I You can wander through the game making hideous choices that in real life would have you locked up for life and no one bats an eye but apparently a romance becomes the one thing that we are supposed to view as the most evil thing in the game.
Especially monogamous deep relationships seem to be the main "evil" in the game. Even before patch 6, when some people with the right to free expression came to bring the "light of truth" to other people's youtube channels, they were always talking about some collar on Tava who wanted "Aeterna amantes" with Astarion. Some active opponents of marriage also refer to a wedding ring on the finger as a "collar." The relationship with Astarion is indeed, a very real marriage, only instead of "Until death separates us" (irrelevant for immortal vampires) we have "Until the world falls down". So marriage is the main "evil" in the game?
Originally Posted by Sereda2
I was pleased the article in Gamepro, (linked above) explained that being triggered has a specific meaning and isn't just another way of saying 'felt slightly upset/ a bit uncomfortable). It's very hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it; it's an incredibly intense reaction and not something I would wish on anyone.
Like the sound of a gunshot to someone who's been to war...
Originally Posted by Bethra
In my case the trigger was specifically the throat grab but as you have no way of choosing which one of those awful interractions you get it makes little to no difference that really it's only one of them. I've rolled back to patch 5 till I finish this playthrough but I have difficulties actually wanting to play.
As to why it triggered me - well feel free to read below, its a bit of a horror story and very personal but I think maybe a few uncaring souls need to see it - hopefully someone at the studio, maybe they will have a greater understanding.
I sympathize with you very much. I think it's just criminal and morally damaging to a person, and it doesn't matter if we can say it out loud or not. I had a much less severe story, but the trigger also went off when I got into those kisses the first time. For me it was Astarion's disdain, pushing away and slapping me in the kiss and bite scene.
When I was 17, I was in a relationship with a man with severe bipolar personality disorder. And during periods of "depression", his love and admiration was abruptly replaced by a sea of contempt and disgust. Like Cazador, but only in words (when he comments contemptuously on this or that part of Astarion's character, depending on your choice of lines, "you slouch" and so on). I was at too young an age then to realize what a psychiatric diagnosis was. There was no physical abuse, but there were some "dangerous" moments "on the edge". And for a long time after that, I was also a "trust no one" person and genuinely thought that a person might be interested in me just because of my looks, and it was worth getting to know me better...Now I'm fine with my self-esteem, I can perfectly stand up for myself and "that guy", but that moment of contempt, from Astarion, who was the closest character to me in the game (in all the games I played) made me fixate on those scenes and repeat them repeatedly, uncontrollably, also sob uncontrollably and I physically couldn't sleep that night. It's nothing compared to real victims of violence, of course, but still, the game has no right to evoke such emotions in people. A minefield of triggers, each to their own. A lot of moments, one of which is bound to turn out to be that very "shot" for someone.
Originally Posted by Bethra
This is not a bit of consensual role play as shown by Tavs facial animations. If it was I would still have difficulties but could probably just manage. This is a fantasy game not real life and no one should have to be treated like that in a game we use to have a bit of escapist fun. The people who think its all fine and dandy worry me if I'm honest, no one should think its fine for another person to be treated like that, no real life or game choice warrants it.
Absolutely.
I would like to add a small note to the article under discussion. This is an editorial article. Instead of the author's name there is "GamePro Redaktion". Accordingly, the article reflects the position of the whole magazine, not just one particular author.
