Like the recent holiday cartoon had Wyll salivating over an autograph of Mizora. It was so tone-deaf. Imagine if the cartoon had Astarion blush over a photo of Cazador? Or Karlach wolf whistling at a picture of Gortash?
What is the message here? That Wyll’s abuse is sexy because Mizora is hot? That we aren’t meant to sympathize with him? It does his story a disservice.
I get the cartoon isn’t meant to be taken seriously, but again that’s the thing that Wyll’s abuse at the hands of Mizora is something not considered worthy of tact or understanding.
Unfortunately we have a long ways to go as a society before male victims of abuse are given consideration.
Oh jeez, I didn't see that and wasn't aware. That's pretty horrendous. Wtf.
Like... strip morality and craftsmanship out for a second, do they not realize that's not a smart move in terms of business? They spent a whole story where they got players invested in the characters and their most vulnerable experiences as victims of abuse. They specifically went out of their way to NOT position Mizora like an abusive lover to Wyll. She went for him when he was old enough to think he knew better and young enough to be extremely mistaken. She has been constantly in his head via sending stone ever since. I can't think of a single scene where Wyll isn't horrified and repulsed by her. It's not even a 'when it's good it's great, when it's bad it's my fault' flavor of abuse--which would still be uncomfortable with the cartoon you described.
When the playerbase cares about and identifies with these characters, while seeing them as vulnerable... does Larian think audiences will react well to making fun of or trivializing that vulnerability? That's pretty much the fastest way to piss fans off. It's detrimental to building a following and a good reputation.
Saying this with love, but they can easily tease Wyll for dramatic nicknames. He shows in-game he's ready to slap 'em on other people too. Give him the same enthusiasm making up titles for vendors, cooks, guards, and particularly impressive animals. He could actually pull through to become a memeable advertising slogan generator if they play their cards right.
Suggesting he wanted Mizora's abuse is just really messed up and alienating as hell. I legitimately think they need to ask themselves what the punchline of jokes are with this stuff.
And yeah... I've noticed people seem to struggle with male victims of female abusers. Since Larian did decide to go there, they should probably focus on them as characters who were abused by other characters instead of whether gender dynamics make it more or less serious. It's all serious.
