Same Gender Marriages in MMOs

[Pritcher]

I don't think there actually is a "married" relationship option. They're talking about the "Lovers" one. There's 3 different relationships from what I've read Friends, Teacher/Student, and Lovers.

They all give various attacks and/or buffs, spells, whatever. I don't think that you can actually use them at will though. Rather they're triggered in certain situations, like for instance, you gain an attack buff if you Friend's HP drops below a certain amount, the "Helping Hand" buff.

It's really a pretty cool system that adds something new the mix. I like the idea, but in all fairness they should allow for same sex lovers, but there's not much to be done about it. Maybe write a letter to the NA publisher asking for it to be implemented. I reckon if they got enough they might take the hint.

Here's the DomoWiki page on Relationships:
http://www.domocamp.com/wiki/index.php/Relationships

[O-mie]

I agree x3

[Spirit]

Okay, so can it be same sex genders for the Student/Teacher one?

[Hyper]

Are there even any MMOs that allow it? I can't recall any off the top of my head.

As long as Fiesta doesn't have "Must be same level-area/class/job thing, I'll be happy. It would be best if there were no limitations.

[Hraesvelg]

Are there even any MMOs that allow it? I can't recall any off the top of my head.

All of the private Ragnarok Online servers I played had same sex marriage implemented.

[Triumph]

That particular subject is extremely sensitive in the United States. Therefore, I'll assume that the company hosting the game is based in the United States, be it a publisher or not.

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First of all, one of the fundamental reasons that same-sex marriage is not implemented is that there may be young children playing the game. Companies definitely go out of their way to ensure that nothing controversial is in the game. If it were to be there, it would probably have a giant M rating from the ESRB. Parents don't want their children exposed to that kind of stuff before they reach a certain age. Heterosexual marriage is evidently fine, however. If the company were to implement it, then they would be opening the doors to a flood of lawsuits.

Secondly, people are prejudiced against "abnormalities." Yes, I said it--abnormalities. Not that I feel that it is this way, but it flies directly in what people view as traditional. Since the United States majority is Christian, the Christian doctrine views marriage only as "the union between a man and a woman," and not "the union between a man and a man" or "the union between a woman and a woman." It is highly likely that the programmer of that particular segment, being of a high percent chance of being Christian, transcribed his own opinion and viewpoint into the program. Whether he did so intentionally or unintentionally will not be known unless you personally ask him or her.

This ties into the general public appeal. If the game were to allow same-sex marriages, players themselves, being flawed humans, would naturally have prejudices against what they think is wrong. It doesn't matter if this notion is conceived by themselves or their parents. The notion of whether same-sex marriages or relationships are "right" is ultimately up to society today. If, by implementing same-sex features, the audience is offended, then the company itself would be slashing its own profits and turning away customers. Eventually, all MMO games will incorporate some form of revenue, by either a Cash Shop or advertisements. If there is no market appeal due to controversial topics, then therefore there will be no audience, which in consequence will result in lost of profits for that company.

For example, if you walk up to a random stranger and ask about same-sex relationships, they will most likely either walk away or give you a loaded opinion on it, be it a blistering denunciation or a defiant support. MMO's are like modern society. If you have an overwhelming majority against this implementation, chances are, then, that the feature will be dismissed and disregarded. Customers are the hated and loved at the same time. They are hated by some as they are annoying and ignorant--yes, highly opinionated, but not mine--and to others, they are loved because they generate profit. Whatever the case, the company has to please its customers. In turn, they will create a situation where popular sovereignty reigns.

</Wall of Text>

For those of you who always scroll down to read the last sentence, this is the summary:

Companies won't implement controversial features if it will invite lawsuits, or turn away customers.

[kosherkid]

Yeah I dont get why they dont have same-sex marriages in games...

Every gay person I've talked to has told me they were born that way... so how can we punish them for being born that way? I mean we dont punish people for being born black or asian, but we punish people for being gay? Kinda hypocritical.

[Triumph]

Yeah I dont get why they dont have same-sex marriages in games...

Every gay person I've talked to has told me they were born that way... so how can we punish them for being born that way? I mean we dont punish people for being born black or asian, but we punish people for being gay? Kinda hypocritical.

Someone I know said that he became gay after some event occurred, or he simply became that way. *shrug*

In any event, it's a controversial issue, as there was a recent report of a lesbian couple unable to divorce, since the state law in Rhode Island defines marriage as "a union between a man and a woman."

[O-mie]

its stupid. There don't need to be laws saying who you can love and who you can't, even in a freakin' game.

[Triumph]

its stupid. There don't need to be laws saying who you can love and who you can't, even in a freakin' game.

It prevents lawsuits.

Calm thyself, Jenna/O-mie/Fable/It?/O-zilla.

They need to be able to keep the bread they make on the table.