Bioware Explains Lack Of Nudity In Dragon Age: Origins

These days, when a game is rated "M" and there is sexual content, you can usually expect some form of nudity. But if you hadn't noticed, Bioware passed on that idea for the recently released Dragon Age: Origins.

In the game, you can sleep with members of your party who have come to really appreciate your main character, and you can also score a few easy prostitutes. However, despite some cheesy music and a few brief glimpses, you never catch any real nudity on the screen. According to a VideoGamer interview with Bioware co-founder and CEO Ray Muzyka, this was "an artistic choice" by the development team. It all depends on how you wish to approach the romance and sexual content in any piece of entertainment and in this case, Bioware simply didn't see the need for nudity. Said Muzyka:

"We don't constrain what they do. We don't strive for gratuitous content. But we also ask the teams to choose a direction and then run with it. That was their choice. That's how they wanted to depict the romantic liaisons in the game, so that's what we did."

This is in contrast to other titles, like the future Heavy Rain, which features a full topless scene and other sexual situations where nudity is plain. But developer Quantic Dream defends their decision in much the same way: it was an "artistic choice." We have to agree that maybe we should just let the designers do as they see fit; if they screw it up and critics and gamers see nudity and sexual content as gratuitous and unnecessary, that's their problem. But if it works with the story, go for it.

However, I must say that I was a trifle disappointed to learn there was no hope of seeing Morrigan without any clothes on...really, the only downside of the game so far. ;) (oddly enough, the fact that she's a cold-hearted bi*** only makes her more appealing)

Related Game(s): Dragon Age: Origins

11/16/2009 10:32:06 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (52 posts)

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Geobaldi
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:49:06 AM
Reply

No nudity doesn't bother me. The game is great without it already. If I want more of that, I'll go play The Witcher again and it's upcoming sequel: Assassins of Kings. Also a great RPG series for those who haven't tried it.

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:51:48 AM
Reply

Good call Bioware.

6 up, 5 down

chucknasty
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 3:30:40 PM

Now you are confusing me, Jawknee. I am failing to understand how sex would be fine and good in a game but nudity would be bad. It just doesn't seem logically consistent since the objections to nudity are based on the sexual aspect of nudity, no?
Not trying to be antagonistic, just curious.

5 up, 3 down

Troy Powers
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:06:00 AM
Reply

Does the sex further the game in some way? If not, it's already gratuitous. Might as well toss in some T&A. If it furthers the plot, then, fine. Still should have thrown in som T&A. :-D

3 up, 4 down

SirLoin of Beef
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 1:41:46 PM

There's one part where the sex and the choice you make is a part of the main plot.

0 up, 0 down

King James
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:36:15 AM
Reply

2 Words for Morrigan nudity: PC Mods

3 up, 2 down

Geobaldi
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:57:20 AM

There's already mods out to make the female clothes transparent.

1 up, 3 down

Alienange
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:48:18 PM

Yeah, that's what he said.

2 up, 2 down

Jian2069
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:02:03 PM

alyx vance ;D

0 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:56:42 AM
Reply

Ugh. Still waiting on my copy I won on Ebay. You've got me really looking forward to playing. Mine should be here today or tomorrow.

3 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:08:21 PM

me too chief.

2 up, 5 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 4:58:03 PM

wow, 3 thumbs down for saying I ordered Dragon Age on ebay, what is happening?

2 up, 1 down

Alienange
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 4:59:36 PM

Don't worry, TheHighlander has four thumbs down for saying he likes bare breasts. The world's screwed up man.

5 up, 2 down

NeoHumpty
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 9:49:21 PM

I thumb-upped ya. Mine came today. Like it so far, but there are a lot of glitches already and I'm only in the very beginning. Going to put some time into it tomorrow.

0 up, 1 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 1:02:30 AM

@Alienage

ROTFL!
That's the best comment I've read in ages. How backwards is the world when a man can be criticized (thumbed down) for admitting he's heterosexual and has the audacity to like breasts?

Last edited by Highlander on 11/17/2009 1:02:53 AM

4 up, 0 down

JPBooch
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:59:49 AM
Reply

Did I hear correctly that you can also hook up with the same sex? At least we aren't subjected to a guy on guy nudity seen. Not that there is anything wrong with that. ;)

I know as soon as I start playing this game, I won't stop. Just trying to clear out some others before the insomnia begins.

1 up, 2 down

Highlander
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 12:09:51 PM
Reply

Hmmm...Odd, I could have sworn this game was rated M.

I guess we're back to normal where a pair of bare breasts are deemed more dangerous in a video game title made for adults (that's what rated M is intended to mean after all), than all the violence in that same game.

If nudity was excluded because it was gratuitous, then I presume that all the violence, gore and swearing were completely necessary to the plot and not in any way gratuitous?

Yeah, right.

What a bunch of piffle.

19 up, 6 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 12:18:48 PM

PERV

7 up, 4 down

Highlander
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 12:26:48 PM

...and proud. My God, I haven't been called that since the days of Usenet...

Last edited by Highlander on 11/16/2009 12:27:17 PM

11 up, 6 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 12:35:58 PM

I'm usually completely naked when I post on this site. PERV was definitely given as a compliment.

11 up, 5 down

convergecrew
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 12:46:42 PM

^haha

4 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:09:29 PM

Me too Vertigo, but I like to keep my ninja scarf on just for laughs, lol

6 up, 2 down

Alienange
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 3:01:33 PM

Niiiiice

4 up, 3 down

Karosso
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 9:51:31 PM

Why is sex such a big taboo in America?
I'm not trying to be a smart ass or anything, I really would like to understand where did that start...
Being Brazilian, its kind of a no issue, we grow up half naked anyways LOL
I remember getting on the bus on Saturday morning just wearing my speedo and a T-Shirt to go to the beach, and nobody thought that inappropriate.
When I moved to New York and wore my Speedo on the beach I got all this weird looks hahaha most people thought I was gay or something. But yeah, violence seem to be much better tolerated here...
By the way, I thumbed all of you guys up. While wearing my speedo LOL

Last edited by Karosso on 11/16/2009 9:53:33 PM

5 up, 2 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 2:23:56 PM

It's a guy called Jesus Christ. I'd tell you to talk to him when he comes back but that's highly unlikely.

0 up, 2 down

pillz81
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 4:54:22 PM

Now don't be blamin' Jesus on the hangups of the Puritans and Victorian society and the Catholic Church, and the Jews.
It's not Jesus fault that people are 'tards.

0 up, 0 down

convergecrew
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 12:46:16 PM
Reply

Not a big deal, although I definitely enjoy the nude women now and then.

Last edited by convergecrew on 11/16/2009 12:47:42 PM

3 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:11:04 PM
Reply

It isn't a big deal, but I have watched a couple scenes online and the problem to me seems that it is painfully obvious and almost cringe-worthy how they avoid the nudity. It's like when you watch a TV show or R movie where they can't show nudity or an actress won't do it and honestly, who has sex with their bra on and sheets wrapped all the way around them?

3 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:25:08 PM

Gotta love the kiss that leads to the bedroom as the scene fades and next thing you know it's morning and she's cooking breakfast while wearing one of his shirts.

2 up, 0 down

JackC8
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:43:39 PM
Reply

It's an M rated game, but they very obviously want a lot of kids to buy it. They just don't want their parents to be scared off from it because there's boobies in it.

It's also ridiculous to say that sex is important to the story, but nudity would be "gratuitous". What do they think sex is? Snuggling?

5 up, 1 down

Killsignal
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 1:52:04 PM
Reply

i wish they didn't feel they "needed" to explain themselves.

7 up, 1 down

oldmike
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 2:51:20 PM
Reply

the thing is it looks BAD the way it is now
like is was nude till EA told them to change it

2 up, 1 down

wiiplay
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 4:16:41 PM
Reply

How many people under the age of 17 do you know playing Call Of Duty 4? I know about 7 people.
How about GTA4? I know about 5.
A lot of really young people play M rated games, usually because the parents either don't play video games or they still think that video games look like Pac-man.
These same parents will not let their child watch R rated movies.
In my opinion M rated video games are worse than R rated movies.
And even though sexual intercourse is a part of life, I kind of agree with Bioware for removing the sex in their game, as it appears more young teens buy M rated games than adults do.

I personally do not want to watch someone having sex in a video game until Sony (Not Microsoft) has perfected graphics. No one likes cell-shaded pixelated sex on the PS2, why would we like to watch almost real plastic people get it on in the television set?

Good move Bioware!

( And wasn't there a recent PSXE Poll about this? )

-Wiiplay.

1 up, 4 down

Beamboom
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 6:39:00 PM

Soooo... You see absolutely nothing wrong in these kids playing games where you snipe victims getting their brain mass spashed upon the background wall or plow through innocent civilians just to reach a mission goal before timeout, just as long as they don't see a pair of bare breasts?

... You gotta be an american.

4 up, 1 down

NeoHumpty
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 9:58:31 PM

My ex-wife and I used to fight over this exact thing. She jumped my arse one day because a pair of boobies showed up on the movie I was watching. A few nights later I come home to her watching "Black Hawk Down" and the kid running around with the broom shooting at people. I'd rather the kid see some tatas than brain matter splattered over hate. It's a losing battle that has never made sense to me. I just usually keep it to myself anymore because everyone tends to tell me I'm wrong.

3 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 4:36:32 PM
Reply

Seriously.

Does nudity bring anything to the experience? No.

Does graphic violence add something as well? No.

But, what makes this case rediculous is that Bioware is publically stating that "We don't strive for gratuitous content.", all the while having an over abundance of blood splatter.

Both the violence and nudity add nothing, other then to appease a certain demographic, and bring about hype.

Last edited by maxpontiac on 11/16/2009 4:37:19 PM

5 up, 1 down

Alienange
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 5:01:43 PM

Graphic violence adds terror. Terror is an emotion that is not soon forgotten by the one who experience it. Depending on the game it would be foolish to leave it out.

2 up, 0 down

convergecrew
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 7:52:10 PM

Using the same argument, nudity brings eroticism, which is also an emotion (or something more primal) and something not often forgotten depending on how its used or not used in a game.

Anyways, not arguing with you, just making a point.

3 up, 0 down

Jian2069
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:04:38 PM

in the right context, both can add vastly to the game's experience

but yes, sometimes its overdone, or just plain done wrong!

3 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 4:13:51 PM

Ah! There's what I was looking for. Violence and nudity can be done 'wrong.' I like that Jian2069. Good point.

0 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:21:15 AM

Alienage -

I disagree. The original Alien movie did not rely on the type of over the top violence featured in Aliens vs. Predator 2. That movie relied on suspense to fuel the viewers imagination. To me, Dead Space is a perfect marriage of violence and suspense. Nothing rediculous like the chainsaw guns in Gears.

convergecrew -

Good point. But.. Considering the the human brain is the key sex organ (besides your skin) in a human being, there are plenty of ways to be erotic without showing softporn and/or nudity.

Jian2069 -

Agreed. But how does rediculous ammounts of blood on your armour in Dragon Age or showing pixelated breasts add to the gameplay experience? Moderate blood spray and clever camera angles would work just as good, and maybe even better in some cases.

0 up, 0 down

Jordahn
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 5:37:46 PM
Reply

First of all, there are a lot of rated "M' games that do not have nudity because it doesn't always have to be about sexuality. And for those of you who are complaining that there should be nudity in Dragon Age, you want people to respect your pro-stance for sex in video games. But yet you cannot respect the opposite when nudity can be shown in a game, but it doesn't have it. Most mature adults would not be so hypocritical. This just supports the notion that those who are screaming for it and complains that there is none are rather juvenile in their mentality and decision. That's why games with nudity are rated "mature." These games are better mentally handled by gamers who are mature enough to not take nudity to the extreme on both ends (one on side of being legalistic and the other side of being lustfully craving over it and making excuses for it).

Last edited by Jordahn on 11/16/2009 5:42:04 PM

1 up, 1 down

NeoHumpty
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 9:51:36 PM

I wanna see fairies flying around using their labia for wings. And a female companion with a "throat of holding".

1 up, 0 down

pillz81
Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 4:59:35 PM

Most mature adults would not be so hypocritical?

That is one naive statement.

0 up, 0 down

fatelementality
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 6:04:49 PM
Reply

All of you, go get laid NOW!!! :)

4 up, 4 down

The Doom
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:11:07 PM

usually ppl who tell others to get laid never got laid themselves

3 up, 0 down

cadpig
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 10:01:39 PM
Reply

Fine with it, fine without it....Female nudity is like that extra bonus.

3 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, November 16, 2009 @ 11:57:52 PM
Reply

i think were going a little overboard with this nudity thing.
i mean like what teamco did, going out of your way to code sixaxis motion controls to have a little wobble?
i mean im all for a little melon but as long as its tasteful.
melon for the sake of melon is childish and a cheap gimmick to get people to buy the game.
while on the subject of nudity im really disappointed, i thought
1 bayonetta would be hot.
2 you would get to see some proper nudity but you dont :(
all you can see is here bare back when she does her hair finishing moves on enemies.
anyone who has not played it yet needs to hop onto ebay NOW!
turning into a massive crow and biting your enemy in half has never been so much fun.
never thought i would say this but this is better than DMC4 and i loved that game.
more action, 10 times faster i seriously cant believe how fast paced this is just gets the adrenaline pumping big time.
perfect substitute till my copy of GOW collection arrives next month.
CURSE YOU SONY FOR MAKING THIS ANOTHER US EXCLUSIVE YET AGAIN!

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 1:00:29 AM

US Exclusive? No such thing on PS3, it's region free - remember?

It only does Everything!

Last edited by Highlander on 11/17/2009 1:00:46 AM

1 up, 0 down

___________
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 6:11:03 AM

sorta.
ive had a bad track record with online purchases thats why im extremley reluctant to buy things online.
6 out of 9 items i never received and the ones i did took over a month to get here.
bayonetta was the only one to get here quick and that was because it was shipped from AU to me, GOWC i would have to ship from the US and it would take over a month to get here.
still getting it, but only because i have not played GOW1 yet and theres no point playing GOW3 if i havent played the first.

0 up, 0 down

NetheRealm
Friday, November 20, 2009 @ 1:11:32 AM
Reply

There is an overwhelming amount of violence in video games & movies but far less nudity & sex. I say it should be an equal amount of both especially since sex & nudity is promoting far less harmful & dangerous activities than AK47 Killing Sprees. More Sex & Nudity please!

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Sunday, November 22, 2009 @ 12:36:12 AM
Reply

I have no problem with sex being part of the storyline in a game. And seeing how I just turned 57 a couple of weeks ago, I guess I'm mature enough to handle it in quite the adult manner.

(OHHH look, Boobies...gimmie, gimmie, gimmie)

0 up, 0 down

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