ESO Goes Woke... with a Non-Binary Elf?

Summary

The video discusses the introduction of a gender-fluid, non-binary character in 'Elder Scrolls Online,' causing controversy among players. The script compares this to the criticism of Amazon's 'Rings of Power' for its portrayal of orcs, suggesting that while not lore-inaccurate, the character's inclusion feels agenda-driven rather than organic. The speaker expresses disappointment in the game developers' approach, advocating for more player customization and less forced representation. They argue that fantasy games should be an escape from real-world issues, not a platform for sociopolitical agendas, and emphasize the importance of developers prioritizing player enjoyment over meeting diversity quotas.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is introducing a new companion character that is gender-fluid and non-binary, which has caused controversy among the gaming community.
• 📺 The speaker compares the ESO situation to the backlash against Amazon's 'Rings of Power' for its portrayal of orcs with human-like relationships, suggesting that such portrayals can be seen as inauthentic or agenda-driven.
• 🧐 The speaker questions the motivations behind including a gender non-binary character in ESO, suggesting it may be more about meeting diversity quotas than about enriching the game world.
• 🌐 The script discusses the broader issue of how real-world sociopolitical concerns are increasingly finding their way into fantasy games, which traditionally have been an escape from such issues.
• 🎭 The speaker argues that while it's not inherently wrong to include diverse characters, it should be done organically and not just to tick boxes or push an agenda.
• 🚫 The speaker expresses disappointment that the game developers seem to be prioritizing an agenda over creating a compelling and inclusive gaming experience.
• 💡 A suggestion is made for a more inclusive approach: allowing players to fully customize their companions, which could satisfy a wider range of player preferences without seeming forced.
• 🤔 The script reflects on the changing nature of the gaming industry, where live service models and larger player bases may be leading to a shift in how developers interact with their audience.
• 📉 There's a warning about the potential loss of customers if game developers continue to prioritize their own agendas over what the players enjoy.
• 🌟 Despite the controversy, the speaker still appreciates ESO for its world-building and immersive qualities, suggesting that not everything needs to be perfect for a game to be enjoyable.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video script?

The main topic of discussion is the introduction of a gender fluid, non-binary character as a companion in the game Elder Scrolls Online and the community's reaction to it.

Why does the mention of Amazon's Rings of Power in the script serve as an analogy?

Amazon's Rings of Power is mentioned as an analogy to illustrate the issue of introducing elements into a fantasy world that may not align with the original lore or the expectations of the fanbase.

What is the speaker's stance on the portrayal of orcs in the Rings of Power?

The speaker agrees with the criticism that the portrayal of orcs with human-like family dynamics in Rings of Power is questionable and not in line with Tolkien's original depiction of orcs.

How does the speaker feel about the fantasy genre's traditional role?

The speaker believes that the fantasy genre has traditionally served as an escape from real-world issues, and they appreciate it for not overtly bringing sociopolitical concerns into the narrative.

What concern does the speaker express about the new companion in Elder Scrolls Online?

The speaker is concerned that the introduction of a non-binary character seems to be more about meeting diversity quotas and pushing an agenda rather than enhancing the game world organically.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative approach for inclusivity in games?

The speaker suggests allowing for more player customization as an alternative approach for inclusivity, which could allow players to create companions that reflect their own preferences without imposing a specific agenda.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of customer satisfaction in game development?

The speaker believes that game developers should prioritize customer satisfaction and the interests of their player base over pushing their own agendas.

Why does the speaker feel disappointed with the new companion's introduction?

The speaker feels disappointed because the new companion's introduction seems insincere and like a 'woke' checkbox, rather than a genuine addition to the game's world-building.

What does the speaker suggest as a moral or lesson from the discussion?

The speaker suggests that while it's okay to not make a big issue out of things that bother us, it's also important to have conversations about how companies should reflect the interests of their customers.

How does the speaker reconcile their love for Elder Scrolls Online despite the new companion's introduction?

The speaker reconciles their love for the game by focusing on the aspects they enjoy, such as the world-building and environment, and choosing not to let the introduction of the new companion significantly impact their experience.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Controversy over a Gender Fluid Character in ESO

The speaker begins by addressing the controversy surrounding the introduction of a gender fluid, non-binary character as a companion in the game Elder Scrolls Online. They express their own disapproval and compare the situation to the mixed reactions from fans of Amazon's 'Rings of Power'. The speaker highlights a particular scene in the show that was criticized for humanizing orcs, which are traditionally depicted as evil creatures without human-like connections. They delve into J.R.R. Tolkien's writings to argue that while orcs do have some form of society, the show's portrayal might be pushing an agenda rather than staying true to the lore.

05:01

🤔 The Impact of Sociopolitical Agendas in Fantasy Games

This paragraph continues the discussion on the introduction of a non-binary character in ESO, questioning the necessity and the manner in which it was done. The speaker suggests that while the character doesn't necessarily violate the game's lore, the approach seems more like fulfilling a quota for diversity and inclusion rather than a natural part of the game's development. They argue that this can lead to a disingenuous representation, where the focus shifts from creating a quality game to meeting sociopolitical standards, which can detract from the immersive fantasy experience players seek.

10:02

😕 The Risk of Alienating Players with Controversial Representations

The speaker expresses disappointment over the new companion's introduction, suggesting it feels like a 'diversity checkbox' rather than a natural addition to the game. They propose that more traditional or customizable companions could have been better received. The paragraph touches on the broader issue of game developers potentially prioritizing agendas over player enjoyment, which could lead to losing their customer base. The speaker advocates for a more inclusive approach that doesn't alienate players but rather enhances the game experience for all.

15:02

🧐 Balancing Inclusivity with Player Expectations

The speaker acknowledges the long history of the Elder Scrolls franchise and their personal attachment to it, despite not agreeing with every decision made by the developers. They emphasize the importance of world-building and the immersive experience that the game provides, which they value more than the combat mechanics. They also discuss the player's desire for a 'home' in the gaming world and the importance of developers not taking their loyal player base for granted. The speaker suggests that the game's world doesn't have to be perfect, but it should respect the player's emotional investment and not use it to push an agenda.

20:02

🤝 The Importance of Customer-Centric Game Development

In the final paragraph, the speaker reflects on the changing landscape of game development, from boxed software to live services, and the impact of larger studios and player bases. They express concern over developers potentially becoming complacent and prioritizing their own agendas over player satisfaction. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of genuine storytelling and organic development that resonates with players, rather than forced representations for the sake of appearing inclusive or meeting current societal standards.

Keywords

💡Elder Scrolls Online

Elder Scrolls Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game set in the Elder Scrolls universe. In the script, the game is discussed in the context of introducing a new companion character that has caused controversy among the community. The game serves as a backdrop for the discussion on inclusivity and representation in fantasy gaming.

💡Gender Fluid

Gender fluid is a term used to describe a person whose gender identity is not fixed and may change over time. In the video, the introduction of a gender fluid, non-binary character in Elder Scrolls Online is a point of contention, highlighting the debate over representation and the potential for perceived agenda-driven content in games.

💡Rings of Power

Rings of Power refers to the Amazon television series set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. The script uses the show as an analogy to discuss the challenges of adapting fantasy literature to other media, particularly in terms of staying true to the source material's themes and lore while also addressing modern sensibilities.

💡Tolkien Purists

Tolkien purists are fans who believe strongly in the original vision and lore established by J.R.R. Tolkien in his works. The script mentions their criticism of Rings of Power for not being faithful to Tolkien's original lore, which parallels the concerns about Elder Scrolls Online's new character.

💡Agenda

In the context of the script, 'agenda' refers to the perceived underlying motives or goals that may influence creative decisions, such as including a gender fluid character in a game. The term is used critically to suggest that such decisions might be driven by sociopolitical considerations rather than organic storytelling or gameplay needs.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity is the practice of including a wide range of people, particularly in terms of diversity and representation. The video discusses how inclusivity is approached in Elder Scrolls Online, questioning whether it is being implemented in a way that serves the game's community or as a means to meet external sociopolitical expectations.

💡Diversity

Diversity in the script refers to the variety of characters and representations within a game's world. It is discussed in relation to the introduction of a non-binary character and the broader conversation about the balance between creating an inclusive environment and maintaining the integrity of the game's fantasy setting.

💡Tamriel

Tamriel is the fictional continent where the Elder Scrolls series takes place. The script uses Tamriel to argue that the world of the game is diverse and fantastical enough to accommodate a wide range of character types, including non-binary characters, without breaking the established lore.

💡Customer Base

The customer base refers to the group of people who purchase and use a company's products or services. In the video, the speaker suggests that game developers should prioritize the interests and enjoyment of their customer base over pushing their own agendas, which may not align with what the players want.

💡Cultural War

Cultural war in the script refers to the ongoing societal and cultural conflicts and debates, often related to identity politics and representation. The speaker expresses a desire for games like Elder Scrolls Online to remain apolitical and free from such conflicts, allowing players to escape real-world issues.

💡Escapism

Escapism is the act of seeking distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially through entertainment. The script argues that fantasy games like Elder Scrolls Online should provide an escape from real-world issues, and the introduction of contentious topics might compromise this aspect of the gaming experience.

Highlights

Announcement of a gender fluid, non-binary character as a new companion in Elder Scrolls Online has stirred controversy.

Comparison of the character's introduction to the depiction of orcs in Amazon's Rings of Power.

Criticism that the Rings of Power's portrayal of orcs as having human-like connections is inconsistent with Tolkien's lore.

Analysis of Tolkien's writings which suggest orcs had some form of societal organization.

Concern that the inclusion of a non-binary character in ESO may be driven by an agenda rather than narrative necessity.

Argument that the fantasy genre's appeal lies in its escape from real-world issues.

Suggestion that the new companion's introduction feels like a 'diversity checkbox' rather than organic storytelling.

Discussion on how to be more inclusive without sacrificing the quality or appeal of the game.

Proposal of a completely player-customizable companion as an example of inclusive game design.

Reflection on the importance of not letting current issues overshadow the enjoyment of a fantasy game.

Acknowledgment that the new companion is not a significant issue but reflects a larger trend in game development.

Warning to game developers about prioritizing agendas over customer satisfaction.

Observation that despite imperfections, the world of Tamriel remains a meaningful journey for the player.

Call for developers to respect the source material and the expectations of the player base.

Final thoughts on the importance of genuine storytelling and the potential toxicity of hidden agendas in game development.

Transcripts

today we're going to talk about the new

companion that has been announced for

Elder Scrolls online and it has been

announced that this is going to be a

gender fluid

character non-binary character and

that's caused a certain degree

of uproar amongst the community at least

some players don't like it and I don't

like it either so let's talk about why

let's talk about what it is that's

frustrating about this and why why does

it matter

so first of all I want to bring up

something a little bit unrelated and

that's season two

of Amazon's rings of power

and that's a show that I like actually I

don't watch that much TV and rings of

power has been one show that I actually

look forward to and I'm a fan of it

despite the fact that a lot of tolken

purists will say that it's

not very well written and it's not

faithful to the lore of The Lord of the

Rings I personally feel like it's it's

fine it's not a big

deal and yet the concerns of fans are

not completely meritless either and

there was a scene in the fourth episode

of season 2 where there's an orc

family and it's what appears to be a

male orc and a female orc with a baby

and it's like a warrior getting to go

off

into battle saying goodbye to his family

sort of a thing and that seems kind of

ridiculous because Orcs aren't really

like that like they're not like humans

they're

these corrupted evil creatures that are

presented as not having any sort of

empathy or human Connections in a normal

way so people saw this and they pounced

on it and they said you know this is

just another example of this show

turning the franchise into a

mockery and I kind of agree I kind of

agree in the sense that it just seems

like a

questionable thing to put into the show

I kind of Wonder you know why would you

do that so somebody dissected this and

made a video about it which is actually

a really good video video and they deep

dived into what tolken actually wrote

and and tolken did allude in his

writings about Orcs that they had

relations in the same way as humans did

and that they were capable of having

societies to some degree not that they

were like human societies but they were

still organizing themselves in a way

that would prove that they were

something more than just

Mindless

evil drones that didn't have any ability

to make any kind of connections or have

self-determination so I guess the bottom

line

was it isn't

necessarily lore inaccurate for that

show to have that scene in

there and yet the question can still be

brought up why was it put in why did the

writers feel like that was the angle

that they wanted to

present in the limited amount of time

that they had

to have the viewers attention why that

and if it's because

of genuine storytelling reasons then

sure I guess that's fine but if it's

because there's some sort of a sense of

wanting

to try

to present some sort of an agenda to try

to make it seem like the bad guys are

actually the good guys because we want

to be for some reason

ambiguous that could be not in keeping

with the premise of The Lord of the

Rings which was very much a story

about a clear division between Darkness

and Light Between good and evil and very

little room for

interpretation of

whether evil was evil it just was evil

and the viewer was not asked

to make that an interpretive experience

the viewer was just supposed to accept

the fact and not overthink the fact that

Orcs

are are evil corrupted

creatures but if we start to say well

let's let's unpack this some more and

try to present them in a sympathetic

way is not necessarily wrong but but

it's also not probably very

productive and I feel like that's kind

of what's happened in the case of this

new character being introduced in Elder

Scrolls online now is it necessarily

lore inaccurate well no no it's not

because the truth of the matter is

there's all kinds of different looking

characters in the world of

Tamriel if you look at the different

characters that people themselves create

there's all sorts of weird looking stuff

in tamel if you want to say that a a

gender non-binary character is somehow

not something that fits into the world

of Tamriel you also would have to

explain

how some um you know weird magical

glowing Mount skin makes sense in the

world of tamri like the the truth is if

you want to just be technical about it

it it's it is a fantasy world and

there's a lot of latitude that we have

to interpret that however we want so

what's to really say that the non-binary

character doesn't fit in it it really

doesn't matter it's it's

fine

but it's kind of not fine and it's not

fine

because the cart was put be before the

horse and so you know it's it's like

when

you in the workplace because we have all

this the diversity equity and inclusion

initiatives and and then you'll have

this desire to include the the groups

that you have to include

so people will look down the list and

see well okay let's find somebody

who's a person of color let's find

somebody who is not straight and if we

can find somebody that's both then we

will hire that person and once you go

down that path it's not about

qualification at all nobody cares

whether that person can do the job the

best nobody cares about any of it all

they care is that we have to meet the

quota we have to we have to figure out

how to do the inclusivity thing right

and so that's where it becomes

disingenuous because it's not the

process that's supposed to happen it's

it's an agenda that's

being masqueraded as the process and and

I I think that we used to we you know we

used to have a lot of products that

existed that were

they weren't really built around any

kind of sociopolitical concerns of the

time like that's a big part of why

fantasy genre has been so popular

because it is a place where you can

escape from

The Real World issues that you see on TV

every day and you can have this

interpretive experience which is

uplifting and and maybe it does make you

think about real world issues but it

doesn't overtly bring them up it doesn't

shove them in your face and and

make the whole experience about that and

and when we see something like like this

new com companion being rolled out

that's exactly what it feels like it

feels like we're

just taking an issue that is a current

thing that's on the minds of people

people and we're

making that something

that the game is now having a stance on

and it really doesn't need to

be you know there's so many better

things that the devs could have

done you know like I I would love to see

a Wood Elf companion or you know there's

just so many different things like just

normal normal companions that look cool

that are attractive to people of all

play types like why can't we just have

that you know why why does it have to be

something that

is unusual why does it have to be

something that is contentious where

people just look at it and the first

thing they see is oh yep okay well I

guess we're not going to get a good

companion this time because we had to do

a diversity check box this time maybe

next time you know like that's just you

know and that's the disappointing thing

it's not that I don't like inclusion is

that I don't like it when inclusion

excludes something that could have been

so much better and maybe in there

there's the warning the warning to to

game developers and companies of All

Sorts if you have this attitude that you

can

make customer service a game and not

feel like you have any need to

win by producing a product that the

customer enjoys then at some point you

lose your customers because they're

going to do the things that they enjoy

now is this a huge issue I I would say

it reflects a bigger issue but it in and

of itself is not all that big of a deal

one way or the

other but I do think that it's something

that should be talked about because I

think it's a bigger issue that is adding

toxicity

to a genre that should be pretty free of

toxicity fantasy should be a place where

we can escape the issues of the world

and feel like we can just disconnect

from all of that stuff you know I'm

totally happy to

experience politics I like politics and

and I I all those issues they are things

that I enjoy talking about and thinking

about and listening to commentary on but

I don't want to load into the Elder

Scrolls and feel

like some sort of culture war is

happening in a game that is something I

play for a Zen peaceful happy experience

right so how how could we be more

inclusive well I don't know I I think we

could be more inclusive in in in a way

where you create a tide that lifts All

Ships right like let's say

hypothetically that in ESO we made a

completely player customizable companion

where the player could design the

companion using the Character Creator

and completely determine that

companions facial appearance hairstyle

name gender etc etc just end and

customization would players like that

well I would think so I'm pretty sure

that players would love to have more

customization options and not less right

I'm not saying that that's what they

need to do but I think that that would

be an easy example of

where if you wanted to just create a

more inclusive

community all you really have to do is

give players a a bigger toolbox so that

they can do more

things that they want to do and then you

let the players Express

themselves and

that isn't going to offend

anybody but instead of doing something

that would actually improve the quality

of life of all players the company

decides it's going to do something which

visibly appears to just be pushing some

sort of agenda which it's become

popular to

do I think that's I think that's

disappointing

now what I will

say is

that the world of tamel goes back 30

years back to Daggerfall Arena I

believe

and I'm not going to make a huge issue

out of something that is not really

ultimately that big of a deal because

the truth is if you just if you don't

like that compan and then just don't get

it and I don't really intend

to it's

still Elder Scrolls is a game that I

play because it's a beautiful game the

environmentals are very

nice it's just a chill experience to

immerse in the world

and hang out in the

game so I like it and I don't really see

that

changing when something is ultimately

good it doesn't have to be perfect so

I'm willing to forgive something that

gets on my nerves here and

there forg goodness sakes I mean I

really don't like the combat in

ESO it's it doesn't feel impactful to me

it

doesn't feel meaningful because of level

scaling and I know that different people

have different thoughts on

it but I don't really care for the

combat in the game but I'm there because

the World building is something that's

meaningful to me and I like the place I

like being in the game and it doesn't

have to be

perfect so you know I think that that's

probably something

to

maybe talk about because when things

don't go our way we tend to have this

knee-jerk reaction to say oh well you

know if it's going to be like that then

count me

out and it's kind of like having a

relationship with somebody who's not

perfect but they're still foundationally

good right

and there's a point I think

where as players we just we want to find

a place to call home we want to be able

to stop searching and at some point

especially for MMO players you kind of

you you stop thinking you want to switch

to a new game and you start wanting to

finish some of those Journeys that were

really meaningful that uh you already

began some time ago

and for me I think I think Tamriel is a

is a place that feels like that feels

like a meaningful Journey that I want to

be part of even if the game world isn't

always perfect in

every

way and yet maybe that's also part of

why I think making this video having

this discussion

about why the the woke um stuff is not

something I want to see in the game

because you're taking a game that

was building

a meaningful world for players for

decades and hijacking it for the purpose

of checking a box

today and that feels like it

cheapens the franchise it feels like it

cheapens the world in some way when when

people do

that that's why people are so sensitive

about things like Amazon's rings of

power because the Lord of the Rings

franchise is something that goes back

all the way back

before

television adaptations were even a

thing so people are very sensitive about

respecting the vibe of the source

material and I think that

that's it's kind of shady when you take

something that you know is loved by

players and then you use that to to to

bundle it with some sort of a

agenda so like if you couldn't sell the

idea on its

own then you think to yourself

well I can sell it bundled with

something that players do want and it'll

be

fine because they're not really going to

leave over that right

and and that that can be a toxic thing I

mean you see that in relationships too

right where people are like well I don't

know you know it's like

that person that is going to try to be

physically fit they're going to try to

take care of thems until they get

married and then they're going to say

well you know what now I'm married so I

guess I can eat more cake now right cuz

what are you going to do you going to

leave because I got fat

right so it's kind of like that though I

think developers start to get lazy they

start to say well you know we got our

player base we got our loyal fans we can

just do what we want

now

and what a what a contrast that is when

you compare that to the old days when

software came in boxes and people bought

it and they installed it offline and a

product had to be released in a finished

State and Studios were smaller so there

was more of a sense that we have to make

this launch work

and it really was all about finding

something that would resonate with the

players and something that would be a

good

experience and then we went live service

and companies got bigger and player

bases got larger

and in many ways where're we have it

better than we ever had it before as

Gamers but I also think that we we start

to get into the weeds

when developers start to think that the

customer should take the back

seat

and then they they drive an agenda that

they have whatever that may

be not in an effort to serve the

interests of the players but in an

effort to manipulate them in some

way unfortunately that's kind

of well maybe the lesson here is that no

matter how much you want to say that a

fantasy world is something separate from

reality it's still made by real people

who have

all of

the failings and all of the weaknesses

and all of the Tendencies of mortal

beings

so all things considered it's not a huge

surprise

when Real

World Life stuff makes its way

into a game doesn't mean we can't enjoy

the

game but

when it feels like the motive behind

something

is not

genuine that's when it feels it feels

disappointing and I think that that's

really the bottom line because you can

have you can have two people doing

exactly the same

thing

and one of those things

feels like a positive and the other

feels like a negative because one

person's doing it for different reasons

than the other one and I think that

that's what it really boils down to you

can tell when something

is organic something is done and it's

coming from the right place a desire for

good storytelling or something like that

and and when something is just just

checking a box because you know it's

2024 that's what we do

well anyway love to hear your thoughts

about it but uh I guess if there's a

moral to the story

it's don't make too big of an issue out

of things even if they get on your

nerves but

also I think

that there's a conversation worth having

and that is that

customers

matter

and companies should should care a

little bit more about reflecting the

interests of their customer base instead

of putting their own a agendas first as

always good luck on your adventure till

next time thanks for watching

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oh

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