Free Couples Update For 'Haven' Adds Same Gender Options

fitting for a role play game

YES PLEASE.
The lack of same-gender pairings was the #1 thing that put me off from this game. But now, with this update, it's a game that my girlfriend and I would feel very happy to play together. I will absolutely be buying this game soon.

This game was on game pass for a while, but I never got around to it before it left. I still want to check this one out!

A game that just keeps on giving. Mandatory.

That makes me want to play it even more, now only if I'd be able to get my hands on a LRG copy that costs less than 250EUR...

I love when games add inclusivity options like this. I'm surprised it isn't the norm to make games as inclusive as possible.

@SigmaNoire definitely makes me regret missing out on the Limited Run Games pre-order window! had I known an update like this was coming, I would have placed an order. ah well.

I've yet to get the game, but this is yet another incentive to eventually do.

Nice to see these sorts of things being added!

I remember people saying the devs were homophobic because this catered to straight couples. Which game devs should have the freedom to create what they want, and that doesn't make them homophobic. However, it's great to see these devs being more inclusive.

@Arkay please stop making inappropriate/creepy comments.

This is why I became a comic artist instead of a game developer. People are much more toxic in game communities, calling devs homophobic for no reason. Creative people do not have to do what others tell them. It is called free will.

@Arkay Tbh I didn't play it long, I think the wife and I moved onto it takes two at the time. It seemed pretty good from what I remember, I know furi's soundtrack was amazing so I'd assume this one would be through and through.

Oh, so only men can wear pants and only women can wear shorts now!?

Only kidding, they went out of their way to update the game models, character art, and voice acting for the entire game to support same gender options. It's a game about a relationship from what I gather, and it makes sense to let players choose what kind of relationship they'd like to see when playing the game.

It adds more options to customize the player's experience, a very welcome update indeed.

@Tainaru guffawing at the idea comic communities are not horribly toxic

High pitched scream Whaaaaaaaat??? TIME TO REVISIT THIS MASTERPIECE!!

By simply turning this already great game I kinda wanted into basically a yuri sim now I gotta get it

Have updates ON CART as LRG hasn't released it yet. Games shouldn't be the end all to society issues or gender conformity here. Diversity in gaming is what's needed first before we get knee deep into society issues - that's no easy fix when politics are already going politics identification already.

@Paraka Care to elaborate?

Releasing a free update that gives players the option to choose the gender of both themselves and their significant other with art, model, and voice acting differences is pretty special in my book.

The story isn't impacted by being a different gender, but why should the story change because of this?

Very nice! I was soo close to preordering the LRG physical release, ultimately declined, but still kind of wish I ordered. Especially seeing them offer this kind of support for the game.

Maybe it will be one of those that Best Buy gets a few copies to sell at retail?

@somebread Beat me to it 😂

@RupeeClock LRG could ask that they send back and update cause we LRG buyers already paid for it. They can do it StarDew Valley did it for a small charge to have the update on cart.

@Teksetter I've seen other games show up later on Amazon and BestBuy.

@SwitchForce I must be misunderstanding your first comment.

It appears you're saying it's more important to have physical games with all updates than it is to be accepting of same-gender relationships in society.

Please tell me I am greatly mistaken.

I played this on Game Pass - it was interesting but a little disappointing. Call me immature if you wish, but focusing on the "doing the dishes together" side of a love story rather than the more titillating aspects leaves me cold.

@N64-ROX haven't played it, but that feels like a bit of a relief, honestly. feels like that sort of thing gets ignored in favor of the latter usually

@Paraka When you're talking about an update that supports acceptance of same-gender relationships and say it's not special, despite basically being a complete overhaul of the game's main characters ... yeah, it does come off a bit offensive.

How can an update be "good" but not "special"? Sometimes it's best to not say anything at all if you can't say anything nice.

@Astral-Grain - That's a broad stroke to make to justify painting me in a bad light.

A game that highlights the intimacy of relationships would do well to consider options like this from the get-go. And if the story is still carbon-copy, it should have been a consideration prior to release. It was an intentional omission, and their play on it being "special" makes it clear this addition was an afterthought.

So yes, going back to add it is good, but doing so isn't special. They would have to make it more than what is expected.

I guess in your view criticism should be kept to One's self. Interesting bait, bud, but try to keep your personal jabs to yourself. That's trying to incite arguments That's aren't needed.

@Dirty0814 An update adding preference "options" in a video game is "shoving it down your throat"?

You just described segregation.

@Dirty0814 The ratings you describe would only be useful to bigots. There doesn't need to be a "warning" when a game features LGBTQIA+ characters or content.

If a gay man is "not for this type of thing" regarding hetero relationships, should they also complain 98% of TV and Video games feature hetero characters?

Take a step back and look at how entitled you sound.

@Dirty0814 - I think your claim would have the reverse effect intended. And with how broad definitions are of some the things you listed, you can quite literally make each game categorized into only two camps. Not at all useful.

You have the internet, research.

@Astral-Grain - Well, technically many of them have, or at least the idea of the media they consume is predominantly straight or otherwise not aligned. We have a couple here on NL that do this wholesale as well.

And they should be open to complain about it. Criticisms help generate marketable gauges. Can't make a game to appeal to a certain group without knowing your budget to make a profit from it.

@Dirty0814 This is such a non-issue, especially because it’s an additional option for those who want it, it doesn’t detract at all from the main game. So, you’re the one making this a problem when it’s absolutely not one.

@Dirty0814 I’m gonna ask you to please tone it down and drop the discussion, since you’re being rather offensive.

Everyone, let’s please drop it as well.

@Dirty0814 - Let me ask this; If the content added oranges to eat, but you hate oranges. But the content would need you access a place you don't even go to, would the oranges impede on your enjoyment of the game? If so, how?

@Eel With pleasure.

@somebread I assume both communities are horribly toxic in the west. Luckily, not in my country

Looking forward to my LRG Switch copy of this, hopefully soon.

@Tainaru believe me, comics are like, the ur-toxic geeky fandom here in the west, even before the net. it's rough

The writing in this game was awful, I don’t see myself ever finishing it

Super excited about this. Took this game from “Meh” to wishlist! Female Kay is giving me Avatar Korra vibes and I am here for it!

this is awesome

I'm actually surprised that wasn't there by default, I might give this game a try now, whatever the case, this is great! Edit: I'm dumb, I missed the part where they said it was meant to be apart of the game.

I wasn't super into the Steam demo, but I might just get it now! This really makes the game a lot more interesting to me

Hmm... neat addition! As a happy part of the "rainbow" crowd, I am happy with this. Also happy the dumpster fires have been dowsed and buried already for the most part. I like this crowd.

I can also think of a good reason why this wasn't included at first, even if it were part of the plan. It's not a backpedal, and it's not a "conspiracy". No, I think it's more a matter of "We can get this game out to the fans first and add it in later, or we can miss our planned window trying to make everything happen at once and have NO game (or a less-successful one)." That they're including fresh voiced and edited dialogue and character models for same-gender couples FOR FREE speaks to their character, IMO. If inclusivity had been a paid DLC and not a free upgrade, it could have been argued as disingenuous, but they didn't. They did this pro bono, and , hey, they drummed up a few new customers in the rainbow set (I bought it anyway, 'cause I'm in the "B" arc), which isn't a bad thing, no matter what others (who've been shown the door) might have said.

Personally I'm still wishing for days when who you love is as important to others as which hand you write with (and remember, in many areas, as little as 20 years ago, being a southpaw was evil, too).

Well damn, I guess I'm buying this after all.

Good job to the devs. I love this game and played it a lot last year. Even revisited it last week to clear up some of the isles that I skipped through. Amazing story and script. Pls go and buy this one fellas. Hope more will buy this game and we get some sort of sequel in the future. Also hands down one of the best gaming soundtracks in my book.

@Astral-Grain He's allowed to have his opinion, no matter how much it clashes with yours.

@Chunkboi79 thanks! I'll check out some reviews of it.
@LokiKatze some people here tend to forget that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.