@Canisa I don’t know where you’re living but I totally want to live there! I’ve encountered way worse.
The thing about authours using historical or pseudo historical with elves settings is that they usually underestimate the power women had. Even in the most rigidly patriarchal eras, there were still a number of women who wielded power even if it were behind the scenes.
They also tend to underestimate the ethnic diversity.
I’ll stay clear of most of the discussion, but would just like to point out, @Vendetta, that by a simple disclusion of such choices, you’ll be alienating a more significant portion of your potential audience than you may realize. Additionally having the possibility of a female protagonist may be easier than you realize, both in terms of coding/writing, and in terms of creating a realistic setting.
Important people, ‘movers and shakers’ as it were, which most Player Characters are, (that ‘larger than life’ image is, after all, what usually makes a PC fun to be), tend to have a way of transcending the sociological barriers that their gender or ethnicity would otherwise impose on them. Can you imagine staring down someone like Rosetta Cutolo, or say, Griselda Blanco? Sure, they are both (relatively) more modern, but can you really claim that cartel and mafia families have become more female friendly in the past century (or so)? If anything, they’ve become worst for women, in that there is no remnant of civility towards them left.
Fair comments, Reaper, and I do appreciate the point you are making. However, as stated above this is my very first effort with Choicescript. Even after almost seventeen years on the net and well over two decades using a PC, I am still probably the most non-programmer type you’ll ever encounter. My brain simply doesn’t work that way; believe me, I’ve tried! 
For all of these reasons I feel that I have to stick with what I believe I can actually achieve, and then perhaps try to expand on the basic game options in future once I am more familiar and comfortable with the system. Even if that means I’m alienating 80% of the people who might otherwise actually be interested in my offering, that to me is better than reaching too far too early and finding myself simply unable to complete the project. It might still not be possible for me, but this way at least I’m keeping the odds in my favour and may even last long enough to learn.
Besides, to be perfectly blunt, in order to change my plans now I’d actually have to care what someone like Canisa thinks about it. On the contrary, I find it laughable to be accused of “sexism” by such a–shall we say, “strongly biased”–person (re: comments made on the reasons for male preoccupation with female virginity, in another thread).
Canisa does raise a fair point. A lot of minorities (it’s kind of laughable to call women a minority when more or less 50% of population) already have to deal with a lot of crap in our daily lives and we go to entertainment to get away from it, but too bad for us it isn’t safe from crap. Her opinion is also one I share: We are jaded with historical settings (or pseudo-historical fantasy) because they tend to be excuses to put women in weak positions and to potray non-white peoples as villains or just not potray us at all.
I don’t want to clog up the thread by explaining certain sociological concepts, but suffice to say, most people engage in sexism and racism and many other kinds of isms and phobias without being conscious of it. Your comment about Canisa being “strongly biased” because you are speaking from a priviledged position.
However, I see that you are willing to learn which is why you would have found that my approach is gentler in comparison to Canisa. I believe that it is possible to use a historical setting with its historically accurate social climate and not resort to the tired old tropes of helpless damsels.
So while Canisa may have worded it stronger than you are used to, it is not something you should immediately dismiss. There is a good reason why she is frustrated about this. Trust me, it is not misandry. And about her comment about virginity on my thread, you do have to admit that there is a strong pressure to conform to that line of thinking among those born with a penis.
Lastly, there is a strong tendency for people in priviledged positions to feel threatened by opinions of strong frustration. I know that feeling. I’ve been there myself for other things where I am in the priviledged position. The thing is to recognise that these opinions aren’t usually about you personally and then try to understand where they come from.
While I don’t exactly disagree with much of what you say (and actually agree with the majority of it) suffice it to say I’ve been around long enough to have heard it all before, and so very many times. If it’s not feminism or sexism or racism (or any other “ism”) it’s religion or politics. Frankly, I have no axe to grind and no particular viewpoint to express, on any of these subjects. Neither do I want another’s views rammed down my throat in a direct personal attack, in the manner in which Canisa obviously thinks is acceptable.
I came here to design games because this is something I’ve done since the 1980s, something I very much enjoy doing, and something for which I have won awards. I’m perfectly aware that one person’s idea of fun leisure entertainment is another’s worst nightmare, and that it’s impossible to please everyone, so I have no intention of even trying to do so. If Canisa’s objection to my game is that the first version may appeal only to spotty wimps who want to play a tough guy from “Goodfellas”, so be it, she is entitled to her opinion. But to call ME sexist because my game will depict an era and culture she finds utterly repulsive, that is just way out of line.
What’s next? Doubtless homophobics will be calling me gay once they discover that the main character can pursue a clandestine gay relationship, should the player so choose–something utterly taboo and equally “repulsive” (not to mention extremely dangerous) in the era and culture depicted in the game.
I didn’t write history, I only write about it. But I write it as it was–“isms” included.
Alright, I’ll admit; I was a little blunt in my previous post. Yes, the 1930s were even worse for women than the present. No, I don’t think reality is worth sticking to entirely when creating entertainment. No, I won’t play your game if you use it as a platform to discriminate against people, whether or not you actually believe in the views you’re putting across in it. I don’t want to see any more misogyny than I have to, so I won’t. Have fun making your game.
You know, you can always go for the broadsides approach and make the player’s gender the one not really discriminated against. Nothing wrong with setting the story up in an alternate universe where all men are women and all women are men. Also, you don’t plan on making every character sexist, right Vendetta? I think I’m fine with having some sexist and/or mildly sexist characters, just not only sexist characters. Would love to also see characters on the other side of the spectrum - some really progressive types. Could potentially add a good amount of detail to characters and the story. Would also almost definitely be good to make one of the mafia bosses of the discriminated-against sex. They could try to hide it with a puppet husband/wife or something if you want, or they could be open about it. But please don’t make two versions of the game - make the character have to deal with sexism in every play, or make the character never have to deal with sexism. Sexism should definitely not be the highlight of the game if it is included, just one aspect.
@Canisa I feel that the best we can achieve here is to agree to differ. While I support your views in principle (believe it or not) I disagree on one important point: that history should be warped or twisted in some way to suit modern perceptions. Instead, I believe we should show it as it truly was, and endeavour to learn from it–even in a game. What you see as perpetuating unfairness or injustice, I see as education. How can the next generation fully understand and appreciate your point of view if history itself is whitewashed in order to conform to modern viewpoints and avoid giving offense?
@peglegpenguin I appreciate your suggestion, which others have also suggested (in private mail) as a possibility to consider. I’ve thought long and hard on the subject but have decided to stick to my original aim–a realistic gangster simulation based firmly on historical fact, and everything that goes with that. I do however now feel more determined than ever to then attempt a second version of the game from a purely female character’s perspective – rewriting every single paragraph if needs be – in an attempt to properly portray what it might have been like to be a woman in the truly “man’s world” that was the criminal underworld of the 1920s.
To attempt anything less than this would leave me guilty of everything of which I stand accused.