Star Ocean 5 character gets less-sexy underwear 'in Fear of Western Criticism'

I know it's a bit early for April Fool's (and I doubt it's something that a Japanese company would take part in), but it would be hilarious if this was just some elaborate joke. I don't know, the censored image just looks "off" to me...

.
 
They'd have to be pretty stupid to think adjusting the size of a panty shot that wasn't even advertised would have a positive effect on their sales, when they left the part that westerners actually complained about (the witch) intact.

It's kinda impossible to change the witch's design to that point without going for a full redesign. The witch also isn't considered a problem due to being in her mid-20s.
 
Outright blaming 'western criticism' was incredibly stupid though.
It's why they made the change, I don't see how saying the truth is stupid. People were disagreeing about why Xenoblade Chronicles X or Fire Emblem Fate had their change, having a clear statement about it from a producer in SO5 case will avoid the same problem.
 
It's kinda impossible to change the witch's design to that point without going for a full redesign. The witch also isn't considered a problem due to being in her mid-20s.

I agree, I don't think they should have changed the witch either. What I was trying to say is that their minor alteration (to a character that's not even underage) that no asked for or even know about before they announced it isn't going to get them any additional sales, when there are much bigger things that put people off from the game in general.
 
It's why they made the change, I don't see how saying the truth is stupid. People were disagreeing about why Xenoblade Chronicles X or Fire Emblem Fate had their change, having a clear statement about it from a producer in SO5 case will avoid the same problem.
Which is hilarious because nobody was going to give a fuck about an 18-year old character wearing a thong you have to take an upskirt shot to look at.

Well, nobody but the people trying to whack off to an upskirt shot of an 18-year old character wearing a thong anyway.
 
Western gamers weren't trying to upskirt Ms Potato Head anyway.

They were trying to upskirt the witch lady. They have standards.
 
The era of sexy video game underwear is nearing its end. Behold the new era of bloomers!

6zgM1jW.jpg
Not long before the void make its return:
n4kVo6x.jpg
 
Which is hilarious because nobody was going to give a fuck about an 18-year old character wearing a thong you have to take an upskirt shot to look at.

The edit is so minor that you're probably right, but it's funny that you can only say this prior to someone actually complaining about an issue.

If someone hypothetically did complain about her underwear post-release, I don't think the forum would allow people saying "who gives a fuck"
 
Western gamers weren't trying to upskirt Ms Potato Head anyway.

They were trying to upskirt the witch lady. They have standards.

I think we can all agree with this.

I mean, was anybody seriously attracted to the bug eyed freak? This makes this change even more strange....

I'm starting to feel like devs are doing this just to get some buzz, because the shit they are changing makes no sense considering they have another sexualized character in the game that's worse.

Such as the tracer situation. Not only does she still have a tooty booty, the widow still exists. so like... wtf are you really doing here, devs?
 
Yeah I wasn't, just giving examples.

Ok cool. Yeah I don't disagree with you at all. My only amendment is that I usually feel pretty confident in being able to discern when a creator(s) is doing something because they like it, think it works in their world, thinks it looks cool, plain doesn't care, etc. and when they are doing it for maximum "otaku bucks". Given how inoffensive Miki's character design is and the fact that I don't think anybody would have known about this or seen anything unless these guys spoke up, I feel its more likely the artists/modelers were doing what they wanted without really thinking/caring about what others would think rather than trying to appeal to any base for any sales. That's how I see this particular situation at least.

The change overall is a big non-issue I feel though. They probably shouldn't have half-assed it and gone for bloomers or spats if they were really worried about this.
 
The edit is so minor that you're probably right, but it's funny that you can only say this prior to someone actually complaining about an issue.

If someone hypothetically did complain about her underwear post-release, I don't think the forum would allow people saying "who gives a fuck"
If someone complained, they gave a fuck. Clearly I can't say "nobody gave a fuck" if somebody actually gave a fuck. Duh.
 
If someone complained, they gave a fuck. Clearly I can't say "nobody gave a fuck" if somebody gave a fuck. Duh.

You're just guessing then.

At this point I wouldn't try to guess / be surprised at what minor points of sexualization in games people will or will not complain about online.
 
I like the pink haired girl's character design. My issue with it though is that it doesn't work with this kind of lighting/shading because in certain lighting she loses her nose almost completely. Her 2D artwork is better.
 
You're just guessing then.

At this point I wouldn't try to guess / be surprised at what minor points of sexualization in games people will or will not complain about online.

This is one big semantics black hole.

There's probably someone that gives a fuck about every little thing. So that means the phrase "nobody gives a fuck" is a phrase that should never be applied?

Or we can use a little common sense and realize most people know the phrase just means "most people." Like if I there was a thread about Bubsy 4 coming out, would anyone really quibble over people saying nobody gives a fuck about Bubsy 4 when there's probably some furry out there super excited for it?
 
This is one big semantics black hole.

There's probably someone that gives a fuck about every little thing. So that means the phrase "nobody gives a fuck" is a phrase that should never be applied?

Or we can use a little common sense and realize most people know the phrase just means "most people." Like if I there was a thread about Bubsy 4 coming out, would anyone really quibble over people saying nobody gives a fuck about Bubsy 4 when there's probably some furry out there super excited for it?
Nobody would ever be super excited for Bubsy 4. I can at least make that guess with 99% accuracy.
 
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'm still not sure how changes to the odd bit of lingerie during localisation is 'disembowelment' of a large RPG.

I suppose 'minor changes that most people outside of the obsessives on message boards wouldn't even have noticed in a 50 hr+ game' is a bit less dramatic.
 
What site would complaints have to come from for them to be valid?

Just confirming it's not the entirety of Japan :U

I don't even really agree with the change but also not really bothered either way. It's 4am and GAF has made me talk about panties all night.
 
Just confirming it's not the entirety of Japan :U

I don't even really agree with the change but also not really bothered either way. It's 4am and GAF has made me talk about panties all night.

I'm going to start referring to esuteru as "the neogaf of japan" so people consider it valid :v

For these small edits, there should be a toggle in the settings. "Panties: Safe/Not Safe"

Underwear / Diaper toggle.
 
I can't believe the gave her diapers. Truly, the ultimate safe space.
You're just guessing then.

At this point I wouldn't try to guess / be surprised at what minor points of sexualization in games people will or will not complain about online.
*halfheartedly points to Overwatch threads*
 
Which is hilarious because nobody was going to give a fuck about an 18-year old character wearing a thong you have to take an upskirt shot to look at.
If only I could agree with that. I very much think that at this point it could have created controversy.
I mean this very topic showed that 18-year old character still lead to "underage character" and "14 year old".

edit : it's still stupid thought, since people who would have complained about it, will still complain about Fiore anyway.
 
Seems they barely changed anything? Just more boring panties than before?

Though I can't really laugh at the bonus pic because if in another scenario a western company removed exploding heads from a shooter in all versions to comply with Japanese (or German/Australian) rating boards you would get the same comments about that...

Also, a character is not necessarily sexualized by what he/she wears. There are other factors that define sexualization in games and being forced to make the clothes a bit less revealing doesn't fix that and is kind of the opposite approach of female empowerment... might as well throw a burka on while you're at it (exaggeration obviously but IMO it's the same kind of band-aid reasoning).
 
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.

The people complaining aren't complaining out of prudishness, which would generally be a right-wing thing. They're complaining because they think it's sexist or misogynistic, which would generally be a left-wing thing. Totally different reasons. I assume they're complaining because they think that the way these female characters are depicted will have an effect of the way boys or men will treat real women in the real world. Whether or not objectification of fantasy video game characters translates to objectification of real women in the real world, who knows? Maybe it does.
 
If only I could agree with that. I very much think that at this point it could have created controversy.
I mean this very topic showed that 18-year old character still lead to "underage character" and "14 year old".

Some didn't have the right info and when the info was given, they were just as confused why this change was even necessary if she's above legal age in every country.
 
The funniest thing is that, because of fear of western criticism, they added bigger panties for the pink haired girl... yet kept the same outfit for the witch girl, who's half naked, litterally :p
 
Though I can't really laugh at the bonus pic because if in another scenario a western company removed exploding heads from a shooter in all versions to comply with Japanese (or German/Australian) rating boards you would get the same comments about that...
One is brutal glorified slaughter.

One is underwear.
 
What site would complaints have to come from for them to be valid?

People on 2ch are known for being terrible within Japan. There is no NeoGAF of Japan. You're not going to find a progressive community of gamers. Japanese nerd culture is decidedly right wing. Which is maybe why the posts you quoted are what they are.
 
adding unnessecary panty shots is appeasing to a certain audience. Her character design was in no way compromised. Stop trolling or for the love of god, get some perspective.

You sound like you have your panties in a bunch.

They aren't sacrificing their own vision. They include panty shots because it sells, and then later they might remove those because they sell less.

Christ.

Let me make it clear, this change doesn't bother me in the slightest. I wouldn't mind having an all male/female cast, aliens or whatever you threw at me, the thing that's a real shame is when changes are made to appease certain groups of people.
 
Also, a character is not necessarily sexualized by what he/she wears. There are other factors that define sexualization in games and being forced to make the clothes a bit less revealing doesn't fix that and is kind of the opposite approach of female empowerment...

Exactly. I think people are confused if they are happy about these panties being "widened" to "solve" the issue of sexualization in the game.

And japan? I think they misinterpreted what the western progressives actually want. Regardless, they will see this as a win. Anything that makes "otakus" mad is a win for some reason.
 
Let me make it clear, this change doesn't bother me in the slightest. I wouldn't mind having an all male/female cast, aliens or whatever you threw at me, the thing that's a real shame is when changes are made to appease certain groups of people.

You might also want to read Matt's post too when he replied to your post since he works in the industry. I mean, this also works the other way around too to appease certain groups.
 
Top Bottom