Allow me a deeper note. I dont know the design process here but according to Lar's blog it seems like you may be a little too much inspired by modern-day problems. It won't work in fantasy world. First you need to set the society and religion in Rivellon at the time of the game. Some modern-day problems are out of place there, because now we live in COMPLETELY different society, we have much bigger centralized government and social systems (schools, hospitals etc.), much bigger access to info (!), bigger intelligence, different style of live etc. In fantasy world most people have to work hard and dont have time and intelligence and info to think about some philosophy themes or euthanasia etc.
Modern-day problems? Fantasy universe? That's just it. Divinity is set in a fantasy universe where the problems of our world can easily be problems in their world. Dragon Commander is set during a time where magic knowledge is in the increase and where technology is steadily growing. As for your later comment, do we really live in a different society from people in the past? We are ruled by tyrants, crime is on the increase and people are STILL dumb otherwise they would join and overthrow the corrupt governments instead of taking it like sheep.
The best philosophers were from the past. Today's philosophers are nothing. Likewise, the best scientists were from the past. The different between us and people from the past? We have resources to build the things that they imagined. That's all.
We don't know much about the era that Dragon Commander is set in. All we know is that there are flying fortresses, cannons, jet packs, intelligent dragon knights flying about (one philosopher in Divinity 2 who had learned how to live for ONE THOUSAND years said that Dragon Knights were lucky to have such wisdom) and lots of magic. We know that "Maxos" is a name still muttered by many which either suggests that he's around during Dragon Commander or that it's set a few years after his disappearance. Either way, Dragon Knights were made such by Maxos and probably shared in much of his great wisdom and knowledge of the magical arts.
From Divinity 2, we know that Dragon Knights were great rulers with minds more advanced than than of ordinary humans. So why can't they be dealing with topics that others wouldn't think about?
Euthanasia was present in Divinity 2. The healers never even let the wounded soldiers die. It was evident that the healers didn't believe in Euthanasia. They put a man who was losing his flesh inside a basement and locked him up in it, rather than kill him. Abortion could easily be a topic that comes up too. Illegal immigrants? Is it modern? If people come from The Kingdom of Laq into my kingdom and start setting up tents in my land, it's ******* illegal! Especially when they don't inform me that they are in my kingdom in an attempt to avoid taxes. Healthcare can easily make it into the game. Remember that there's a group of healers in Divine Divinity and Divinity 2 who draw upon "The Source" and make health potions from it. A Dragon Knight could make it so that the healthcare system of his kingdom is like the NHS or where people must pay.
Same sex marriage? Why not? Surely gays exist in Rivellon. Though it's a topic that has never been discussed in any Divinity game. I wonder what the attitude of The Church of the Seven Gods is on homosexuality? If it's negative, then legalizing same sex marriage isn't likely to go down well with The Church. Remember that homosexuality existed in ancient Greece and it was even accepted and said to be the "greatest of love" so saying that the topic is "out of place" in Dragon Commander is nonsense. It's been a subject of great debate in our world for thousands of years, so why couldn't this be the same for Dragon Commander? If the Dragon Knight suddenly shacks up with some gay prince, I'd imagine that many would be against this and that includes The Church. So if you were to play a gay Dragon Knight (if it's even possible), it would be weird if no one protests. I'd imagine the traditionalists, religious people and cultured people wouldn't be too happy whereas people of a secular nature would. And then you'd have the party that doesn't give a damn.
Religion? Again. It's another topic that has been discussed and debated since humanity began. Why can't it be the same for Dragon Commander? I'd imagine the ruler would have to choose the state religion or risk having people fighting and debating with each other. I do know that there are the "Seven Gods" in Divine Divinity. In Divinity 2, everyone seems content on worship of The Divine One but gods such as "the dragon god" are mentioned. I'd imagine that everyone in Dragon Commander has different beliefs. In another instance, you could encourage people to worship you which would probably make many others angry.
Most of the things that we debate about today were debated about thousands of years ago by philosophers in Ancient Greece and Rome. Divine Divinity and Divinity 2 are set during periods where war has claimed much. Dragon Commander is set during a time where magical knowledge was on the increase along with technology. Being set in a fantasy universe, Larian can add whatever they want really. It's a cyberpunk setting.
Sexism and racism should also be covered. I remember Dragon Age: Origins did this nicely. In fact, the elves of DA:O had a name for the humans which was "Shem" and quite frankly, when it was said, it was said as though it was an insult. Meanwhile, humans called the elves "Knife ears" and mocked them for their ears and city elves were also forced to live separate from humans. In Divine Divinity, I do remember racial tensions between races. I don't see why it wouldn't be in Dragon Commander.
Dragon Age: Origins covered many topics. Religion, racism, philosophy, drugs (lyrium was used on Templars to make them addicted to it so that The Chantry could control them as they controlled the lyrium supplies) and politics all made it into Dragon Age and actually made everything a more immersible experience. If Dragon Commander covers everything well in the same way, I'd be amazed.
Games are progressing. It's not about putting in something controversial to draw attention. Games are growing up and are covering different topics and grounds. If films cover these things, why not games?
