What you’re describing sounds more like sociopathy, not psychopathy or narcissism, and doesn’t really fit the bill
- Thread starter baconsmoke
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"A sociopath, often referred to in clinical terms as someone with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), is characterized by a persistent disregard for the rights and feelings of others, a lack of empathy, and manipulative behavior. They may engage in deceitful or impulsive actions and often have difficulty forming genuine emotional connections with others."
The only reason I doubt it's "sociopathy" is because it doesn't seem like she lacks empathy. She would likely feel genuine hurt for the MC, if she could feel what is hurting him. But, lacking that, she just wants to understand those feelings the MC has, that keep getting in her way. That's why they talk about everything ad nauseam.
Also...I feel like Diane would have made an appearance much later in the story if Lacey's problem was narcissism.
Diosvincenccio
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There are some lines that indicate that there was some sort of obligation or repayment for the childhood years at the beggining of the game. But nah, Lacey loves MC, that cant be argued against, shes just friking selfish. Even in her love for him, she considers her opinion more correct or better than his. So she ignores them or overules them. Problem is, even with all her love, her actions dont consider the consecuencies at the long run, that the quick fix now can cause problems later. And then hell lets loose.
As for methodicall and efficient...are you sure? Yes, in the manipulation and discussion of arguments, there i concede the fight. Shes a grandmaster. But on the actual execution of her plans? Damn, do i have to remind you of how well the lesson of sex means nothing with Damian go? The only methodical and efficient teaching moment there was that she cant be trusted at all.
Shes a screw up that belives herself in posession of better opinions than others. Shes manipulative even when her intentions are good. Quick to belive that a magical plan can fix everything. Desperate to make MC leave the pain that she caused behind. All that and a narcissist, sure. But she has feelings for MC, of that there is no doubt. She does show and create signs of Psychopathy, but it also shows behavior that invalidates it. Unless an expert in the field walks by and confirms it.
And i suspect that the Act 2 was a lot more improvised than the past act, due the sudden popularity of the game. That a lot of plot points are "in the moment looks good" ideas. And as the Dev rest and has time to plan the rest of the game, it would return to a more emotional based game. The therapy session, i suspect, will come in the future with a recap that will expose Lacey motivations and what actually ocurred in some sketchy parts of her story. From missing time in college, to the 120 hours in the fake job, actual motivations for ignoring the rules with damian, etc... and yes, she tells that she knew what she was doing when breaking the rules with Damian to the MC, but she was also trying to get a rise from him and get him out of the apathy, so even that its cuestionable. Only her telling her motivations and actions to an impartial third party, like the therapist, could be somewhat trustworthy.
Really, Lacey fucked things beyond what anyone would tolerate her, but its the story of several very broken people, and some of them are already changing. Some willingly, some forced by others.
Lets give some leeway for the Dev and let him cook.
Diosvincenccio
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Related to Lacey posible psychopathy... i found a nice candidate.
The dark triad is a psychological theory of personality, first published by
All three dark triad traits are conceptually distinct although empirical evidence shows them to be overlapping. They are associated with a callous–manipulative interpersonal style.
To be more exact im thinking its a mix of the normal with this variant.
Vulnerable dark triad
The vulnerable dark triad comprises three related and similar constructs: vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, and
According to both research and theory, persons who are highly affected by the Dark Triad are influenced by external, controllable factors. On the contrary, those who are high in the Vulnerable Dark Triad (VDT) are driven by internal, embedded desires.
The dark triad is a psychological theory of personality, first published by
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and Kevin M. Williams in 2002,
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that describes three notably offensive, but
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personality types:
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, sub-clinical
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, and sub-clinical
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.All three dark triad traits are conceptually distinct although empirical evidence shows them to be overlapping. They are associated with a callous–manipulative interpersonal style.
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-
You must be registered to see the linksis characterized byYou must be registered to see the links,You must be registered to see the links,You must be registered to see the links, and a lack ofYou must be registered to see the links.You must be registered to see the links
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To be more exact im thinking its a mix of the normal with this variant.
Vulnerable dark triad
The vulnerable dark triad comprises three related and similar constructs: vulnerable narcissism, secondary psychopathy, and
You must be registered to see the links
.
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A study found that these three constructs are significantly related to one another and manifest similar
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networks. Although the vulnerable dark triad members are related to negative emotionality and antagonistic interpersonal styles, they are also related to
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and
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.
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According to both research and theory, persons who are highly affected by the Dark Triad are influenced by external, controllable factors. On the contrary, those who are high in the Vulnerable Dark Triad (VDT) are driven by internal, embedded desires.
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AL.d
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While I agree with most of this post, just wanted to point out something about this. Despite her complete disregard for MC in the way this whole thing happened, she didn't really fail in her original stated goal. Remember that after the whole Damian debacle, she moves on to the jealousy date. And while she went full Rasputin on him again to get him to suggest it, he was certainly far more amenable to it. While it wasn't straight up let's fuck another man, the jealousy date concept has major cuck vibes. And as we see, he at the least gets to let her devour another dude in front of him. Not to mention what happens if full nts is chosen.
So it's safe to say MC before the Damian thing, is not the same MC he is now. The needle has been moved in both the cuck side and the cuckquean side with the free pass. The dude had panic attack about a massage earlier, that week definitely had big impact on him. In the big picture of things, she didn't fail.
The only thing MC gained from that is that he was strangely aroused, which was already present if you go for the no fun path.
(And the PTSD ofc, even if we only see it flaring up we don't know if it was there before.)
What lured MC into both Damian and jd is the obsession with pleasing Lacey, so SHE won't leave him (I know...).
With Damian was more tied in not disappointing her, with JD seeing how happy she was when discussing it.
So they were more of the same in my eyes.
Maybe he even started believing her "creative" ideas about helping him with his jealousy, this might fit with your idea.
And both these events are not just vibing cuckyness, they are exuding cuck juices all over
.Just read when he talks about letting her dance with other men, "I want you to have this", "is this good?" , "not normal enough?"
From that point on the cuckyness has been instilled, a married woman has no business dancing in clubs with random men that want to bed her, it is not what normal people do.
That was the turning point for me, a bit more subtle, but it shows how this "jealousy bad" concept has intruded In MC mind to the point where he has no idea what he is talking about anymore.
Normalize jealousy pls, it is a normal emotion that MC has all the rights to have.
And I am not even sure we can call it jealousy btw, fear of being abandoned != Jealousy.
"her actions dont consider the consecuencies at the long run" - She does, though. She literally befriends and dominates every person she meets. Especially women that could aid in her "quest". I suspect that, by the end, we'll be shocked to find out that the reason she has no issues with Mia, after everything, is because Mia was just a poor sap that did as she was told, knowingly or unknowingly.
What she did with the MC was literally "show and tell". Which is always the more efficient way of learning. Both practice and theory instead of JUST theory. She showed him that, even when the worst scenario in his head happens, meaning...she fucks other people, she'll still come back to him. Thus "soothing" his greatest fear.
She knew it'll hurt, but she had no idea about the intensity, because she can't feel it. She SAYS she does feel something when he flirts with other women, especially Kelly, but she's not jealous, she's just possessive.
AL.d
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We are practically saying the same thing. He has come to normalize things that a married man with a strong association between love and sex, definitely wouldn't. So she is succeeding so far.The only thing MC gained from that is that he was strangely aroused, which was already present if you go for the no fun path.
(And the PTSD ofc, even if we only see it flaring up we don't know if it was there before.)
What lured MC into both Damian and jd is the obsession with pleasing Lacey, so SHE won't leave him (I know...).
With Damian was more tied in not disappointing her, with JD seeing how happy she was when discussing it.
So they were more of the same in my eyes.
Maybe he even started believing her "creative" ideas about helping him with his jealousy, this might fit with your idea.
And both these events are not just vibing cuckyness, they are exuding cuck juices all over
Just read when he talks about letting her dance with other men, "I want you to have this", "is this good?" , "not normal enough?"
From that point on the cuckyness has been instilled, a married woman has no business dancing in clubs with random men that want to bed her, it is not what normal people do.
That was the turning point for me, a bit more subtle, but it shows how this "jealousy bad" concept has intruded In MC mind to the point where he has no idea what he is talking about anymore.
Normalize jealousy pls, it is a normal emotion that MC has all the rights to have.
And I am not even sure we can call it jealousy btw, fear of being abandoned != Jealousy.
Not sure where dev is going with this. Although there is some foreshadowing there is only misery for her at the end of her plan.
Nimbus Commando
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Diosvincenccio
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Her tennis dates, her almost whoring herself for a fake job to give MC a better house, or her weaponizing the Will date, among others, disagree.
She considers herself almost worthless, that she can barely give him anything at all. Yes, she is possesive, and is securing the females in his life into a position that dont threaten her. She is using them like a good manipulator she is, but she also panickes the moment some of those women get out of line to have the MC. That its survival instinct on her part.
With how Mia is? More like pot met the kettle.
And what did she showed and telled? That she cant follow even the most basic premises. She provocked him PTSD, and made him lose trust in her and thats all. There was no lesson given.
By the way, his greatest fear is not her fucking others, which has happened a lot in her past. Its losing her again, its a life without her. Sex with others is the catalyzer to that fear, but if he imagined her getting bored of him and divorcing to live alone it would be as dreading.
So again...no thinking of consecuencies.
For a possesive person she has given him and is planing to share him with others quite a lot.
She is jealouse. The moment one (Kelly) had a real chance, sex with a girl that wont behave like she wanted, she freaked out. She always ask if he kissed(signs of love) the others and even got angry at him having sex at their bed. Is she possesive of the bed too?
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Very good points, especially about feeling worthless and her main fears.
I almost always forget that MC "sullied" his marital bed multiple times.
With the pimp and Kelly for sure, but also Anna, right?
Small victories MC, small victories.
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"Her tennis dates, her almost whoring herself for a fake job to give MC a better house" -"She considers herself almost worthless, that she can barely give him anything at all" - Yes. She wants to have him but has nothing to give him. No love, no purity, no 1sts. Of course she'd jump at a chance to buy him a house. To show she has value.
" There was no lesson given."- And yet he learned. Gave her a jealousy date and even had several epiphanies regarding what she'd been trying to tell/show him.
"his greatest fear is not her fucking others, which has happened a lot in her past. Its losing her again" - it's literally what I've said.
"The moment one (Kelly) had a real chance" - of taking him away. She doesn't fear the sex. She fears love, because she can't give him that. She doesn't feel it.
She fears loosing "The Precious". Almost like an object.
Aaaaanyway. DISCLAIMER : Lacey's psychopathy is just MY inference. I'm not trying to pass it along as fact.
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To a fork in the road. Where the player drives the MC down the path of sharing and "understanding"...Or break-up. And perhaps a 3rd with Lacey's healing, but I just don't see that happening.
Doomly
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Something that i think may be missed in all the talk about lacey's motives and may be related to her "other side" that has existed before she left for school. Lacey has been mentioned many times to be suicidal. It hasn't been shown really, just mentions of her considering it after some of the incidents in game and in the past when she was gone for the four years.
What if lacey is intentionally or subconsiously trying to trigger the MC into harming her/ending her when things get bad or she messes up due to guilt/shame for what she has become and has done to the MC. Also could be some kind of dark rape/violence fetish due to her past abuse.
-does things she thinks will help him knowing the result could go bad and trigger him badly.
-MC has been getting more angry/enraged sometimes as the game goes on and he is triggered
-MC choked Lacey hard during sex when he was angry (she seemed like she was in heaven)
-MC went pure rage mode when he saw the deep fake
-during the king weekend one of lacey's fantasies is to be choked to death while the MC has sex with her.
Not sure if the dev would go that dark, just something i have been pondering if it has some meaning going forward.
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What if lacey is intentionally or subconsiously trying to trigger the MC into harming her/ending her when things get bad or she messes up due to guilt/shame for what she has become and has done to the MC. Also could be some kind of dark rape/violence fetish due to her past abuse.
-does things she thinks will help him knowing the result could go bad and trigger him badly.
-MC has been getting more angry/enraged sometimes as the game goes on and he is triggered
-MC choked Lacey hard during sex when he was angry (she seemed like she was in heaven)
-MC went pure rage mode when he saw the deep fake
-during the king weekend one of lacey's fantasies is to be choked to death while the MC has sex with her.
Not sure if the dev would go that dark, just something i have been pondering if it has some meaning going forward.
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There are far too many death flags in this story, that have me concerned for a “very bad ending”
Lacey’s past suicide attempts at college, her hurting herself in childhood, threatening/saying she will die without MC, preparing him for what he should do, if she dies, where he says he would go to Anna because she would take care of him
Sometimes makes me think there is a timer on their marriage, that Lacey knows this, and she’s desperately trying to make up for lost time and give MC as much as she can (like the house through the fake job) for as long as she can even at the cost of MC’s love
EDIT: concerning her dark fantasy regarding death by sex and choking, what if one of the reasons she has it, is because she knows a far worse alternative is awaiting her?
EDIT 2: gives MC one first: turning him into a widower
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Hmmm....possible...I guess.
Would also fit her selfish narcissistic tendences. Put me out of my misery. Whatever happenes to the MC after he gets arrested....isn't my problem...
Ok that last part was me being silly. The sotry is about 'healing' (apparently...tough one that though)...so I really can't see this myself, though I think it would be great in 'one ending' for sure.
Diosvincenccio
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In the grim dark of the future there is only...Lacey doing stupid ass magic plans to fix the MC who is sitting in a golden throne.
Yes, i know i reused the joke, sue me.
Jokes aside, having Lacey gone due sickness or drugs would lock the story into a tragedy. No more supossed good ending, even if in the epilogue it showed him with another woman. This is the story of Lacey and MC at its very core. Even a bad ending like getting divorced and going separate ways would be preferable to one were one part of the storytelling just disapears.
It's been a while, but yeah, Self Harm/self hatred/etc has been mentioned a few times as a possibility for Lacey's other side to explain some of her behavior, both in college and after. The only thing that kind of holds me back on it is that the punishment path explores this idea a little (MC even hits her during it), and Lacey seems to think that neither MC nor her are ready to face it. However, she could be referring to specifics of those feelings rather than the vague mention of them.
If Lacey canonically dies due to illness, I'll just start calling her Jen-nay anytime I talk about this game