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[BocoDragon]

I guess we just disagree on this. I think designers make choices. There is no evidence whatsoever that people are losing their freedom. People make what they want to. People make what they think others will buy. This is a non-issue. It's a tempest in a teapot invented by the dev.

Look... just give me the panties okay?

@_@

I do think the fact that this designer is airing this dirty laundry suggests he feels constrained as a creator by overseas concerns. But hey, all designers have market constraints. I know what you're saying.

 

[MilkBeard]

Now it looks like a diaper WITH a load in it. Ugh

They should just go ahead and color in a brown skidmark to complete the design.

 

[Kaname]

Ahah that bonus pic is gold and it's also one of the reasons for which I despise any kind of censorship, this and the laster Blizzard's Overwatch being some "innocent" but still disappointing examples of why creators sometimes shouldn't pay too much attention to the uproar of a small percentage of the userbase.

 

[Toxi]

They should just go ahead and color in a brown skidmark to complete the design.

They should put her face on the diaper so you have to look at it for every angle.

 

[Zomba13]

i wonder at which point we in the west will get japanese games with women in traditional arabian clothes.

its our own fault that this is called slutty. even worse, its a fantasy-themed game, not a realistic call'oh'doody game why are people harshly judging into that direction

in the end its a game, where is the problem?

i dont mind having this in game, changing it to diapers makes it less appealing.

iam not a person who would be interested in this kind of feature, but first announcing something, then "censoring" it for the broader audience is simply nuts. especially if the people who are complaining wont buy the game anyway.

I don't understand. Like, the change is so subtle it's not worth even mentioning and it's on a character with a skirt long enough to cover her underwear anyway so the only time you'd see it is with camera manipulation to look up it, it's not a "feature" or a main part of her design unlike the diamond windows on the witch. And does the characters underwear really make the game more or less appealing?

 

[durrrrrrrrrr]

"Way to prostrate yourselves to white masters, devs"

no one is touching this line? it seems like there's a sentiment of the west (or USA i guess) pushing other countries around

 

[Parfait]

Uh Blade and Soul International?

I considered posting a picture but I don't wanna get avatarquoted, thats my biggest weakness. But for certain, they certainly still have some amazingly racy costumes for every race.

 

[kiryogi]

They didn't change the original Blade & Soul, AFAIK.



Poland isn't "west." But yeah, we have CD Projekt too. They're the whole embodiment of not giving a fu*k about sexualization complaints. Thank goodness.

Fair enough.

Look... just give me the panties okay?

@_@

I do think the fact that this designer is airing this dirty laundry suggests he feels constrained as a creator by overseas concerns. But hey, all designers have market constraints. I know what you're saying.

I really am waiting to see how Vanillaware/Kamitani's new game will turn out. The stuff shown so far seems on the more restrained side possibly. I hope I am wrong.

I considered posting a picture but I don't wanna get avatarquoted, thats my biggest weakness

It's a really weird case, they censored some things, and then left everything else untouched.

 

[Toxi]

no one is touching this line? it seems like there's a sentiment of the west (or USA i guess) pushing other countries around

It's from fucking 2ch.

 

[Abriael]

Making two separate versions as they've mentioned would be way to go tbh.

The best way to go was simply not to change anything. Panties in sight under a dress that you have to go out of your way to see never upset anyone with a brain, even in the west.

Final Fantasy XIV is full of it. You don't see armies of morality watchers bashing it.

This is Square Enix erring way too much on the side of caution, and that is the issue.

 

[Terrell]

That wasn't a censorship issue based on feedback from a foreign market and implemented against the developer's original intent, it was the development team realising they'd made a mistake and revising the design to create something that made more sense. Nobody wanted to see the original incarnation of that character, and the revision was necessary to create something that could be taken remotely seriously.

Speak for yourself.

And "the revision was necessary to create something that could be taken remotely seriously"? Are you even READING what you type?

Oh, wait, I'm sorry, I guess I must have forgotten that only straight men get to cast a vote in this kind of discussion, my bad.

 

[Askherserenity]

no one is touching this line? it seems like there's a sentiment of the west (or USA i guess) pushing other countries around

Of course there is. It's been a thing for awhile I feel like.

And it's teens talking shit.

 

[Ferr986]

Did you play Witcher 3?

Seriously. Western games tend to have more sexual stuff (exposed tits and all) yet we are the puritans.

 

[Rion]

No matter how small, yielding to Westerner like this is unacceptable.
I hope they listen to the local responses and don't do this again.

To Westerner, stop complaining about stuffs you don't like in Japanese games.
If you can't stand it, don't play it, simple.

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

I really wonder at this point if Japanese devs are making up these dumb reasons for laughs.

You should read some japanese Light Novels, it's 90 percent drivel more or less comprised of excuses for dressing up a wide variety of female body types to what amounts to stripper clothing.

And it's not even good excuses.

Seriously. Western games tend to have more sexual stuff (exposed tits and all) yet we are the puritans.

here is where certifying all games not out of japan as western games becomes a fallacy. Europeans are much less puritan when it comes to media. And let's not forget the response to alien sex in Mass Effect.

 

[Danchi]

no one is touching this line? it seems like there's a sentiment of the west (or USA i guess) pushing other countries around

The quotes are taken from the equivalent of the worst subreddits so I don't think anyone is taking them too seriously.

 

[Toxi]

To Westerner, stop complaining about stuffs you don't like in Japanese games.
If you can't stand it, don't play it, simple.

No more complaining about Plesioth's hitbox issues.

 

[Crocodile]

As for the hypothetical GTA scenario, those are pretty massive changes compared with making panties slightly bigger, lol.

No rational person should give two shits about these changes. This is not a hill to die on.

However, the concept of changing the home version of a niche single-player game explicitly because of foreign concerns I can understand being annoying because its easy enough for me to envision changes made to Western games I probably wouldn't like (though you'd never see me say or feel like anything those 2ch posters did) if they had to give two shits about what Japan or some other country thought.

It'd be boring as heck if all games were as violent as Manhunt 2. It's boring as heck that it's actually challenging to find a modern JRPG without otaku pandering.

The Manhunt 2 of sexualization would have to be like close to a full-on porn game right? Even Fiore in this game doesn't turn it into "Star Ocean 5: The Hunt for Man"

 

[RM8]

To Westerner, stop complaining about stuffs you don't like in Japanese games.
If you can't stand it, don't play it, simple.

I'm pretty sure Japanese developers would rather have my filthy gaijin money, so we'll keep seeing localization changes (or general design changes like this one) as it's been happening since the NES days.

The Manhunt 2 of sexualization would have to be like close to a full-on porn game right? Even Fiore in this game doesn't turn it into "Star Ocean 5: The Hunt for Man"

I'm talking more about how it's become actually difficult to avoid "fanservice" if you're into Japanese games, even though, yeah, there's no full blown porn in Fire Emblem or Street Fighter.

 

[Tohsaka]

Well, they are not wrong... I'm really disappointed that our western society (or just vocal part of it) is so sensitive about anything sex-related in gaming (while ignoring the rest of the "problems") but that's the way it is. Making two separate versions as they've mentioned would be way to go tbh.

There's no need for two versions, though. They changed something that literally no one in the west ever even mentioned.

I'm pretty sure Japanese developers would rather have my filthy gaijin money, so we'll keep seeing localization changes (or general design changes like this one) as it's been happening since the NES days.

Would you really suddenly be interested in a game you had no prior desire for just because it was announced they self-censored panties that you can still see in the end anyway? Stuff like this isn't going to result in more sales from people who never wanted the game in the first place.

 

[Sakujou]

I don't understand. Like, the change is so subtle it's not worth even mentioning and it's on a character with a skirt long enough to cover her underwear anyway so the only time you'd see it is with camera manipulation to look up it, it's not a "feature" or a main part of her design unlike the diamond windows on the witch. And does the characters underwear really make the game more or less appealing?

no i mean the change in general.

we already have tons of "social" issues, plastered in everything these days. i dont know if this is really something, or some SJW/whoever tries to troll everyone.

iam not a panty-watcher or something, but if products change not just for the foreign market but for their home markets in fear of the foreigners opinion... i think this is truly wrong.
if it doesnt hurt or restrict you in your daily life, whats the problem with a game?

i have the feeling, fantasy-games are getting censored simply out of fear of a whatever-backlash.

 

[Nanashrew]

And I agree, games focus too much on violence. And it's also true that JRPGs (and maybe Japanese games in general) are focusing a bit too much on otaku pandering.

It's reasonable and I even agree with you. Star Ocean 4 was this, Star Ocean 3, 2 and 1 are not. Also note the significant time gaps in era and international success where anime was mainstream success for awhile

 

[Toxi]

The Manhunt 2 of sexualization

Not to be confused with the Dark Souls of sexualization.

 

[Altered Juice]

Another one

 

[ponpo]

It's from fucking 2ch.

What Japanese website would you consider to be a source of valid criticism?

 

[Caronte]

That wasn't a censorship issue based on feedback from a foreign market and implemented against the developer's original intent, it was the development team realising they'd made a mistake and revising the design to create something that made more sense. Nobody wanted to see the original incarnation of that character, and the revision was necessary to create something that could be taken remotely seriously.

But when that kind of design is applied to a female character suddenly that's not an issue?

 

[SolidSnakex]

I really am waiting to see how Vanillaware/Kamitani's new game will turn out. The stuff shown so far seems on the more restrained side possibly. I hope I am wrong.

I think any changes to Aegis Rim simply comes down to the more realistic setting they're using. Which is a big departure from what they've done in the past. With that said...certain designs are still very much "Kamitani"

 

[CrispyBoar]

Leaving aside the fact that she's 18, the precedent I'm worried about isn't related to the changes themselves - the disembowelment of Japanese games in international releases is well-established, especially in the current social climate - the problem is the changes not being limited to localised games, but every version. The world shouldn't suffer for America's prudishness.

I agree. It's stuff like this that makes me wish that I was born Japanese (or at least Half-Japanese & Half-American; especially to learn Japanese much easier).

 

[BocoDragon]

The best way to go was simply not to change anything. Panties in sight under a dress that you have to go out of your way to see never upset anyone with a brain, even in the west.

Final Fantasy XIV is full of it. You don't see armies of morality watchers bashing it.

This is Square Enix erring way too much on the side of caution, and that is the issue.

I think you might be right.

Think what messages they get about the topic of sexuality from the west. It's probably entirely from the critical social justice side of things. Which is a valid, but one-sided view.

I sincerely doubt they are data-driven about it, doing polls of western attitudes. It's probably just that they've heard loud messages that western people are pissed about showing skin lately... and they've made overly safe moves to protect the feasibility of sales in the west.

 

[ponpo]

I think any changes to Aegis Rim simply comes down to the more realistic setting they're using. Which is a big departure from what they've done in the past. With that said...certain designs are still very much "Kamitani"

Why did you remind me this existed (._. )

 

[Ferr986]

here is where certifying all games not out of japan as western games becomes a fallacy. Europeans are much less puritan when it comes to media. And let's not forget the response to alien sex in Mass Effect.

But still, those games never got censored in the US. Same as GTA.

I dunno, I don't think the western market is that puritan like some people makes it out to be. And here devs blowed shit out of proportion IMO.

 

[rpmurphy]

The era of sexy video game underwear is nearing its end. Behold the new era of bloomers!

 

[Toxi]

I agree. It's stuff like this that makes me wish that I was born Japanese (or at least Half-Japanese & Half-American; especially to learn Japanese much easier).

That's a rather extreme response to a change in video game panties.

 

[Alo0oy]

I'd rather they'd spent those resources into making an alternate skin for that mage character instead of this, nobody would notice this shit, but what the mage is wearing is embarrassing.

 

[Krabboss]

That wasn't a censorship issue based on feedback from a foreign market and implemented against the developer's original intent, it was the development team realising they'd made a mistake and revising the design to create something that made more sense. Nobody wanted to see the original incarnation of that character, and the revision was necessary to create something that could be taken remotely seriously.

You're right. It was a censorship issue based on feedback from a non-foreign market.

The two issues are identical. It's pretty bonkers to act like they're different at all. Even worse to act like a male character has to be taken seriously so he can't be sexualised, but making a woman a walking upskirt is just an artistic decision. Get real.

 

[Hektor]

But still, those games never got censored in the US. Same as GTA.

I dunno, I don't think the western market is that puritan like some people makes it out to be. And here devs blowed shit out of proportion IMO.

Well Mass Effect as specific example is already pretty damn prude in the first place. The ""sexscenes"" are cringy AF. And the first two Witcher game got censored versions exclusively for the ameircan market.

 

[Nanashrew]

The era of sexy video game underwear is nearing its end. Behold the new era of bloomers!

Princess Peach wears lacy boxers so don't worry. You still got her and her big booty.

 

[RM8]

I agree. It's stuff like this that makes me wish that I was born Japanese (or at least Half-Japanese & Half-American; especially to learn Japanese much easier).

My Japanese relatives (even the ones close to my age) don't like video games for the most part, I doubt they'd be outraged because of these seemingly massive digital panties, lol.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Why did you remind me this existed (._. )

Yeah, I really want to see more of it. With Odin Sphere finished, that should open up the gate for them to talk more about it. Unless they're going to do another remaster/remake. Maybe Princess Crown?

 

[Hedge]

I'd rather they'd spent those resources into making an alternate skin for that mage character instead of this, nobody would notice this shit, but what the mage is wearing is embarrassing.

Yup. When I heard of Star Ocean 5 and the mage thing popped up on my screen, it gave me the completely wrong impression of what the game was.
Terrible design.

 

[Claude Augario]

I agree. It's stuff like this that makes me wish that I was born Japanese (or at least Half-Japanese & Half-American; especially to learn Japanese much easier).

What part of DO NOT CONSORT WITH FOREIGNERS don't you understand?

 

[Hexa]

This is so minor as to be completely pointless, but if they change Drillhair McTittywitch then I will be really pissed off.
Also hopefully the Chinese market as well as other Asian markets take off so they can go back to completely ignoring the West when it comes to stuff like that.

 

[Alex_Mexico]

This has to be a joke. These developers can't be this tone deaf to think that giving their barely 18 year old female protagonist regular panties instead of a thong is the difference between criticism of hypersexualizing their female characters. Have they seen the checkered witch?

I'm not saying they need to change shit. I'm saying that f they think they do the pink haired girl's panties is a drop in the ocean.... merely a band aid.

 

[Crocodile]

I agree. It's stuff like this that makes me wish that I was born Japanese (or at least Half-Japanese & Half-American; especially to learn Japanese much easier).

WUT? Am I being trolled?

I'm pretty sure Japanese developers would rather have my filthy gaijin money, so we'll keep seeing localization changes (or general design changes like this one) as it's been happening since the NES days.

I'm talking more about how it's become actually difficult to avoid "fanservice" if you're into Japanese games, even though, yeah, there's no full blown porn in Fire Emblem or Street Fighter.

I would ask "is it that hard?" since I feel your average, stereotypical "Vita" game is easy to see and avoid coming a mile away but I feel your tolerance is so low given what I've seen you post in the past that it probably would be really hard to satisfy specifically you.

EDIT: That probably comes across as shade throwing but I'm more just stating facts and less making any judgements.

 

[Nanashrew]

Wouldn't mind if they decided to add in some costumes from previous characters in the series like Tales does. Celine's outfit in the PSP version is much better than her original on PS1.

I'd make the mage girl where that because I just like Celine's outfit.

 

[CrispyBoar]

What part of DO NOT CONSORT WITH FOREIGNERS don't you understand?

Technically, you're not a foreigner if you're born half-Japanese (if your mother or your father happens to be full Japanese while the other parent is all American).

You also get the best of both worlds.

 

[A Link to the Past]

I think what is truly silly is that after having seen all these people talk about how games are designed for a certain audience, now we're seeing it shift to prioritize a different audience, and it then becomes problematic.

 

[Tohsaka]

This is so minor as to be completely pointless, but if they change Drillhair McTittywitch then I will be really pissed off.
Also hopefully the Chinese market as well as other Asian markets take off so they can go back to completely ignoring the West when it comes to stuff like that.

They already nothing will be changed from the Japanese version, we're even getting dual audio.

 

[RM8]

I would ask "is it that hard?" since I feel your average, stereotypical "Vita" game is easy to see and avoid coming a mile away but I feel your tolerance is so low given what I've seen you post in the past that it probably would be really hard to satisfy specifically you.

I would answer, "absolutely". Do you really think it's easy to find stuff like classic Fire Emblem, Tactics Ogre or Final Fantasy Tactics? I played The Knight of Lodis for the first time somewhat recently - it feels like a product of an entirely different era (and it is, lol). SRPGs in particular have been completely hijacked by dating sim elements and/or super pandering designs, and it is indeed hard to find anything that defies the norm.

 

[Abriael]

All I know, is that when I'm in Japan, the Japanese seem always very eager to consort with me.