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(08-10-2013, 08:43 AM)Annaveil Wrote: Aw gosh, more heated debates. These always make me feel uncomfortable. :/ Well, my two cents is this:
It's discrimination. It may seem petty given that we're discussing fake marriage in a video game, but that doesn't change the fact that it's discrimination.
The best way that I can convey my feelings is to say to pretend like this game is coming out in 1950 and they aren't going to allow characters outside of certain skin tone ranges to marry. Sure, it seems absolutely silly right now... but sixty years ago? What if the developer did it so they wouldn't offend American traditions back then?Â
That said! I really hope they implement it. I'm not a VIP member of the LGBT community (ehehe) but it'd be a small step forward for us all!
Also I really like everything Myxie Tryxle said.
I'd stress that, at this time? SquareEnix is not guilty of discrimination in FFXIV. If, by November or what have you, gay marriage is not included in the marriage mechanic? Then by all means.
But, for now, all SquareEnix is guilty of is... considering it?
(08-10-2013, 08:07 AM)Myxie Tryxle Wrote: Reading over this thread for the last few hours, I've noticed two points of view that seem to be leading to the conflict in this thread. Â I'll describe the first as rational (with varying degrees of sympathy) and the second as emotional (but not necessarily irrational).
I'll start with the rational, as that's the camp I identify myself with. Â While at first glance, it may seem like this is a single straw, for someone who has experienced and gathered a lifetime worth of straw, one more straw is one straw too many. Â The LGBT community suffers harassment, intolerance, discrimination, and abuse - potentially on a daily basis. Â The people you're arguing with may have been cast out by family and friends or suffered death threats when they revealed their orientation. Â Consider how you might feel if you experienced a lifetime of discrimination, heartache, and fear just for being who you are. Â As an American, I live in a country where high school students will bully their peers to the point of committing suicide to escape the harassment. Â Walk a mile in their shoes and consider why they may feel so strongly about this issue before writing off their emotions.
For the emotional, please understand that the rationals (myself included) may not have a basis to understand the depth of your feelings in this argument. Â I've never experienced discrimination in my life, but I nonetheless despise inequality and unfairness. Â The immediate response from the rational point of view is that this is a problem, an intellectual exercise in need of a game plan. Â While it can come across as insensitive to a person for whom this debate represents their life and not just an intellectual exercise, the goal of the rational approach is the same - to find a solution that supports equality. Â We're on your side, even if our arguments appear dispassionate.
As for Square Enix's role in all this, I think it will help to consider their structure and their motives. Â Giant, multi-national corporations operate in terms of black and red, not black and white. Â Nike, Apple, Walmart, Square Enix, etc. are going to base their decisions on what is most profitable. Â Based on what I've read from the dev team, it sounds like they're supportive and open to this discussion. Â They may be fighting an uphill battle in which they have to convince some combination of the CEO, CFO, VP of marketing, board of directors, and/or shareholders that allowing gay marriages in the game won't hurt the bottom line.
I think the opportunity is here for us to make a difference. Â I think the dev team is on our side in this debate. Â And I think that if we can present a united effort that yields a combined rational and passionate argument, we can sway whoever it is at Square Enix that is sitting on the fence. Â Everyone deserves equal privileges in the game, and I'll gladly stand by the LBGT community in seeking equality.
Personally, I would be saddened if we lost players over this. Â My gaming group since I moved to California in 2007 has included at least three bisexuals and one gay man. Â All of them are good people, undeserving of discrimination, who bring interesting variety to my life and my gaming experiences. Â Even if Square Enix doesn't support this, I think it's important that we as a community do. Â Ultimately, if the corporation supports it, that decision will come down to dollars and cents. Â It's the hearts and minds of the players that will really define the importance of this issue, and that's why you'll have my full support.
I would note that mostly everyone has suffered some form of discrimination, if not directly the anti-gay kind. But, discrimination is the same no matter what form it comes in.
As a result, I actually understand and have experienced many forms of discrimination, including this topic as a whole. I consider myself both emotionally invested, and rationally inclined.