The Ethics of Playersexuality in Video Games

Is giving too many romance options unethical?

Role-playing games have always been the forefront of player immersion due to the genre’s creativity, narrative storytelling, and, of course, its cast of dynamic characters. Whether they are NPCs or recruitable companions, dynamic characters help players develop an emotional attachment to the game’s world and lore, especially if they are romanceable. However, there has been some debate about the accessibility of romanceable characters and how it can dramatically affect the gameplay and immersion.

With the announcement that all of Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s recruitable companions are romanceable regardless of the player character’s gender and race, a debate has emerged over whether this creative choice of “playersexuality” enhances or undermines the immersive agency of character development and storytelling.

What Does Playersexual Mean?

“Playersexual” is a term used to describe non-playable characters in video games who are attracted to the player character regardless of race and gender. The term originated from online discussion boards, however, it has become more prominent with the rise of RPGs that offered numerous romantic options.