its pandering. Shepard isn't gay[/quote]
Yeah guys! Bioware never ever pander to anyone! Well, if you ignore stuff like this:
Ohhh wait I get it! It's because they're pandering to someone outside your sexuality! Yeah, I mean how DARE they attempt to allow people who aren't straight males express themselves! How DARE they attempt to broaden the appeal of the game to anyone else! And how DARE they attempt to further the development and cause of the LGBT community! Those gays should just go back to their musicals and fashion shows!
In all seriousness, why does it matter? I think it's fantastic that they're adding this feature. Is it because I'm particularly fond of any of the men in Mass Effect? Not really. It's because of what it represents. I doubt many of the people complaining have ever had to seriously deal with coming to terms with their sexuality and this sort of thing can really help someone come to terms with it. I mean, how many homosexual characters who aren't hideous sterotypes can you think of in video games? You could probably count them on your hands. We often turn to media to help deal with issues and what message is it sending if you include straight relationships but not homosexual? It's okay to be straight but not homosexual? Or arguably worse, what message is it sending when you have straight and lesbian relationships but no gay ones? The only reason I was able to accept it was because I happened to watch a very good TV show with a very good portrayal of a gay relationship (it was Buffy if any of you where wondering). I've known several people who weren't so lucky to live in a mostly supportive environment and have nowhere to turn to and it was very destructive.
Just because it's outside the "core demographic" or "I'm not gay so Shepard can't be" doesn't mean he can't be. Shepard is a blank slate. S/he is whatever the player makes him/her. For god sakes, we live in the 21st century. Isn't it time we start acknowledging that gay people actually exist? Why should media be strictly prohibited to one demographic? That's ridiculous! Why is it okay to have all these next to naked women but any hints that a male character MIGHT be gay is just wrong? Grow up. Accept that you are not the only person in the world and educate yourself. Your ignorance is baffling.
As for the argument "it's the final act! It's too late for character development!"... what? I'm gonna assume that ME3 will have some breaks between the fighting, much like the previous games. There's gonna be time where you have to journey from 1 location to another and even if space travel is fast it's gonna take time. There's plenty of room for character development. Yeah, if it suddenly popped up 30 minutes before the end of the game then I'd say "yeah, fair enough" but I seriously doubt it will. We're looking at a 25+ hour game! And maybe the other crew members know. Maybe they don't care. Maybe Shepard confirmed it off screen. Furthermore, it's the 22nd century! Who knows if the lines of gay/straight even exist. I mean, it's already starting to blur now. The number of bisexual people is increasing, even if you don't include the staggering amount of drunken kisses and one time deals. And if you can get over the fact that Shepard's going to have sex with an alien with god knows what sort of orifices I'm sure Shepard can get over a penis.
