Borderlands 2 - Axton Was Meant To Be Bisexual

Borderlands 2 Commando class Axton was meant to be Bisexual but it was canned due to the fear of backlash.

[Chuk5]

Given that gearbox is based out of texas, sadly that might have been a wise move considering the state's strong conservative presence. Hopefully there will be a day when people don`t give a fuck.

[mmoplaya]

Very true, but could be a huge thing of allowing Bisexual characters into games....

[Chuk5]

I agree, but everything is going so right for borderlands 2s launch right now:

-It's a sequel, so they hit the ground running.
-The original sold very well and is well loved.
-Borderlands 2 is literally going to improve on everything.
-And a lot of people were turned off by Diablo 3 and are looking for a loot fix (not to mention a lot of console players don`t even have gaming pcs)

Everything is going their way right now, given 2Ks financial troubles, I don't think they wanna risk anything unpredictably.

[lastdual]

There's a reason you don't see many big movies, TV shows, best-selling books, etc., starring bisexual main characters. It's because they don't sell.

Gearbox didn't decide against this because they're afraid of controversy. The reason they're "playing it safe" is simply because they want to sell as many copies of BL2 as possible.

[Biggest]

They don't sell because of backlash. Did you not see the record sales of Chick-Fil-a last Wednesday? It wasn't because the chicken that day was particularly delicious.

[HammadTheBeast]

Girl bisexual characters sell. Guys don't.

[garos82]

its a huge thing 100 years ago. in this day and age it is an absolute joke

[antz1104]

Adding that much depth to one of the characters is useless anyway. The first one didnt tell me Rolands favorite color or if Brick was partial to blondes, so why should I care about this?

Give me a character I can spec out, run around and blast sh%t how I want, and Im good to go.

[Nimblest-Assassin]

I understand why they are scared though.... after Me3's gay romance, the average youtube idiot is most likely homophobic

Shame though, they should have done it

[Tainted Gene]

yeah, but it can trick you into it.

Mind you it was not my Shepherd that it happen (in fact I still haven't beat the game) but I heard on one game podcast that they didn't realize the situation until it was too late.

The guy stated that he was going the paragon route and was just being a good person/friend.... but unlike me he didnt see the obvious cues.

Not that i have anything against the inclusion of that character, just that I understand some ppl when they say they were caught off guard about it, in the case of ME3.

[Mottsy]

@ tainted Gene lol he didn't realize the situation.

Male character: Hey shepard your pretty cute, wanna get to know eachother?

Gamer's Options: Yes No Hell No
Gamer's Thought: Well i wanna be a good friend and... hmmm YES
Two dudes get down
Friends walk in
Gamer: Ahh man Son of bitch game Tricked me!!!!!

[synchroscheme]

Borderlands, as much as I love it, is probably not the kind of game to be going into such controversial topics anyway.

Stick to shooting things and collecting sweet guns and everyone will be a happy camper. Especially here in Texas. :P

[schlanz]

Exactly my thoughts. Regardless of how you feel about sexual orientation, sexual themes serve absolutely no purpose in a game like this, or most games for that matter. Leave the gblt agenda/controversy to film and television, please leave it out of my games.

[Biggest]

It's a part of the story. Isn't that one of the problems people had with Borderlands? And it isn't an agenda, schlanz. It's life. Some people are gay.

Edit: Are you also outraged by the fact that Mario saves a princess? Are you upset that Dom had a wife that was killed? Why are they talking about sexual orientation, right? Mario should save cupcakes. Dom's sister could have died. Don't push your gay/straight agenda on me!!!

[toxic-inferno]

The point that schlanz is making (I think) is that in all likelihood, none of the characters sexualities well ever be brought into focus in the game. In the first Borderlands, there was nothing to suggest that any of the characters were straight, bi or gay. By "making" a character bisexual, they would be drawing unnecessary attention to a detail of the characters that wouldn't otherwise be explored.

You see it all over the place; whenever a character in a TV show or film is gay or bisexual, they always make it really obvious. It becomes the single defining thing about their character. In my opinion, the first step to ending abuse aimed at people's sexual orientations is to stop making it a big deal.

[palaeomerus]

"It's a part of the story. Isn't that one of the problems people had with Borderlands? And it isn't an agenda, schlanz. It's life. Some people are gay. "

So you basically paid no attention to Borderlands and the General Knoxx add on at all then and have no idea what you are talking about. Okay.

[WeskerChildReborned]

I think their are just too many homophobes in the world. I mean people get killed for just being gay so yea, i'm not a homophobe, i wouldn't really mind if their were gay characters in a game.

[CrimsonessCross]

People are dicks, people are close-minded, not all but a number of them =.= and hold their beliefs close to their heart and just won't let people be :S. Of course those people being the extremists.

I wouldn't mind a character being lesbian, straight, gay, trangender or anything...in my opinion if placed in the right game and with the right dialogue it can be done very well.

[NeoTribe]

Prolly cuz deep down ur gay. Keep the pointless crap out of games. Serves no purpose.

[WeskerChildReborned]

@NeoTribe, i was just stating a point, i don't really mind if a character is gay, i'm just saying that i know alot of homophobes that will probably hate a game just cause their is an homosexual in it.

Some people will probably hate it and not even buy the game which would decrease sales but if Borderlands 2 had someone gay in it, i don't think it would lose sales since it's already highly anticipated.

[Dms2012]

Sexuality never once crossed my mind in the first game, I don't understand why its relative to telling a story.

[Ser]

It's because most of the time it ISN'T. Most of the time it's used as a hook or a schtick.

Anyone remember Fear Effect 2? What a mind-numbing game.

[SilentNegotiator]

...and everything would have been shot bisexually.

Oh right, it's a Diablo FPS and the story could be stored in a toenail.

[user5467007]

Shame Lilith wasn't...

We all know Mad Moxxi likes a bit of Lilith in the Underdome :)

"Look at that little Lilith, Mmm Mmm Mmmmm"

"Looks like that sweet ass isn't helping you now Lilith"

"Lilith is looking absolutely delicious down there. Mmmmmmm..."

[Interloper]

Horsefeathers, do it anyways!

[VanillaBear]

You know for the Vault hunters being made into NPCs MAINLY to give them character development I've seen nothing but development on the new characters. Now don't get me wrong I know...new game, new characters...they are the main people in the game but if they are giving these characters development why couldn't they of just kept the vault hunters as main characters and given them character development while your playing them. I really hope they will be playable in Borderlands 3 or Borderlands 2 DLC.

[turgore]

Gearbox doesn't have balls, unlike Bioware.

[obiwanjablowme]

and as we all know, you can't have bi-sexuality without balls being involved.

[MysticStrummer]

It does take balls to completely jettison the one thing that made your series unique, decisions that matter, just in time for the big finale. More lazy than ballsy, really.

The story and characters in Borderlands 2 would have to be a LOT more in depth than the first game for a bisexual character to be anything other than a caricature.

[Blacklash93]

Who cares if it's played for laughs? Most things in Borderlands have been for a while. That would hardly be unique.

And even a shallow character being bisexul doesn't make it caricature. As long as the writing isn't obsessing over it and/or sterotyping.

[Blacklash93]

And how would this be relayed to the player since there's only passive taunts for combat situations?

"I just killed you mofos! Also I find both genders sexually attractive!" lol jk

Perhaps this suggests the new PC characters will talk more at points?

[Christopher]

Might be more NPC interaction in the new game?

[scotchmouth]

Big time lol

[Saryk]

Why? Since when does anyone need to flash their sexuality in a game like this? I can understand a MMO where there is some form of roleplay. Maybe some RPGs and adventure games can go in to detail about sex and preferences. But in a shooter there is going to be a back story about these character’s sexuality? I can careless if the guy is screwing sheep while his wife watches, this shouldn’t even be discussed.

[Blacklash93]

His backstory says he had a wife who died and will mention it in the game and is central to whatever amount of character he has. Is he still flashing his sexuality?

It's funny how many carry a double standard and don't even realize it. If a guy makes suggestions toward liking women it's fine and just part of his character, but when it's another guy he's suddenly shoving it in your face.

Oh and the screwing sheep comparison when talking about this stuff isn't going to go nice places.

[Saryk]

It is not a double standard, I said flash their sexuality. Like I stated I can careless if the guy is having sex with women, men, sheep or the wall of his truck. I buy shooters to shoot and blow crap up, not for sex. If I want sex there are millions of porn sites for that. That is my point!

[Blacklash93]

My point is that no one would say that if it we never knew about this. No one would say he was flashing sexuality if their was an article on his wife and this canned bisexuality never came up. If it was husband or boyfriend Lord have mercy on N4G. It wouldn't be an issue unlike this and that is a double standard. Like I said many don't even realize or want to admit their reaction toward the two situations would be quite different.

A fictional character being bisexual does not equal porn or any sexual material (besides jokes in Borderlands), btw.

[SovereignSnaKe]

So, i could have had a 50% chance of hooking up with him! Awww, oh well, I'll just pretend he's gay! :)

[Skate-AK]

I could care less. I was surprised at the backlash Stawhawk got for the main character being black. It's 2012 and its sad that we still have those problems. It's a fake computer character but people still have to find a way to be racist.

[Dms2012]

I just had a problem with Starhawk sucking, he could have been black and gay for all I care.

[Lord_Sloth]

I dunno why sexual orientation means anything in video games at all.

[Christopher]

I dunno why sexual orientation means anything in movies at all.

I dunno why sexual orientation means anything in books at all.

I dunno why sexual orientation means anything at all.

Okay, sarcasm aside, I get what you're saying. I believe it's important in character development when it is the focus of the game. I'm not sure it's an important element to telling a story in action-oriented games, though. Typically you want character development that is in line with the type of game you are playing. Kind of how you expect certain character development in Soap Operas versus sit-coms.

[Lord_Sloth]

I agree with your sarcasm but video games were the subject so I didn't point out anything else.

I just hate political matters spilling into my games because then people stop trying to make them fun and start trying to make points instead.

[ironwolf777]

My only problem with this notion is how do they portray a character as "bi-sexual" specifically as opposed to a character that is gay.

[Christopher]

Like ME series, perhaps there are opportunities to romance or side with certain people based on your sexual orientation?

Perhaps you could romance one of the original characters in the game in some way for some sort of storyline benefit (a slight "choose this character to gain this benefit or this one to gain this one" that's decided based on your desire to romance one or the other)?

Otherwise, not sure.

[Roccetarius]

Great choice, Gearbox. It only makes the game that much better.

It's not like a certain other developer (Bioware) forcing it into the game.

[Christopher]

So, you were forced to romance the same sex in Mass Effect 2 or 3?

[Roccetarius]

I was more hinting towards Dragon Age 2. ME2 and 3 was not a great game in general either.

Sadly, many players started the series with ME2.

[Christopher]

But, even then, were you forced to have a homosexual relationship in Dragon Age 2 (or 1 for that matter)?

Having played all of them, DA:O, DA2, ME1, ME2, and ME3, at no time in any of the games was I forced to pursue a homosexual relationship.

[Gincredible]

Why not add support for people who prefer incestuous activities, or how about bestiality? Obviously between two adults who consent to it, otherwise thats just evil. Where do you draw the line? "My personal preference" to all this is, I hope my generation is free from all the sexual abnormalities within the entertainment business including the one thing that's precious to me which is games. I'm not sure the world is ready for, let's say, a gears of war game where Marcus and Dom lock eyes, I aint got time for that...!

Im not homophobic nor am I Zoophobic nor am I Incestphobic, just keep all the abnormalities out of games. Its games for godsake.

[Blacklash93]

Yeah comparing homosexuality to incest and bestiality IS homophbic and also idiotic. If the reasons for that aren't obvious to you then I won't waste my time explaining the faults of such moronic notions.

Just want entertainment free from all sexual abnormalities? That says a lot. The world isn't going to cower toward fearful and naive puritans and nor should it. If you can't stomach it then ignore it or don't play it.

I think this is kind of a shame. Altering action and conduct out of fear of upsetting a group of people? Mmm.... I love the smell of political correctness in the morning. This industry need more developers doing brave things. They're not required to by any means, but it's good in breaking the mold and encouraging bold creativity. We need more of that.

I'll add that we already had 2 gay or bi minor characters in Borderlands, to end this.

[TronEOL]

I could really care less what sexual orientation my character is. Not all gay people are flamboyant and pretending to be girls (or the other way around). For all a lot of you know, you probably work with someone who is gay, or walk by plenty of gay guys/girls every day.

Now I personally won't ever go anywhere that is mainly for gay people since that's not my thing (Gay Pride parades, gay bars, stores full of gay folk, etc). But I also don't expect anyone else to be forced into my way of life because what they are isn't socially accepted.

Also, if one of my friends happens to be gay, and was horribly depressed over something, I'd help him if he needed it, since he's my friend.

One thing I absolutely loved about the Mass Effect universe was how everyone was sort of equal. Skin color, race, and sexual orientation didn't have any type of pull in how things were done. THAT is hopefully what we'll be seeing in the near future.

People who hate based on Sexual Orientation, Race/Nationality, or Skin color are horrible people. And I'll long take any one of those people as friends before EVER taking an ignorant fool that can't grasp the idea of equality.

As for Borderlands 2, it seems something like this would fit perfectly into the world. Don't know why anyone would complain.