To be or not to be

[Lady Dragonfly]

This is a defining moment, ladies and gents.

From GameSpot Preview:

On the subject of family, Molyneux's goal is to introduce unconditional love to videogames by giving you the ability to have children with whichever character from the world you decide to marry. After meeting the woman or man of your dreams (you can play as a woman, remember), you can marry them and then, if you're so inclined, you can opt to have protected or unprotected sex with them. If you choose the latter, we've heard nothing that leads us to believe that your hero will be at risk from infection, but there is a chance that you might become a parent nine months later. Your offspring's appearance will be determined by your spouse's characteristics and by your own at the time of conception, and regardless of what path you choose to take through the game, that child will love you unconditionally. If you've opted to play as a woman it'll be you that gets pregnant, of course, but that's a preview topic for another day.

[Turkey Chaser]

i think it could be fun.

you can body slam the ground and shoot the baby at enemies:laugh: :laugh:

[Crenshinibon]

Let's go back to Fable for a second... imagine your water breaking while fighting Twinblades...

That is definately unique.

[dragon wench]

Okay... I should probably give some background information first.
I never actually played Fable 1, I only watched it being played. I wasn't too sure about the game from the start...but when I first saw "the seduction scene" involving lots of manly arm pumping, followed by squeals of "Oooooh yer Noighty," all pronounced in a horrid pseudo-British accent.... I practically collapsed on the floor in helpless laughter.
I just knew at that point the game would not be for me.

So, do bear in mind, this is where I'm coming from.

But, I've played quite a few other RPGs, and I have to say, I have a hard time visualising a pregnant heroine...
When I was pregnant with my son, I had an easy pregnancy, and I remained quite fit, but even so... I certainly could not have seen myself locked in mortal combat with various monsters, bandits and the like. The RL equivalent would be participating in a triathlon while pregnant..... :speech:

All practical considerations aside, however, since I do realise this *is* fantasy we're discussing, I voted "I Don't Know."
It would really depend on how it was implemented and the depth involved. If the lover in question had a well developed character, along with a complex background that was an integral part of the story, I might find something like that interesting. Think, something along the lines of the Baldur's Gate Two romances, but even better.

However, if it was simply a matter of having one's pixelated husband knocking up one's equally pixelated alter ego, just for something to do, then I really wouldn't find the notion especially appealing.

[Lady Dragonfly]

The problem is that Fable is full of...merrymaking and the whole concept of supposed "pregnancy" in Fable2 is going to be viewed by many as a sort of a cool addition to "emotions" and "marriage" introduced in the original game. We heard them promising a controversy, and here it is, pure and naked.

I am reserving my opinion until I hear from you guys first.

[DesR85]

I'll go with Dragon Wench on this one. I'm also not sure how this mechanic can be implemented. I mentioned this idea to a friend of mine on Messenger and it gave him a shock too. Aside from the Sims, there are no other games from any genre that ever had this idea before. To me, I find it hard to imagine as to how this mechanic will work in a game like Fable but then again, if Lionhead is able to demonstrate this mechanic in the near future either through a video demonstration or a more detailed explanation, I'm all eyes and ears.

[mr_sir]

I don't think its a very good idea at all as I can't see them making it work very well. The idea of a male hero getting his wife pregnant is ok, but surely a female hero that was pregnant would have to give up being a hero for a few months at least

[DesR85]

I don't think its a very good idea at all as I can't see them making it work very well. The idea of a male hero getting his wife pregnant is ok, but surely a female hero that was pregnant would have to give up being a hero for a few months at least

Same thoughts here as well. If you choose to play a female hero, I think that will be the most probable path that Lionhead will choose for a female hero should they implement this idea. Can't imagine a pregnant woman running around fighting monsters.

[Mandalorianx]

sounds like a good idea to me.... might fitt with the lady in the trailer(the one with the gun if im not wrong)

[matthewd]

I dont know man... I think u can go crazy on a game But this is to much of it, A pregnant heroine fighting for peace,

It would come to me as.. (Picture this)
A Brave heroine went out to fight the last of the dwelming spirits,
Armed with the right equipment.. Plate armor, The Katana Hyriu, The Master long Bow, A nurse....

Dude, Thats awfull

[Lady Dragonfly]

A Brave heroine went out to fight the last of the dwelming spirits,
Armed with the right equipment.. Plate armor, The Katana Hyriu, The Master long Bow, A nurse....

The MATERNITY plate armor.

[Darth_Juro]

I think a prego heroine would make a good start for the story if they haven't already thought of one....something like the first fable where he's entire family is thought to be murdered....something along the lines of losing said heroine's child would create a need to adventure....a need to bring justice to the villian.....other than that I wouldn't mind being able to start a family on the game....that would give it a sort of gentle family feel

[dragon wench]

People who are considering the implications of introducing pregnancy into Fable might be interested to know that a player made mod for Morrowind exists which actually allows for marriage and pregnancy. You can read about it [url="http://planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Mods.Detail&id=4699"]here.[/url]

I hope this is not too off topic, since it deals with another game entirely. (my apologies if so) But, given the similarity of subject and issues, it seemed reasonable to post the link.

I'm still not sure about the whole idea.... As I mentioned above, it really would depend on the implementation and NPC development.

[Lady Dragonfly]

Just wondering where the virtual reality will take us next... trying to keep my mind open... thinking hard... real hard...
Is there anything sacred left to defile?

Some players thought punching a "wife" NPC was very funny (I refer you to the Fable forum). I guess punching a "pregnant NPC" will be considered hilarious.
Punching NPC "children" in Bowerstone school, demonstrating a "vulgar thrust" to them etc. was perceived as super cool and amusing. Now Lionhead is planning to give players "kids of their own" with "unconditional love" to heighten this amusement. I am sure some fans will get a huge kick out of this. Lots of fun.
And I have a feeling that all of the "gentle family" stuff will be implemented just the way to ensure that "fun".
A pregnant heroine... of evil alignment... horns...

...keep wondering...

[dragon wench]

Some players thought punching a "wife" NPC was very funny (I refer you to the Fable forum). I guess punching a "pregnant NPC" will be considered hilarious.
Punching NPC "children" in Bowerstone school, demonstrating a "vulgar thrust" to them etc. was perceived as super cool and amusing. Now Lionhead is planning to give players "kids of their own" with "unconditional love" to heighten this amusement. I am sure some fans will get a huge kick out of this. Lots of fun. And I have a feeling that all of the "gentle family" stuff will be implemented just the way to ensure that "fun".
A pregnant heroine... of evil alignment... horns...

...keep wondering...

Indeed....
I had forgotten about the option to punch one's wife in Fable. Now that you mention it however, this raises some very real concerns in terms of "family life" in Fable.
I'm wondering if they will put in safeguards to actually prevent virtual spousal and child abuse (doubtful, seeing as they did nothing to prevent it in the first game).
If they don't, I feel they are opening themselves up to some potentially serious problems, possible even along the same lines as those surrounding GTA.

[DesR85]

Indeed....
I had forgotten about the option to punch one's wife in Fable. Now that you mention it however, this raises some very real concerns in terms of "family life" in Fable.
I'm wondering if they will put in safeguards to actually prevent virtual spousal and child abuse (doubtful, seeing as they did nothing to prevent it in the first game).
If they don't, I feel they are opening themselves up to some potentially serious problems, possible even along the same lines as those surrounding GTA.

Come to think of it, yeah, that will definitely be something of great concern there. The problem with Fable is that if you get a divorce you get 1500 evil points but if you kill your wife instead, you get just only 15 evil points. Very odd morality mechanic at work there and G4TV's X-Play did mention it when they reviewed that game.

Maybe they can put in a safeguard like when entering your marital house, the game will not allow you to use any weapons or even your fist in there but it will take away the open-endedness of the game if this was implemented. I certainly do hope that Lionhead don't get themselves into trouble but at the same time, I'm not sure how will they address this issue. Only time will tell, I think.

[Crenshinibon]

As bad as this may sound, I don't think Lionhead should put a safeguard in the house or on the wife. The game does not really suggesting to go and abuse someone (however it was a very good point about divorcing your wife and killing her). It's more of what the players want. No one is telling us to go and abuse people, it's just the way the people behind the characters play. My evil character has three wives and isn't the perfect example of the male role model while one of my other characters never had a wife and never had sex and is a good person all the way though.

Safeguarding an area is just annoying in my opinnion. I didn't like the "no weapons rule" in Bowerstone.

Speaking of horns, didn't anyone find it a bit wierd that you're the only one that has horns? Maze should've had horns (well, for him it's excusable, he did have to hide his true intentions) but Twinblades should've had horns...

On a side note: I'm sure that everyone knows the pattern of when a game is a success, the company gets cocky, gets great graphics and starts to play on popular demand... I'm sure that if enough people will state their thoughts on the matter *something* might change.

[dragon wench]

The problem with Fable is that if you get a divorce you get 1500 evil points but if you kill your wife instead, you get just only 15 evil points. Very odd morality mechanic at work there and G4TV's X-Play did mention it when they reviewed that game.

That is indeed peculiar....
You'd think it would be the other way round. For that matter, why get evil points at all if you get a divorce?
Good God... we aren't living in the 1950s anymore.. (thankfully)

It's more of what the players want. No one is telling us to go and abuse people, it's just the way the people behind the characters play.

Sorry, but I really can't support spousal abuse in any shape or form, I don't care if it's just a game.
As far as what players want..... well tough. If players want to recreate the Holocaust, does that mean their wishes should be granted?

[DarkOmen14]

Maybe the way you treat your kids and the way you act will determine what they grow up to be like.And some of the players should get their way because we buy their games like gta.

[Lady Dragonfly]

And some of the players should get their way because we buy their games like gta.

That is what developers of Grand Theft Auto might thought. Money don't smell. Looks like somebody had a different opinion.