Clearly, we don't see this from the same perspective.  To me, it's important that gay characters are at least acknowledged within the deepest parts of a developer's website for the game. Otherwise, how will gay people (who have not played the series)  know that they're being represented in the game industry.? 

In general, straight people simply assume that their stories are being represented often and accurately, but gay people do not have that privilege. On the subject of privilege and race... I cannot simply turn on a random TV channel in America and expect to be fully represented as a Hispanic person. Similarly, as a gay person, I also cannot expect to be fairly and accurately represented in video games, so I think that Bioware is bringing awareness to an important issue for the gay community. 

You may not think it's necessary and doesn't really show equality. But I sure do. 

Bleh. They should focus on finally making a good game instead of focusing on inventing new ways to satisfy the gay community.

Wow, why would anyone think that creating a gay character comes at the expense of making a good game? I feel like some of the objections to this come from latent or unconscious homophobia..

In the first game the character designs were SOOOOOOOO un inspired. Characters like Leliana and Alistair are nothing more than basic template captures that you will see a million times over throughout the game. The only character with any specialization is Morrigan but not even that much.

DA2, beyond your Brother/Sister everyone is a individually designed character that stands out on their own. The best would be Flemeth.

Inquisition continues the trend from second game but they seem to also want them NOT to look like "video game characters" They stand out but not all doll faced models in fancy outfits. Sure, they are not as physically appealing, but more believable I think. Hey, I dig a mustache :)

I'm hoping the achievements or trophies doesn't involve having to engage in gay relationships again
It was really awkward having to do it for 100% >_>

I hate society these days.

Since when did we have to worry about a characters sexual orientation in games.

TV is just as bad. Feels like every show is a freaking Captain Planet or Power Rangers. They have their asian, black, white, female, gay, ect.

Why can't we just have our games not have sex in them? Pretty sure i didn't have sex with a single companion in Dragon Age Origins. If I did it was by accident as the earlier person posted, was trying to get affection points or whatever the game calls it and ended up having sex accidnetly.

Well there are 2 extremes. There is letting devs/producers put what they want in their product. Doesn't sound bad until you realize that without any motivation to do so every game/TV Show would be filled with nothing BUT Caucasian Males beating their chests and getting every girl. Worlds where Blacks/Gays/Asians do not even exist, let alone a female character who isn't just a trophy for the protaganist.

Then there is the desire to be Politically Correct and appeal to every audience but sometimes it goes horribly overboard. Thats how you end up with Power Rangers which feels the need to represent every culture in the most contrived manner.

It is hard to find the balance.....

I DO hate playing games where their is a mysterious absense of any culturally differences. Or ones that pander so very hard to one type of gamer that they leave everyone else out in the cold. Duke Nukem and Liesure Suit Larry are extremes, but Political Correctness would also ruin things like Sleeping Dogs(a game that takes place entirely in Asian Culture which rightfully has nothing but).

Nothing grinds my gears more than a game having a character creator. 12 different faces for caucasians.................1black.....1asian.....sometimes no female(See AC unity). Is this truly asking for too much? As a Black person, yes this stands out like a soar thumb to me. I should have a variety of options just like white people do. A female that is playing should also be able to represent herself as well, and NOT just as some single PC grab.Alpha Protocol.......mysteriously omits the ability to be a gay spy on the grounds it doesn't "fit with the continuity". LOL what? Bond has been shown to be bisexual when needed, as seduction is key component.  In Mass Effect 1 and 2, a game that prided itself on allowing your choices and letting you embody the character.......had no gay MALE option for what comes down to fear of backlash really(which of course they recieved in ME3). So much of those games is about bonding with your teammates and forming lasting relationships, and of course budding romance. Everyone in those games seems to be socially/sexually liberated.........but apparently Gay Males do not exist.

Dragon Age has always tried to be all inclusive but not be too PC about it.

I think what bothers some is the fact they have to keep hearing about this thing that doesn't mean anything to them. Well the idea of gay characters in video games in a non stereotypical way is new development for the genre. We are still not accustomed to this sort of thing. So when it happens, they have to let you KNOW it happened. How else would we know anything changed at all? Romance is a facet of the game which has been advertised from day one. If they didn't let people know that they are working on making realistic straight and gay relationships than those it DOES effect might not ever know of the change.