Relationships in video games often are a lot like relationships in middle school. They're there in the periphery, but your main focus is on other things, like playing an awesome video game

But BioWare, the developer of "Dragon Age: Inquisition," has made an effort to make character relationships a rewarding part of the game, according to IGN.

"I think there are some really, really solid counter examples when you look at where relationships fall down and where they're flat," said "Inquisition's" Creative Director Mike Laidlaw. "There are some that are really, really effective."

Laidlaw said that the "Inquisition" team learned a lot about how to make an in-game relationship feel real from "The Darkness," a 2007 game from 2K about a mob hit man who deals with demons.

"The most romantic moment in a video game that I've ever seen is when Jackie visits his girlfriend's apartment in The Darkness.... She baked me a cake, she's moving in, and you watch possibly the entirety of To Kill a Mockingbird as she passes out on your lap because she's tired and snuggly," Laidlaw said. "That is amazing."

For a video game relationship to work, Laidlaw said it can't be systemic. If a relationship relies on getting achievements or loot, it won't feel real. And that is an issue the developers addressed in "Dragon Age: Inquisition."

Characters in "Inquisition" will respond to different situations in different ways. Some may respond to the slaying of a dragon with a desire to party, while others won't.

"And suddenly it's a friendship moment, or maybe more," Laidlaw said. "Maybe there's flirting, who knows? It all depends on that state. It's reacting to what happens in the game."

BioWare adds to the reality of the game by making certain characters off limits to the main character. It could be that they're not interested or they could have a different sexual orientation.

"That's something I think the writing team's done a really good job of," Laidlaw said. "Playing with your expectations to some degree, and none of them feel the same."

"Dragon Age: Inquisition" is set to be released on Nov. 18.