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February Event: The Matchmaker | Queerplatonic Relationships and Aro Option (All Wolves Unlockable)

February Event: The Matchmaker | Queerplatonic Relationships and Aro Option (All Wolves Unlockable)
Posted 2024-01-13 00:02:31 (edited)
#1133810
Hi! I come with a proposed solution to the sexualities in The Matchmaker preventing you interacting with all of the available wolves, queerplatonic relationships! In addition to this, support for aro(ace) players!

QUEERPLATONIC RELATIONSHIPS
The idea is that you can pursue a queerplatonic relationship with any wolves not interested in the gender you picked! This would allow you to date all the wolves and still collect their special decor. In addition, it would not erase the identities that wolves already have, gay wolves would still be gay, bi and pan wolves would still be bi and pan, and straight wolves would still be straight.

This could be an opportunity to open you to dating Eranthis (who to my understanding is aroace) which I think would be cool! I know people were a little disappointed they couldn't. With it being queerplatonic, it would still respect Eranthis's identity.

I think it would be overall great to introduce queerplatonic representation into the event, it could be a solid solution to people's disappointment in not being able to date some wolves, while also respecting those who want wolves to keep their sexualities!

What is a queerplatonic relationship?
A queerplatonic relationship is a close, intimate friendship, that is not romantic in nature. Though it has "queer" in the name, it is inclusive of all types of relationships! Whether that be, gay, bi, pan, straight, etc. anybody can be in a queerplatonic relationship with anybody else. The Wikipedia article goes more in-depth if you are confused.
Why not just platonic relationships?
Queerplatonic relationships feel like they fit the theme of the event more. As mentioned above, they are typically more intimate and committed than regular platonic relationships. Queerplatonic people may go on dates (although not in the same way as romantic partners) as well.
What might be required for an addition like this?
-Potential phrasing changes in the storyline and explanation about this from Eranthis.
-New dialogue for each wolf that is more platonic and is neutral and non-gendered.
-New art for the last positive stage of each wolf that is less romantic/flirty. (This is a light suggestion, it's probably not necessary, but I think it could be cool for differentiating romantic and queerplatonic relationships.)
-Quicker daily gains to get best experience. (+2 or +3 NPCs upon completing daily quest.)
-Changes to the affection icons to differentiate relationship types, example below.

An example of a Non-binary player's dating pool with the proposed icon changes:
Axhayet (Romantic), Chad (Queerplatonic), Inve (Queerplatonic), Ox (Negative relationship)

AROMANTIC SUPPORT
For aroace players to be included fully, it would be a good idea to introduce selecting whether you are allo (alloromantic) or aro (aromantic) alongside your gender.

To customize your choices, options could appear for potential romantic partners ONLY. For example, a confirm box could appear before you interact with wolves that says something like the following:

Alloromantic: All wolves romantically interested you are by default romantic, and those who are not interested are locked as queerplatonic (You would NOT be given the option to try to romantically date a gender not interested in you.) Romantic wolves would confirm you wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with (example) dialogue:

"This wolf is interested in a romantic relationship, you can instead have a queerplatonic relationship, please choose below: (Romantic | Queerplatonic)
[OK/Cancel]" (Popup: Are you sure you want a [romantic/queerplatonic] relationship?)


Aromantic: All wolves are by default queerplatonic relationships, potential romantic partners confirm this with (example) dialogue:

"You indicated you are aromantic, but this NPC is romantically interested in you. You can instead have a romantic relationship, please choose below: (Queerplatonic | Romantic)
[OK/Cancel]" (Popup: Are you sure you want a [queerplatonic/romantic] relationship?)




What if I change my mind?
If you are dating a wolf who has the option to be with romantically or queerplatonically (potential romantic partners, since wolves that don't like you romantically are locked as queerplatonic) I propose there being two new items in Tier 1 of the Boutique of Delights (alternatively from the Storyline or a new area due to tiers being initially locked):

[10-30 LB] Red Rose: If you change your mind about not being romantic with a potential romantic partner, you can use this rose to pursue them romantically (-10 affection in the relationship, does not fall below 0.)
[10-30 LB] Yellow Rose: If you change your mind and no longer want to be romantic with a potential romantic partner, you can use this rose to pursue them queerplatonically (-10 affection in the relationship, does not fall below 0.)


‼️ Looking for some help to improve this idea!! Any input on the following would be amazing:
What are some ideas to make queerplatonic relationships differentiate from romantic ones?

Please share your thoughts on this below, anything else that might be good to add or change, as I'm still looking to expand on this idea. Thank you for reading. :)

Due to how big of an alteration I suspect an addition like this would be, I'm not expecting this to be something that could be done in 2024 if it is considered at all. However, I would love to see a feature like this in 2025!
[Slow] ☘️ Kaziah (Kaz)
#16535
Posted 2024-01-13 00:27:32
#1133813
Supported so quickly. I was pretty bummed to read that all wolves would be playersexual since that takes away a pretty MASSIVE inclusive part of the massively inclusive event. Imagine writing out these characters as bi, gay, pan, or whatever other branch of LGBTQ+ we got from this event and then being like "SYKE! They all love you and revolve around you now!". It doesn't feel right. Their's no point in putting a sexuality if they'll date you and get bedroom eyes over you anyways in the end. It almost feels icky to me to force them to like your gender. I love the idea of being able to pursue a non-romantic relationship for this reason.

My only concern with this would be the wolf's set gender preference giving a punishment to those who want to pursue a QPR. But I have an idea for that. I think it would be interesting to be able to give dates a "mood". You pick your gift, your location, and your "action" with the action either being romantic or friendly in nature. Wolves who are not interested in your gender will get a debuff if you try flirting and making moves, similar to last year. This would then allow those who want to pursue QPRs for all wolves to do so, and also make it not forever punishing to pursue a QPR and go on a date with those who you want. This would have an added bonus for people like myself, who are Aro/Ace and have no interest in dating (so matchmaker is offputting to me anyways) too, since you could just be platonic with all wolves instead.

And another added thing that might be controversial? I personally think it'd be cool to see different decor for each direction. I KNOW a lot of people are mad the current decor is only able to be used with jellyfish. I think it'd be cool to get last year's decor for those who are NOT attracted to you, and a new more intimate decor that displays alongside your wolf for those who are attracted to you. You could theoretically get ALL decor with my above suggestion (being able to pursue a QPR with all wolves if you desired). This would allow decor to hold their value a little better since you can't get all decor in one year.
Lily (GH!)
#3016
Posted 2024-01-13 00:44:22
#1133815
@Lily: super good point with players being aro/ace maybe not wanting to do the romantic aspect or wanting to choose the relationship type.

perhaps another way to remedy that is they could introduce an option at the beginning when you chose your gender to specify if you're aroace or allo? (if aroace, all are queerplatonic, or if allo, those interested in your gender are romantic, and those that arent are queerplatonic).
...but this wouldnt solve people who might want to be queerplatonic with wolves interested romantically in them. to fix that, maybe if the wolf likes you romantically, it can prompt you to choose if you want it to be queerplatonic or romantic? like it could start off with dialogue of the wolf asking you what kind of relationship you're looking for?
i think this would be the least headachey for coders?

for the second idea, do you mean like how the eranthis decor is? i think that could be a cool idea but it might make the meaning of eranthis's existing decor weird? since they are supposedly aroace, but i could be thinking too hard into that lol.
[Slow] ☘️ Kaziah (Kaz)
#16535
Posted 2024-01-13 01:08:55
#1133818
I like the idea of it asking! Nice in the middle with, yea, a lot less coding on the coders part.

For the decor, I honestly forgot the Eranthis decor was a thing (like I said, I didn't enjoy flirting at all. Just did it for the decor). I was thinking more along the lines of the Lioden adoring decor line? With differences, ofc, depending on the wolf's personality like the other ones.
link and link for example.
Lily (GH!)
#3016
Posted 2024-01-13 04:28:29
#1133836
I love this! I was sad the devs changed the preferences to have no effect. I understand people wanting to get different decors though and this is the best suggestion I've heard on the topic! Fingers crossed this gets a lot of attention and gets considered 🤞
Embers
#3501
Posted 2024-01-13 05:10:48
#1133842
Support! This would especially work with what I was hoping to do, before reading up more (was only lurking last year so didn't experience it firsthand) and realizing that you need to date all you can to get maximum profit - I was hoping to actually choose one dating option for my wolf to "go exclusive" with, and only get their decor. With this system, I could have my wolf be queerplatonic with the rest and not have to deal with unwanted bedroom eyes (I am ace and that art makes me uncomfortable, especially if I'm only interacting with them for profit).

The thing is, though - I'd want to be able to decide that path at any point. Because maybe I like a wolf and want to pursue them at first, then I'd unlock a different wolf I like better and want to change my mind about the dynamics of the first relationship.
Before
#8638
Posted 2024-01-13 05:34:40
#1133846
I support! I was quite saddened when I heard of the possibility that the NPC wolves' sexualities were going to be erased, so hopefully this will be the solution to make everyone happy. 		⛥ Kitti
#10176
Posted 2024-01-14 17:07:22 (edited)
#1134936
I also like this idea as someone who identifies as ace. It would be nice if we could somehow select that option for ourselves as players. I just want to be buddies (and collect decor).
Memer Bear
#8777
Posted 2024-01-14 17:58:52 (edited)
#1134954
thanks for all the feedback everyone!! ive added support for aro(ace) people in the original post, how are we feeling about it?

also noted what you said @Before, and proposed two new items that would allow you to change your relationship type with potential romantic partners at a cost of some LB and affection: red rose for romantic relationships, yellow rose for queerplatonic relationships. both would remove -10 affection points (roughly 3 days of gifting liked items) but wouldnt fall below 0 in the negatives.

i plan to add visual examples when it's february! so that will be a little bit until i can do that, hopefully theyre descriptive enough for now.
[Slow] ☘️ Kaziah (Kaz)
#16535
Posted 2024-01-14 20:58:35
#1135066
Those additions look great!
Before
#8638
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