Yuri(lesbian) elements in games?

[Neverward]

I've been wondering lately if an element of my story will be taken well or not in the general RPGmaker community, so I decided there's no better place to see people's reactions then here

My game has an almost entirely female main cast (with good plot-driven reason, not because I'm biased ;P) and the characters are very close. They live together in an 'academy' of sorts where they are trained to become intergalactic racers. The characters are aged from 12-20 and due to the overly female aspect of the game, and because it's a part that I wanted to put into it, I'm going to be adding some yuri elements between some of the cast. The game has an anime-esque feeling because the plot was originally created for a manga, not a game (which is why I use the term yuri instead of lesbian)

The romance will be mild, pg13 with VERY little mild nudity and only shown if you pursue certain romances. and for most cases it will be more hinted at then ever shown, because I still believe, unlike most yuri's, that you should maintain a realistic social situation. I believe that lesbians are not a social norm and as such I won't write them like they are.

The yuri elements are partially unavoidable, and explorable if your diggin it, however for the most part the game is not centered around the romance.

I'm just curious, what do you think of games that have this element to them, would it detract from the game for you, add to it?

(I want some female opinions especially! ^^ though of course, guys opinions are needed too. All my guy friends have assured me, however, that lesbians are hot and that they'd play it anyway xD)

 

[Eschaton]

Eh.  Why not?  We live in a day and age where if you are against gays, you're a racist.


Don't correct me, that was intentional.

 

[Neverward]

Eh.  Why not?  We live in a day and age where if you are against gays, you're a racist.

Don't correct me, that was intentional.

I get that it's ok socially, I'm not really scared of the acceptance factor. However in an ideal world, no one would care, but this is not an ideal world and like it or not, some people are against them!

I'd like to hear the opinions of even those 'racist' people hehe!

But I'm glad you feel that way!

 

[kerbonklin]

Whatever floats your boat, as long as you slap a warning/age-restriction on it and it's shown to the right audience.

 

[Grubilman]

Honestly, I don't think that it would really have any effect on the game.  Positive, or negative.  When I play a game, I'm interested in the story, and the characters.  I want to learn more about them, and what makes them tick.  A good story, with character development, and character chemistry is just that -- a good story.  Regardless of what type of romance may come from it, so long as it makes sense, it'll more than likely be viewed in a positive way.

 

[Eschaton]

Whatever floats your boat, as long as you slap a warning/age-restriction on it and it's shown to the right audience.

Uh...phrasing?

Seriously, you're implying that hetero-romance is more age-appropriate than homo-romance?

 

[Alexander Amnell]

    It's hard to say whether it would detract from a game or not for me because it would depend on the game. I probably personally wouldn't play a game that was centered around a romance like that (or any romance, just not my type of game) but as an element in a game, part of the plot and all it wouldn't bother me as long as it didn't go any farther than it would if it were a strait relationship would in the same situation. (maybe not the right choice of words, basically that it isn't treated 'special' because it is a lesbian relationship for the sake of glorifying lesbian relationships or something like that, which is almost universally what I have encountered in literature and gaming when such a relationship does come up.)

   To me I take the stance that it doesn't matter what kind of relationship someone chooses to be in but there is no reason for them to 'flaunt' it around for everyone. (whether you are gay, strait bi or whatever, it's not my business.) So as long as the romance between characters fits the context of the story and is there because it is a part of the development of the characters and not pushing an agenda or anything then I would have to say that it would probably have no effect on my opinion of the game positively or negatively, if the story is good and the way the relationship develops is natural then I'd view it as just another plot element, thus my judgement would be on how it is executed and not the type of relationship itself.

edit: Crap Grubilman I sit here and try to think of the right way to phrase my thoughts and then you phrase pretty much the same thoughts better than me...

 

[Neverward]

Honestly, I don't think that it would really have any effect on the game.  Positive, or negative.  When I play a game, I'm interested in the story, and the characters.  I want to learn more about them, and what makes them tick.  A good story, with character development, and character chemistry is just that -- a good story.  Regardless of what type of romance may come from it, so long as it makes sense, it'll more than likely be viewed in a positive way.

That's a very good point. The romances will certainly shed more light on the characters. Good feedback ^^

edit: (Sorry didn't see the new posts haha)

Spoiler

  It's hard to say whether it would detract from a game or not for me because it would depend on the game. I probably personally wouldn't play a game that was centered around a romance like that (or any romance, just not my type of game) but as an element in a game, part of the plot and all it wouldn't bother me as long as it didn't go any farther than it would if it were a strait relationship would in the same situation. (maybe not the right choice of words, basically that it isn't treated 'special' because it is a lesbian relationship for the sake of glorifying lesbian relationships or something like that, which is almost universally what I have encountered in literature and gaming when such a relationship does come up.)
   To me I take the stance that it doesn't matter what kind of relationship someone chooses to be in but there is no reason for them to 'flaunt' it around for everyone. (whether you are gay, strait bi or whatever, it's not my business.) So as long as the romance between characters fits the context of the story and is there because it is a part of the development of the characters and not pushing an agenda or anything then I would have to say that it would probably have no effect on my opinion of the game positively or negatively, if the story is good and the way the relationship develops is natural then I'd view it as just another plot element, thus my judgement would be on how it is executed and not the type of relationship itself.

Another excellent point. I have never been one for over-glorifying relationships in a game, and I'm also always bothered by the overly-flaunted homosexual relationships in games. I keep my own preferences out of game creation, and just try to go with what feels right. And in this case, lesbians just felt right xD haha

 

[kerbonklin]

Uh...phrasing?

Seriously, you're implying that hetero-romance is more age-appropriate than homo-romance?

I think you're taking what I said waaaaaaaaay out of context....lol

 

[Eschaton]

I think you're taking what I said waaaaaaaaay out of context....lol

I know what you meant.

That's a very good point. The romances will certainly shed more light on the characters. Good feedback ^^

edit: (Sorry didn't see the new posts haha)

Another excellent point. I have never been one for over-glorifying relationships in a game, and I'm also always bothered by the overly-flaunted homosexual relationships in games. I keep my own preferences out of game creation, and just try to go with what feels right. And in this case, lesbians just felt right xD haha

If your story only has les-mances, then it's a specific niche genre.  If les-mances are options among dude-mances and heteromances, then, I have no opinion, but to say that it's good to give your players options and to appeal to a larger audience.

 

[djDarkX]

I most certainly have those elements in my projects, although they haven't really seen the light of day yet.  If you think it's appropriate for the story, then do it.  Characters and what you make of them and if the character is heterosexual, homosexual, asexual, bi-sexual, etc., then it doesn't matter.  Just make the characters engaging and likable, like any other good character would be.  Sexual orientation should not be a major factor.

 

[kerbonklin]

Do whatever feels right then. (In which yuri feels right to you)  Do not let people persuade you otherwise!

 

[Neverward]

If your story only has les-mances, then it's a specific niche genre.  If les-mances are options among dude-mances and heteromances, then, I have no opinion, but to say that it's good to give your players options and to appeal to a larger audience.

Hmmm well quite frankly, this is my first game and I'm just not good enough at game making to make a whole lot of pursuable alternatives xD the plot is rather straightforward, your character is predetermined, as is her (main) romantic interest... but I assure you that some of the characters will like men just as well as others like women!

I most certainly have those elements in my projects, although they haven't really seen the light of day yet.  If you think it's appropriate for the story, then do it.  Characters and what you make of them and if the character is heterosexual, homosexual, asexual, bi-sexual, etc., then it doesn't matter.  Just make the characters engaging and likable, like any other good character would be.  Sexual orientation should not be a major factor.

Yeah I agree!

Do whatever feels right then. (In which yuri feels right to you)  Do not let people persuade you otherwise!

I will, and I will still take your suggestion to apply a warning regardless of the fact they're lesbians, it will still have some questionable bits hehe.

Thanks all for your opinions so far!

 

[T.Bit]

I would say that if it's relevant to the game then have it in the game.

That being said, I am female and I am straight. I don't play yuri games but if it's well written and fits in the game then I will play it. My need for completion also plays a factor in this. I recently played Hanoko's "The Royal Trap". In it there is a path that leads your character into a lesbian ending. It was well written, cute and I needed to get that ending to make my soul happy. (I still need a few more endings dammit.)

 

[Neverward]

I would say that if it's relevant to the game then have it in the game.

That being said, I am female and I am straight. I don't play yuri games but if it's well written and fits in the game then I will play it. My need for completion also plays a factor in this. I recently played Hanoko's "The Royal Trap". In it there is a path that leads your character into a lesbian ending. It was well written, cute and I needed to get that ending to make my soul happy. (I still need a few more endings dammit.)

Haha yeah I know what you mean! I wouldn't categorize it as a 'yuri' game, it's actually an Action-Sci Fi story

I do wonder though, if I were to not mention that the characters are lesbian before you played the game, and then midway through the game you kinda figure it out, would it be weird to you, or do you think that I should hint at it somewhere in the game topic, genre, etc, so people don't get surprised by it?

 

[Alexander Amnell]

Haha yeah I know what you mean! I wouldn't categorize it as a 'yuri' game, it's actually an Action-Sci Fi story

I do wonder though, if I were to not mention that the characters are lesbian before you played the game, and then midway through the game you kinda figure it out, would it be weird to you, or do you think that I should hint at it somewhere in the game topic, genre, etc, so people don't get surprised by it?

It depends on how far you go with it I think, if it's just standard fair relationship and such (think any final fantasy) but lesbian then I don't think a heads up would be strictly necessary. If, however you were going to explore a more 'intimate' side of the relationship or something then I would throw a heads up (though I'd do the same for a strait one in that case) because while most people in this community probably won't be bothered by that type of relationship it should still stay in the bedroom just as if the characters were real people that the player knows (or if you feel that the story absolutely merits going further then just make it optional or something and give the player a big heads up as to the nature of that route so that people like me can avoid it.)

 

[kerbonklin]

I will, and I will still take your suggestion to apply a warning regardless of the fact they're lesbians, it will still have some questionable bits hehe.

........That's not what the warning is for....you mentioned something about nudity and whatnot. THAT's what it's for. o_o

 

[Neverward]

........That's not what the warning is for....you mentioned something about nudity and whatnot. THAT's what it's for. o_o

Yes that is what I just said. The 'questionable bits' was in reference to the nudity.

 

[Dalph]

I'm a straight guy and I personally like yuri, but I'm not addicted to it by any means.

 

I don't care if the characters are straight\gay\lesbians\bisexuals, I only care if they're well developed, so if your idea is good and well executed there shouldn't be real problems.  

One thing must be said however, not everyone uses gay and lesbian romances in their RM games (I personally know only 2 people here), so the idea is certainly original.

 

[Chaos Avian]

Personally the only thing you need to give a heads up on is the nudity really. The LGBT factors don't need to be explicitly mentioned, I'm pretty sure the player can or should be able to tell. Personally things like this don't bother me, if anything it's just a different dynamic to your standard heterosexual relationship.