BioWare’s critically acclaimed open-world role-playing game, Dragon Age: Inquisition, is out today, however, as previously reported by Gamer Headlines, gamers in India and surrounding territories will not be able to purchase a copy of the game.
Initial speculation thought EA’s reasoning behind the cancellation was due to the fact that gamers playing as a male Inquisitor can romance and have an “exclusive” homosexual relationship with a key gay character. Fortunately, EA has cleared the air surrounding the situation, and laid out the facts about Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s cancellation in India.
According to a statement by an EA representative, the company has elected to remove Dragon Age: Inquisition from sale in India because of “local obscenity laws,” but not necessarily due to player’s ability to engage in homosexual relationships with gay characters.
“The decision here is in relation to local obscenity laws, but not specific to same-gender romance.“
Read more details regarding Dragon Age: Inquisition’s cancellation in India after the break.
Dragon Age: Inquisition Removed Due to “Obscenity Laws”
An EA spokesperson stated the following on the matter:
“In order to avoid a breach of local content laws, EA has withdrawn Dragon Age: Inquisition from sale in India and the game is no longer available for preorder. Customers who preordered the game will be contacted directly and will be fully refunded.”
Furthermore, the EA representative clarified that the company’s decision to remove the game from sale in India is, in fact, not related to Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s homosexual romance options or key gay characters, stating that the the game’s potential same-sex relationships and gay characters are “irrelevant” to the EA’s decision to remove the game from purchase in the region.
In regards to what obscenity laws EA is referring to, the EA representative spoke about the country’s penal code, which is apparently quite ambiguous on the subject matter
Additionally, EA referred to Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s ESRB rating and description (seen below) in order to point out what obscenity laws EA might be breaking were the company to release Dragon Age: Inquisition in India.
“This is a role-playing game in which players assume the role of a warrior battling evil forces in different dimensions. Characters use swords, axes, hammers, and magic attacks to kill fantastical creatures (e.g., demons, monsters, dwarfs) and humans in melee-style combat.
Cutscenes sometimes depict characters impaled or getting their throats slit. Violent sequences are often highlighted by cries of pain, gurgling/gushing sounds, and large blood-splatter effects; blood remains on the ground in several environments.
The game includes some sexual material: a female character briefly depicted in front of a man’s torso (fellatio is implied); characters depicted topless or with exposed buttocks while lying in bed or after sex; some dialogue referencing sex/sexuality (e.g., “’I will bring myself sexual pleasure later, while thinking about this with great respect’” and “The way your t*ts bounce when I pin your arms and take you on the side of the bed…”). The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “a*shole” appear in dialogue.”
What are your thoughts on EA’s decision to pull Dragon Age: Inquisition given India’s reportedly vague penal code? Do you feel that having romance-able gay characters still plays into their decision regardless of what EA representatives have to say about the matter?
Let us know in the comments section below! As always, stay tuned to GamerHeadlines.com for the latest in video game and technology news.