Larian Studios Forums Divinity - Original Sin Divinity - Original Sin - General romance in game - a doubt???

Hey Darth, I know I proposed we let things rest but I came up with a way to explain my point of view, that doesn't negate yours and hopefully makes sense to you

Let me put it this way. I don't think anyone would argue that based solely upon analysis of the artwork and title of the game, we could empirically know that romance is in the game. With no other information (eg those update and article quotes) it is a matter of probability, no matter how high or low. It is an assumption, no matter how safe or suspect. While it may be impossible to accurately quantify that probability (not least for the reasons I have been arguing: chiefly that our interpretations of the artwork, title and their connotations will vary and that multiple meanings can be derived from them) I think it fair to say that you consider it more probable than I do. And that's fine.

However, further complicating our argument is the definition of romance. What is romance? The broader the definition we accept the more probable the assumption. For example if it excludes a parameter such as sex the probability increases. If we take a very broad definition such as a feeling of profound intimacy between two people, it becomes highly likely even without the artwork, title or even Larian's statements, as this would be a likely possibility in any story featuring two protagonists that must work together in an interesting cRPG plot.

When I said that based solely on the artwork and title I wouldn't expect any romance as it is commonly understood, I mean that the common conception people have of romance is that it includes a sexual component (I dislike that definition but that is another argument entirely). So I am saying that based solely on the artwork and title, I would not expect the protagonists to have the option to have implied sex in the game, though I would still expect there to be an interesting and potentially intimate relationship.

Can you now see my perspective? I don't refute that the implications and connotations you see in the art and title are there (except your claim relating lipstick and showing skin to romance; though perhaps having elaborated my conception of romance this contention makes more sense to you now in context), I simply disagree with the extent to which they support the overall assumption. Further, I would prefer not to make an assumption at all, especially considering that romantic connotations are far from the only meanings that can be interpreted from the art & title, and that I prefer to take a broad definition of romance that makes speculating about its inclusion seem pointless to me anyway (personally).

My argument with you is essentially that I am challenging how safe you hold this assumption to be, not that you are unreasonable to hold it.

Yet we are also arguing somewhat of a moot point as we both agree in our conclusion that Larian have created an expectation of romance in the game. We need go no further than the quoted updates and RPS article for that. I would however hope that you can now see where I'm coming from, even if we still disagree about the extent of the ramifications of the art and title.