DOA5 and Sexualization: Too Much?

[Xhominid The Demon Within]

Now, I personally think that a "ban" wasn't the way to go. And I've seen some comments like "I understand what you're trying with this, but there's no point if Team Ninja doesn't actually want to change the perception of the game". I kind of agree with that. It has to start with them.

And I already stated the easiest way to do that:

We already got them to notice there's the issue so press on it. Banning the costumes from streams isn't going to do anything when most of the high level players don't even touch them so instead if you want more male costumes pester them about it and buy them.

Same with more conservative outfits. We already know the skimpy DLCs WILL NOT END, so telling them to stop is like telling them to stop making money and that's not how that works either. It's better to get them to make equal amounts.

 

[Komatose]

Don't tempt TN. We already have costumes with only suspenders and leis covering up the boobs. lol

But, the real answer is kind of complicated. It's about outside perception of the game. People think of DOA as only a game for lonely otakus, complete with waifu dolls that they can fawn over and dress up in bikinis and fetish outfits. There's more about outside perception in the opening post of this thread. While pretty women has been part of the series from the start, it's gotten to the point where barely anybody even knows that DOA is a fighting game. Like, seriously. Some people think that DOA is some volleyball dating sim with ridiculous boob physics. Some people, even throughout this "debacle" are saying things like "if you take away the skimpy outfits, then there's no reason to play DOA."

That's not true. Since we all know it's not, and TN currently may not be doing enough to market things that don't involve boobs, some people are trying to take measures to give the other parts of the game some publicity. It's kind of like do you want a fighting game with a side of cheesecake or cheesecake with a side of fighting game?

People on the outside saw the word "ban" and flew off the rails talking about censorship, and feminazis, and SJWs, and puritanism, and Mortal Kombat and gore WHEN THAT IS NOWHERE NEAR THE POINT OF WHY THIS HAPPENED. Sexiness in itself is fine. But for right now, we're up to our ears in sexy and naughty and dokidoki, etc. So, the "hardcore community" is trying to get people to pay attention to the actual gameplay for a sec.

Now, some people find that they don't like the gameplay. And that's fine. But, we should at least be altering the perception of DOA enough to get people who like other fighting games to try it out. Is this like entrapment or false advertising? I don't quite think so. We're not actually removing anything from the game.

Now, I personally think that a "ban" wasn't the way to go. And I've seen some comments like "I understand what you're trying with this, but there's no point if Team Ninja doesn't actually want to change the perception of the game". I kind of agree with that. It has to start with them.

I thought your post was going to be about some BS about the game being offensive to women and blah blah blah, honestly. When in fact, not only did I read your entire wallie but I respect and can actually agree and like your logical answer. Thank you very much for explaining. I have not been in this community long. By not long I mean about three days. But I would no doubt love the series (and TN) to strive and do well without those certain things as well (although these costume bans, to me, are still a little much...). I fell in love with this game's mechanics and system and I would hate to have to say goodbye prematurely... This has got to be a top 3 favorite fighter of mine to date and boy do I play a lot of fighters... That says a lot. Again, thank you for your answer.

 

[Kronin]

I realized just now that the news about the soft ban is commented even in the East:

http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2015/03/02/55231.html
http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/03/02/85499.html

 

[GrapeInfernal]

Voted for "full speed ahead!" because there are some things i'd like to see in DoA's fan service one day:

• Oil
• Mud
• Food (ice-cream, confiture, honey etc.)

IMO, it would be much stronger addition than all those bikini outfits; with mud and food you don't even had to use "revealing" clothes, though oil is for skin sections, yeah. Now i'm wondering if it could be technically made well with current gen. Also, this could be introduced like unlockable mode or smth, i mean: what you can get as a gift for all your hard work completing stages, modes etc.

 

[HHH816]

I realized just now that the news about the soft ban is commented even in the East:

http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2015/03/02/55231.html
http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2015/03/02/85499.html

i translated some of the replies of the article.

• 
  After taking the costume too sexual from this game,
  whether that heck what remains
  
  
  
• 
  And to overseas production of game is out nipples bare of character in consumer
  'm saying Imasara
  
  
  
• 
  How can you get a fighting element of the bonus of sexual girl photos take game

 

[KasumiLover]

This is an interesting issue, because while I can understand the ban, I don't quite support it.

What we want is for DOA to become more widely accepted.

This will not happen for as long as sexuality plays a big role in DOA.

You are playing a game which has engines specifically built with breasts and ass in mind.
Think about that.

It would counterintuitive to not play this up.

THIS being said, there can be 'hot', 'sexy' etc outfits that aren't outright pandering and ridiculous looking.

GG TN, you stirred the hornets nest. We just want you to stop being lazy and pandering to bottomfeeder otaku.

So I'm a bottomfeeder otaku just because i buy Kasumi's outfits and any other outfit that i find attractive? That doesn't sound right or good at all.... I like DOA for the gameplay, and i feel some costumes are worth banning, but still, i don't want to be referred to as a bottomfeeder or pervert just because i buy the sexy costumes. I can't help the fact that i liked Kasumi's violet bikini DLC or any other overtly sexualized DLCs. In the end, people that buy the game's DLC actually keep the additional characters and other contents coming. Us consumers who buy the sexualized dlc shouldn't be criticised or treated like perverts just because we buy sexy DLC. Back on topic, even though this ban seems silly and sudden, i agree with @Argentus , this soft ban could actually help the game's image and clean up the game's reputation. And besides, this is only for tournaments. I doubt it would kill any of us to just choose a conservative outfit for our mains for just the duration of the tournament. Then once you go home, if you want to choose Bikini Lisa or Bunny DLC Tina, go ahead.

 

[synce]

i translated some of the replies of the article.

• 
  After taking the costume too sexual from this game,
  whether that heck what remains
  
  
  
• 
  And to overseas production of game is out nipples bare of character in consumer
  'm saying Imasara
  
  
  
• 
  How can you get a fighting element of the bonus of sexual girl photos take game

I think the last one's actually saying 'isn't the fighting just a bonus element in this sexy picture taking game?' ;p

Cool find though Kronin. FSD is making it big lol

 

[werewolfgold]

i translated some of the replies of the article.

• 
  After taking the costume too sexual from this game,
  whether that heck what remains
  
  
  
• 
  And to overseas production of game is out nipples bare of character in consumer
  'm saying Imasara
  
  
  
• 
  How can you get a fighting element of the bonus of sexual girl photos take game

Those replies are saying:
1. If you take out the sexy costumes, then what exactly is even left?
2. There are home versions of Western games that have characters with their nipples out. What are they on about after all this time?
3. This is the game where you take pictures of sexy girls with the side extra fighting element, right?

So..., yeah. Dat reputation. But, I suppose genpop isn't really going to care about fighting games by and large anyway. Too technical or something or other.

The other article has the lovely comment of "Well, of course. It's a tournament. In real sports tournaments, they have rules about decency, don't they? Are you stupid?"

 

[David Gregg]

Those replies are saying:
1. If you take out the sexy costumes, then what exactly is even left?
3. This is the game where you take pictures of sexy girls with the side extra fighting element, right?

Ironically those replies support the need for a costume ban...

 

[Yun-Seong]

1. If you take out the sexy costumes, then what exactly is even left?
3. This is the game where you take pictures of sexy girls with the side extra fighting element, right?

Because of all bikini and fetish DLC, people don't even know that is a fighting game. But it was TN choice to do this ,,picture'' od DoA. They destoryed the DoA picture as a fighting game, something for what they worked some many years - a game which has amazing system, charactres, nice story, stages. Sexualization in DoA is too much. In my opinion all DoA girls were very very sexy in previous games, they were't almost naked but very sexy. Example: Helena's costumes in DoA2 on PS2 - she was so hot, Kasumi C8 in DoA2, Ayane C7(it is in DoA5 but show more boobs) and much more. Can't they continue to make so great outfits in tjis stunning graphics and better desing? I'm sure that most of the fans want that.

 

[HHH816]

@Yun-Seong
yes the fans want's that but in the end company need to make money for company directive.

without DLC , they won't bother making new stages or release balance patch and so on

 

[Argentus]

Japan continues to disappoint. They seem to think DOA IS just Senran Kagura (game meant for ogling only)

 

[David Gregg]

Japan continues to disappoint. They seem to think DOA IS just Senran Kagura (game meant for ogling only)

Can you blame them though? Look at all of their Japanese advertisements which include a side-by-side comparison of the breast engine as well as a bunch of gravure vids. If I was unfamiliar to the series I'd view it that way as well...

 

[Number 13]

FYI SK didn't get the success it has today for just being another one dimensional Japanese ecchi videogame. Those are a dime in a dozen and all had considerably lower success. Part of the reason is also the likable characters/surprisingly dark story [people being killed, demons, etc] and decent [as in not Kusoge] gameplay.

Don't get me wrong, the series is very perverted and EV is pushing that to the next level definitely, but not all the series consumers are solely buying a SK to fap if we look at the sales numbers/impressions. That is the same broad stroke people use for the DoA games.

 

[GrapeInfernal]

Were Ikki Tousen beatemups better as games than SK?

 

[Argentus]

FYI SK didn't get the success it has today for just being another one dimensional Japanese ecchi videogame. Those are a dime in a dozen and all had considerably lower success. Part of the reason is also the likable characters/surprisingly dark story [people being killed, demons, etc] and decent [as in not Kusoge] gameplay.

Don't get me wrong, the series is very perverted and EV is pushing that to the next level definitely, but not all the series consumers are solely buying a SK to fap if we look at the sales numbers/impressions. That is the same broad stroke people use for the DoA games.

all i know is sk has virtually no gameplay, just dressup, jigge physics, groping mode, perverted chats, and then ten second long fights that are just mashing square and circle to dash after. barely a game, obviously just interactive voyeurism. and it worries me thats what they are trying to turn doa into.

 

[Jyakotu]

all i know is sk has virtually no gameplay, just dressup, jigge physics, groping mode, perverted chats, and then ten second long fights that are just mashing square and circle to dash after. barely a game, obviously just interactive voyeurism. and it worries me thats what they are trying to turn doa into.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't SK gameplay similar to the Dynasty Warriors games? Basically, hack and slash button masher.

 

[GrapeInfernal]

Dynasty Warriors is just 90's beatemup with hundreds of enemies instead of douzens. Seriously, system is very similar to those Capcom's ones - two attack buttons, some combos of them, one special attack, additional attacks when jump/etc and riding a horse/elephant/etc. It becomes less batton mash if u try play it perfectly on hard difficulties, and there is also block/parry.

 

[Jyakotu]

So SK is more like the Sengoku Basara franchise? I actually like the one of the PS2, when it was known as Devil Kings.

 

[GrapeInfernal]

? I was only talking about DW, feeling that comparing it to SK would be too harsh (though warriors has it's problems). Sorry for misunderstanding.