The second someone uses the word “woke” unironically, I know exactly who they are. These are the people who call others snowflakes for being offended by bigotry. Yet they are the ones throwing tantrums over the tiniest things that offend their beliefs.
Siege of Dragonspear
When Beamdog released Siege of Dragonspear, an expansion pack for Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition, I was excited. More content for my favourite game of all time? Sign me up!
But the expansion was met with controversy. Apparently the game offended a lot of people by introducing LGBTQ+ characters. I didn’t pay too much attention to the story, but from what I heard, you’d think the game was just gay orgies and rainbows. As it turns out, it’s two lines of dialogue.
Still, the controversy was coming from a bunch of people who would use the word “woke” unironically, so I ignored it. You can criticise SoD, of course, and I’ve heard some genuine criticisms of the expansion pack. But to me, having LGBTQ+ representation is just part of telling stories that reflect the real world.
So imagine my surprise when I finally discovered what the “controversy” was about.
Too Much Woke
Two lines. There were two lines of dialogue in the entire game that got people’s feathers ruffled. The first was a line that Minsc would speak if you clicked on him too much.
Really, it’s all about ethics in heroic adventuring.
Minsc, Siege of Dragonspear
Apparently this is a reference to Gamergate, a movement that purports to be about free speech and ethics in gaming, but is really about giving incels an excuse to harass women who dare to have any influence over games.
The line has since been removed, mainly because Beamdog agreed with the criticism that it has nothing to do with his character:
Minsc – Minsc has a line which generated controversy. Looking back on the line, we agree with the feedback from our community, it has nothing to do with his character and we will be removing the line.
Trent Oster, Beamdog Forums
The second is an optional line of dialogue spoken by a minor character that is so easy to miss or skip if you want to.
When I was born, my parents thought me a boy and raised me as such. In time, we all came to understand I was truly a woman. I created my new name from syllables of different languages. All have special meaning to me, it is the truest reflection of who I am.
Mizhena, Siege of Dragonspear
That’s it. That’s the extent of the (intentional) LGBTQ+ content in the game. This was the line that caused the backlash against the expansion pack because it was too “woke”. The only kind of people that would react so viscerally to something so minor are, by definition, snowflakes.
This line has since been made harder to come across – there’s now a quest you need to complete before you can get to know This quest actually makes you more invested in the character before you find out that she is trans, which I actually think is a good thing. It also fits with Beamdog’s response to the controversy, in which they said:
We’ve received feedback around Mizhena, a supporting character who reveals she is transgender. In retrospect, it would have been better served if we had introduced a transgender character with more development.
Trent Oster, Beamdog Forums
I’m really glad they stuck to their guns here, and I’m excited to eventually get to this part in my own Let’s Play.
Woke Content Detector
Unfortunately the rabbit hole gets a lot deeper. There is a community on Steam that helps people to detect “anti-woke” content. It is the most hilarious and most pathetic group I have ever come across.
They have a spreadsheet full of games to help people avoid “woke” content. You can, of course, find Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 in there:
The Siege of Dragonspear dlc contains overtly pro-LGBTQ+ messaging. Features gay and trans characters that talk about their sexuality, including a trans npc called Mizhena. Homosexual romance options.
Snowflake Spreadsheet
Hexxat and Glint are the two gay relationships available to players in the game. The romances are, of course, optional, but I still find it funny that this is enough to prevent someone from playing the game.
Contains subtly pro-LGBTQ+ messaging. Features a character briefly changing from a man into a woman as a result of a potion. This is presented in a humorous setting.
Snowflake Spreadsheet
This one is gold. They get upset about the Girdle of Masculinity/Femininity, and Edwin’s quest. The fact that they missed that this girdle, and that Wild Mages could change gender after a wild surge, makes it even more hilarious to me.
Woke = Antifa = Anti-Nazi
I’ve long held the belief that “Woke” is just another word for Antifa, short for anti-fascist. It’s a word used by bigots to excuse their racist, homophobic, prejudiced views. This is why I don’t respect any snowflake that uses the word – they’ve just outed themselves as a bigot.
So, imagine my reaction when I go to the Woke Content Detector group and find that this was the top thread in their discussion page:
Why is anti-Nazism considered woke?
Person who doesn’t realise they are the baddies
The responses to this thread are hilarious in and of themselves. One comment states:
Nazi doesn’t mean actual Nazi anymore. The left calls anyone they don’t like or agree with a Nazi.
Definitely Not-A-Nazi Person
Given the example is literally about depictions of Nazis, uniforms and all, this argument falls apart instantly.
Another comment talks about censorship:
It’s censorship you dope.
Free Speech Abolitionist
Censoring nazis and white pride=woke
Censoring lgbt and communism= based and red pilled. Learn the difference. There is no “right wing woke” its a left wing thing.
An hilarious comment to see in a forum which is all about avoiding specific content via self-censorship.
I do find this group hilarious, but unfortunately it has a darker side to it. Many suggest that the group is ironic, but given the amount of effort put in to identify “woke” content, I have to disagree. There are hateful people out there, and that hate seeps into everything in their lives. With that much hatred, almost anything can trigger an angry reaction.
People this angry aren’t defending culture, they’re defending their fear. And when you’re that scared of a trans character or a joke about Gamergate, maybe you’re not the brave culture warrior you think you are. Maybe you’re just a snowflake.
