Bioware and the Art of Sex

The problem with sex in video games is that more often than not it reinforces stereotypes about gamers.  Despite all the claims of maturity, sex is still primarily presented in an exploitive manner meant to titilate the prepubescent boy within.  I say 'boy' because games are still primarily marketed towards the male consumer (unless the pale skin of Kratos get you excited, I suppose).  Even when men are presented as objects of desire, the element of attraction is usually grounded in some aspect of the personality rather than physical appearance.  Look at the perspective male romances in Mass Effect 2: Two of them are aliens and, depending on your tastes, not particularly attractive ones at that.  Whether you find Jack or Tali attractive, it's hard to deny that their character designs have some degree of sex appeal.

Morality Effect

It’s time for the morality system to evolve or die.  In a game like Mass Effect 2 every decision is designed to give the player direct control over the outcome of the story.  Unfortunately, the choices are only illusions designed to make the player feel as though they are in control.  Let’s face it, games can’t be completely open ended, they have to follow some sort of structure in order for the player to get from point A to point B.  Whether the result is two endings or two thousand endings, games will always be limited by the number of options a developer thinks to include.