August 7th 2023.
Baldur's Gate 3 - Sex and Violence
The Monday letters page of our gaming magazine recently discussed the decisions made by Xbox and PlayStation, with one reader recommending a Humble Bundle racing game. As part of the discussion, I weighed in with my own two cents on the matter of love vs. war.
I think it's ridiculous that people have such a strong reaction to the inclusion of a few seconds of nudity in a game, when we have titles such as Mortal Kombat that feature violence that can be so realistic, it causes PTSD. After looking at some videos of Baldur's Gate 3, I can see that it works in a similar way to Mass Effect, but with a bit more explicit content.
I don't know any of the characters, but it looks well-made. It appears that the emphasis is on the love between them, and the sex scenes are merely the culmination of hours of romance and friendship. Don't you think it would be better if that was the norm? People are saying that Baldur's Gate 3 is too lewd, but it's an 18-rated game - what adult would be so offended to the point that they'd go online to complain?
It's a sad reflection of society that depictions of love are more likely to cause outrage than depictions of violence and hatred. It's a shame that people are more comfortable with the latter than the former.
Pride before the Fall
The discussion then moved on to the potential of the PlayStation 6 being a hybrid console. I think Sony has too much pride to abandon how they've always done things in order to copy Nintendo. Similarly, I don't think Microsoft has made a VR headset because they don't want to be seen as copying Sony or showing that they don't have any experience with the technology. Of course, there could be other reasons, but at the end of the day, these companies are run by human beings and sometimes logic doesn't seem to play a part.
Undead Halo
I've been spending a lot of time playing Halo Infinite recently, and while there are some problems with the boss battles, it's actually a great game. The music is great, and it gives you the freedom to approach any situation as you want. I know the franchise is considered dead, but I hope 343 don't give up on single-player mode. It's too heavily steeped in lore for me at times, and I even buy the novels, but I'm still hoping for a proper revival of one of the best series of games out there. After all, Resident Evil has risen from the dead, so why can't Halo?
High-Speed Bargain
I wanted to give everyone a heads up about a great gaming bargain. If you're looking to get into sim racing but don't know where to start, then Humble Bundle have a really good deal on some of the key PC racing sims. Asseto Corsa is an oldie but a goodie, and Automobilista 2 has just added off-road. Both games are very moddable, meaning you can tailor them to your own preferences. Asseto Corsa Competizione is a hardcore GT3/GT4 sim, and it takes a bit of practice to master, but it's so rewarding when you do. And all for about £10!
Day One Digital
Reader V wrote a feature on how Game Pass can dilute day one excitement. But the thing is, Game Pass is an optional subscription service, and I don't currently subscribe. I prefer to own games, and I've pre-ordered Starfield. I buy all my games digitally, and I find it more convenient, especially when it comes to backwards compatibility. I have a lot of games from the Xbox 360 days that I can easily access. From a financial perspective, it would make more sense to subscribe to Game Pass, but I'd rather own my games.
Musical History
I think the reason Arena won't get a remake is because it's too basic, even for its time. Daggerfall includes every region, and subsequent sequels refine and hone each one down. The Elder Scrolls Online already has most of them, so you could just play that instead, and the Skywind mod for Morrowind is still in the works. Hopefully one day it will be released.
Baldur's Gate 3 - Sex and Violence
It's no surprise that when it comes to video games, sex and violence often go hand in hand. In Baldur's Gate 3, a newly released role-playing game, these two elements have oddly enough been combined in a way that has some gamers up in arms.
I haven't played the game myself, but I have watched some gameplay videos online. From what I can tell, it follows a similar format to Mass Effect, with sex scenes that build up to the climax of the game, although it does appear to be more explicit.
The fact that some people are shocked by the inclusion of nudity in the game is hilarious, especially when you consider the graphic violence that's become synonymous with so many games. It's a sad reflection on our society that love and connection are seen as more offensive than hate and violence.
Pride Before a Fall
The discussion about Xbox and PlayStation business decisions recently has been quite interesting. One reader suggested that the decisions were driven by pride, which I can certainly relate to. It's understandable that companies don't want to be seen as copying each other, and as a result, they may be missing out on opportunities.
For instance, I think the PlayStation 6 would benefit from being a hybrid console like the Nintendo Switch. However, Sony's pride may get in the way of this happening. Similarly, Microsoft has yet to make a VR headset, likely because they don't want to appear as though they're copying Sony or lack experience with the technology.
Undead Halo
I recently played Halo Infinite and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. It's no surprise that the franchise is dead, given that multiplayer games have taken over, but I still hope that the single-player experience isn't completely abandoned.
Halo has always been a game with a deep lore, and while it can be a bit hard to get into, I'm a big fan. After all, if Resident Evil can make a comeback, why can't Halo? It's definitely worth keeping our fingers crossed.
High-Speed Bargain
If anyone has been considering sim racing, I've got a great deal to share. Humble Bundle is currently offering some of the key racing sims for PC for a very low price. This includes a range of games with different levels of difficulty, from the classic Assetto Corsa to Automobilista 2 and Assetto Corsa Competizione.
For just around $10, this is a great chance to get into sim racing at a bargain price. I'd love to write a Reader's Feature on the topic, but life keeps getting in the way!
Day One Digital
V's comments on how Game Pass is affecting day one enthusiasm made me reflect on my own gaming habits. I primarily buy digital games, and while it doesn't quite have the same thrill as buying physical copies, it does have its benefits.
For me, Game Pass is not a viable option because I don't have the time to make full use of it. I'd rather purchase the games that I know I'm going to play for a long time, like Starfield. Owning games provides a sense of satisfaction that I'm not sure I'd get with a subscription service.
That said, I'm sure there will come a time when the cadence of releases is so high that I'd be mad to ignore Game Pass. But until then, I'm sticking with my digital purchases!
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