When it comes to gaming, how sexy is too sexy? During the Baldur’s Gate 3: A Retrospective panel at PAX West 2024, writing director Adam Smith addressed the controversy over sexuality and sex in the game — and gaming in general — in an especially even-handed way.

“I think for us, we wanted to present people that felt authentic,” he said in response to an audience question about why BG3’s sex scenes have escaped the exploitative tag other games’ sex scenes have attracted. “So, whether it was their sexuality, parts of their identity, their traumas, we wanted them to feel authentic. I think when they feel authentic, and they feel like diverse people with different problems, different attitudes, and different kinks, arousals, fetishes, whatever it might be, seriously — I think if they feel authentic, then people will embrace them as authentic people and characters.”

He continued, “I don’t think sexuality should be controversial. I think it’s okay for things to be sexy, and I think there’s a broad range of what that can mean, and I think that’s fine! I mean, there’s nothing wrong with cheesecake, and there’s nothing wrong with the more authentic version. But for us, it was that: we present them as people, and hopefully you go along… I was going to say ‘on the ride with them,’ but you go along on the journey with them and you’re having an adventure with them. You’re developing a relationship, and hopefully it feels natural.”

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available now. PAX West 2024 continues through September 2 at the Seattle Convention Center. Watch the full Baldur’s Gate 3: A Retrospective panel below.

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