About That Locker

[Raoabolic]

Is this the fanfiction thread? Great!

*drops my Raogrimm x Sabrina fanfic*

[ServerCollaps]

complaining about the most gay mmorpg on this planet about a scene that he most likely interpreted wrong

real first world problems here

[LegendWait]

Honestly don't see where people get the pro or con LGBTQ vibes from the story characters, there's not a single open LGBTQ character in the game.

There's barely straight affection showing anywhere between characters outside of families and friends.
Besides failed romance (little sun as example) acting as joke material there's no "feelings" displayed or expressed above firm handshake levels.

I've been questioning why there's no pregnancies or surprise babies in the game. Nation leaders like Nanamo and Hien should have heirs by now.
(Gulool Ja I guess, but he's not made out of love and that's his tragic arc)

But about LGBTQ, I never felt like this was meant by the writing and more a narrative that the community pushed while over analyzing and theory crafting.

Besides, you cant write LGBTQ into pertinence for a plot because China will block anything about homosexuality, probably other places too.

[LegendWait]

Even if Demetrius doesn't say he's into Calyx I think it's clear what conclusion they want us to make when we find his locker. Whoever put it in probably wasn't intentionally trying to be homophobic but it's such a common trope that they might've not even noticed they were doing it.

Imma go take down those baby Yoda posters before you get any funny ideas about me then...

[Grimforth]

Oh look another post about someone complaining about something that isn't there.

[Halivel]

Besides, you cant write LGBTQ into pertinence for a plot because China will block anything about homosexuality, probably other places too.

That's precisely why all relationships are written through ambiguous subtext and subtlety that are up to interpretation.

Censorship doesn't mean these things cease to exist. They just get concealed through layers of vague talk. People in these communities, speaking from experience, are practically trained to read through subtext and allusions, because that's the only way you get to see that representation at all, and are often able to pick up on things that will seem unintuitive or a stretch to others.

Being vague gives writers and developers the ability to distribute their content in countries with strict regulations, while those who know what to lookout for will be able to read through hints. At the same time, to those who don't want to see any romance in their content, it gives the ability to completely ignore it.

The unfortunate side effect is that there will be forever the debate of "no one is openly stated to be in a relationship/be queer, so it's not happening" because, well, it will never be "official" for one reason or another.

[LegendWait]

That's precisely why all relationships are written through ambiguous subtext and subtlety.

Censorship doesn't mean these things cease to exist. They just get concealed through layers of vague talk. People in these communities, speaking from experience, are practically trained to read through subtext and allusions, because that's the only way you get to see that representation at all, and are often able to pick up on things that will seem unintuitive or a stretch to others.

Being vague gives writers and developers the ability to distribute their content in countries with strict regulations, while those who know what to lookout for will be able to read through hints. At the same time, to those who don't want to see any romance in their content, it gives the ability to completely ignore it.

The unfortunate side effect is that there will be forever the debate of "no one is openly stated to be in a relationship/be queer, so it's not happening" because, well, it will never be "official" for one reason or another.

I agree. People just need to level their expectations, this is never going to be more than that.

[Grimforth]

If you read the notes you see that he's totally obsessed with Calyx for how brilliant he is. He admires him not loves him.
Its fanboying obsession, not Romance

Unfortunately that's how some people on the internet like to look at 2 people without thinking first.

Someone admiring someone else=they're in love with them.

Two people having coffee together at a cafe=they're dating.

Two best friends who like to spend a lot of time together=they're couple.

Projection at its finest.

[Halivel]

I agree. People just need to level their expectations, this is never going to be more than that.

I'd say people are free to discuss the implications of interactions between certain characters, because there are definitely scenes that are pretty loaded with hints for those who can and want to see them.

But anyone who expects to ever see an open statement about some character dating another probably will be dissapointed in the long run. Both because they're unlikely to do that for reasons of publishing the game in countries with censorship, and because Character x WoL ships are a popular thing within the community. They'd want to avoid open statements for role-playing reasons, as well.

[StormChase]

Honestly don't see where people get the pro or con LGBTQ vibes from the story characters, there's not a single open LGBTQ character in the game.

There's barely straight affection showing anywhere between characters outside of families and friends.
Besides failed romance (little sun as example) acting as joke material there's no "feelings" displayed or expressed above firm handshake levels.

I've been questioning why there's no pregnancies or surprise babies in the game. Nation leaders like Nanamo and Hien should have heirs by now.
(Gulool Ja I guess, but he's not made out of love and that's his tragic arc)

But about LGBTQ, I never felt like this was meant by the writing and more a narrative that the community pushed while over analyzing and theory crafting.

Besides, you cant write LGBTQ into pertinence for a plot because China will block anything about homosexuality, probably other places too.

I thought China allows gay stuff in video games but apparently this changed a few years back. I doubt that's why we haven't seen many.

This game's trying to get the best of both worlds. They imply some NPCs are LGBT but hold off on confirmation most of the time so less accepting players can ignore it. And a few of the more overt examples are negative like I mentioned.

For the characters that ARE confirmed, they're usually minor or have some kind of explanation that lets them get away with it. Sadu's a lesbian but she and the other Xaela are more like comic relief now. The fae and dragons are non-binary but it's because they're inhuman. The gay guys from the Wandering Palace don't even have names.

TL;DR It could be worse but it also could be better.