Wokest of the Woke

[MrPeery]

In an era where fantasy and reality should distinctly part ways, Baldur's Gate III has regrettably muddied the waters, turning what should be an epic fantasy escape into a heavy-handed lecture on social justice. It's as if Larian Studios, in their infinite wisdom, decided to throw the entire politically correct playbook at us, expecting gamers to lap it up without a word.

Take a gander at their character lineup: a veritable parade of every imaginable social group, each inclusion seemingly more about virtue signaling than actual narrative substance. There's a myriad of gay characters, trans characters, and every racial minority profile imaginable. Then, as if checking off a diversity bingo card, they toss in a hippy communist druid and, just for good measure, a drag queen. It’s a fantasy game, not a diversity workshop, and yet here we are.

But wait, there's more. Let’s not forget the female NPCs, unrealistically empowered as if plucked straight from a feminist manifesto, often overshadowing their male counterparts. It's not just inclusion anymore; it's an overpowering, unrealistic dominance that shatters any semblance of a believable fantasy world.

And if you dare to reject this smorgasbord of wokeness? The game punishes you. Opt for the 'evil' path, and you’re stripped of companions and top-tier gear, a transparent tactic to force players down a path dripping with the developers' own moral righteousness.

Despite these glaring missteps, the game has been lauded, showered with accolades, and celebrated for its inclusivity. It's a bewildering testament to the power of a vocal minority championing its agenda, making one question whether the game's success is truly about quality or merely about being a poster child for social justice in gaming.

What truly adds salt to the wound is Larian Studios' own working environment. Paragons of equality and fairness, they seem to have confused their corporate philosophy with game design. Representation in the workplace? Laudable. Forcing that same ethos into a fantasy game with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer? Questionable.

Baldur's Gate III feels less like the fantasy epic it promised to be and more like a forced march through a gauntlet of modern social issues. The magic of gaming is its ability to transport us to realms unbound by the constraints and controversies of our world. Unfortunately, this game seems to have forgotten that, choosing instead to anchor us ever more firmly to the very realities we sought to escape.

[Recjawjind]

This post is so July 2023 that I forgot which month I'm in.

[id795078477]

--> Here be dragons <--

[Iron Reaper]

There are mods to fix it

[Piperbird]

Awww, I'm sorry games aren't all straight white males any more. That must just really suck for you. My condolences.

[AxelMcT]

I notice you did not say, 'Too many non whites!'

well done

[MrPeery]

That’s not what I mean at all. I’m trying to point out how it’s not genuine inclusion.

[Banelord]

Originally posted by MrPeery:

In an era where fantasy and reality should distinctly part ways, Baldur's Gate III has regrettably muddied the waters, turning what should be an epic fantasy escape into a heavy-handed lecture on social justice. It's as if Larian Studios, in their infinite wisdom, decided to throw the entire politically correct playbook at us, expecting gamers to lap it up without a word.

Take a gander at their character lineup: a veritable parade of every imaginable social group, each inclusion seemingly more about virtue signaling than actual narrative substance. There's a myriad of gay characters, trans characters, and every racial minority profile imaginable. Then, as if checking off a diversity bingo card, they toss in a hippy communist druid and, just for good measure, a drag queen. It’s a fantasy game, not a diversity workshop, and yet here we are.

But wait, there's more. Let’s not forget the female NPCs, unrealistically empowered as if plucked straight from a feminist manifesto, often overshadowing their male counterparts. It's not just inclusion anymore; it's an overpowering, unrealistic dominance that shatters any semblance of a believable fantasy world.

And if you dare to reject this smorgasbord of wokeness? The game punishes you. Opt for the 'evil' path, and you’re stripped of companions and top-tier gear, a transparent tactic to force players down a path dripping with the developers' own moral righteousness.

Despite these glaring missteps, the game has been lauded, showered with accolades, and celebrated for its inclusivity. It's a bewildering testament to the power of a vocal minority championing its agenda, making one question whether the game's success is truly about quality or merely about being a poster child for social justice in gaming.

What truly adds salt to the wound is Larian Studios' own working environment. Paragons of equality and fairness, they seem to have confused their corporate philosophy with game design. Representation in the workplace? Laudable. Forcing that same ethos into a fantasy game with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer? Questionable.

Baldur's Gate III feels less like the fantasy epic it promised to be and more like a forced march through a gauntlet of modern social issues. The magic of gaming is its ability to transport us to realms unbound by the constraints and controversies of our world. Unfortunately, this game seems to have forgotten that, choosing instead to anchor us ever more firmly to the very realities we sought to escape.

Yes, balancing the inclusion of diverse characters with compelling storytelling is indeed a nuanced art; perhaps Baldur's Gate III may have leaned too heavily into representation at the cost of organic narrative development.

Its crucial for games, especially in the fantasy genre, to offer and even prioritize escapism, while also thoughtfully integrating elements of our evolving societal landscape.

[Dovahbear]

Originally posted by Recjawjind:

This post is so July 2023 that I forgot which month I'm in.

This should be set as the answer to the thread.

Give your points to this guy instead of OP.

[Chivalrous Guy]

Seems like you are in the minority, my guy. This game is SO HOT right now - And I can't think of a single minority group that can somehow bamboozle millions of players into hating the game SO MUCH, that they continue to spend hundreds of hours replaying it.

Truly, Larian is full of Wizards.

[SlaughterWare]

ah who gives a fudge. this is how broken my willpower is -- make a game so damn good I dream about it and it gets a woke pass. I've been hard boycotting Gillette, Bud Light or Ben & Jerry's and to hell with anything Disney. good enuff for ya?

[Abisha]

Originally posted by Piperbird:

Awww, I'm sorry games aren't all straight white males any more. That must just really suck for you. My condolences.

you will in the future, if other country's where so joyful explain why they constantly at war

you can move a person from a country but you can't move there ideology

[KeiserKnight]

Its...its a fantasy game.

Spartans : Slept with each other and fought to protect each other... no one cared

Romans: Catamites, enough said

Mythology: Any of it

World History: Empress Dowager Cixi, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Indira Gandhi, Queen Victoria

Ummm...its not really WOKE just more people paying attention and putting a name on something that has been going on since....Earth

If you focus that much on it sorry. These things are everywhere if you look and yeah...nothing new just this Generations focus point.

Look at old cartoons for some heavier topics they showed kids when it was 'normal'...some people complain about it today some protect it and some dont care. Same with old songs, movies, books...and again History.

Dont focus on it so much and if you dont like it move on. Dont like something on TikTok dont go and comment on it nor report it just tap 'Not Interested' or swipe past it.

Same with games or other media, dont like it dont indulge in it. Just my thoughts on these topics.

[Lord Farquad]

Back again with the same copy paste.

[Bob the Boomer]

you should go write a book and sell it, but you might get done for copy n paste.

Also here is a tissue

[sewershagger]

Thanks for the heads-up. I was about to purchase, but will hold on to my money.