NPC Romances?

coop500 · February 2021

Don't care

Faded wrote: »

No idea how they'd implement it, but keep it out of other people's gameplay and it's whatever. Enjoy.

I played DA:I without romancing anybody and the game eventually picked someone for me and pushed me into the "let's get serious" dialogue. Awkward.

Yeah that game isn't ace friendly.

I personally wouldn't bother with romance, I don't even like it IRL so. But I don't see the harm in giving folks the option if people want it. We are getting romance with the upcoming companions so.

ectoplasmicninja · February 2021

Yes

Note that we're not getting romance with Blackwood. Rich said that romance is a direction they would like to go eventually with companions but they want to take it slow and do it right. We won't be hooking up with anyone in June, maybe not until 2022 or beyond, nor will you have to if you don't want to or if it wouldn't be appropriate for your characters. My Dunmer magblade could be swayed by a sharp intellect and a good sense of humour, but my Altmer warden is not interested in romance or sex at all and my magplar's heart still tragically belongs to High Priestess Solgra.

NarutoUzumaki24 · February 2021

No

No, not for this game. It doesn't feel like it fits.

LadyLethalla · February 2021

Yes

Sylvermynx wrote: »

LadyLethalla wrote: »

Sylvermynx wrote: »

Iluvrien wrote: »

Our characters are currently able to slaughter a reasonable proportion of the population of Tamriel...

... but affectionate relationships seem to be a step too far for some people.

What in Azura’s name...

Eh, I have a wonderful husband - going on 46 years married. Why on earth would I think a "relationship" with pixels on my monitor would be of any interest?

I have a wonderful husband too (except when he snores...) but I don't see the harm in having a TV series crush or a pixel crush. We're allowed to fantasise, yes? I'm sure he fantasises over women in TV series.

He doesn't watch tv series. He watches sports. And I'm not saying no for anyone else; I'm saying no for ME personally.

I meant my husband fantasising over TV series' women. He watches sport too; for all I know he does the same with them.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

It would fit a few of my characters. I just hope the dialogues won't be too awkward.

NotaDaedraWorshipper · February 2021

Don't care

Syldras wrote: »

It would fit a few of my characters. I just hope the dialogues won't be too awkward.

Yeah, that's one of the main worries. Saw the Twitch stream with "Smolder Scrolls" and the dialogue had me cringing.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

NotaDaedraWorshipper wrote: »

Syldras wrote: »

It would fit a few of my characters. I just hope the dialogues won't be too awkward.

Yeah, that's one of the main worries. Saw the Twitch stream with "Smolder Scrolls" and the dialogue had me cringing.

Same here! It was an endless "please no" for me... Awful. I think dialogues could really be problematic. If you just do some random quest, it's no problem to have only neutral or factual answers to choose. But when it comes to something that's supposed to be emotional (like friendship or romance), the tone really makes a difference. And it would, realistically, differ... A brash orc warrior would probably use different wording than, say, an Altmer scholar.

Nairinhe · February 2021

Yes

To be fair, Smolder Scrolls are supposed to be cringey "just for lulz" type of entertainment. Well, I hope they are.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

Nairinhe wrote: »

To be fair, Smolder Scrolls are supposed to be cringey "just for lulz" type of entertainment. Well, I hope they are.

Yeah, still I'm wondering if they will succeed to write dialogues that neither feel too specific (too cheerful, too lewd,...) to fit certain character types, nor too vague/bland because they think keeping it "neutral" would be sufficient for everyone. I understand though that they cannot give you like a dozen of possible answers to choose from for every situation.

NotaDaedraWorshipper · February 2021

Don't care

Syldras wrote: »

Nairinhe wrote: »

To be fair, Smolder Scrolls are supposed to be cringey "just for lulz" type of entertainment. Well, I hope they are.

Yeah, still I'm wondering if they will succeed to write dialogues that neither feel too specific (too cheerful, too lewd,...) to fit certain character types, nor too vague/bland because they think keeping it "neutral" would be sufficient for everyone. I understand though that they cannot give you like a dozen of possible answers to choose from for every situation.

I do hope it was done cringey on purpose, but I also have doubts from things I've seen in games the latest decade.

ZoS/Bethesda isn't known for giving lots of dialogue choices a la Bioware or Obsidian, quite the opposite. But if it's added they could at least add more than just two that is either cringey yes, or rude no. Asking for several is too much, but three or four should be manageble you'd think.

Nairinhe · February 2021

Yes

Syldras wrote: »

Nairinhe wrote: »

To be fair, Smolder Scrolls are supposed to be cringey "just for lulz" type of entertainment. Well, I hope they are.

Yeah, still I'm wondering if they will succeed to write dialogues that neither feel too specific (too cheerful, too lewd,...) to fit certain character types, nor too vague/bland because they think keeping it "neutral" would be sufficient for everyone. I understand though that they cannot give you like a dozen of possible answers to choose from for every situation.

For me it's "keep doing what you're doing" when it comes to the dialogues, as ZOS's (and Bethesda's) vision of the player's character is quite close to who I play and there's almost always an option that is good to pick. Except when they make us seem extremely dumb >_<

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

Nairinhe wrote: »

Except when they make us seem extremely dumb >_<

Yep, that's most annoying.

Technica · February 2021

Yes

Syldras wrote: »

Nairinhe wrote: »

To be fair, Smolder Scrolls are supposed to be cringey "just for lulz" type of entertainment. Well, I hope they are.

Yeah, still I'm wondering if they will succeed to write dialogues that neither feel too specific (too cheerful, too lewd,...) to fit certain character types, nor too vague/bland because they think keeping it "neutral" would be sufficient for everyone. I understand though that they cannot give you like a dozen of possible answers to choose from for every situation.

If I take Fennorian as a quick example.

!WARNING BELOW ARE GREYMOOR SPOILERS!

When you go and save him from Tzingalis he says something like "you risked a lot to come and save me, why would you do such a thing?" to which you respond "because we're friends". If there was a romance path with Fenn you could here quite naturally tell him "because I care about you"

I'd definitely be into this and it would feel better to be a more natural, realistic development. The "I'd rather taste you" line from smolder scrolls was quite cringy but it did make me laugh. I'm certain smolder scrolls is a comedic little game for the occasion of valentines and not really their attemp at a dating sim thing.

LadyLethalla · February 2021

Yes

Technica wrote: »

Syldras wrote: »

Nairinhe wrote: »

To be fair, Smolder Scrolls are supposed to be cringey "just for lulz" type of entertainment. Well, I hope they are.

Yeah, still I'm wondering if they will succeed to write dialogues that neither feel too specific (too cheerful, too lewd,...) to fit certain character types, nor too vague/bland because they think keeping it "neutral" would be sufficient for everyone. I understand though that they cannot give you like a dozen of possible answers to choose from for every situation.

If I take Fennorian as a quick example.

!WARNING BELOW ARE GREYMOOR SPOILERS!
When you go and save him from Tzingalis he says something like "you risked a lot to come and save me, why would you do such a thing?" to which you respond "because we're friends". If there was a romance path with Fenn you could here quite naturally tell him "because I care about you"

^^ This. When I got to this point in the quest I was like, "Get your hands OFF him, you b*****!"

MirandaSharp · February 2021

You'd trust Zos to even understand the meaning of "romance"? I hope there's something. Let's see how messed up it will turn out to be.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

Technica wrote: »

When you go and save him from Tzingalis he says something like "you risked a lot to come and save me, why would you do such a thing?" to which you respond "because we're friends". If there was a romance path with Fenn you could here quite naturally tell him "because I care about you"

Would have been a possibility that feels natural, yes. But if they would add that now (or better: whenever in future they will include npc romance) that path wouldn't be possibly anymore for characters who have already completed that quest before. So somehow I don't think it will be like that, but rather a seperate option somewhere after the end of all quests involving that npc. Well, at least I think they will include it also for a few popular characters from older chapters.

wolfie1.0. · February 2021

No

I am voting No, only because there is enough romance drama in the game already between players.... and well... sometimes it has had really bad fallout. seen several entire guild fall apart. one of those when the guild leaders got divorced IRL. Maybe NPC's will be ok, but meh, there are other things and directions i would like ZOS to focus on first. Better Housing limits limits for one.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

wtlonewolf20 wrote: »

I am voting No, only because there is enough romance drama in the game already between players

If that's a problem, choosing a fictitious, non-sentient npc if you want to roleplay"romance" seems somehow safer...

Technica · February 2021

Yes

Syldras wrote: »

Technica wrote: »

When you go and save him from Tzingalis he says something like "you risked a lot to come and save me, why would you do such a thing?" to which you respond "because we're friends". If there was a romance path with Fenn you could here quite naturally tell him "because I care about you"

Would have been a possibility that feels natural, yes. But if they would add that now (or better: whenever in future they will include npc romance) that path wouldn't be possibly anymore for characters who have already completed that quest before. So somehow I don't think it will be like that, but rather a seperate option somewhere after the end of all quests involving that npc. Well, at least I think they will include it also for a few popular characters from older chapters.

This makes sense and, I agree it would lock them all out. I do have my main character that has finished all quests up to now, I'm just waiting for Blackwood. So that character would miss out on an included quest romance. But I think that's okay, I need more excuses to start a new character and do all the quests again around Tamriel

If they add romance options to these companions they're introducing (which would be nice to have some of these NPCs as followers) my girl will choose one of them

Lugaldu · February 2021

Yes

It is fascinating that so much is being discussed about the potential romances, even though that was only mentioned as a possible future option and for now doesn't matter at all. The longer you think about it, the more disappointing it is that 2021 will be a year without romances.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

Technica wrote: »

I do have my main character that has finished all quests up to now, I'm just waiting for Blackwood. So that character would miss out on an included quest romance. But I think that's okay, I need more excuses to start a new character and do all the quests again around Tamriel

Some Fennorian/Naryu/Raz fans probably won't be happy about that

Lugaldu wrote: »

It is fascinating that so much is being discussed about the potential romances

Probably because that's the part they could really mess up.

Technica · February 2021

Yes

Syldras wrote: »

Technica wrote: »

I do have my main character that has finished all quests up to now, I'm just waiting for Blackwood. So that character would miss out on an included quest romance. But I think that's okay, I need more excuses to start a new character and do all the quests again around Tamriel

Some Fennorian/Naryu/Raz fans probably won't be happy about that

Lugaldu wrote: »

It is fascinating that so much is being discussed about the potential romances

Probably because that's the part they could really mess up.

If they made some of the NPCs such as Raz/Fenn/Naryu as followers we could pick up romances from there if you missed the quests. This maybe could be an option as well if you didn't choose the romance in the quests then changed your mind afterwards? I'd love to have a Fenn follower anyway so the romance bit would be a bonus hehe

I still understand the issue of duplicate characters running around, and as I mentioned before we have this happen in quests already. I was doing a quest in Rivenspire yesterday and the character following me was also following 2 others then his 3 copies stood inside each other for the next quest stage.

Lugaldu · February 2021

Yes

Syldras wrote: »

Probably because that's the part they could really mess up.

Yes, it can get really messed up. And especially here they won't be able to please everyone. Some might want a cheesy love story, others something more subtle. And how is it all supposed to end, with a happy ending, tragically or none of that.

Maybe they'd better give up on the idea ...

Technica wrote: »

I was doing a quest in Rivenspire yesterday and the character following me was also following 2 others then his 3 copies stood inside each other for the next quest stage.

Really? Dont we see usually specific NPCs with other players as random NPCs?

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

Lugaldu wrote: »

Maybe they'd better give up on the idea ...

But who will warm my bed then? And scold the servants when I'm not at home?

Lugaldu · February 2021

Yes

Syldras wrote: »

But who will warm my bed then?

Ask Lyris, she might come up with an idea.

Syldras · February 2021

Yes

Lugaldu wrote: »

Syldras wrote: »

But who will warm my bed then?

Ask Lyris, she might come up with an idea.

No, thank you. If I rely on her, I could as well marry a sload.

Technica · February 2021

Yes

Lugaldu wrote: »

Technica wrote: »

I was doing a quest in Rivenspire yesterday and the character following me was also following 2 others then his 3 copies stood inside each other for the next quest stage.

Really? Dont we see usually specific NPCs with other players as random NPCs?

Yh I think it was in Shornhelm, it was Baron Dorell when he goes to the Inn with you. There were 2 other players there and there were 2 copies of the Baron standing inside each other by the window, when I walked up with my 3rd Baron following me and when I advanced the quest he joined the other 2 standing inside each other.

I've also had instances where in Blackreach in Greymoor when we have Lyris following us, I've seen other players with a very tall guard following them, but it allows me to interact and talk to the guard and it's Lyris' voice and lines.

Josira · February 2021

No

Npc's (and likely companions when they are released) have the emotional depth of a wet tissue. There is little to no emotion put into the voice acting for the majority of NPC's. I only ever cared about two NPC's in this game,despite usually being the one who gets heartbroken if they get a bad/evil ending in a game. One of those NPC's was only good in the written notes he left,as his actual character and voice acting was like talking to a brick(Darian) and the other was Abnur Tharn.
I tried to enjoy the story and the characters. but every single damn npc feels so...well..robotic. Why would I believe the companion system would offer anything differently? and why would I want any of my characters to romance a brick with a tape recorder stuck to it?

Futhermore,how would this work with the pledge of Mara stuff already in game? would the NPC's?Companion's in question just conveniently not notice? would Romance 'mechanics'(if any such things would exist) suddenly be available with people who have had the pledge together? likely not.

Technica · February 2021

Yes

Josira wrote: »

Futhermore,how would this work with the pledge of Mara stuff already in game? would the NPC's?Companion's in question just conveniently not notice? would Romance 'mechanics'(if any such things would exist) suddenly be available with people who have had the pledge together? likely not.

I personally like quite a few of the NPCs. There's a handful where I have thought that aren't so good.
But when it comes to the pledge of mara thing I think personally I would ignore it.
There's a few things to maybe think about in regards to it
1) not every player is going to pay for it
2) not everyone has a player to group with to use the pledge (myself included)
3) if you're going for the max benefit from full armour set bonuses you can't sacrifice a ring slot for the mara ring for its buff.

I personally forgot the pledge was a thing until you mentioned it. And I would treat it as a separate thing entirely myself.
If my fiancé played ESO with me and we pledged and married each other, to me that's still my IRL romance... And I wouldn't feel like romancing an NPC would effect this at all.

I've also mentioned previously that I wouldn't feel comfortable role playing with another person as my boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/etc so I wouldn't use the ring for that or treat another player as a romancable in game character.

Lugaldu · February 2021

Yes

Technica wrote: »

There were 2 other players there and there were 2 copies of the Baron standing inside each other by the window, when I walked up with my 3rd Baron following me and when I advanced the quest he joined the other 2 standing inside each other.

I've also had instances where in Blackreach in Greymoor when we have Lyris following us, I've seen other players with a very tall guard following them, but it allows me to interact and talk to the guard and it's Lyris' voice and lines.

That sounds terrifying, luckily I haven't experienced that.