BioWare Inc, the Austin-based computer game manufacturer that broke ground by creating viable same gender romance options in their highly story-driven video games, has decided that gay heroes have no place in a Galaxy Far, Far Away.
BioWare and LucasArts made news several years ago when they announced that they would be creating the first fully-voiced MMO RPG Game set in the Star Wars Universe. Star Wars: The Old Republic is both an MMO and a BioWare RPG, and is being sold based largely upon it's story telling.
For those of you unfamiliar with their work, BioWare is responsible for many fantastic role playing games, and over the years has included Romance as a big part of their story telling. In several of their games, they have made sure to include same gender romance arcs and characters to interact with. Some times Non Player Characters you meet were "Playersexual", which is to say - they simply loved your character regardless of gender. Some times, those Non Player Characters had specific gender preferences. By exploring conversation options, you got to know them, and could build a relationship with them. It was terribly compelling story telling, and at the time was considered to be a big stride forward in the almost universally hetero-dominated field of video game design.
This has led to some controversy, and until today BioWare has stood by their decision to add viable and well written same gender romance arcs in their game.
It recently came to light that BioWare had chosen to include absolutely no same gender romance arcs in Star Wars: The Old Republic. This was deeply disappointing to many of their fans who have come to love BioWare games in part because they provide relatable romance options for LGBT players, and in part because they can be gay and a hero that saves the world. It's pretty rare to see a gay hero or heroine in any entertainment medium these days.
For my part, I am terribly disappointed in BioWare. I have been a loyal fan for a very long time, in part because of BioWare's open philosophy about gay heroes in their games.
You can call BioWare Austin, the studio involved in all the primary design, at the number below.
(512) 382-8682
You can write them a letter at 3100 Esperanza Crossing
Austin, TX 78759.
I hope that you will take the time to give them a call and express your disappointment. I know, I know, this isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but if you're a geek like me, and if you love Star Wars and BioWare Games, this might be an opportunity to do a small bit of good.