Not a fan of "playersexuality"

[Johanna ୨୧]

I am really happy that there is more and more inclusion of non heterosexual romance in games nowadays and Stardew Valley was always one of the earliest examples.

I appreciate that, but not the way it was implemented.

I know that sexuality doesn't completely define a character/person, but it is a huge part of one's identity imo.

I would have loved for romance-able characters (other characters would be great as well) to be openly homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual etc.

I know this would take away options if you decide to play as a male or female farmer (would also be great to have a non binary option).
However, I think this would bring so much more depth into the characters and the world. Even though there's limited dialogue, I do think that the characters in SDV are otherwise quite well developed.

I am just a huge fan of romance and characters that have a full identity and personality.

And as SDV has a big modding community making all characters romance-able for all players would surely be implemented. For example there are mods out there to marry Robin or have multiple partners.

I wish the "canon" game itself would just have more depth in this way.

This is not just a thing with SDV. Most recent games with romance options I can think of go the playersexuality way and to me that's just a huge bummer.

[Amberbaum]

Originally posted by ChrillBill:

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

For me, relationships (romantic but also platonic) and characters are definitely one of the core mechanics in farming sims (and certain other games as well) and I would just really like them to get more focus.

Stardew Valley isn't a good game if you are looking for well written and highly developed characters in the first place. This isn't meant as an insult to the dev, by the way. I think he has done a good job with this game and I love it to bits. But it's mainly a farming sim, with some added and shallow bonus aspects here and there (family being one of them).

I agree. Baron utilized the small rural US town character archetypes pretty well. It's not too saccharine or too kitschy. Some NPCs' motivations could have been better but I'm not dissatified with it.

Games with more people on their team(dedicated writers) ten to do a better job when it comes to NPCs feeling more alive.

[Maya-Neko]

The amount of NPCs would probably need to be at least doubled, if not even tripled to allow for enough marriage candidates for every possible constelation, plus enough non-marriagable candidates to not make it look like an island of a dating TV show.

Other than that, most things up to 8 hearts is mostly about friendship-stuff (some can be considered either way, depending on how you feel about it though), while actual romance stuff often just starts beyond that.

[Quantifiably Inert]

Why do people with abnormal needs and expectations feel the need to ask/demand others to include their abnormal needs and expectations and not go out and create the material needed to fill their gaps?

Asking the majority to cater to the minority is the new norm. I get it. But when you get older and realize how entitled and whiny this kind of crap comes across as, you will understand more of why we are just sick and tired of listening to you people cry about wanting this and wanting that instead of just hiking your boots up and creating the thing you think you need.

[ChrillBill]

Originally posted by Amberbaum:

I agree. Baron utilized the small rural US town character archetypes pretty well. It's not too saccharine or too kitschy. Some NPCs' motivations could have been better but I'm not dissatified with it.

Games with more people on their team(dedicated writers) ten to do a better job when it comes to NPCs feeling more alive.

Yep, this is something I often feel people are forgetting when they request something. They have to look at the stage first, and also study what the dev wanted to tell with the game! I could think of many ways to improve or further develop would be a better term I think, the whole NPC system (family and romance included). But I totally get why it is the way it is, when looking at the big picture... And I have studied this game a lot, lol!

[Johanna ୨୧]

Originally posted by EleventhStar:

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

Absolutely, but it is not harming anyone, right?
And you surely have more important things than to post replies here then, right?

it can harm your sales. maybe if they did it back in 2016 it would have been alright, but in current year it's a touchy subject and you are basically flipping a coin if the audience accepts it in your game or not, even if done well.

That was not what I meant. My post was referring to a question of someone earlier, if there's nothing better to do with my time than thinking about the sexuality of screen pixels.
And just making a post about this surely doesn't hurt anything.

[Johanna ୨୧]

Originally posted by Maximus0Moose:

Why do people with abnormal needs and expectations feel the need to ask/demand others to include their abnormal needs and expectations and not go out and create the material needed to fill their gaps?

Asking the majority to cater to the minority is the new norm. I get it. But when you get older and realize how entitled and whiny this kind of crap comes across as, you will understand more of why we are just sick and tired of listening to you people cry about wanting this and wanting that instead of just hiking your boots up and creating the thing you think you need.

I am not talented in programming and story telling that way.

I don't think it's an abnormal need and I never voiced it as a need to begin with. It's always been a "I wish it would be done this way".

Players giving feedback is coming across as whiny and entitled now? If developers listen or not is their decision, I'm not demanding anything.

I think you are honestly overreacting quite clearly to just a wish/suggestion of some internet stranger.

[Sstavix]

I would have to respectfully disagree with the OP. I think that Stardew Valley handled sexuality in the perfect way. If people only want straight relationships, they can have it. If they want to pursue a same-sex marriage, they can have that, too (and the villagers are all right with it). And if a player doesn't want any romantic interactions... well, they have that option as well. They cal always take Krobus as a roommate if they want to get that 100% perfection goal. These multiple choices are what make this game wonderful. There's something for everyone.

I also don't like the idea of being able to romance or marry everyone and anyone in the game. Putting aside the weirdness of Jas and Vincent, I think it's perfectly acceptable that some people are already in a committed relationship (e.g. George and Evelyn, Robin and Demetrius) or just aren't into the player character (e.g. Lewis and Marnie). The only thing I do wish would be added would be the ability to play matchmaker to some of these people. Like, for example, finally getting Lewis and Marnie married to each other. Or get Clint and Emily together. I'm sure there's a mod for that somewhere....

No, I think the relationships as they appear in standard SDV are just fine and well done. In fact, I often point to this game as a great example of how it's done right, and think a lot of other developers can learn a lot from it.

[Johanna ୨୧]

Originally posted by Sstavix:

I would have to respectfully disagree with the OP. I think that Stardew Valley handled sexuality in the perfect way. If people only want straight relationships, they can have it. If they want to pursue a same-sex marriage, they can have that, too (and the villagers are all right with it). And if a player doesn't want any romantic interactions... well, they have that option as well. They cal always take Krobus as a roommate if they want to get that 100% perfection goal. These multiple choices are what make this game wonderful. There's something for everyone.

I also don't like the idea of being able to romance or marry everyone and anyone in the game. Putting aside the weirdness of Jas and Vincent, I think it's perfectly acceptable that some people are already in a committed relationship (e.g. George and Evelyn, Robin and Demetrius) or just aren't into the player character (e.g. Lewis and Marnie). The only thing I do wish would be added would be the ability to play matchmaker to some of these people. Like, for example, finally getting Lewis and Marnie married to each other. Or get Clint and Emily together. I'm sure there's a mod for that somewhere....

No, I think the relationships as they appear in standard SDV are just fine and well done. In fact, I often point to this game as a great example of how it's done right, and think a lot of other developers can learn a lot from it.

Yeah, I can kinda see where you're coming from!

I never mentioned that it should be possible to marry everyone though? That would be super weird imo.
Or maybe you just brought it up because it fits the overall topic of course.
I do like the matchmaker idea, but Marnie deserves better! And Clint is a mega creep and should leave Emily absolutely alone!

I'd like to have the option to match up the romance candidates you didn't choose with each other! That would of course make divorcing and remarrying someone more complicated, but I personally don't ever do that anyways.

[The Big Brzezinski]

The blank slate nature of fully custom player characters makes any sort of narrative detail very difficult. They have to get by on systematic detail instead. Stuff like their appearance and favorite color and food are easy enough, but the deep details of what makes two people get along well enough together that they commit to doing so for the rest of their lives are impossible for a game to quantify. You typically need a character with some good writing behind them for a satisfying romance. That's pretty much impossible when they could be anybody.

Clint's just awkward. His apprenticeship likely didn't leave much time for friends growing up, let alone romance. He just needs to keep trying and stick with it. Maybe it'll work out with Emily, maybe it won't. But nothing good will come from giving up and hiding in his shop.

[ChrillBill]

Clint is also a slob, and I have the ultimate proof!
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2512412282

One night with him and you'll wake up with cuts all over your leggies and feet!

[Sstavix]

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

I never mentioned that it should be possible to marry everyone though? That would be super weird imo.

Sorry, I thought that was suggested in your original post when you mentioned that you wished the canon ame was more like the modded versions, where you could marry everyone.

And I have played at least one other game in which that is an option. In My Time at Portia (a game a lot like SDV) you can marry anyone that isn't a kid, elderly, or already married. With only a couple of exceptions that I can think of....

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

I'd like to have the option to match up the romance candidates you didn't choose with each other! That would of course make divorcing and remarrying someone more complicated, but I personally don't ever do that anyways.

I wonder if there is a "matchmaker" game out there? Where you aren't looking for love yourself, but spend the game trying to find matches for other people. If not, I can see a market for it....

[Johanna ୨୧]

Originally posted by Sstavix:

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

I never mentioned that it should be possible to marry everyone though? That would be super weird imo.

Sorry, I thought that was suggested in your original post when you mentioned that you wished the canon ame was more like the modded versions, where you could marry everyone.

And I have played at least one other game in which that is an option. In My Time at Portia (a game a lot like SDV) you can marry anyone that isn't a kid, elderly, or already married. With only a couple of exceptions that I can think of....

Ah, no need to apologize and I can see how it can come across like that now!

I meant that if hypothetically romance-able characters had different sexualities and one would be unavailable to a player that feels strongly about them, there surely would be a mod to fix that.
I personally don't use mods or are interested in them (except maybe some quality of life ones).

I meant that I wish the canon game had the depth of different sexualities that's all.
Not referring to the mods.

I worded it confusingly for sure, sorry.

Originally posted by Sstavix:

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

I'd like to have the option to match up the romance candidates you didn't choose with each other! That would of course make divorcing and remarrying someone more complicated, but I personally don't ever do that anyways.

I wonder if there is a "matchmaker" game out there? Where you aren't looking for love yourself, but spend the game trying to find matches for other people. If not, I can see a market for it....

I think Lakeburg Legacies fits somewhat. I have only tried the demo and don't know if I'll buy it ever. I kinda miss story and some gameplay mechanics kinda bother me (judging by reviews).
I should actually look if there's more matchmaking games out there!

//
In general I also wish SDV had much more story and character interactions. I've been playing farming sims since childhood (mostly Harvest Moon/nowadays Story of Seasons which is still my all time favorite game series) and characters and especially romance were always my main focus.
I do appreciate SDV for what it is though!

[Kusarigama]

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

I am not talented in programming and story telling that way.

I don't think it's an abnormal need and I never voiced it as a need to begin with. It's always been a "I wish it would be done this way".

Players giving feedback is coming across as whiny and entitled now? If developers listen or not is their decision, I'm not demanding anything.

I think you are honestly overreacting quite clearly to just a wish/suggestion of some internet stranger.

I do feel a need to respond to this. Just as you are voicing your wishes that does not mean you are immune to criticism. I do also agree with you that if the dev's do something that is their prerogative. As you are saying MaximusOMoose is overreacting did you ever wonder why he might be acting that way? Things might be reasonable to you but a mountain to others.

Things are going to change but I think it has gotten really weird and forced in our culture. People have no idea what to do about it and instead of understanding it people have pushed harder. If you want to know an example and why people are feeling odd look at the NexusMods fiasco.

[Johanna ୨୧]

Originally posted by Kusarigama:

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

I am not talented in programming and story telling that way.

I don't think it's an abnormal need and I never voiced it as a need to begin with. It's always been a "I wish it would be done this way".

Players giving feedback is coming across as whiny and entitled now? If developers listen or not is their decision, I'm not demanding anything.

I think you are honestly overreacting quite clearly to just a wish/suggestion of some internet stranger.

I do feel a need to respond to this. Just as you are voicing your wishes that does not mean you are immune to criticism. I do also agree with you that if the dev's do something that is their prerogative. As you are saying MaximusOMoose is overreacting did you ever wonder why he might be acting that way? Things might be reasonable to you but a mountain to others.

Things are going to change but I think it has gotten really weird and forced in our culture. People have no idea what to do about it and instead of understanding it people have pushed harder. If you want to know an example and why people are feeling odd look at the NexusMods fiasco.

I have no problem with people saying, "I don't need this", "I feel like it would be resources in developing not well spent", "I prefer the freedom" etc.
Most responses have been something like that and I appreciate them sharing their views on this.

I just thought it was so weird, over the top and an unnecessary attack to say I should either make it myself or shut up.

Calling a suggestion/wish like this "abnormal" I also found extremely problematic, almost like they are implying it is something "sick".

I did wonder why they were acting this way, but to me it just seemed like the typical "identity culture war" response. As they haven't said anything more, I don't have more info to further understand their pov.

I have no idea about the "NexusMods fiasco" you're mentioning, could you give more info on this?

[Ryika]

Originally posted by Johanna ୨୧:

Calling a suggestion/wish like this "abnormal" I also found extremely problematic, almost like they are implying it is something "sick".

I mean, it is quite unusual though, isn't it? Perhaps that word - "unusual" - would have been a less judgmental way of phrasing it compared to "abnormal", but your significant focus on character sexuality does seem quite outside of the scope of what the average person would prioritize to care about.

Like, there are probably a thousand ways that characters in the game could be more "fleshed out", and in ways that would not interfere with other player's preferences. But you prioritize establishing canon about what genitalia they're interested in, so much so that you "wish" the default was set in such a way that it significantly cuts into other people's freedom.

That being a priority of yours is quite obviously going to seem odd to at least some people.