BioWare has postponed the launch of Mass Effect 3, but gamers can expect a new option when it does finally hit shelves. Mass Effect 3 development lead Casey Hudson announced via Twitter that users can now opt for same-sex relationships in the game. “Happy to confirm [Mass Effect 3] supports wider options for love interest, including same-sex for male and female characters, reactive to how you interact with them in-game,” he wrote.
The first two games of the series had a same-sex option, but only when it came to girl-girl relationships, something that didn’t sit well with activist groups. Now BioWare is diversifying the Shepherd character in order to avoid isolating any of its fans. The Mass Effect games are known for their story-driven plot and finely-tuned character building, although Mass Effect 2 was something of a departure and focuses on action in favor of its RPG roots.
We’ve heard the third title is also going to fall into this category, but fans of its in-depth character development will be happy to hear the expanded relationship preferences. “ME3 writing team has some great ideas for breaking the mold on character interaction, which should add to non-romance relationship[s],” Hudson also posted.
The decision surely won’t be without at least some controversy and could easily rile parent groups. Still, the game should largely stay out of children’s hands since the line targets older gamers and the last two titles were rated M.
I understand if there are people who want to see this added to the game, but I'm a little worried about how that's going to change the team dynamic.
For instance, take Mass Effect 2. For several of the squad mates, such as Jack, just being nice to them and talking with them is enough fro them to get interested in you, forcing you to either reciprocate or reject their feelings (which effectively ends conversation with them permanently). Other characters, like Mordin if you don't have a romance option, confront you awkwardly about your feelings for them. When I was playing as a male Shepard staying loyal to Ashley, I was like "Seriously? You've never had a male friend who likes to hang out with you because you're fun to be around? You just assume I want more?"
The reason I bring any of this up is this: what if Garrus suddenly asks my male Shepard if they could be more than friends in Mass Effect 3? It's a total catch-22. Either I say "yes" (which I wouldn't), or reject him and lose his friendship. It would completely ruin one of my favorite characters for me.
Granted, some of the game's relationships require you to make the first move, so I probably don't have to worry about this too much. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't have to worry about this kind of scenario with guy friends in real life.
You have far too much time on your hands. Go play outside.
OMG I registered just to post this… I was interested in M.E., heard it's a nice game, so I googled and found this…
It's only fair this way… The more options open, the bether the game. I confess I like seeing 2 girls flirting, but watching an other guy flirting annoys me, and 2 guys … well I'd rather not look if poosible. There Is an easy solution, I don't male character, and don't go for males. It's easy. If I would like it other way around, and ther'd be only man+man option, I'd never play this game, so it's understandeable. M.E. is not realy a manly game as I see it, so don't understand why it'd be a Man's game. Oh and go gamer girls! :) Icould also say go gay's, but that's not in my interest.
lets put it this way, mass effect is a Man's game. both 1 and 2 have the utmost epic storyline, the best action packed game play, so just tell me why. all I want to know is why and who your trying to impress? because I've seen every cinema sequence, every emotion that every character in each game can show to one another. So why? who are these new fan's that your just trying to sell yourself out to?
guess what neil! i’m a man playing mass effect who likes to have sex with men. so why not? i know it totally blows your tiny mind but there are in fact people who play video games including mass effect who aren’t either straight or male, but yes, it does happen! so what, you aren’t interested in a same-sex relationship then don’t play one. it’s really not that hard. there are crazier things in a video game than a couple of dudes going at it. plus i mean while i quite disagree that mass effect is a ~man’s~ game considering you can make a female shepard and there are a large amount of female gamers and mass effect fans, you would think it’s pretty you know manly to be able to boing other men. MORE MEN!
i know it is really hard for you to accept that bioware isn’t pandering to you, but it’s okay. watching straight people hasn’t made me any less gay. you’re gonna be fine, neil.
Your absolutly right, and any person who disagrees is just another closed-minded fool unable to believe the fact that attraction between the same gender is real. That being said, which male team members would you have a relationship with?
It's a man's game? Seriously? Someone should tell the women, straight and queer alike, who play video games to quit foolin' and get back in the kitchen then.
Get over yourself.
Neil: Just because you don't like it, it doesn't mean women and gays don't play games.
Bioware certainly knows who their fans are, and they make this change because enough people want it.
I am personally sick of self centered male gamers like yourself who think gaming is an exclusive club that only they belong to . I am a woman, and I've been playing games for over 15 years. So guess what? we do exist, and we have the same rights as you.
See, that's where you're wrong. Mass Effect, if anything is a woman's game. It's the story element and romance that does it – man's games are Halo or Call of Duty. Men's games are like men's porn, it just gets straight to the action. Women like more context and story.
Incidentally, gay men are also men. Just FYI.
You sir, are an idiot. I'm fairly sure Bioware conducts some pretty intensive market research before making changes to their games. Oh and if I haven't already said so…. you sir, are an idiot.