Is this game politically neutral?

He never claimed those things as his opinion, you're reading into tone which cannot be accurately read without hearing. He gave examples of things which are politically charged he never stated his position on these issues.

Now if he had said those dirty marxists or whatever you would have a case. Perhaps it is someone wanting a politically neutral experience for their child so they can choose their own beliefs.

 

This implies that he was listing things he considered "progressive" specifically, implying he had issue with these things in particular. In addition, the quotation marks around the word "progressive" have a definite connotation of sarcasm.

Point is, maybe he was just using random things as an example, but it seems more foolish to assume so.

 

ITS ART
Games are art
And art is always politically charged
By author's or externally forced intention

 

I've just skimmed this thread looking for a response from the OP to any of this and I have to agree with SeaJay about all this.

 

Scarequoting progressive and using the terms miscegenation and cultural enrichment are enough to infer intent.

 

All the things he mentioned are not new ideas perhaps he meant that they are simply lateral transitions of other base ideas. You cannot read the OPs mind the fact that you jump to the conclusion that he had ill intent shows the inclination you have. If you assume he meant no harm then you harm no-one, you could politely point out what you believe to be wrong and answer the question he placed. By assuming he is saying something wrong you act on hate, a hate which you cannot know is correctly placed. You should assume the best in someone until they prove themselves otherwise, this is the only way to be fair and the only way to ensure you treat everyone with respect. You cannot read minds there are multiple ways to read his post, you chose the worst.

 

Yeah, but it's pretty easy to start a fight if you slap someone in the face.

 

From what I've gathered, the game REALY wants Iran to give up its nuclear program and thinks that Putin may not have the long-term interests of Russia in mind. Its suspicious of the Tea Party's actual intentions in the original Hylol origin story. Starbound, as a game, DOES support Israel's right to exist. It also strongly frowns upon any expansion into formerly occupied territories by said state. There are some insinuations that Barack Obama's race was a decisive factor in his original election if you listen to some Floran dialogue, and a few of the NPC's in passing make reference to the real implications of "supporting the troops". It avoids touching on the gay marriage issue though, which is probably for the best. However a few Apex Bandits will question the morality of it (that being homosexuality) by claiming that Big Ape is in fact a homosexual, the comment delivered in a way suggesting it is meant to be derogatory.

A dropped subquest in the tutorial that was between the "Make an anvil" and "Make a forge" was "Enlighten the Apex bigots", but was supposedly dropped due to its questionable implementation; the quest required you to kill the bandits and donate their loot to a formerly unmentioned deity named "Z.O.G".

 

Agreed with most of this, however the last sentence is incorrect, it isn't Z.O.G, it's Vigo the Carpathian.

 

You're right, my bad. It was a tossup betwteen Z.O.G and Gozer the Gozerian, I'd entirely forgotten about Vigo the Carpathian.

 

I actually found some IG footage of his boss battle hidden in the game files, SPOILER AHEAD.

 

Be sure to wear your tinfoil hats.

 

I'll confirm that we at Chucklefish do not mind people of different races marrying. To be against that would be insane. Marry whatever the heck race, it doesn't matter.

If that's pushing a political agenda, then whatever (though I'm not sure we technically say much on the subject in Starbound lol). We don't aim for politics, just fun. The most political we get so far is some 1984 inspired stuff which is really just for fun and we're not trying to make a statement. That said, again, interracial marriage... who is against that? I mean besides stupid people.

Oops I got political.

 

Confirm/Deny rumor of the potential inclusion of Vigo the Carpathian as a boss?

 

"miscegenation"? Well well, I learned a new word today. I'm probably going to forget it before next week's over, but hey.

Games are stories, I don't really see how they could "force" a political view on you unless their actual game mechanics favored a view over another. For example, the Metro 2033 universe has a whole bunch of factions, pretty much all of which are evil. The game's not trying to convince me to become a communist or a nazi or a capitalist, it's just how people are in that world. Players are free to agree or disagree with each faction's ideologies and methods.

Same with Dragon Commander. There's five races that are basically caricatures of political parties who all take different sides on every issue, and whatever side of the issue you yourseld decide to support, you get some benefits and some penalties. Even when the morality of the choice is super clear, the game doesn't reward or punish you for choosing either way. The game only concerns itself with the practical aspects of it, the realistic consequences of your choices.

You play in a Roman-style setting and attempt to ban slavery? You're going to be assassinated real quick. Doesn't mean the game supports slavery; it's just what would realistically happen if you attempted to ban it in that setting.

I expect Starbound will be the same. You decide to massacre every member of a certain race whenever you meet them? The consequences of those actions are what they are and what you'd expect. You'll get access to a lot of loot from their settlements, but the word might spread and they'll probably hate you and attack you on sight as well as refuse to help you or reveal race-specific secrets. The game won't go "You're a terrible person, here's a bunch of stat penalties!" or "Good job getting rid of those dirty !/$!"/$ who follow a totally wrong ideology and all deserve to be eaten alive by dull-toothed pirhanas, here's some bonuses!".

 

That means that a Floran and an Avian can engage in youknowwhat? That's Interestingly dirty and hauntingly creepy at the same time.

 

And kinda hot.

 

Rule 34, bro.

 

They're called races merely for convenience. Actually they are species which is a different subject altogether.

 

If you've followed the devteam's tweets/forum posts for very long, you can make a pretty accurate appraisal of their politics. I agree with some and disagree with others, but I haven't seen much of it in their game.