I don't think that sex matters. I mean, sure, it would be nice fanservice, but it's not needed if the story doesn't revolve around it.

It depends, for me. For me, sex isn't absolutely needed. But perhaps those who are saying it would be better if it did have sex see how much effort you put into it already, and think you would put just as much into the sex to give it a sort of bonus push? I don't know myself, but I suppose that is possible.

i would say it depends on your target audience. for me i can take it or leave it

No, I don't believe it's necessary. I mean, unless it's meant to be sexy, but that's another story.

If the scene/scenes in question is just shoehorned in there only for the sake of it, then it's a problem. I don't really pay attention to it though, the thing I do pay attention to is the world and it's lore in the story.

Why does a story HAVE to include sex?

It doesn't have to. Especially if its just the "insert tab-a into slot-b" type of sex that demonstrates no value to the furthering of the story.

But since sexual tension and the interplay of the sexes (of all genders) is such a huge part of normal human life, its natural for it to cross over into anthropomorphized words. Particularly in "slice of life" type stories. Then well written erotica (not porn!) can be used to advance a plot or further a side arc to a story.

If you're comfortable with erotica, then write it. If you're not, then don't. Author's choice. (but pushing your comfort zone as a writing development activity shouldn't be discounted)

As a porn artist whoes personal sex drive has pretty much stalled due to time schedule problems, I think that sex is important to some people as a primal way of getting both aggression and attraction out. Those, however, that are able to separate their emotions and their logic centers, can survive without it, beit less enjoyable of a relationship. I'm in the latter, because my sex drive has stalled (to no fault of my wife. Nightshift jobs do this)

One thing I've noticed Mel, is that you focus on what you enjoy, and not what you audience enjoys. Sex sells. It always has, and always will. So when you desire not to draw or show it, people get disinterested. whether or not it's due to the audience not having it themselves or just a desire for specific scenes in itself, that's unfortunately the way of human nature, which we're all privy too :(

As of your final statement of 'is it better with sex?', yes; while the meaning and passion of the situation is still there without the sex, the sex amplifies what people like, and that makes it popular; which is the central point of success: whether or not it's popular enough to make money.

Personally, I'd rather see 2 individuals work out a complex problem using logic and reason (ala Ghost in the Shell for example), but I do love me some titties n dick. So who am I to judge, really?

It is entirely situational. Some stories make more sense if there is sex in them. Others, it is unnecessary. Still others are made worse by the presence of sex. But I would hardly say that a story HAS to contain sex. There are millions of great stories out there that contain exactly zero sex.

Frankly, the people who are giving content creators crap for not including sex scenes are being overly demanding, and frankly somewhat entitled. The creator can do whatever they want, and if someone doesn't like the creator's content, it's on the viewer, not the creator.