Christian group claims homosexuality the 'dark side' in new Star Wars game

Fundamentalist Christian groups in the US are up in arms over a software company’s decision to allow for avatars, or characters, to engage in same-sex romances in the eagerly awaited new Star Wars online multiplayer game.

Star Wars: The Old Republic was launched in the US last December to great fanfare with industry rumours suggesting that its makers spent $100 million on the game.

Developers Bioware decided to include a same-sex romance component update (or patch) for the game following complaints from gay and lesbian gamers in 2009 about how the company treated gay and lesbian issues, both in its products as well as on its website forums.

The optional patch has caused outrage amongst some conservative and family groups in America however, with Tony Perkins from the Washington-based Family Research Council suggesting that homosexuality is more of a threat to Darth Vader and the empire than Luke Skywalker or the Millennium Falcon.

“The biggest threat to the empire may be homosexual activists!

“Since the announcement, homosexuals have been celebrating the news, but parents sure aren’t,” Perkins said.

“A lot of them [are] expressing anger that their kids will be exposed to this Star Warped way of thinking.”

Bioware’s decision to include the patch seems to have the support of gamers, with many saying they failed to see how it was detrimental to gameplay.

“Just because I could care less if my virtual character kisses another virtual character, doesn’t mean other people don’t want to see that,” a gamer by the username of Jedi_Wannabe said.

“If they’re willing to pay for that, someone, in this case BioWare, will provide it. It’s an aspect of the game which doesn't impact other players. So, if it keeps people paying for their monthly subscription, I’m for it.”

Another gamer, by the name of Kalkai, also agreed that the patch didn’t “ruin” the game.

“Honestly no one should care what anyone does as long as it doesn’t affect them. I do remember in [game] Dragon Age people complained about same sex relations, but as I said I don't see how it’s their problem.”

In 2006, gaming company Take-Two, publishers of the game Bully, came under attack by conservative groups for allowing the game's main character to kiss male characters.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is expected to be released in Australia in March.