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.

[Kamamura]

So many convoluted arguments and painful leaps of logic just to justify an instinctive homophobia (nothing wrong about that, but you should be frank with yourself about what it is). The fact is that there were practicing homosexuals throughout the history, even in countries where it is/was punishable by death. Moreover, sexuality is a spectrum, there are records of people being married and heterosexual, but later in life changing their way. By the way, I myself am heterosexual, but I have many homosexual friends, and I think social prejudices, and especially some religions, have made their life needlessly miserable.

[KrulToscik]

He won't be lame and gay if you won't choose gay dialogs. I don't like these gay options but don't buying game bc of that is just stupid.

[C O O L]

Автор сообщения: Kamamura

words words words

Buddy, nobody is buying your word salad. Everyone who played Kingdom Come: Deliverance knows Hans Capon is a ladies man. Butchering Hans as a character by arbitrarily changing his sexuality is a cynical cash grab at best, an ideological putsch at worst.

[makbthemf]

Автор сообщения: Professional Bricklayer

Buddy, nobody is buying your word salad. Everyone who played Kingdom Come: Deliverance knows Hans Capon is a ladies man. Butchering Hans as a character by arbitrarily changing his sexuality is a cynical cash grab at best, an ideological putsch at worst.

I would repeat it in god knows what time again: Jan Ptacek is a heterosexual in KCD1 and KCD2. There's nothing in the plots, which depicts his н0м0- or bisexuality. Jindřich - Jan intercourse is not canonical, is optional, and is an answer to the KCD1 diversity scandal. Which makes it an easter egg. Is it so hard to understand?

[Sarokan]

My goodness, why are you wasting your lifetime by getting so annoyed about this one thing???

Just ignore it like other true mens and me who just want to enjoy the game and are tired of your stupid arguments. Moreover, there are more than enough opportunities to have fun and romance with a woman in this game. Enjoy it.

End of the story

[C O O L]

Автор сообщения: makbthemf

words words words

Nobody buys that either, fella. "Easter egg" or not, it's an affront to the character, the stuff of tumblr fanfiction and nothing more.

[makbthemf]

Автор сообщения: Professional Bricklayer

Nobody buys that either, fella. "Easter egg" or not, it's an affront to the character, the stuff of tumblr fanfiction and nothing more.

1) It's you who affronts the character. Intercourse is optional, and it's in your power to apply or not for it.
2) The Demparty lobby doesn't force you to buy or play the KCD2 or KCD1. If you don't like the game - don't buy it or refund it.

[Fyyyyysh]

Автор сообщения: Nixter

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

Because there’s quite a sizeable group of players who enjoy gay romances in their RPGs? (As shown by how popular some of them were in BG3 and other crpgs)

What’s your issue anyways? Players who want straight romance still get more straight romance options, players who want gay romance get gay romance options. Everyone should be happy.

Do you really need games to pander only to you?

[Pug Gaming]

The only sensible opinion on this is as follows: It's absolute BULLCR*P and Hans or Henry should not be gay. Period. Does it mean you should not play the game and throw emotional tantrum under every post about KCD2 or post stupid rainbow-Henry images? No. Just avoid this very short and most of all OPTIONAL part of the game. Problem solved. The game itself is good enough for me to enjoy and not care about some of that nonsense.

[XartaX]

Автор сообщения: 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. 😄

People falling for the chatgpt slop lol

[Nikonos]

I wouldn't want to be anywhere near Warhorse with Eastern, that's for sure.

[XartaX]

"It's a medieval setting, it is wrong historical depiction, why are there gays!"

Holy strawman. Almost nobody say this. This historicity argument is usually used when it comes to Musa, not that there exist gay people in the game.

The two arguments against it has usually been that:

1. It's character assassination. They were always straight dudes. It destroys the consistency of the story, and therefore your immersion as a player.
2. It sullies their friendship and the story. We can't have straight brotherhood/friendship anywhere anymore. And suddenly you have to view all of Hans playful language through the lens of someone trying to get into your pants. He's essentially constantly sexually harassing you according to modern liberal logic. Commenting on your ♥♥♥♥, etc. suddenly becomes insanely inappropriate now that he's gay. And sure of course you can say that Henry doesn't know or expect it and he's also his superior so it's just being realistic. But in that case I also want the option to shove a sword through his gut and put him in the ground once Henry finds out he's actually gay and in restrospect understands he was constantly trying to get into his pants (which would be historically appropriate).

[Fyyyyysh]

Автор сообщения: XartaX

"It's a medieval setting, it is wrong historical depiction, why are there gays!"

Holy strawman. Almost nobody say this. This historicity argument is usually used when it comes to Musa, not that there exist gay people in the game.

The two arguments against it has usually been that:

1. It's character assassination. They were always straight dudes. It destroys the consistency of the story, and therefore your immersion as a player.
2. It sullies their friendship and the story. We can't have straight brotherhood/friendship anywhere anymore. And suddenly you have to view all of Hans playful language through the lens of someone trying to get into your pants. He's essentially constantly sexually harassing you according to modern liberal logic. Commenting on your ♥♥♥♥, etc. suddenly becomes insanely inappropriate now that he's gay. And sure of course you can say that Henry doesn't know or expect it and he's also his superior so it's just being realistic. But in that case I also want the option to shove a sword through his gut and put him in the ground once Henry finds out he's actually gay and in restrospect understands he was constantly trying to get into his pants (which would be historically appropriate).

Nah there were multiple threads with people complaining that “there were no gay people in Middle Ages because they were all killed on the spot and every noble would be to afraid to even try being gay”

[Nikonos]

Автор сообщения: XartaX

"It's a medieval setting, it is wrong historical depiction, why are there gays!"

Holy strawman. Almost nobody say this. This historicity argument is usually used when it comes to Musa, not that there exist gay people in the game.

The two arguments against it has usually been that:

1. It's character assassination. They were always straight dudes. It destroys the consistency of the story, and therefore your immersion as a player.
2. It sullies their friendship and the story. We can't have straight brotherhood/friendship anywhere anymore. And suddenly you have to view all of Hans playful language through the lens of someone trying to get into your pants. He's essentially constantly sexually harassing you according to modern liberal logic. Commenting on your ♥♥♥♥, etc. suddenly becomes insanely inappropriate now that he's gay. And sure of course you can say that Henry doesn't know or expect it and he's also his superior so it's just being realistic. But in that case I also want the option to shove a sword through his gut and put him in the ground once Henry finds out he's actually gay and in restrospect understands he was constantly trying to get into his pants (which would be historically appropriate).

Exactly right.
But the lazy crap about insecurity and homophobia keeps floating around for the gullible.

[Mr.Gold]

Автор сообщения: 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

If the only reason you never see gay stuff in games is when developers actively stop you from selecting it, I have some news for you buddy.