My wife was concerned over the sometimes child-unfriendly portraits in Neverwinter Nights and asked me to fix it. (In addition, my wife felt that there was a certain level of sexism in the artwork. While some people may not see the mostly tame art in NWN as sexist, it personally makes me and my wife feel that it encourages sexual sterotypes about women that we personally wanted to teach our children to disagree with.)
My son has also started to build mods and play them with NWN, so I build this child guard as a parental control.
I have gathered artwork from NWVault and used them to override some of the more immodest images, particularly those that contained partial nudity, like the Succubus. I improved others as possible.
While I did this strictly for myself, I thought I'd make it available anyhow.
Please note this only affects the portraits in the game, the load screens, the initial interfaces, and a few models. If an artists wishes to help with this, I'll be glad to expand the scope of this work. Unfortunately I simply don't have the artistic talent to do this on my own.
Update: I have gotten a few responses from people very critical of the existence of this mod. It's not always possible for me to tell if these criticisms are sincere and thoughtful, misguided, or really just disguised hatred of choice. Due to the occasional posts I get from time to time, I ask that anyone that feels negatively over this mod, that does nothing but introduces additional parental choice, consider the following points before posting. If you post and it's obvious you didn't read this, don't expect to be taken seriously:
* There is no requirement that you download this mod. No one will come to your door and break your knee caps if you don't. In fact, nothing at all will happen to you. Please bear in mind that only people that *want* to download this mod will ever do so.
* I don't care to give out my child's age, but he's old enough to make mods.
* NWN with the the violence turned all the way down changes the game so that defeated monsters merely fall over and disappear. It's much less violent then Bugs Bunny cartoons. It's the same level of violence as the E-rated Legend of Zelda.
* I realize there are pacifists out there that sincerely won't let their kids watch Bugs Bunny cartoons because they are too violent, to say nothing of modern Y-7 cartoons like Batman. If this is you, please understand that I strongly disagree with you but also strongly respect your views. Feel free to post and tell me that you don't think it's okay for me to allow *any* kid to play NWN. I will simply respond and to say �I disagree with you, but your entitled to your opinion.�
* On the other hand, I doubt anyone that's posted here so far is a pacifist because the real life ones I know wouldn't dream of supporting a game like NWN.
* If you are not a pacifist, but honestly believe that allowing a child to see partial nudity like the Succubus, Dryad, and Nymph is better then having monsters fall down, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. However, I strongly disagree with you and I think you have some very messed up views of what is appropriate or inappropriate for children. Still, let's agree to disagree.
* I originally wrote that last point as a joke. However, Shadowsilk tells me he really does take his children to nude beaches but doesn't let them watch Bugs Bunny. Shadowsilk and I very strongly disagree with the other's view of what's appropriate for children. We have agreed to disagree. To say I think he's making a mistake is an understatement. I'm sure he feels the same way about me for not taking my children to clothing optional beaches.
* I also realize that there are people that somehow want to turn this into a �violence vs. sexuality in the media� discussion. While I encourage this discussion in an honest and civil manner, ignoring the obvious truth that it's a matter of degree is not helpful. Do you really believe XXX movies are more child-friendly than Bugs Bunny? Please state your full views so that I can respectfully respond to you and we can have a civil discussion.
* Finally, if you are someone that so hates the idea of choice that you actually feel anger over this mod and want to sabotage it to make it go away (as PIGSgrame, miraceti, akibara, Akirosette, CharisaB, and Enigmaticatious tried before Maximus stopped them), my advice to you is to seek counsellings to over come your intolerance.
If you, for some reason, aren't aware of the growing body of research on the concerns over exposing children to "sexualized" images (i.e. images that emphasize a person�s value coming only from his or her sexual appeal or behavior to the exclusion of other characteristics) then please read this article before posting: Link
One final note: I would like to point out that the nudity mods on this site aren't nearly as controversial as this mod has turned to to be. I want people to honestly ask themselves why that is and if they are okay with that fact.
To better explain why I feel this mod deserves a 5. The purpose of using this mod is to remove inappropriate things from portraits etc, allow people to play modules that may contain these images. As these other modules are written by other people, then the content in those modules remains unchecked and thus may contain material which is more inappropriate than the things being censored. The alternative is then to create your own modules instead, but creating your own modules means you can purposely avoid the portraits and inappropriate content in the first place. Thus it seems the only time when this mod can be used is the only time when the greater risk to children can occur, in playing material that you have not completely gone through and checked in advance. These modules could involve topics or situations which would cause far more damage to children than a static image of a woman in a bikini. As it is impossible to go through an entire module and check everything, it seems that this mod does not reach the goals which it set out to and does not in fact actually "guard" the child from very much other than a few images. Trying to take a game which was not rated for young children and make it suitable for that level when it comes with its own toolset to create any content imaginable seems to defeat its own purpose. Thus I rated it a 5 simply because it does not meet its goals, is limited in the protection it provides and should probably be called "Alternative Portrait Pack" instead of "Child Guard" because it doesn't really guard against anything and may actually be misleading to parents who think installing this mod will keep their children safe from inappropriate material.
Posted by Malak's at on08/25/07
4 - Some Merit, Requires Improvements Well, unlike most I've dl-ed it and looked at some of the contents and will give a rate then. Setting aside any thoughts regarding the need or justifications for or against this 'mod' I feel that the exceution requires some serious improvements. Replacing portraits is perfectly fine, but the smudging of existing portraits is a form of - and this is too strong an expression - 'mutilating' existing works of others and this is not alright in my book.
Posted by bnielson at 16:40:31 Voted10.00
Thanks for the feedback, DaneBramage.
Posted by DaneBramage at on08/07/07
good work there, dude. i appreciate and encourage your control over what your kids see. it is entirely your prerogative to make this mod and actually quite generous for you to post it for public use. i wholeheartedly support your work here. _________________________ Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons. You are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
Posted by bnielson at 15:10:32 Voted10.00
Thanks for you input and feedback qirien.
Posted by qirien at on07/02/07
So, I think this is a cool idea (there really is an astonishing amount of "fan service" in most fantasy RPGs, which does bug me) The adding clothes, I like. But it seems like on most of the portraits the only change was a little blurred cleavage, which I guess is good in drawing the eye to other parts of the portrait, but wasn't really very much. Though, perhaps that just means that you did a good job and the changes were really subtle. :-) _________________________ Time Becomes a Loop - short, story-driven time travel mod!
Posted by bnielson at 08:46:31 Voted10.00
Oh, and perhaps I should use the word "disagree" rather than "criticize" but hopefully you understood what I was getting at. Again, my thanks.
Posted by bnielson at 08:41:07 Voted10.00
RubicantX, After I left my last message to you, I realized that I really wanted to say more to you. I just want to say thank you again for your polite comments even disagreeing with me. Do you realize that you are the one and only person that has posted against this mod that showed no bigotry at all? Even Shadowsilk, fell into the trap of blatant prejudice and misrepresentation against Christian religions that believe in original sin. He also made a point of assuming the worst about me, apparently for the sake of trying to embarrass me. Such things are not tolerant and are really not appropriate under any circumstances. (Though Shadowsilk was generally fairly tolerant in his approach.) I just want to say that while I disagree with your views on this mod, that I am happy to extend a hand of friendship to you and call you "brother." You can stop by and criticize me any time you want ? and I honestly mean that from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, Bruce
Posted by bnielson at 14:21:33 Voted10.00
@ejly, Thanks for the download and the vote. @RubicantX, You gave a very thoughtful response and shared your point of view well. I feel completely comfortable agreeing to disagree with you. I really do appreciate you leaving commments. I like the idea of lots of points of view being available.
Posted by RubicantX at 2007-06-0910:54:21
I'm glad for once "parent" DOESN'T mean fascist bent on controling what other peoples' kids can see. Im gay and don't see females in a sexual way so maybe my different view might be helpfull. The portraits aren't too sexist (unlike tomb raider), however I agree with more "realistic" body images for females chars in games not to mention more roleplaying options for the chars (would a paladin really show off cleavage?) and there should be a non-violent option for the major enemies. Most lower ones you can always cast charm on them then run(but no exp for it). As for the violence issue when i was 5 one of my favorite books was "Jack the Giant Killer" at one point jack tricks a giant into slashing his own belly open.I have been playing violent video games since wolfenstien-3d came out and watched almost nothing but horror films when i was 9 to 11 yrs old and grew out of them by 13 (horror movies are kind of childish i think). I had access to all forms of guns in high school but did i kill anyone? NO. When other kids threatened violence against me i told them if they did they would be facing a barrel (which would get a kid arrested today), and did they ever touch me? NO. When i saw the bloody floor after torture pics in off american soil prisons and heard what happened i felt LITERALLY sick to my stomache so the desensitizing obviously didn't happen. In real life my alignment would be either True Neutral (I use use cold calculating unemotional logic when i think), or more likley Chaotic Good, I love freedom and belive in helping those who need it. At Viginia Tech no one but the criminal had a gun and look how many people died got hurt waiting for a police death squad to show up. Chalk up one more victory for gun control. On Sept.11 two planes were willingly handed over to terrorists in america and 4k people died, everyone else lost freedom, and 250k+ people in other countries died. Chalk up one more victory for the anti violence effort. In africa men wear nothing but a string on the sex organ women a loincloth but they dont become sex crazed woman absusers, quite the opposite. How parents react to and explain nudity, sex and body image is as much a factor as the "sexist" things themselves. Conan wears only a loincloth with rippling muscles but it is not seen as "sexualizing men" but a muscled woman in a revealing outfit is automaticly labeled a "sexist stereotype plaything". Kids hear parents saying that and think in that way too. As a gay guy i like anime type chicks who often wear clothes that only cover the "unshowable areas" but are strong willed and independant of gender role sterotyping of being weaker than men. ("Ghost in the Shell" anyone?) However my favorite female game char is Samus Aran (Metroid) who wears a power armor suit and you wouldn't even know its a girl till the cutscene reveals it. Now comments on the mod: First: I think it is a misguided idea to "de-sexualize" a succubus, it shows ignorance of what succubi are: Female demons who WANT males to think of them as nothing but a sexual object, that is part of thier power, they use that to lure men into loving or lusting after them (luring them into dropping guard) then ripping the foolish humans flesh off or some other gruesome death. Second: Nymphs are tree or plant people no more needing of clothes than flowers. I think that explains why those enemies have almost nudity and it should be left in. _________________________ Sanity... Is for the WEAK! - Chaos Space Marines, War40k: DoW
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