So most of the explicit cutscenes are still under construction, so I cannot say to what extent those scenes are necessary for character development, but I CAN speak to explicit scenes in other RPGs. In Bioware games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, it never seemed like the explicit scenes were 100% necessary for understanding a character or its development? If someone has a counterexample, I'd be glad to be proven wrong. Similarly, I don't see how the suggestions of having a fade-to-black on this forum resolve that problem, for if there is character development in those scenes, having a fade to black just strikes the development from the record? What is the proposed solution here for the balance of explicit scenes and underlying character development outside of watch-it-or-don't?
Is everything in a roleplaying game about character development? Considering roleplaying is about imitating life, is everything in life about developing your character? For some the highest, most noble motivation can involve love and romance. Sex can be the ultimate symbol of that. For others sex and vice can very much be necessary for understanding a character. People have multi-layered and diverse interests and the more art imitates life - the more immersive the experience will be.
Explicit scenes, if artistically represented, can very much heighten these character motivations or traits. You desire more than killing the next enemy, looting his corpse for your next +1 longsword and gaining your next level for your next ability. Romance/sex can be perceived as a break from that mechanical harshness. You can have a private live besides your career as a full-time adventurer.
Explicit sex can be compared to explicit violence and the same arguments can be made against it. Probably with better reason too. Why does some people want to see blood and gore so much? Are these people latent psychos? Does it further character development? I DEMAND a bloodless/painless rendition of violence! It offends me. Everything offends someone. Please leave your subjective morality at your door.
Are you forced to engage in romance? No. Are you forced against your will to 'do the sex' even if you want to dabble a little in romance (for purely scientific research reasons I'm sure)? I should hope not. The only argument here is the prioritization of resources - but in a game with multiple animated druidic wild shapes climbing ladders, I think its safe to say the cat is out of the bag.
