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Nintendo Comments on Lack of Same-Sex Relationships in Tomodachi Life Localization

by Zack Kaplan - May 7, 2014, 6:22 pm EDT
Total comments: 64 Source: ABC News

Nintendo is not trying to provide "social commentary."

The localization of Tomadachi Life for North America will not allow for same sex relationships with a representative stating that they "never intended to make any form of social commentary."

Nintendo of America explained their stance in a statement saying "Nintendo never intended to make any form of social commentary with the launch of 'Tomodachi Life'. The relationship options in the game represent a playful alternate world rather than a real-life simulation. We hope that all of our fans will see that 'Tomodachi Life' was intended to be a whimsical and quirky game, and that we were absolutely not trying to provide social commentary."

A recent "Miiquality" campaign started by Tye Marini, a gay Nintendo fan from Mesa, Arizona, had the goal of getting same-sex relationships in the game's localization. In an interview he talked about the game's customization of Mii characters, saying "You name them. You give them a personality. You give them a voice. They just can't fall in love if they're gay."

Talkback

EnnerMay 07, 2014

While not unexpected, it wasn't what I hoped for. I wonder about the amount of access Treehouse and NoE's localization team had on the game and the personnel and resources they had available. If they had the resources, time, and NCL's blessing, I can't imagine a world where they wouldn't make same-sex relationships available.


Nintendo's public response to the issue was handled poorly. The statements are made of tone-deaf corporate double-speak that can easily be misconstrued. If all they had was bad news, not speaking would have been better than the statements they made.

Spak-SpangMay 07, 2014

Actually I agree with Nintendo on this.


A video game is not the place to putting anything that might be controversial...and the absence of homosexual relationships in a game that has broad appeal for kids and adults is better than the inclusion.


And I do not want to sound insensitive, but honestly, activists should not try to push homosexuality into every aspect of our life.  I understand the need to fight for equality, but its a video game, and not including in a life simulation that will be mostly played by kids that are not even thinking about sexuality is not an act of discrimination. 


RodrigueMay 07, 2014

I agree they shouldn't have responded at all.

Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

I'm told there's a way to dress up characters as the other gender to "gay marry" in the game without breaking it, and that it has been possible in the JP version for a long time as well (without being removed).

I have no clue why Americans (or Occidentals in general, IDK) believe that you need every video game to be "progressive" and have openly gay characters or the ability to play as a gay character.

EnnerMay 07, 2014

Quote from: Rodrigue

I agree they shouldn't have responded at all.

According to an IGN interview with Bill Trinen, the data-leak bug and the same-sex marriage were two unrelated issues that became conflated in western reporting of the Japanese articles. The patch fixed the data leak while the same-sex marriage was Japanese players being creative in assigning genders and clothing to their Miis.

OblivionMay 07, 2014

Sorry, but not allowing same-sex relationships in a game all about relationships is, in of itself, social commentary whether they like it or not.

SorenMay 07, 2014

No Nintendo. You don't get to say "we didn't intend to make any form social commentary" and call it a day. The fact the game exists in this state is a form of social commentary. You don't get to make a game about relationships (playful or real) and offer a pathetic excuse when people raise a valuable point about how some relationships aren't represented in the game. You're saying the norm is for only straight people(characters, Miis, whatever) to get married.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

And I do not want to sound insensitive, but honestly, activists should not try to push homosexuality into every aspect of our life.  I understand the need to fight for equality, but its a video game, and not including in a life simulation that will be mostly played by kids that are not even thinking about sexuality is not an act of discrimination.

I don't understand how having an option for same-sex relationships in a video game somehow pushes homosexuality into your life. But yeah, let's talk about how it makes straight-people feel when gay people can't simulate their life in a freaking life simulation.


Also, the "think of the children" hysteria doesn't hold water when there are plenty of "normal" children being raised by same-sex families.

Quote from: Rodrigue

I have no clue why Americans (or Occidentals in general, IDK) believe that you need every video game to be "progressive" and have openly gay characters or the ability to play as a gay character.

I'll give you a hint: the year is 2014.


Nintendo's response to this was worse than silence. This blows.

ShyGuyMay 07, 2014

Good Heavens, just cancel the NA release Nintendo, say yourself the annoyance. What about Nintendo supporting Trans- players by allowing male appearance and female gender?

Or maybe having only two genders of Mii is hateful all on its own. It's a tricky minefield these days...

Can I report Steel Diver for political discussion? Sheesh.


Mod -- No, you may not.

OblivionMay 07, 2014

We aren't upset that they aren't supporting types of relationships. We (or at least me and others I know) are upset because their response to this is fucking terrible.

OblivionMay 07, 2014

Quote from: Rodrigue

I have no clue why Americans (or Occidentals in general, IDK) believe that you need every video game to be "progressive" and have openly gay characters or the ability to play as a gay character.

Would you say the same to a woman who complained that there wasn't a non-sexualized female character to play as? Just like men like to play men and women like to play women, HOLY ****, gay people want to have the same sort of relationship in their RELATIONSHIP SIMULATOR. Mind fucking blown, right? This is 20 fucking 14.

Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

And I do not want to sound insensitive, but honestly, activists should not try to push homosexuality into every aspect of our life.  I understand the need to fight for equality, but its a video game, and not including in a life simulation that will be mostly played by kids that are not even thinking about sexuality is not an act of discrimination. 

Sorry, what? All this sounds like is you saying "stop pushing your AGENDA" on me, yuck". There is no agenda from "activists". People of a certain sexuality want to play someone of that sexuality. Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.


Like I said, the problem I have with this is their god-awful response to it. They could have said a million things other than what they did and it wouldn't have been this big of a deal.

ShyGuyMay 07, 2014

Does it not count if they cheat the system and make a "male" Mii or a "female" Mii and dress it as they choose? It's just a video game, NONE OF IT IS REAL

SorenMay 07, 2014

Quote from: ShyGuy

It's just a video game, NONE OF IT IS REAL

Dismissive statements don't count as a valid argument.

OblivionMay 07, 2014

Quote from: ShyGuy

It's just a video game, NONE OF IT IS REAL

http://metaversemodsquad.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/picard-facepalm2.jpg

OblivionMay 07, 2014

Does any of this count as politics if Nintendo was the one that started it?

ShyGuyMay 07, 2014

I'm sorry, is it real?

OblivionMay 07, 2014

Just because it's real doesn't mean it isn't something that should happen. Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

Because I hate to break it to you, but media influences people and their ideas. It may not be real, but how it affects people is real.

ToraMay 07, 2014

Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

ShyGuyMay 07, 2014

Personal insults are not really necessary here, Oblivion.

The great thing about ideas is not everyone has to have the same one. You can not buy the game, Not buy Nintendo, complain about it to anybody who will listen, whatever you want. But when you insult somebody because they disagree with you, that does not do anybody any good.

ToraMay 07, 2014

Quote from: ShyGuy

I'm sorry, is it real?

NO THEY'RE REAL!!


People take games far to seriously these days.  Those responses to your post was dead giveaway.  They feel as though they can't have what they want in a freaking game they need to complain about it.  I've seen so much of this in relation to censorship, misogyny, pedophilia, ect. 


Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.  ._.

I'm surprised Nintendo of America didn't have more nuanced response ready to go. They must have known this would become a discussion topic as soon as they decided to release the game in America in 2014 (whereas arguments probably wouldn't have gained much traction for the original DS game in 2009).


This kind of controversy is exactly why Nintendo guarded Miis for so long and had very tight restrictions on how they could be used in games. I don't think there was even a game with direct control over Miis until... Mario Kart? Now they are launching a game in which characters that look like friends, family, and you interact in a wacky version of real life events, including romantic relationships. Seeing unexpected pairings is in fact a huge part of Tomodachi's appeal. When you create a game that incorporates players' own likenesses into a kind of simulation, there is an expectation that players can create a reasonable characterization of themselves and see the game play upon that characterization. Seeing these abstracted versions of ourselves form relationships and share personal moments, who might not do so in real life IS THE GAME.


I fall on the side of those who think this is just a basic feature lacking from Tomodachi, and the game is a weaker package without it. It's especially thoughtless to exclude such combinations when this is a sequel. However, if this is something you truly care about, and the game is otherwise appealing, the best thing you can do is buy this one and help ensure that subsequent Tomodachi games will also be released worldwide. There's no way Nintendo can make this mistake again, with the expectations of a multi-region audience.

ShyGuyMay 07, 2014

Thank you Jonny, for that post. It was well written.

Oh, this would be a good time to remind everyone of our Forum Rules, which are enforced in Talkback just like any other section of the forum. There is a way to discuss this topic and explore disagreements in a respectful way. Much of what I see above fails that test. We will moderate users who use personal insults or break any other rule. There's a reason we make you read that stuff when creating an account.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=27460.0

* You may not post obscene, racist, defamatory, or otherwise offensive material.

* You may not personally insult another user.

* These topics are strictly off-limits: politics, religion, sexual orientation.


(Note: A narrow exemption will be made to the above prohibition for the scope of discussion relevant to this specific news story -- posts should adhere to the game and Nintendo's response. This is not the place to step on a soapbox or lay out your platform for broader social issues.)

SorenMay 07, 2014

Quote from: Tora

1.  Nintendo can do whatever the **** they want in their game.

Agreed.

Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

Spak-SpangMay 08, 2014

Quote from: Soren

No Nintendo. You don't get to say "we didn't intend to make any form social commentary" and call it a day. The fact the game exists in this state is a form of social commentary. You don't get to make a game about relationships (playful or real) and offer a pathetic excuse when people raise a valuable point about how some relationships aren't represented in the game. You're saying the norm is for only straight people(characters, Miis, whatever) to get married.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

And I do not want to sound insensitive, but honestly, activists should not try to push homosexuality into every aspect of our life.  I understand the need to fight for equality, but its a video game, and not including in a life simulation that will be mostly played by kids that are not even thinking about sexuality is not an act of discrimination.

I don't understand how having an option for same-sex relationships in a video game somehow pushes homosexuality into your life. But yeah, let's talk about how it makes straight-people feel when gay people can't simulate their life in a freaking life simulation.


Also, the "think of the children" hysteria doesn't hold water when there are plenty of "normal" children being raised by same-sex families.

Quote from: Rodrigue

I have no clue why Americans (or Occidentals in general, IDK) believe that you need every video game to be "progressive" and have openly gay characters or the ability to play as a gay character.

I'll give you a hint: the year is 2014.


Nintendo's response to this was worse than silence. This blows.

1) If there is a creative way around it there is no problem...and should be left alone.  There is.

2) Deciding to not include something that actually could upset children, parents, and more because it is a minority position isn't social commentary it is applying to the norm.  (with still allowing a creative way to allow all relationships)

Seriously, how are you going to implement the sexuality gauge?  No I am serious for a second think about it.  Are you going to have in the personality quiz, This character likes boys or girls?  Or a sliding scale?  What happens if one of the characters becomes gay and the player didn't want it to happen or is upset by it.

And don't say they should mature because basically the media is attacking Nintendo because they are upset it can't happen...a child, or even young adult could be upset by this happening. 

It is just safer to not include it.  Nintendo shouldn't have responded it all.  It is a non-issue, and I don't think it even requires a response or an outrage.  It is a game.  If you don't like that something is absent, buy the version of the game it isn't absent in. 

Yes there is activists.  Do you know what a normal person does...they say Wow, this is a bummer, I can't have my character in a game be gay.  Oh well.  I can still enjoy the game for what it is." 

An activist goes to the media and cries out.  "How dare Nintendo do this, because this is 2014, and homosexuality needs to be recognized in all areas of life as normal and acceptable."

I personally think people being creative and working the game system to allow things is a perfectly acceptable means of achieving your life simulation orientation. 

Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

Reminder: If you see a post that appears to violate forum rules, DO NOT RESPOND OR QUOTE IT. Report it to the moderators with the link conveniently provided in every single post.

OblivionMay 08, 2014

Post edited by moderator because it broke several NWR Forum Rules.

SorenMay 08, 2014

Quote from: Spak-Spang

2) Deciding to not include something that actually could upset children, parents, and more because it is a minority position isn't social commentary it is applying to the norm.  (with still allowing a creative way to allow all relationships)

Applying to the norm is social commentary, though.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

Seriously, how are you going to implement the sexuality gauge?  No I am serious for a second think about it.  Are you going to have in the personality quiz, This character likes boys or girls?  Or a sliding scale?  What happens if one of the characters becomes gay and the player didn't want it to happen or is upset by it.

You're overcomplicating it. You simply put the option in the player's hands.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

Do you know what a normal person does...they say Wow, this is a bummer, I can't have my character in a game be gay.  Oh well.  I can still enjoy the game for what it is." 

Multiply that statement to apply to (almost) every other video game ever released and hopefully you will understand why LGBT folks are speaking up, and why that statement no longer cuts it.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

I personally think people being creative and working the game system to allow things is a perfectly acceptable means of achieving your life simulation orientation.

People shouldn't have to break a game just to have something others can have during normal gameplay.

Quote from: Spak-Spang

What is frustrating to me, is often activists don't want a balance, they want to tip the scales in their favor.

When the scales are tipped against you, tipping them in your favor to achieve balance is the only thing you can do.

OblivionMay 08, 2014

Mod -- Talkback posts should stay on-topic. Do not engage in meta-discussion, particularly about the moderation itself. Do not infer emotion in moderation.

broodwarsMay 08, 2014

Personally, I could not possibly care less about this decision. I have no problem with Same-sex relationships in general (hey,  your relationship has impact on me, so do whatever you want so long as you leave my relationships alone), so if Nintendo were to have them in the game, I'd applaud that.

However, I can't say I altogether care that they're excluded. At the end of the game, Nintendo is trying to put out a game that reflects the largest audience they can while still being within budgetary and resource concerns. Asking for same-sex relationships to be added during the localization process is not a reasonable request. That's asking NoA to put in the resources to code new content into what already looks to be an extremely text-heavy game. The time to add those relationships wasn't during the NA localization. The time to add it was during the game's original development in Japan, and I believe you already know how little Nintendo corporate cares about Western concerns in game development.

So yeah, it's a pity the option for SS relationships isn't going to be there, and I can understand why those affected would feel excluded by this. I just don't think this was the hill to fight this particular battle on given the resources required to implement it during localization.

broodwarsMay 08, 2014

edit: "hey, your relationship has no impact on me, so do whatever you want..."

StrawHousePigMay 08, 2014

As a parent of young kids I can tell you they would've thought it was funny. Older kids already know, but if they or anyone is traumatized by having to pick who they would've picked anyway (and yet amazingly not have to be affected by any other option) then they need more than for that option to be removed. They need to learn that gay people are people. Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers; People who need the very same things we all do. To be loved and valued. Perhaps even more so.

I don't see a problem with it either way, except if you are gay and wanted to play this game the way they claim it's meant to be played then that would suck, but it's not oppressing you. If you're straight and there was same sex coupling available... so what? Same thing. You ain't being oppressed. Who said you'd have to play it like that anyway?

I could be missing some infos, but I took the "not making social commentary" bit to mean the exclusion of same sex relationships wasn't meant to be social commentary, not that it was excluded to avoid making social commentary.

LittleIrvesMay 08, 2014

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a large part of the reason Nintendo couldn't implement gay relationships/marriage is because gay marriage isn't even legal in all 50 fifty states, not to mention certain other countries? Although the social issue is unavoidable, it seems to me this was always more of a legal issue.

nickmitchMay 08, 2014

I don't like the "this is 2014, get with the times, NINTENDO!" argument.  Clearly this wasn't a problem in Japan, where it is also 2014, and including same-sex relationships in the game to suit the climate in America was risky.  You either do the work and get slammed, or don't do the work and get slammed.  Nintendo was stuck between a rock and a hard place with this one.

I can see Nintendo's point in their statement, but it just seems so bullshitty and insensitive.  There's no good reason for them to exclude same-sex relationships, but there had to be a better way to explain their position, even if it was just trading one controversy for another.

CericMay 08, 2014

I have some materials that would answer a lot of questions in this thread but, their is a standard 5 or so item scale you could use to determine these types of things.  That would allow your character to act accordingly.

Ian SaneMay 08, 2014

Because this is a hot-button issue you're really screwed if you put marriage in a game like this.  If they included it it would also be controversial with a different audience complaining.  You're screwed either way, though I think Nintendo could make the arguement that with same-sex marriage being illegal in most of the areas they're selling the game that not offering it is the "safer" choice.  Just following the law isn't quite making a statement.  If I didn't depict drug usage in a game does it automatically mean I'm in favour of the war on drugs?  No, but if I had characters smoking pot you could fairly interpret that as a statement about legalizing it.  If Nintendo puts gay marriage in the game then they are very clearly making a statement saying that what is against the law in a lot of areas shouldn't be.  That's a much more clear cut gesture than just following the law.  But of course same-sex relationships outside of marriage are not illegal so you can't make that arguement on that part.  NOA is also really stuck because NCL made this game and NOA has to explain what people from a different country and culture decided for a worldwide release.

Right or wrong, money talks.  Are those that upset about this actually people who were planning on buying the game?  Which position on the debate will lose more sales?  That's not a nice way to go about something but I'm not going to pretend businesses don't think like that.  They probably figure they'll lose more sales by depicting homosexuality in a family-friendly game and I think that's a correct assumption.  Not saying that's fair, I'm just saying that's how it is.

The fact the Miis are representations of us is really the core of the problem.  If Link marries Zelda and you complain about not being able to have a same-sex relationship the easy response is "well Link is hetrosexual".  You're not playing YOU, you're playing a character.  All sorts of videogame characters will do things I wouldn't do (ie: solving conflict in a non-violent way is often not offered) but I accept it because I'm playing as a character.  It's not supposed to be me.  But my Mii IS supposed to be me so a lot more free will is expected.

CericMay 08, 2014

Quote from: Ian

...
If Link marries Zelda and you complain
...

...its about time.  Seriously, when is he going to put a ring on that.  *mmmm-hmmm*

In fact all those Nintendo Slackers.

Vote Dating Sim Mode in Smash Bros!

nickmitchMay 08, 2014

Maybe Princess Peach wouldn't get kidnapped so much, if SOMEBODY WAS WILLING TO COMMIT!

AdrockMay 08, 2014

Quote from: Ceric

...its about time.  Seriously, when is he going to put a ring on that.  *mmmm-hmmm*

If he liked it then he would've put a ring on it.

As for the rest of this thread...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgqRis_czYg

It's a little late for this, but Nintendo sort of inadvertently provided social commentary by having a gender selection and then only made relationships possible for opposing genders. 

If they wanted to truly avoid social commentary, they could have not had a gender designation at-all, and then you could determine what "gender" you were by what clothing options you chose for your character.

I mean, I have no problem with a games company trying to be apolitical, but at least recognize how your lack of thinking of the subject could have made the implicated stance possible.

Quote from: LittleIrves

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a large part of the reason Nintendo couldn't implement gay relationships/marriage is because gay marriage isn't even legal in all 50 fifty states, not to mention certain other countries? Although the social issue is unavoidable, it seems to me this was always more of a legal issue.


I'm pretty sure there's nothing illegal about a video game offering virtual gay marriage to states that currently don't recognize it.  These laws usually dictate whether or not the state acknowledges or will allow gay people to marry in-state, and don't try to dictate how you're recognized out of state (virtual included).

Ian SaneMay 08, 2014

What if Nintendo hadn't made a statement?  I never heard about any of this until they did.  There was always going to be someone complaining about it but if most of us didn't hear about the complaints would we notice?  Most of the population is straight and thus would probably not bother to attempt to have a homosexual relationship in the game and not even notice the restriction was there.  Nintendo might has saved themselves bad PR if they didn't say anything.  Most of the world probably wouldn't even know the game exists and thus the mainstream media wouldn't pick up on it, and they might now.  I'm sure Harvest Moon doesn't allow gay relationships either but Natsume isn't making awkward comments about it so it hasn't attracted any attention.

EnnerMay 08, 2014

Great editorial on Gamasutura that explains the issue and details how Tomodachi Life plays:
http://gamasutra.com/blogs/ChristianNutt/20140508/217351/Understanding_Nintendos_Tomodachi_Life_problem.php

Choice quotes:

Quote:

At any other time in the evolution of the game industry, Tomodachi Life would have been treated as the goofy little curiosity it is. But with the world of game criticism expanding thanks to the democratization of the means of expression, controversy around the game became a fait accompli.
...
It's almost immediately apparent that the game was created not as a simulation of life or social interaction as much as it is meant to be a comedy sandbox: "She married him?" Marriage is an option not because the characters are meant to be living realistic simulated lives, but because it's another opening for a punchline. It's more banal but no more real than this "news story" from the Japanese version of the game which stuck my Mii's head on the body of a deer.
...
Tomodachi Life is dumb but it's clearly supposed to be dumb, in other words: It's a lowest common denominator comedy generator as a game, not a serious simulation. It is a vague approximation -- a gesture toward a thing that isn't even really there. These aren't really your friends, and they aren't really living lives. It's not even really a game; it's a toy. It's a virtual anthill as Chuck Lorre might envision one, by way of Japan.
...
In the end, I find it difficult to sum up all of my feelings and thoughts on what Nintendo could have done or should do with Tomodachi Life into a neat package. Things are more complicated than that.

I'll leave you with an observation instead: There's a world out there that these games enter into once they've been completed, and Nintendo can show a surprising lack of understanding of that, sometimes.

In Japan, it's easier: Things are a bit smaller and more manageable. It's easier to pretend they are, anyway. In the West, the company is swiftly finding that the reality it lives in is not the one it wished for, and that is something that applies not only to Tomodachi Life.

The whole editorial is a nice read that explains why this has upset or disappointed people.

It's no different than Nintendo changing Birdo from a transexual to a female end of story, in the US gay marriage is still a hot button issue so it was not something people are ready for in a kids game.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 09, 2014

At the same time I feel like considering all of the other injustices going on towards the LGBT community there are bigger fish to fry atm, which makes it hard for me to justify going on a social justice rampage over a Nintendo game.

*ducks from the banhammer*

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 09, 2014

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

It's no different than Nintendo changing Birdo from a transexual to a female end of story, in the US gay marriage is still a hot button issue so it was not something people are ready for in a kids game.

I think it's even worse then Japan.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 09, 2014

Quote from: pokepal148

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

It's no different than Nintendo changing Birdo from a transexual to a female end of story, in the US gay marriage is still a hot button issue so it was not something people are ready for in a kids game.

I think it's even worse in Japan.

God dang it, stupid no post editing system.

Ian SaneMay 09, 2014

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

It's no different than Nintendo changing Birdo from a transexual to a female end of story

It's funny because when Super Mario Bros. 2 came out I was seven and had no idea what a transexual was, never had heard the term, but and just thought "Oh he thinks he's a woman?  That's funny!"  I just thought it was a goofy quirk for the character which was probably Nintendo's intention and probably exactly how every kid playing the game saw it.

EnnerMay 09, 2014

Nintendo responds with what should have been the first response:
http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/c4FWbi-Uave2T9R1h7SFzX0aoa-d4pgx

Quote:

We are committed to fun and entertainment for everyone

2014-05-09
We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game’s design, and such a significant development change can’t be accomplished with a post-ship patch. At Nintendo, dedication has always meant going beyond the games to promote a sense of community, and to share a spirit of fun and joy. We are committed to advancing our longtime company values of fun and entertainment for everyone. We pledge that if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series, we will strive to design a game-play experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players.

Fatty The HuttMay 09, 2014

This issue is more divisive in this forum than I thought it could be. I certainly have lost a great deal of respect for a few of you.

Quote from: Enner

Nintendo responds with what should have been the first response:
http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/c4FWbi-Uave2T9R1h7SFzX0aoa-d4pgx

Quote:

We are committed to fun and entertainment for everyone

2014-05-09
We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game’s design, and such a significant development change can’t be accomplished with a post-ship patch. At Nintendo, dedication has always meant going beyond the games to promote a sense of community, and to share a spirit of fun and joy. We are committed to advancing our longtime company values of fun and entertainment for everyone. We pledge that if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series, we will strive to design a game-play experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players.

This is a much better response and may quiet down some of the noise but a braver and better response would be to commit to patching the current game. That action would be consistent with the message that they are committed to "fun and entertainment for everyone".

OblivionMay 09, 2014

Fatty, why would you lose respect for someone who has a certain opinion? That makes no sense.


But yeah this was a much better response.

Fatty The HuttMay 09, 2014

Quote from: Oblivion

Fatty, why would you lose respect for someone who has a certain opinion? That makes no sense.

It is difficult to maintain respect for outrageous views. See: Hitler.
But, that's just my opinion  :D

OblivionMay 09, 2014

Well, yeah, but I don't think anyone in this thread had views like Hitler.


...actually, I retract that statement. Fatty is right.  :P:

Fatty The HuttMay 09, 2014

Everyone in this thread is basically worse than Hitler.  :cool;

Well, now that we've gone full Godwin... I'd like to congratulate the PR director for getting over his stomach bug or whatever caused that first statement to go out.

Fatty The HuttMay 09, 2014

Quote from: Fatty_The_Hutt

Everyone in this thread is basically worse than Hitler.  :cool;

And in every other thread too.
I didn't want anyone to feel left out. I am all about inclusiveness, just like Nintendo

If someone's opinion is based on hate and wanting a certain segment of people to not have the same ability I'd say it makes perfect sense to lose respect for them over it.

ShyGuyMay 11, 2014

It's kind of hard to prove somebody's opinion is based on hate, isn't it?

Does Insanolord want a certain segment of people not to have moderation abilities on these forums, and does that mean we can no longer respect him? Of course it does! ;)

I definitely don't want certain segments of people to be mods, and I'm not sure why you'd have ever respected me in the first place.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterMay 21, 2014

I'm just going to leave this here. *MOD EDIT* And I'm just going to take this out of here. 

OblivionMay 21, 2014

Holy shit, that article gave me cancer.

WahJune 02, 2014

Good ::)

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJune 03, 2014

I like how we can't edit our own posts but the mods can, I was mostly trying to show the damned if you do damned if you don't type of issue Nintendo has gotten into but eh,

WahJune 04, 2014

Oh,well just proof read! :cool;

BlackNMild2k1June 04, 2014

Quote from: Lucariofan99

Oh,well just proof read! :cool;

ain't nobody got time fo dat.

WahJune 04, 2014

They do now ;)

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