Playstation Vita thread

[isiolia]

Since we were talking about Japanese games, there is an entire genre of games made for females in Japan. It's called otome.

I did bring up one of the first localized examples (Hakuoki), so I don't mean to say there aren't any games made for the audience. Just relatively few. The Rice Digital article you linked to says as much in the opening paragraph (and, at least currently, is flanked by giant Gal*Gun ads ). It does look like more are being localized these days though, which is cool.

What I can't really think of are examples of that being pervasive and normalized enough to need to get censored out of localized games. Or repeatedly excused as satire (a la Suda games). Even some of the games included on some the lists you linked (like Fire Emblem or Persona) have been censored because of male gaze elements, not things catering to women.


It is possibly an interesting comparison (or tangent related to that comic), to look at how Bruce Wayne/Batman look in the Arkham games versus the new Telltale series (wherein he basically looks like Archer). While it could simply be Telltale's style, it does skew a lot more towards what that comic suggests.

[Exhuminator]

What I can't really think of are examples of that being pervasive and normalized enough to need to get censored out of localized games.

The censorship is a byproduct of the visual/interactive things guys get turned on by in male-oriented games, versus the emotional/romantic things females seek in female-oriented games.

[TEKTORO]

I must admit I like the the vita niche games but lately have been uncomfortable with the questionable age thing. I really was naive about what was going on here and under the impression these were cartoon gals of legal age, maybe they should start demonstrating these Gals as appropriately so. I got into the genre along time ago with these comics that were lady fairies in a forest getting pounced by wasps and moles and thought it was hilarious plus shocking to see such nudity in a comic.

Anyways anyone excited for Lumo getting a physical release, I'm getting the ps4 version for sure. Aug 30th just don't know what outlets to buy from yet.

[ElkinFencer10]

I must admit I like the the vita niche games but lately have been uncomfortable with the questionable age thing. I really was naive about what was going on here and under the impression these were cartoon gals of legal age, maybe they should start demonstrating these Gals as appropriately so. I got into the genre along time ago with these comics that were lady fairies in a forest getting pounced by wasps and moles and thought it was hilarious plus shocking to see such nudity in a comic.

I tend to pass that off as "it's a game, they're not real." As long as it's not something like The Guy Game where actual people are involved, my conscience is content.

[TEKTORO]

i agree it's fan stuff and quirky fun which I enjoy aswell I just would like to see a shift to a more apparent age of legality. When I play these games I'm not noticing the gray area that's for the imagination but for the goofy display of the action and hilarious dialogue that goes on.

Dead or Alive Xtreme does it well as those are clearly some women and even the profiles will say their ages.

I still want Gal Gun and Criminal Girls 2 (is this getting a standard edition?) plus need to get Senran Kagura Bon appetit. So I'm not bashing the genre but would like these games to mature a year or two if you get my drift.

[isiolia]

The censorship is a byproduct of the visual/interactive things guys get turned on by in male-oriented games, versus the emotional/romantic things females seek in female-oriented games.

True, hard to say how much would require censorship, or really if "censorship" is even the right word. Presumably, it'd amount to elements that male players would find less appealing, and might get adjusted. Kind of like the region differences in Nier I guess. So it could be that there are elements like that we just gloss over due to them not being as obvious, I don't know. It does feel like more of a one-way street at the moment.

i agree it's fan stuff and quirky fun which I enjoy aswell I just would like to see a shift to a more apparent age of legality. When I play these games I'm not noticing the gray area that's for the imagination but for the goofy display of the action and hilarious dialogue that goes on.

Probably stems from the tendency for so much anime and similar games to center around high school students for whatever reason.

[Exhuminator]

It does feel like more of a one-way street at the moment.

I think you should play through a few of the popular otome games. You may be surprised at how the harem of guys includes all sorts of stereotypes, contrived situations, and disingenuous male behavior designed to appeal to female tastes and desires. Unfortunately this stuff isn't as immediately obvious as a picture of a questionably aged female, or as noticeable in western gaming society (super niche here). But the amount of objectification of males in otome games is on par with objectification of females in waifu games. Just in a different manner.

[isiolia]

But the amount of objectification of males in otome games is on par with objectification of females in waifu games. Just in a different manner.

Oh, I have no doubt. I don't think I've played any of them (unless things like Analogue: A Hate Story would count), though I watched the Hakuoki anime and own some of those games. I've also seen enough of Twilight (makes for a good Rifftrax) and the like that I certainly wouldn't automatically elevate media pandering to women as better. It's schlock too, just of a different kind.

What I was trying to say (poorly ) was that I see a lot more elements from specifically male-oriented media find its way to things that are presumably targeting a more general audience. That's where I think things could be held to a higher (or at least more considerate) standard.

[Exhuminator]

that I see a lot more elements from specifically male-oriented media find its way to things that are presumably targeting a more general audience

For mass market AAA games I can see your point. But for niche weeb games on a near dead platform? I don't think so... let us pervs enjoy our Vita's last (sexy) legs.

[PartridgeSenpai]

As someone who doesn't usually appreciate ecchi (it makes me really uncomfortable), I just love this thread because it exposes me to new/weird games that I never usually seek out myself. It also gives me tons of weird and wacky stuff to hunt for when I need to handheld stuff to play and there's a sale at Gamestahp or somefin'.