Romance or Courting?

[Casino]

I was wondering if there's a plan to implement some kind of love or courting "quest line" to the game. Its something I've always wanted in RPG's, more so in RPG's that do not focus solely on combat, but allows for other classes and skills.

The game is looking very good as it is, and I am spending way more time on it than I should, but I'd still love it if there's a bit of love in the game. Not necessarily over romanticized stuff - Bioware does that well enough, but perhaps more of an actual courting process; the Praetor could look into courting/marrying for political reasons, a mercenary or drifter might hook up with a sweet girl from the commons or end up taking care of a single mom from the slums after saving her from ruffians, thieves might actually get along well with Livia from their questline or Lucius from their guild, assassins might court Dalia (sp?) from their guild (or Neleos if they save him). There's plenty of options, and I could only see it as something that might help further the immersion and story of the game. Maybe some rich lady has set her eyes on the top gladiator of Maadoran, and wants some fun on the side while her husband is busy playing politician or tradesman?

I wouldn't want it as romance you are railroaded into. But something optional. Maybe in some cases (like the praetor and the political marriage) it could be an alternate option to solving a quest, or maybe its something you get the option of pursuing after solving a few quests for a certain npc. In either case, it's just something I was wondering and I wanted to know if its been considered or not, and wether it might be looked into in the future.

Cheers.

[Vince]

Originally posted by Casino Duelist:

I was wondering if there's a plan to implement some kind of love or courting "quest line" to the game.

I'm not a huge fan of love and courting in RPGs to tell you the truth. I know it's a popular thing these days but I've never seen it done 'right' (or what I consider right) and figuring out a better way to write romance in an RPG is low on my priority list.

[Mr Hanky]

Please do not add romance to this, as you said, it's never been done right, it turns out either extremely creepy and awkward or just plain out of place, mostly both.

[Vince]

Pretty much.

[Axa]

Hell Planescape had a talking, floating skull chasing ♥♥♥♥♥♥ and a romance between a walking collection of scars and a succubus.


How 'bout the romance between the protagonist and the Zamedi demon?

You already rescue the fair princess trapped in the tower by giving her a ring. With a lore/etiquette/charisma check you could ask her for her hand in marriage.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more bovine."




Or... the more traditional option: bringing the Zamedi and Inferiae demon together in marital bliss. Meru could perform the ceremony.

[Casino]

Originally posted by Vince:

I'm not a huge fan of love and courting in RPGs to tell you the truth. I know it's a popular thing these days but I've never seen it done 'right' (or what I consider right) and figuring out a better way to write romance in an RPG is low on my priority list.

That's why I refered to things as courting instead. I realize romance would probably be a bit too much for something like AoD, but the option of approaching someone with an intent other than to screw them over, manipulate and/or kill them would be lovely. And when I met Livia and persuaded her to join a proper outfit as a thief, I instantly considered wether she might be flagged as a courting option for later.

Originally posted by Accept:

Please do not add romance to this, as you said, it's never been done right, it turns out either extremely creepy and awkward or just plain out of place, mostly both.

Hence why I talked about it being optional, so people could avoid the creepy awkwardness if they so chose and wanted. I know romance in games really splits the waters. I just happen to enjoy it, and have ever since Bioware started doing it in their Baldur's Gate series. I thought it could be a very cool way to add immersion to the game, and even help show of the lives of people who do not murder or manipulate as a way of living. Just like the conversation with the farmer in Maadoran, it might help give a bit of insight into the world and the majority of it that don't wield a blade on a daily basis.

[Vince]

Originally posted by Axa:

Hell Planescape had a talking, floating skull chasing ♥♥♥♥♥♥ and a romance between a walking collection of scars and a succubus.


How 'bout the romance between the protagonist and the Zamedi demon?

Ride the bull?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48xYwYmGIc8

[Axa]

Originally posted by Vince:

Originally posted by Axa:

Hell Planescape had a talking, floating skull chasing ♥♥♥♥♥♥ and a romance between a walking collection of scars and a succubus.


How 'bout the romance between the protagonist and the Zamedi demon?

Ride the bull?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48xYwYmGIc8

Ok, ok. Something more original. The romance between Balzaar and the protagonist. He's just misunderstood, you could change him! With love (and possibly mindshield) anything is possible.

[abbo1993]

Honestly most of the games who had instances of romance for the protagonist, good or bad, they all had a protagonist whose personality could be defined in a decent way for example mass effect and dragon age both had protagonist who had a fair share of character development here the character is pretty much a blank slate, the few personality traits we can found based on the choices in the game are wether he is a lying scumbag ready to betray anyone if the need arise or a psycho with a 3 digit bodycount, there are other instances like the quest about aemolas gold where with the last choice of wether returning the gold or keep you could give the character a little bit of human decency but there is nothing to gain from it wich is exacly why romance in this game wouldn't work in my opinion.

[wpmaura]

I alway conisdered the dragon age romances comic relief

[abbo1993]

Me too:) but what I was trying to say is that the main character had fairly definite personality you could decide his reasons and his fealings toward the various things that happened in the game. The main character in the age of decadence is little more in my opionion than a little plot device and thats not a bad thing in a game like this. Now the age of decadence is thematically very different from most of the other rpg who still obeyed to classic rpg rules like there are bad guys that want to destroy/rule the world and the hero has to stop it, AOD is far more cynical and in most aspects fairly low key and thats the thing that I like more about this game

[jpcerutti]

How about antiromance? Use and discard (or be used and discarded) would be more genre fitting. In this world of shifting alliance loyalty is a measured trait - and usually a liability. A twist on "who you can screw over" with bonus points for being willing to cross gender lines.

Yuck.

See no need for romance in games (or stories) that are not fairytailes that are meant to end "happily ever after".

You want romance play a dating sim.

[Casino]

Originally posted by jpcerutti:

How about antiromance? Use and discard (or be used and discarded) would be more genre fitting. In this world of shifting alliance loyalty is a measured trait - and usually a liability. A twist on "who you can screw over" with bonus points for being willing to cross gender lines.

Yuck.

See no need for romance in games (or stories) that are not fairytailes that are meant to end "happily ever after".

You want romance play a dating sim.

What I want, is political marriages, barroom flings, friends-with-benefit situations and any of a number of other scenarios that would play into a gritty world that takes its inspiration from authors such as Glen Cook and Joe Abercrombie. What I want, is actual relationships between people in a world were the closest thing you have to a friend is the old chinese dude that tries to screw you over unless you have enough streetwise to see through his lies. Calling it "romance" is just the easiest way for everyone to understand what this discussion is about.

Its a great game, which is why I wish and ask for more of what would make me, personally, happy. Its neither an order or a demand, but a simple question and an attempt to start a dialogue. I simply wish for things I believe could improve this experience even more for me, and trying to improve the number of non-enemy social encounters to include fancy lads and ladies that you can connect with somehow is a way of doing that.

I also wish for you to stop being a snarky ass, an actually contribute with something different than "I funny you dumb" rhetoric and jumping in from the sidelines to troll, but I guess I am more likely to get the first than the later, so keep on trekking, my friend. You've said your piece.

[jpcerutti]

Nah. Simply disagreeing with you isn't a troll.

If your posts come up short in the humor department I can hardly be held responsible for that.

Might I suggest borrowing someone's lipstick and drawing a mouth on your hand you may kiss while typing/playing computer games?

*That's* trolling.

I like the game as well - and think it does just fine without "romance".

[Axa]

Originally posted by Casino Duelist:

What I want, is actual relationships between people in a world were the closest thing you have to a friend is the old chinese dude that tries to screw you over unless you have enough streetwise to see through his lies. Calling it "romance" is just the easiest way for everyone to understand what this discussion is about.

I believe the closest thing available in the game is when you try your luck with lady Lorenza in Maadoran, but since she's part of the aristocracy and the protagonist is a lowly commoner she shoots you down immediately. Other than that, you don't have friends, companions, etc. only temporary allies, coworkers (for example you can be civil with Coltan as an assassin and save his life) and employers.


Ps.
I actually feel sorry for the poor bastards in the game since their daily life is already so grim and hopeless and just about anything you do as a protagonist makes life even worse for the average Joe.

[ワイバーン の とし]

Originally posted by Vince:

Originally posted by Casino Duelist:

I was wondering if there's a plan to implement some kind of love or courting "quest line" to the game.

I'm not a huge fan of love and courting in RPGs to tell you the truth. I know it's a popular thing these days but I've never seen it done 'right' (or what I consider right) and figuring out a better way to write romance in an RPG is low on my priority list.

Requesting romance with Lorenza! You know when she goes 'i know you were sent here to kill me but maybe i can bribe you with something?' Character with 8 charisma goes "How about a chance to win over the heart of the most beutifull and fair maiden in the realm?" She outta like that along with Gaelisuses head. Also needs a chance to persuade Darista from attempting to wreck you once you do the deed, say high assassins guild reputation along with massive combat reputation as requirement -> you are loyal to the guild and everyone knows it, also you are probably the most dangerous ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to engage in melee in the land, kind of gives a chance at negotiations!

3way with those 2! Better yet lets invite Neleos aswell!

Also when making those, Vince, make sure you tap the besexual, gay and only then straight population. Also dont forget futas. Those are crucial! Everyone loves em!

OH MAN. THIS OPENS UP SO MANY ROADS. Imagine: you go into Zamedy tower! No str! No dexterity! Mad vitality and charisma! Persuade the 'demon' into exploring things he wouldnt be able to pick up in his books. And strike a deal to show him around the place! He is now your bodyguard, buddy and ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥! How based is that!?

After about 1-2 more years of those changes alone we can have Corruption of Champions 3d! The TRUE AGE OF DECADENCE. Oh ho ho!