GLAAD is set to recognize BioWare's title Dragon Age: Inquisition as part of the 26th annual GLAAD media awards, from the GLAAD website,
The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.
Inquisition is the only video game listed amongst the nominees for this years awards, which focus on film, television and journalism for the most part. Dragon Age is receiving a Special Recognition award for its portrayal of LGBT characters, of which there are several. Similar to BioWare's Mass Effect 3, Inquisition is the first in the Dragon Age series to feature gay characters. In Origins both Leliana and Zevran could be romanced by Wardens of either gender, while in Dragon Age 2 every romanceable character could be pursued regardless of gender. Obviously the introduction of gay characters Dorian and Sera represented an important step (though opinion on Sera as a character is divided to say the least) for BioWare and an impressive feature from the perspective of GLAAD.
BioWare writer David Gaider has spoken in the past about the challenges in writing LGBT characters and recently started a lively discussion on twitter centred around unhealthy relationships in BioWare titles. Clearly BioWare has set goals for the writing in their games and their achievements are being recognized here outside the typical realm of Game of the Year awards, of which Dragon Age reaped several in 2014.
In other Inquisition news,
BioWare is releasing the Tavern Songs from the game free of charge until February 9th. The tavern music comes from Raney Shockne with Elizaveta and Nick Stoubis. If you're like me you've run in and out of the Skyhold tavern (trying to trigger companion dialogue) enough to get a couple of those songs stuck in your head. You can find the full download here at the Dragon Age website. All BioWare has to do now is release an official track for 'The Dawn Will Come" and Dragon Age fans should be satiated... at least for a little while.
So Raptors, any thoughts on today's Dragon Age news? Let us know in the comments!
