The Jennifer Hepler discussion is taking a turn for the worse

[Canadamus Prime]

I stumbled across this information, while joyfully reading about the GW2 RvR that I am looking forward too. But sadly, my day got a hell of a lot more depressing.

Here is a link:

http://kotaku.com/5886674/bioware-writer-describes-her-gaming-tastes-angry-gamers-call-her-a-cancer

G.I.F.T. at it's finest, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[woodaba]

This is reprehensible.

How in the name of holy hell is it wrong for a gamer to enjoy their game in different ways? Hmm? Because it sure as hell doesn't hurt you any! Whoever does this kind of bullshit, grow up.

 

[kurupt87]

I'm not sure that the presence of an option means that this is part of Shepard's character, though. I'm given many Renegade options during my Paragon runs that would be wildly out of character for MY Shepard, but their existence does not threaten my roleplaying. I just don't take them. In the same way I didn't sex up my same-sex compatriots in DA2, because my Hawke was straight.

I don't even disagree that having every character be every color of the rainbow is kind of lazy and boring, but it's universally lazy and boring, it has nothing to do with sexuality.

And my Shepard is still going to be straight. No ret-conning required. Even if that means having her be faithful to dull old Jacob Taylor.

The games tell us everything we know about Shepard [sub](I thought I remembered BW spelling that differently, oops)[/sub]. It sets up a broad canon for the character, but a canon nonetheless.

Interacting with the other characters is a big part of the Mass Effect games. The fact that even if you want to you can't go gay, but you can bed a woman, implies that the character is not gay. You have both male and female companions, you can talk to both and you can get to be good friends with both. You can't shag both but you can shag the women, ergo Shep is straight.

Similarly, Shep kills people all day long. If you want to kill Udina though, you can't. Why? Because it's not something Shep would do.

In the paragon vs renegade example you gave the canon tells us that Shep will do anything to save the day. That difference between putting himself more at risk to ensure the best outcome and putting at risk others to ensure the best outcome is a non-issue for that broad canon. Both are ok.

--

With the presence of straight romance options in the first two games and the complete lack of any indication that this hugely character defining trait is present, the character is presented as straight.

--

It's less of a deal for femshep because the soldier-hero fantasy is a male one. I actually assume that femshep is a lesbian, or at the very least sexually dominant. It just makes more sense to me. It's just that The Soldier Hero is nearly always a man and obviously has the typical male characteristics that people find admirable in men, so for femshep I extend that proclivity for maleness to the rest of her character.

BW couldn't have had a lesbian femshep and not a gay Shep though, that would not have gone down well. So they axed both.

 

[Irridium]

I dare everyone who disagrees with her to look me in the eye and tell me most Bioware games wouldn't be improved if you could skip the combat whenever you wanted.

Imagine a Dragon Age Origins where you can skip the Deep Roads.

Imagine a Mass Effect series where you can skip the boring-ass combat.

Or, hell, imagine any Bioware game where you can skip the boring-ass combat.

That would be fucking amazing, I think. You know, giving options so you can enjoy the game how you want.

Going full-on sexist fuckwad like so many people seem to be doing is certainly not helping things either.

 

[Darkmantle]

I dare everyone who disagrees with her to look me in the eye and tell me most Bioware games wouldn't be improved if you could skip the combat whenever you wanted.

Imagine a Dragon Age Origins where you can skip the Deep Roads.

Imagine a Mass Effect series where you can skip the boring-ass combat.

Or, hell, imagine any Bioware game where you can skip the boring-ass combat.

That would be fucking amazing, I think. You know, giving options so you can enjoy the game how you want.

Going full-on sexist fuckwad like so many people seem to be doing is certainly not helping things either.

If you would leave your sunglasses off for a second, I would. I enjoyed the deeproads TYVM, and if I sped too much time out of combat or some form of action in a bioware game I start getting REALLY board. The second town in Jade Empire, the LENGHTY start of Taris. Boring stuff.

EDIT:

OT: I couldn't care less about the gay options, I won't use em personally, so It literally does not affect me. Hell, even if it's a pushy gay like anders, I couldn't care less, fuck that guy(figuratively of course )

 

[Something Amyss]

And this folks is why gaming is still not respected.

Or maybe it is...what do I care.

You kidding? This reaction is pretty common in other media.

Video Games might get more crap for it, but we get crap for stuff you can see on network TV during hours kids are typically up, too.

Hell my maleshep isn't gay, but I might just fuck Garrus in ME3 anyway.

It's not gay if it's with a Turian.

Of course, you've got the Fox News crowd banging on about how interspecies sex is an affront to God....

But now, I'm afraid I have to get a little bit serious again.

Allright, so besides people calling her a cancer, I kept browsing, and apparantly people are also very annoyed at her writing a homosexual plotline for the male Sheperd. Because of this she is a cancer on the gaming community.

Wait, what? Can you actually link the two? All your link shows is she got shit for saying things about gaming. I don't doubt there are negative comments about her writing "gay" storylines, but is there anyone who actually said "She writes gay romances; she is a cancer?"

And while we're on what she said, I find the "If you're a woman" thing to be utterly ridiculous. I know she said "especially" if you're a mother, but it sort of sounds like women are meant to make dinner and babies. I don't hate her or think her a cancer, but she doesn't speak for women, she doesn't speak for female gamers. And to be honest, if you can't balance a career and a child, you probably shouldn't have both.

(Before anyone gets on my ass about that, I know plenty of women who can handle both. Many of them even manage to play games in their spare time, strangely enough. I'm not bashing women who seek both/all three elements, but if her complaints about the business stem from difficulty surrounding this clash, then there's a problem on her end specifically.)

Actually, I'm dubious about skipping one of the core elements of a video game in the first place, but that she first sets it up as a woman thing is fairly offensive. Especially when she lists chores.

While she doesn't deserve being called a cancer and the like, I find her fairly unlikeable already.

 

[kurupt87]

My point is that being gay is not a minor character trait, it's a big deal. It alone shapes people's entire lives. Shep is not a shrinking violet of a character. Once it becomes clear s/he'll spend a large amount of time with someone, or intends to become their friend, there'd be an up front declaration [sub](I struggled to spell that and put deceleration first, it's sounded differently but could be the same)[/sub] of the type, "I'm gay. Got a problem with that? Deal with it."

It is a big enough deal that if you want to include variable sexuality then you should do it at character generation. That way it is outside of the game and dialogue can accommodate it with minor tweaks, like with male/female now.

Well, it for sure is a big character trait. But i don't think Shep has to be a "shrinking violet" to not explain to everyone that he's gay. Why would you need a "I'm gay. Got a problem with that? Deal with it."-option in a future that hopefully is progressive enough that homosexuality isn't considered abnormal?
I don't know what to think of including sexuality in character generation. Sure, real people don't make their sexualities up on the fly, but the same applies to most character traits. You can't set them all there, so why single sexuality out?

The society is not described as progressive. Unless something is described as different it is assumed to be the same, otherwise authors would have to describe absolutely everything.

In fact, racism is a big issue in the first game. I know it'd obviously flare up in real life if ever there were contact but still, it only serves to illustrate how like ours their society is.

--

Compare this to Iain M Banks' Culture novels, where he describes his society as pansexual and also transsexual. It is considered normal for its citizens to be sexually active with both men and women and, enabled easily via technology, to switch themselves between being male and female. He even has a character that is criticised for being exclusively hetero and one which is considered odd for being asexual and, using technology like the transsexuals have, making herself completely androgynous.

If he had not described the society as such you would assume that the majority of men and women are straight, that there is a minority of gays and lesbians and an extremely small minority of transsexuals.

When reading fiction; in lieu of stated difference, reality is assumed.

Edit: Bugger, forgot to address your point about Shep not not being a shrinking violet.

S/he is absolutely not a shrinking violet, this person kills people and is beyond capable. There is no way that character would have patience with homophobic bigots. A homo bigot is the only type of person that is protected by Shep being a shrinking violet, why would Shep protect them?

Your point about what gets included in character generation is valid, though it's handicapped by the fact that most big issues don't come up. It also has an origin system which can be used to justify being either paragon or renegade, it works for either extreme (an extreme character needs an extreme reason to be so extreme, ergo the origin justifications).

They actually did racism in the first game, and did it badly too. They tied it to the paragon/renegade system, which I don't agree with. That defeated the purpose of the bar, which was stated to not be a good/bad system but a merciful/merciless one. There is a relationship there, but not one that would hold up in reality; especially not given Shep's aim of doing the best for humanity.

Though I s'pose he is about protecting it rather than doing the best for it, so you could use that to justify it (seeing alien culture as a threat to combat yada yada). But either way, it shouldn't have had anything to do with the para/ren system.

Sorry, tangent-ed myself.

I think they should've had racist or not in character generation, since they dealt with it. That's much more controversial though, since it's making the player the perpetrator rather than the victim. Maybe dress it up as pro-Human/pro-Alien.

--

Whatevs, these things affect your life and would that of a character. And since ME is a game with a large focus on socialising/shagging with your (alien in ref. to my racism side topic) squaddies it really should be apparent.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

**snip**

Hey there.

As a "gay-mer" (that's gay/bisexual gamer to those unfamiliar with the Escapist gay-mer group), having read through the Kotaku article... that really isn't people's main issue with her. Yes, idiots will ***** about gay Shep or gay Anders, but... whatever.

Also - to all idiots who say that Shep was never gay - Shep is a character you ROLE PLAY. If MY Shep has always been gay, but has never been allowed in a relationship, then all ME3 is doing is giving me OPTIONS. FREEDOM. If YOUR Shep isn't gay, then don't be gay. It's that simple. Bioware isn't crowbaring in anything - they're giving players the Freedom to be the kind of Shepard they want to be.

Ahem. Anyway.

Back to the main topic. What people seem to be upset about is Hepler's opinion that gamers should be given the option to skip some of the combats. Why? Because she is a busy person who likes games, but doesn't have much time to play. She doesn't want to spend 100 hours trying to get the "good ending" - she wants to play as much (or as little) as she wants, and get to see the ending she wants to see.

And you know what? Good for her. I completely agree. I LIKE me a 100 hour RPG, but I've also played a few BAD Rpgs in my day... and let me tell you, if I just want to see the end, having to grind in a game that isn't fun... that's fucking bullshit. Screw that.

Yes, I can You-Tube it. I've done so with games I just didn't like, just to see the story. But in a good game, a lot of the story happens outside of cut-scenes during gameplay. So yeah, I could watch a Let's Play... assuming I can find one, and assuming that some jack-ass isn't talking over the in-game dialogue. Or even some cool, funny guys - I love watching Paul and Graham's Let's Play videos on the LRR site - but if I want to hear the game, not them (which, considering the games they play, hasn't been an issue yet) I can't because they're talking over it.

So, really, why can't I have the option to just go rent the game and skip the actual GAME part of the game if I want to? Is it required that I enjoy my games just like you enjoy yours? What if I don't WANT (or have time) for a challenge?

Which reminds me - if a game doesn't have difficulty settings, I'm probably not playing it. I play on Casual or Normal - because I want to see the STORY not replay battles over and over again.

So yes, the bile being vomited out against Jennifer Hepler is unwarranted and awful. She is an awesome writer. If I thought I could get a message to her through the massive pile of stupid hate, then I would tell her that I agree with her completely and that the internet is full of idiotic dipshits who can't understand that not everyone enjoys the same things they do.

I have just sent Ms. Hepler a message of support. I hope other Escapists will join me in doing the same. Ms. Hepler does not deserve this - we should show our support for her.

 

[Alex Tom]

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/2010/02/08/bioware-shepherd-is-heterosexual-by-choice/1

here is something i found on the internet...i interpret as meaning that Shepard is an established character that you control and dictate his actions. for instance you can make him drink but Shepard is not a alcoholic...im not a fan of this gay romance stuff in this game because i think it could turn out like this

Garrus: Shepard can we talk

Shepard: Sure Garrus, finish that calibration?

Garrus: Yes and i wanted to tell you something remember that story i told you when we worked for Cerberus?

Shepard: Ya that one about you having reach but she having flexibility?

Garrus: Ya well she was a he...im gay


I fell it will be done in a similar way. im not against gay romance in games it just right now it fells like their pandering to an audience that was angry at no gay male on male romances in mass effect 1 and 2

If i am not making sense please quote me i think i make sense but im not the best writer

 

[Nimcha]

Man, this just goes to show how ridiculous Twitter is.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

You could be gay or straight or just not bother with the romance option at all. It wasnt important to the story and was just another option for your character created shep to be original. Like the the option to make him black, chinese or whatever....your wernt obligated to make a black shep if your white. Your colour, gender and sexual preference isnt important to the story, only to making your character personal to the player. Buy a gay romance sim (sure japan has those) if thats what you want from a game, but ME games are sci fi adventures first.

 

[Forst1999]

The society is not described as progressive. Unless something is described as different it is assumed to be the same, otherwise authors would have to describe absolutely everything.

In fact, racism is a big issue in the first game. I know it'd obviously flare up in real life if ever there were contact but still, it only serves to illustrate how like ours their society is.

--

Compare this to Iain M Banks' Culture novels, where he describes his society as pansexual and also transsexual. It is considered normal for its citizens to be sexually active with both men and women and, enabled easily via technology, to switch themselves between being male and female. He even has a character that is criticised for being exclusively hetero and one which is considered odd for being asexual and, using technology like the transsexuals have, making herself completely androgynous.

If he had not described the society as such you would assume that the majority of men and women are straight, that there is a minority of gays and lesbians and an extremely small minority of transsexuals.

When reading fiction; in lieu of stated difference, reality is assumed.

I see this differently. I assume that current social developments like growing tolerance for homosexuality would continue in a Sci-Fi setting. And as i can't remember any "homophobic" comments at any point in the series, i don't see this assumption proven wrong.
Racism between alien species is a plot point, but not between various ethnic groups inside the species (the pure-blood thing is the closest to this i can remember). That new prejudices against aliens arise does not mean that progress regarding old ones just stopped.
Your Banks-Example is remarkable enough in-story that it has to be mentioned, but the mere continuation of real life developments doesn't necessarily has to.

 

[redisforever]

I just can't get angry at something so stupid. I really don't have anything to say besides that.

 

[Shumiry]

I don't have any issue with homosexuals, heterosexuals, or bisexuals. Find what makes you happy. The only issue I would have, assuming that the statement she allegedly made was, in fact, made by her, and it seems that it wasn't, is in regards to skipping gameplay. Whether or not the option is implemented isn't the issue for me, it's what the desire for the option represents.

It seems to me, that if we as people who play videogames find ourselves desiring a method to skip the gameplay, there is a deeper issue than the importance of the story. It is the lack of entertainment in the gameplay. If you want to skip the parts of the game that you experience via interaction, then it seems to me that the interaction part of the game is not being utilized to its full potential.

There shouldn't be a clear disconnect between story and action. This isn't cinemax porn with plot-time breaks so you can grab a snack, this is a videogame whose story and gameplay should feed off eachother. Story points should be unfolding during the combat, and be based on how you handle situations. How come you can't take prisoners and gain a reputation for being merciful, unlocking options to have enemies surrender to you? Or be ruthless and kill them all, making it so that some enemies will flee from you?

Having an option to skip the action is a cop-out. What we really need is for story and gameplay to be better melded, so you can't tell where one ends and the other begins.

 

[Darkmantle]

How come you can't take prisoners and gain a reputation for being merciful, unlocking options to have enemies surrender to you? Or be ruthless and kill them all, making it so that some enemies will flee from you?

oh god this, I HATED this in Skyrim!!!. I decided to make a Paladin-esque character on my second play through (first char was a ruthlessly efficient mercenary type) and I found that the enemies never surrender! they fall to the ground and beg for mercy, and then in two seconds get up and attack me again! WTF!

 

[Atlas13]

AHAHAHAHA

Oh god... you got this from Kotaku? Shit, I don't know anyone who takes them seriously anymore. The people there are just BAD at their jobs, they hardly report anything accurately now.
I was browsing the thread that was following this when the whole thing started.
Basically, someone on reddit made a post mocking her, calling her cancer because of the whole "Games need a fast forward button. I hate games." thing. An admin deleted it and Hamburger Helper went on her twitter and said

"Yea, they're just jealous that I have a position in the video game industry and a vagina, while they can't have either."

So then the flood of hate came pouring in. About 12 or so hours later she tweeted support asking how to delete her account.

Personally, Ben Smith and AceDef are my favorite posters.

@Support How do I delete my account?
@BrandesHepler Write a good plot to a videogame

@BrandesHepler I bet you wish Twitter had a fast-forward button so you can skip to the end of getting told.

 

[Shumiry]

oh god this, I HATED this in Skyrim!!!. I decided to make a Paladin-esque character on my second play through (first char was a ruthlessly efficient mercenary type) and I found that the enemies never surrender! they fall to the ground and beg for mercy, and then in two seconds get up and attack me again! WTF!

Oh man yeah. And I feel like it would have been so easy to implement. Create an eternal buff with the calm spell's effect, and throw in a generic line about thanking you for sparing them, then have them despawn after a while or something!

 

[Freechoice]

So yes, the bile being vomited out against Jennifer Hepler is unwarranted and awful. She is an awesome writer.

Is she awesome because she writes about gays?

I have just sent Ms. Hepler a message of support. I hope other Escapists will join me in doing the same. Ms. Hepler does not deserve this - we should show our support for her.

No thanks.