[Presented at Arse Elektronika 2010] // In examining recent treatments of 'love in outer space,' one cannot ignore the bestselling Mass Effect series of action-RPGs. Following the tried-and-true Bioware Games formula begun with Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect involves travelling around the galaxy, collecting a diverse squad of humans and aliens, and confronting some dire threat. Along the way, your character can gradually build a rapport with certain squad members that blossoms into romantic tension and of course, climactic sex. Despite the best attempts of the Fox News “Alien Sideboob” controversy to paint them as pure space deviance, the payoff sequences themselves are no racier than network television. And while you ostensibly have the freedom to choose your romantic object, the design of the game enforces a (basically) monogamous state of affairs, not to mention certain expectations about gender roles and sexual orientation (which are not necessarily observed in Bioware's other games). “Don’t ask, don’t tell” seems to be alive and well in the Alliance Navy of 2183, though it's apparently acceptable to engage in xenophilic relationships with aliens, some of which require consultations with the ship's doctor. The talk will analyze the romance options in the two games from narrative, game-design, and socio-cultural perspectives. |--Bio--| Adam Flynn writes about nifty things. His interests include game design, other-stuff-design, media theory, ethnography, military doctrine, and future shock.

1. “Don't Ingest:” Interspecies Romance in the Mass Effect Series Adam Flynn Arse Elektronika 2010

3. How did we get to this?

5. Romance in games

6. Mass Effect and the Bioware Model

7. Gender Troubles

8. Interspecies romances

10. Challenges

11. Consequences

12. “Moral Physics”

13. Story-story vs game-story

14. The question of designer intent

16. Narrative that responds to player choice

18. Demands of art(?)

19. Demands of commerce(!)

21. There are plenty of game-like aspects to sex, but that's different from masturbatory aids.

22. This does not include fan-made art or stories, which is another kettle of user-generated fish (fornaxmag.blogspot.com -- fan-made Mass Effect pr0n)

24. Deeper story involvement, emotional investment

25. Wish fulfillment If it's an achievement, it must be good .

28. Virtual girlfriends

31. Collect team of diverse personalities, get to know them (some more than others)

32. Confront dire threat

33. Consummate romance just before final showdown...sometimes you have to make a tough choice regarding your love.

34. Requires good writing, strong characterization to work .

36. Tangled loyalties

37. Xenophobia/distrust

38. Multilateralism vs going it alone

40. This is different from just caring for your NPCs

41. You set an example, and your actions ought to affect the (unnamed) crew (example: Star Fleet Academy ) (Loyalty Conflicts, 1997 style .) Admittedly, you do get to settle disputes between your crew in ME 2, with measurable effects on performance.

43. Romance options in the 1 st game include two direct subordinates. This becomes an issue during a mission.

44. And it might actually be a good reason for the monogamous structure—things can could get complicated fast otherwise.

45. No one calls you out on blatantly hypocritical actions, like preaching xenophobia while getting it on with lizard-aliens.

47. Bioware doesn't really want to say it, but they didn't want controversy or bad press messing with their flagship franchise

48. Dragon Age: different demographics, setting

49. Abrupt backpedaling re homosexuality in ME2 Sorry Jack, Bioware doesn't want hot dykes actually engaging in stereotypical activities

53. So, who can you get with?

54. Not the Ugly ones. There's always fan fiction...

55. Except when you can. Thanks to crazy shippers on the forums, two characters from ME1 were romanceable in the sequel. I'm not sure they were intended to be sexy, but good writing and voice work goes a long way. “ We were surprised to see how many people were interested in her as a love interest, given that she wore a mask, was an alien, and as one of our team members said, she had 'chicken feet' ”--Casey Hudson

57. Universally attractive (neurochemical signalling?)

58. 1000-year lifespan gives them a more open view on coupling; exception to in-game monogamy When in doubt, just take a pretty woman and paint her a different color...

60. Success?

62. There are health risks involved, but among well-prepared parties it's safe, sane, and consensual.

63. The “business end” of it is mostly up to your imagination, so go crazy.

64. Differences in culture, biology, and longevity have to be negotiated, just like in any other relationship.

65. Video Time!

69. Blog: Splendidvagabond.blogspot.com

70. “I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite sex conference on the Citadel.”