Lightsaber Goes Where?

[WTDavies]

The internet has informed me that BioWare are cracking down on the gayfolk.

Forum discussions pertaining to the serious business of roleplaying same sex relationships in the forthcoming KOTOR MMO have been comprehensibly shut down and related words such as "gay" and "lesbian" have been censored. The reasoning supplied by BioWare community staff seems to be that such things do not happen in the galaxy far, far away.

This strikes me as odd for a studio that has produced a fair number of titles where romantic relationships amongst characters of both persuasions have been something of a key feature. Perhaps LucasArts throwing its weight about the place might account for this development?

Discuss.

[Genghis Ares]

Isn't it EA that is publishing as well as owner of Bioware now.

[masamune]

we've come so far.

[Fuzzyfreaker]

Obviously Bioware hasn't seen the new Hutt character in Clone Wars.

[WTDavies]

Isn't it EA that is publishing as well as owner of Bioware now.

Yes, I believe that is the case now.

[Genghis Ares]

I wonder if its EA then. Or just Bioware.

Also, what is with all the gay stuff going on with games. Microsoft banning accounts/Gamertags, Lionhead getting sued for supposed harrassment, and now this.

[Cade Antilles]

Obviously Bioware hasn't seen the new Hutt character in Clone Wars.

Uh oh! Time to educate someone on Hutt reproduction!

Hutt's are an asexual species (kinda like slugs, go figure), and therefore, they do not possess a gender. They do, however, take on "genders" when they decide to create offspring. Unlike slugs, Hutts self-generate offspring that they then carry for a pregnancy term. At this stage, Hutts adopt female pronouns (she/her) and are thought of as "female" although the term only loosely applies. Some Hutts, even when not pregnant, will identify with and adopt feminine concepts (make-up and jewelry, for example) but not use the feminine pronouns. Using the pronouns denotes pregnancy, therefore using them when not pregnant would be illogical and derogatory to them.

As for the main issue of this thread, Bioware is correct in that same-sex relationships and homosexuality do not appear within the SW Universe. Their censorship of the issue is a little extreme, but understandable. It would be very difficult to maintain civility on the forums without the censorship. It is unfortunate that it needs to be done this way, but, again, I understand.

I have no problem with people introducing same-sex relationships into their Star Wars Role Playing. Or even into any RPG or fan-fiction. I fully endorse their freedoms to play the way they want to play. But, the people that do must understand and be cognizant of the conservative nature of much of the world. They have to be willing to ease it into the public eye.

[WTDavies]

I wonder if its EA then. Or just Bioware.

It might be part of the license terms with LucasArts which, given BioWare's track record and the whole "these terms do not exist in star wars" thing, might not be too far of the mark.

[Genghis Ares]

That whole "it doesn't exist in star wars" is such a load of crap. I can imagine a bunch of jackasses sitting around a table and coming up with that.

Person 1: "How about we say there's no homosexuality in Star Wars?"
Person 2: "Perfect."
Person 3: "I don't know, that sounds retarded."
Person 1: "Nuh-uh."
Person 2: "Yeah, they'll believe whatever we say. This will be foolproof."

[whyarecarrots]

Seems a bit strange, especially given what we've been hearing about them writing in gay relationships into the second Mass Effect.

However, I think we also need to remember that this is the internet, and that the forums for that game will no doubt be quite large because this game has a lot of hype around it: do any of you really expect these discussions to go smoothly at all times with none of the homophobic bigotry so typical of the internet? Not all forums are like these: hell, the Escapist can be bad enough and I think that's one of the more mature forums out there. Maybe the mods just realised that it was more trouble than it was worth thoroughly moderating these threads, and instead are taking the blanket ban approach to prevent any homophobic comments.

Excessive, maybe, and I'm not agreeing that that would be the best way to deal with the problem, but I'm just trying to show a different perspective here to simply saying that the forums mods just don't like homosexuality.

[Cade Antilles]

That whole "it doesn't exist in star wars" is such a load of crap. I can imagine a bunch of jackasses sitting around a table and coming up with that.

So, why don't you prove them (and me) wrong by providing evidence instead of just saying they're bullshiting jackasses?

[Metcarfre]

That whole "it doesn't exist in star wars" is such a load of crap. I can imagine a bunch of jackasses sitting around a table and coming up with that.

So, why don't you prove them (and me) wrong by providing evidence instead of just saying they're bullshiting jackasses?

Luke and Han, on the Millennium Falcon. Chewie watched.

Yeah, I went there.

I mean seriously... "proof" of homosexual relationships in SW... geez.

Edit; You piqued my interest. A two second search of Wookiepedia "prooves" that Mandalorians are totally gay; http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mandalorian#Family_and_women

[Cade Antilles]

I mean seriously... "proof" of homosexual relationships in SW... geez.

Edit; You piqued my interest. A two second search of Wookiepedia "prooves" that Mandalorians are totally gay; http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mandalorian#Family_and_women

No, I'm serious. If their argument is that homosexuality does not appear, and therefore does not exist, in Star Wars, then evidence to the contrary is important.

And, there it is, maybe. Now, I may have to read Boba Fett: A Practical Man in order to verify the claims of the Wookiepedia. I had skipped it because e-novellas do not interest me. If it were confirmed, in a canon source, that Goran Beviin and Medrit Vasur are truly homosexuals, then Bioware should be made aware of it. This would invalidate their argument.

[Genghis Ares]

The thing is though, there are a ton of things that aren't in Star Wars that are probably being talked about on the forums with nobody bitching about it. I've never seen Ice Cream in SW, how about they block that from being typed. How about cell phones or plasma screen TVs or Xboxes and Playstations. Are we not allowed to talk about those things.

[Cade Antilles]

The thing is though, there are a ton of things that aren't in Star Wars that are probably being talked about on the forums with nobody bitching about it. I've never seen Ice Cream in SW, how about they block that from being typed. How about cell phones or plasma screen TVs or Xboxes and Playstations. Are we not allowed to talk about those things.

Those things aren't controversial topics that are likely to lead to ignorant and intolerant commentaries. Homosexuality is a topic that can quickly lead to raised blood pressures. In order to be fair to all of those that post within their forums, they must clamp down on everything. It's all or nothing.

Since they want to keep a family friendly environment, and heated discussions over social issues tend to be otherwise, they need to eliminate it entirely. Their stated rationale for the censorship is flawed, but they've still reached a preferred outcome. If people want to discuss homosexuality in Star Wars, they can do it, but somewhere else.

[whyarecarrots]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.110144

Update on this story in the OP.

[Metcarfre]

In order to be fair to all of those that post within their forums, they must clamp down on everything. It's all or nothing.

Are heterosexual relationships allowed?

If so, this premise is false.

BUT, we've had this SAME conversation before (recall the lady who was suspended from Live for calling herself a lesbian) so this one will probably pan out in the same manner.

Edit; here it is http://loadingreadyrun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=8301&start=0&hilit=lesbian Oh look, that one got locked. Big surprise.

[Cade Antilles]

*sigh* When I said "everything", I guess I meant was "all discussions related to homosexual relationships". If they want to make it "fair", then they can't just let one side of the issue "win". Everyone loses. And yes, if they want to eliminate talk about any and all relationships, then yes, let them censor it all.

As is becoming readily apparent, this discussion is raising my blood pressure (and I can only imagine others' as well) and going nowhere fast! Hey! LRR Crew? Please lock this thing down before it gets out of control!

Edit: Thank you whyarecarrots for posting that update. At least, it seems, that Bioware had some sense knocked into them.

[Dave-O_Boy]

This kinda reminds me of that time that Marvel (or maybe DC) said no one masturbated in their comics' universe.


Really I don't see why either matter.

[Vaughn]

it is bullshit that things like this are sensored

its also bullshit that people dont just deal with it.

[Dark the Reaper]

so if "gay" is censored what would you do if you speak in old English, and you want to express how fun and happy a person you are?

[draco]

it is aloud now