Lesbian Spider-Queens from Mars

[Ack]

Being gay or lesbian, that's your sexual orientation. Sure, maybe it's completely immaterial to most people, but say you're playing a game that has some sort of romantic bend to it, it's nice to be able to see the proper gender pronouns for your particular orientation be an option. As most of you seem to be saying, it doesn't matter, so why not have the choice? More choice is always good, and embraces more people.

You mean like in Fable? I played a homosexual male character in Fable and didn't see any issue with it, just as I played a homosexual female in Mass Effect and didn't see any issue there. In both cases I thought it was handled well: in Fable it's possible to be gay or bisexual just as easily as it is to be straight, while in Mass Effect it was ultimately more about the strength of relationships.

And that's the real kicker. I agree with irixith, as a gay or lesbian, that's your sexual orientation. But regardless of what your sexual orientation is, it comes down to you forming ultimately human relationships.

Unfortunately most games are too simplified or too single-dimensioned to ever bother getting there, and in those cases why bother bringing up something like sexual orientation at all? The concept of something as deep as a relevant discussion on human relationships is too far beyond it, that it really just shouldn't be broached because the end result would probably be more insulting to all involved(both hetero- and homosexual) than anything else. After all, look at the extremity that is the Cho Aniki series.

[brunoafh]

The concept of something as deep as a relevant discussion on human relationships is too far beyond it, that it really just shouldn't be broached because the end result would probably be more insulting to all involved(both hetero- and homosexual) than anything else. After all, look at the extremity that is the Cho Aniki series.

Couldn't possibly agree more.

[SplashChick]

Being gay or lesbian, that's your sexual orientation. Sure, maybe it's completely immaterial to most people, but say you're playing a game that has some sort of romantic bend to it, it's nice to be able to see the proper gender pronouns for your particular orientation be an option. As most of you seem to be saying, it doesn't matter, so why not have the choice? More choice is always good, and embraces more people.

You mean like in Fable? I played a homosexual male character in Fable and didn't see any issue with it, just as I played a homosexual female in Mass Effect and didn't see any issue there. In both cases I thought it was handled well: in Fable it's possible to be gay or bisexual just as easily as it is to be straight, while in Mass Effect it was ultimately more about the strength of relationships.

And that's the real kicker. I agree with irixith, as a gay or lesbian, that's your sexual orientation. But regardless of what your sexual orientation is, it comes down to you forming ultimately human relationships.

Unfortunately most games are too simplified or too single-dimensioned to ever bother getting there, and in those cases why bother bringing up something like sexual orientation at all? The concept of something as deep as a relevant discussion on human relationships is too far beyond it, that it really just shouldn't be broached because the end result would probably be more insulting to all involved(both hetero- and homosexual) than anything else. After all, look at the extremity that is the Cho Aniki series.

I tend to have to agree. When it isn't done with thought, you get characters represented like Poison is, and that's not only inaccurate, but INCREDIBLY offensive. I love Poison as a character, but the reasonings behind her existence are absolutely infuriating.

[Ivo]

Not for me - I would personally prefer the game was more "PG" rated, because it would be easier to recommend to other people.

I think it's important to remember also this is a game hosted by the Adult Swim website. Most of their games aren't meant to be PG. Although I certainly understand where you're coming from.

In the end it's a fun game, how often do you get to control a tyrant lesbian arachnid!? Not often.

The game was sold to Adult Swim, and probably the theme helped getting it sold (but the theme was selected from the start if I understand).

Drop the Lesbian and, how often do you get to control a tyrant arachnid (how often do you get to play the villain even)?
(I think you can control the Spider in SimAnt).

Look at this thread as an example on why I personally think the game would have been better without the elements. The gameplay is rock solid, I offered to give scoring tips and everyone is talking about other games (because here it is just the title, some tiny sprites, a bunch of hilarious over the top text, and 2 or 3 cutscenes).

I have little doubts that the title and theme are going to get more attention - but was that attention obtained in a way that we think is desirable in terms of representing Lesbians? I have serious doubt - this was over the top and I believe meant to be funny (read the text snippets between levels). It may even be considered to be an offensive portrayal of Lesbians as promiscuous and jealous if anyone takes it seriously...

But the gameplay is ace.

Ivo.