5 Apr '12 said:Is the criticism not because it is poorly implemented, like it's a bit awkward? And not because of morons going gay=bad.
I mean, when I tried to pull Traynor and was shot down I thought it was done quite well, and tongue in cheek enough for it to be quite humourous. But having not got tried the gay romance option, it might be too tongue in cheek and the humour might be insulting, as they aren't taking it seriously?
Otherwise, why complain? Could be EA smoothing over the worlds worst company award.
Report this post Reply with quote Clumsyjack on 5 Apr '12 said:Isn't this Interesting?
As soon as EA gets voted Worst company of America they start releasing information like this? Looks like the PR machine is in full swing.
And @Imaduck, You make some valid points, especially with the same sex romances in mass effect feel incredibly hamfisted. Hopefully more companies will adopt LGBT relationships in the future, but in a much better way.
Report this post Reply with quote kirankara on 5 Apr '12 said:Not that I played it as its a bug fest like the others...
But, from that video it's more of a clumsy bumping of polys then anything else lol!
i was expecting more GOW, Bayonetta, Heavy rain "romancing", heck I think "romancing" in Viva pinata is more sexy lol
Edit: [
but it was alas just a ruse, and theyve promptly gone back to their former evil status. I cant help but worry about next gen with publishers being as they are.
*Sigh* they've always remained evil I'm afraid, never were "protecting the consumer" as they put it back in XB1 days good sir.
No doubt, they simply had to get in peoples good books again, until they had enough power to again treat consumers like crap.
Report this post Reply with quote Moribundman on 5 Apr '12 said: It was done better than Dragon Age II and it's priapic band of lads who hated your guts if you politely spurned their amorous advances (looking at you Anders and Fenris). Anyone would have thought Hawke had cocknip down his greaves...
Report this post Reply with quote kirankara on 5 Apr '12 said:Isn't this Interesting?
As soon as EA gets voted Worst company of America they start releasing information like this? Looks like the PR machine is in full swing.
And @Imaduck, You make some valid points, especially with the same sex romances in mass effect feel incredibly hamfisted. Hopefully more companies will adopt LGBT relationships in the future, but in a much better way.
lets be honest, it's rare that any form of human interaction is done well in video games lol
Even well done human interaction is usually cliched and hackneyed at best. I can only imagine how badly done something a sensitive as same sex relationships could be done
Report this post Reply with quote TheCrimsonFenix on 5 Apr '12 said: There's no problems with straights, gays, lesbians, transgenders or transexuals being in games, that isn't the problem. When they are shoe-horned in for the sake of it just being there though, that's the problem and one that ME3 has.
Report this post Reply with quote martinawatson on 5 Apr '12 said:The BBC light entertainment program "Docters" has just started BBC1 1.45 , i dont tend to watch it because its utter utter s**te , however when i have watched it ,it does have a lot of gay content, which seems to be of a similar level to this game , so that's actual actors , British main channel in the afternoon , no certificates needed to watch.
Report this post Reply with quote billysastard on 5 Apr '12 said:I have come to the conclusion that Mass Effect fans are predominantly a bunch of f**king hate-filled morons.
i dont think its got much to do with mass effect fans, its more a case of these so called family values groups hiding their homophobia behind some fairy stories.
Report this post Reply with quote G00N3R on 5 Apr '12 said:To complain about the inclusion of this content, is obviously narrow minded. Every gamer has the right to experience content that relates to their preferences. To claim that it is "being forced on children" is just laughable, and clearly shows that these people haven't even played the games that they're complaining about.
They're obviously referring to DA2 and ME3. My first character in both was male. In DA2, Anders tried to flirt with me in our first conversation, I gave a pretty clear "not interested" response and it was never mentioned again. In ME3, I saw even less. I'm not actually sure which character is the gay romance option although I've got an idea about three possibilities. One died in my previous save game, one mentioned he had a husband who died so he is gay - but never came on to my Shepard, the other rarely even spoke to me about any subject.
So in other words, you've got to actively be seeking this content out in order to see it.
Report this post Reply with quote tekplyrx on 5 Apr '12 said:There's no problems with straights, gays, lesbians, transgenders or transexuals being in games, that isn't the problem. When they are shoe-horned in for the sake of it just being there though, that's the problem and one that ME3 has.
Exactly..
Report this post Reply with quote hi0marc on 5 Apr '12 said:I presume all the critics believe strongly in a man's right to screw a blue alien chick or some other random space girl, but not another human man. Interesting.
Report this post Reply with quote Imaduck on 5 Apr '12 said:Well said Fenix.
Report this post Reply with quote porkchopz on 5 Apr '12 said: Well, it would've been unfair not to cater for the average pc gamer, wouldn't it? 
Report this post Reply with quote Dralel on 5 Apr '12 said: LMAO the girl on the left in the video's thumbnail looks creepy as f***.
Report this post Reply with quote wwinterj on 5 Apr '12 said: Dragon Age is rated 18, Mass Effect 2 and 3 are both rated 15. There is only Mass Effect that I can think of that's a 12. These types of games are not aimed at children and more to the point same-sex relationships are a fact of life so including them in any type of media is acceptable.
I don't think it's something you need to keep children away from seeing least of all in a video game. I have no doubt in my mind that most kids will see same-sex relationships everyday when walking down the street or whatever. It's better they accept that it's a fact of life at a younger age than growing up been wrapped in cotton wool.
Report this post Reply with quote porkchopz on 5 Apr '12 said: Well, it would've been unfair not to cater for the average pc gamer, wouldn't it?
And just to clarify, I was talking about how pc gamers like a wealth of variety and customisation. 
Report this post Reply with quote TOKEN on 5 Apr '12 said: You'd have to be a special kind of asshole to complain about something like this. I'm surprised they could manage to tear themselves away from beating up gay people to send the emails in the first place. Sub-human scum.
after seeing that pic and eating a mcflurry and big mc meal i feel quite queezy.
Report this post Reply with quote middle finger on 5 Apr '12 said: If a movie, book or theatre play contains boy on boy action, why game shouldn't have?
Report this post Reply with quote KK-Headcharge78 on 5 Apr '12 said: The only bummer about this was it wasn't girl on girl action. The sorry t**ts who complained should drag their sorry asses into the 21st century and grow the f**k up.
Report this post Reply with quote gmcb007 on 5 Apr '12 said: We think the inclusion of LGBT content in its titles has shown EA to be something of a progressive game maker, and its admirable defence of its viewpoint isn't one you'd traditionally associate with a firm recently named 'the worst company in America'.
Hmm do I smell a bit of propaganda from EA? After all, they just recieved a very unfavoritable title and now they have to make themselfs look like they're the bees knees regardless of what they said about the award.
There could have been f**k all letters that were sent in for all we know.
As for you CVG, as another poster brillantly pointed out yesterday, you had to attach the lesbian scene to the article like it actually had something to do with the award even though it was about their customer service and greed.
Report this post Reply with quote TheLastDodo on 5 Apr '12 said: We think the inclusion of LGBT content in its titles has shown EA to be something of a progressive game maker, and its admirable defence of its viewpoint isn't one you'd traditionally associate with a firm recently named 'the worst company in America'.
Hmm do I smell a bit of propaganda from EA? After all, they just recieved a very unfavoritable title and now they have to make themselfs look like they're the bees knees regardless of what they said about the award.
There could have been f**k all letters that were sent in for all we know.
As for you CVG, as another poster brillantly pointed out yesterday, you had to attach the lesbian scene to the article like it actually had something to do with the award even though it was about their customer service and greed.
You'd have a point gmc, if EA actually gave a crap about that award and it's pretty clear they don't from their "award speech" and I can't blame em, the voters were either having a laugh or they're just idiots.
Report this post Reply with quote gmcb007 on 5 Apr '12 said: You never know Dodo. Publishers do have a talent for false impressions!
I'm not trying to jump on the latest hate trend against EA here, but the fact they mentioned this a day after the award seems a tad bit fishy. I suppose it's not a bad thing if they are legit because the further we push away from old fashioned bigoty and religious influenced hate, the better for us all.
Report this post Reply with quote plain_kloz_cop on 5 Apr '12 said:They haven't catered to everyone yet, though. Ah, the sleepless nights I've spent thinking about that space-hampster!
Report this post Reply with quote gmcb007 on 5 Apr '12 said: They haven't catered to everyone yet, though. Ah, the sleepless nights I've spent thinking about that space-hampster!
Is this Richard Gere?
Report this post Reply with quote Barca Azul on 5 Apr '12 said: Last time I checked its not 1940's, fair play to them!
Report this post Reply with quote TheLastDodo on 5 Apr '12 said: We think the inclusion of LGBT content in its titles has shown EA to be something of a progressive game maker, and its admirable defence of its viewpoint isn't one you'd traditionally associate with a firm recently named 'the worst company in America'.
Hmm do I smell a bit of propaganda from EA? After all, they just recieved a very unfavoritable title and now they have to make themselfs look like they're the bees knees regardless of what they said about the award.
There could have been f**k all letters that were sent in for all we know.
As for you CVG, as another poster brillantly pointed out yesterday, you had to attach the lesbian scene to the article like it actually had something to do with the award even though it was about their customer service and greed.
Here's proof of at least one letter gmc.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... fect-swtor
Report this post Reply with quote gmcb007 on 6 Apr '12 said: Well I stand corrected. Thanks for the link.
Once again they go on about the children but the last time I checked ME is a childrens game. Bloody halfwits.
Report this post Reply with quote danbish on 6 Apr '12 said: Good for EA. There's no reason why things like this shouldn't be in games, after all same sex releationships are explored in tv and movies etc so why not games too?
Every one of EA's games includes ESRB content descriptors so it's hard to believe anyone is surprised by the content. This isn't about protecting children, it's about political harassment.
Quite.
What the F**K is the problem with gamers today. These gamers who complain about the most stupid of things must have serious issues in the real world.
Report this post Reply with quote woodins on 6 Apr '12 said:"STEEEVVVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - That is all.
Report this post Reply with quote ensabahnur on 6 Apr '12 said: Here's proof of at least one letter gmc.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012- ... fect-swtor
When you read that letter it looks like a fairly sensible person who is just looking out for the children so they're not exposed to adult theme's too early. Maybe not the opinion of the rest of us, especially since the the game has a 16+ age rating and any teenager has already been exposed to homosexual content through TV, films and probably their everyday life. Then they just went and made an arse of it by writing in pen, when the rest of the letter is printed, "REMEMBER SODOM" on it. Well done!
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