The real problem with Hans being optionally gay

[Kapellmeister]

I have seen plenty of discussions regarding this, yet every single one of them is a fight of two extremes:

• "It's an RPG, it just gives you more options!"
  
• "It's a medieval setting, it is wrong historical depiction, why are there gays!"

And I find them both wrong. Easier two start with second opinion, just because there were homosexual people in medieval times, especially among noble people. Yes, it was unlawful, but the laws are written for peasants, right? So portraying gays in this particular setting is nothing out of the ordinary.

However, the first point of view is much more tricky. The RPG genre is not just about more options and ways to have influence on your surroundings. It is also about careful integration of these options, so they look natural and don't violate common sense and logic.

And the issue with Hans is that the developers give up the character's personal views in favor of more romance options. This move immediately makes anything far more superficial. In context of this character, he becomes a toy for the main character, who is fluent with speech, ready to give up any of his beliefs just because someone is persistent. You won't persuade a well-written character to abandon his fundamentals overnight, if at all. And the Hans is known to hunt after every skirt there is in a sight. You even start the game trying to peek on ladies in a pond, then he is seducing a female on a wedding. Throughout the whole journey of KCD1 (completed several years ago on a different platform) and start of KCD2 relationship between Henry and Hans is strong friendship, nothing more. THE GAME ITSELF is telling you that Hans is a straight male and then does a 180.

In conclusion, I consider this not a propaganda, not an expansion of options, but a dissapointing example of shallowing a very nicely written character for the sake of being more RPG'ish.

[ADMIRAL AWESOME]

You raise thoughtful points about character consistency in RPG design, but let's consider a different perspective:

Historical Flexibility: While medieval nobility did have complex social codes, games like Kingdom Come already take creative liberties for gameplay (e.g., combat mechanics, fast travel). An optional romance path doesn't fundamentally alter Hans' womanizing core personality - it simply adds player agency.

Character Nuance: Hans' flirtatious nature could be interpreted as pansexual opportunism rather than a complete reversal. His friendship with Henry in KCD1 leaves room for unexplored dimensions, much like real-life relationships that evolve over time.

Gameplay vs Lore: RPGs often balance narrative integrity with player choice. This optional route likely exists parallel to canon, similar to how Dragon Age or Mass Effect handle romance options without overwriting established lore.

The real "no problem" moment here might be recognizing this as a classic gaming tempest in a tankard - players who prefer Hans as strictly straight can simply ignore the option, preserving their personal canon. 😄

[smoketrees]

Yup. It ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ sucks.

[makbthemf]

There's no problem. It's and easter egg, so it's integrated badly.

[Nixter]

I don’t wanna see gay 💩 in games that I like, if you wanna put them in a game like forknife be my guest don’t play that crap

[makbthemf]

Originally posted by Nixter:

I don’t wanna see gay 💩 in games that I like, if you wanna put them in a game like forknife be my guest don’t play that crap

You have 2 options:
1) don't choose gay options in the dialogue to activate the gay easter egg.
2) don't buy any KCD game, because homosexuality was always highly represented in the franchise.

[doug]

Well argued and rational.

Still not a problem though.

[doug]

Originally posted by Nixter:

I don’t wanna see gay 💩 in games that I like, if you wanna put them in a game like forknife be my guest don’t play that crap

You want to put sex in fortnite? A game for children...

[Nixter]

Let me ask you this, why are those option there ? For what reason

[makbthemf]

Originally posted by Nixter:

Let me ask you this, why are those option there ? For what reason

For easter egg purposes.

[Nixter]

Your trolling now GTFO

[doug]

Originally posted by Nixter:

Let me ask you this, why are those option there ? For what reason

Do you really want to know or is this one of those questions where only you have the real answer because you're smarter than everybody else?

[makbthemf]

Originally posted by Nixter:

Your trolling now GTFO

Nobody is trolling. Google about the diversity scandal around KCD1. The Jindřich - Jan intercourse is an obvious answer to that scandal.

[theo]

Hunting after every skirt isn't necessarily a straight thing. Besides, preferences change under circumstances. Sorry but thinking that sexuality is inherent part of one's identity is kinda woke.
I've heard they get a chance to do gay stuff while in jail? Then it makes even more sense lol.

But, I don't think it was a good move either, simply because it's bad writing. They ruined such a perfect friendship for what? to please pervert fans who were shipping Henry and Hans since the first game? This is just bad fan service.

[makbthemf]

Originally posted by theo:

But, I don't think it was a good move either, simply because it's bad writing. They ruines such a perfect friendship for what? to please pervert fans who were shipping Henry and Hans since the first game? This is just bad fan service.

It's bad writing because it's an easter egg - all the intercourse stuff shouldn't be there. It's just the answer to the diversity scandal around KCD1

[Shen]

Originally posted by Nixter:

I don’t wanna see gay 💩 in games that I like, if you wanna put them in a game like forknife be my guest don’t play that crap

Your masculinity and sexuality must be hanging on the thinnest of threads.
It honestly must be really, really hard for you and I seriously feel bad for you.
The emotional and mental stress you must be under day and night, knowing that if you play a game that gives you the OPTION to do anything remotely gay, your manliness and heterosexuality will crumble.

Before you run off to eat a steak covered in gunpowder while watching nascar drivers play football, please for your own sake make sure to AGGRESSIVELY defend yourself so that nobody here, for one second, doubts how tough, manly, and straight you are. :'D