As it's Valentione's Day, I ask do we even need in-game marriage; period!

[Naunet]

money > everything else for large companies. They do what will piss off the least amount of people and will net the largest amount of money.

The amount of money SE might get from, say, Russia compared to the US/Canada/Aus/Europe is negligible at best. That's like saying, "SE shouldn't implement same-sex-enabled marriage because it might ruin their chances at a market in Afghanistan." The Russian MMO market simply does not intersect with the kind of game SE is putting out (pay to play, especially).

[Tahldon]

The amount of money SE might get from, say, Russia compared to the US/Canada/Aus/Europe is negligible at best. That's like saying, "SE shouldn't implement same-sex-enabled marriage because it might ruin their chances at a market in Afghanistan." The Russian MMO market simply does not intersect with the kind of game SE is putting out (pay to play, especially).

So, this is an interesting statement. Are you stating that certain markets do not matter as much as other markets? Is that not the same as the the cause that's being argued in the first place?

[Naunet]

So, this is an interesting statement. Are you stating that certain markets do not matter as much as other markets? Is that not the same as the the cause that's being argued in the first place?

That is precisely what I'm saying. Though it's secondary to the concept of simply doing what is right when it comes to issues of equality.

[Fiorana]

The amount of money SE might get from, say, Russia compared to the US/Canada/Aus/Europe is negligible at best. That's like saying, "SE shouldn't implement same-sex-enabled marriage because it might ruin their chances at a market in Afghanistan." The Russian MMO market simply does not intersect with the kind of game SE is putting out (pay to play, especially).

You're forgetting about that Japanese home market though, and the fact that the people that run SE are older more traditional japanese. To add in same sex marriage would not be as easy as you think for them, I'll leave my opinion out of it this time since those who frequent these threads know it by now. Thier home market is roughly half of the game so they have to thread lightly.

[Zaels]

The amount of money SE might get from, say, Russia compared to the US/Canada/Aus/Europe is negligible at best. That's like saying, "SE shouldn't implement same-sex-enabled marriage because it might ruin their chances at a market in Afghanistan." The Russian MMO market simply does not intersect with the kind of game SE is putting out (pay to play, especially).

It might ruin their chances for their own Japanese market, and SE is taking a lot less risk by not stirring up controversy with them.

Ultimately I agree with the article though. The game does not need an actual marriage system. IMO a good alternative would be to release wedding outfits (including a pastor one) and a wedding hall somewhere that would include interactive wedding bells, music, etc. Let the people roleplay their weddings.