Before I say anything else, I'd like to mention that I've been looking forward to playing this game (some version of it, at least) since the original Tomodachi Collection was announced for the Japanese DS back in 2009.
Given that, it shouldn't be too surprising for you to read that I was more than a bit excited when I heard you'll be releasing that game's 3DS sequel as Tomodachi Life in North America on June 6.
That excitement lost some of its luster a few days after that announcement was made, though, when it finally sank in that the game will very likely force me to "play straight" (you know, as opposed to "playing gay" as I'd obviously prefer to do).
Although I was pretty sure that would be the case the second I heard about Tomodachi Life's impending North American release, it didn't really bother me until I watched the Nintendo Direct broadcast devoted to the game and it struck me that I'd more than likely have to watch my male Mii woo (and possibly marry and maybe even have kids with) female Miis over and over and over again should I decide to pick up a copy of the game.
I'm sure that sounds like a silly complaint, especially since what we're talking about here is a rather silly video game, but to me it's anything but silly.
In fact, the whole thing makes me feel sad--sad that despite the fact that you're marketing this 3DS game as being all about "your life," that's not going to be true in my case or in the case of any of my LGBT brothers or sisters who similarly decide to buy and play Tomodachi Life.
All I want is for my Mii to be able to date, marry and, yes, maybe even have kids with any of the male Miis (those who aren't designated as family-members, of course) who populate my game--much like how my straight friends' female Miis will be able to date, marry and have kids with their games' male Miis. Is that too much to ask?
I know this game is going to hit store shelves in this country in a matter of weeks and, as such, it's probably too late for you to make the above-suggested changes. I hope, though, you'll consider producing and releasing a patch that makes gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships possible within Tomodachi Life as soon as possible.
I also hope you--and your cohorts at Nintendo of Japan, too--will consider making these relationships possible from the get-go when work begins on this game's sequel.
I say that because this is the kind of thing that could not only make an "old" gamer like myself feel welcomed and appreciated and accepted, but more importantly it could make younger gamers--boys and girls who may be struggling with their budding LGBT realities in all sorts of ways and for all sorts of reasons--feel like they're loved and supported and just as worthy of a big game company's consideration and attention as anyone else.
Thank you for listening,
Bryan Ochalla (aka "The Gay Gamer")
See also: 'The day we've all (or at least three or four of us have) waited for has arrived: Tomodachi Collection is coming to Europe and North America this June'
42 comments:
Well said.
Thanks, Ken :) I kind of wish I'd said more here, and said it more eloquently, too, but what can you do?
Thumbs up for miiquality! I do like that there's a sort of work-around shown in these pictures, but it really what you're asking for (and rightfully so). How long did it take Sims to get same-sex relationships? Was it there from the beginning? (A tiny bit of research indicates that yes, it was!)
Hey there, Michael! Actually, I think these screenshots were taken and shared before the "bug" that was present in the Japanese version was fixed. I may be wrong, though. That said, it does sound like there will be some sort of work-around (that involves making female Miis look like male Miis and vice versa), although I don't know that for sure at the moment. Anyway, like you said, that won't really appease me, as why should we have to use a work-around in situations like this?
Judging from Miyamoto's figure I am pretty sure that one at least is unrelated to any bugs or exploits. Also apparently there never was such a bug anyway: http://www.explosion.com/56011/tomodachi-collection-removal-sex-marriage-explained/
Oh! I can see now that you're right about the Iwata-Miyamoto screenshot. I didn't look at it closely enough before, but Miyamoto's figure definitely seems to be of a female Mii.
As for the bug/not-bug, I'm not sure I understand some of what's said in that article you shared. I get that the "bug" wasn't what supposedly allowed the male-male pairings (which, in reality, were male-female pairings, with the female being made to look male), but doesn't this article imply that such pairings led to the game breaking? Or am I misunderstand?
If that's the case, though--that the male-male Mii pairings--led to the game breaking, doesn't that imply that there won't be a work-around in the AU, EU and NA versions of the game?
Heya, I can answer your Sims question :).
Sims 1: Sims could fall in love with other adults of any gender. However, they couldn't access the "marriage" command, but could move in together and generally be romantic.
Sims 2: Maxis acknowledged gay marriage in this version although the marriage command text was changed to "join union" or something like that. The scenes that play out in marriage vs union were exactly the same, though.
Sims 3: I haven't invested enough time in this version to know, but you can get "married" to ghosts and stuff so my hope is that all adults can marry :P.
From the beginning of The Sims til now they've always allowed adults of whatever gender to fall in love and adopt children. Marriage is the main thing that's changed per game, and seemingly for the better with each entry!
Thanks for sharing this info, Marcus! How fascinating that The Sims games always have allowed adults of the same gender to fall in love, etc.--and how sad that in 2014 Nintendo's Sims-like Tomodachi Life likely won't allow the same without some sort of lame work-around? Oh, well, maybe next time...
Oh, I guess they are related, sounds like the bug had something to do with the "gender" of the clothing (I assume it didn't have anything to do with their faces, that would be really strange) not matching the Mii. The article doesn't say if the fix meant fixing the bug or making it so the clothes were gender specific, like Animal Crossing. (Boo on that possibility!)
Yeah, I have to admit this is all a bit confusing to me. And, sadly, comments from folks who've played the Japanese version aren't that helpful. So, I guess I'll/we'll kind of be in the dark about any possible work-around until the game launches on June 6--unless someone from NoA decides to say something sooner than that :|
Something I find concerning is that the E rated Sims games have romantic relationships limited to straight only or don't have romantic relationships at all but all the T rated ones including one released on Nintendo systems allow them. Also looking at the L.G.B.T. themes in gaming article on Wikipedia under the E.S.R.B. section it says "Identification of sexuality falls under the sexual content description which is allowed for games rated Teen to Adults Only" though I have heard of at least one E 10+ (which was around before 2005) game that has gay characters in it so it may be E 10+ to AO now. Looking at The Sims 3 (PC/MAC) description of why it's received the teen rating on the E.S.R.B. website it mentions same-sex relationships being available. If this is the case then a patch might be the only way to include same-sex relationships since I don't think the rating of patches and D.L.C. affect the rating of the core product.
Also looking at the Mass Effect series the 3rd game included M/M relationships largely due to fan demand so maybe the Tomodachi 3rd game can get them in too whether it's include from the get-go or a patch if bugging them about it. Here's to hoping people can be Homodachi in Tomodachi.
Here's a petition the get them in if you haven't singed it already: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/428/194/684/nintendo-we-want-same-sex-couples-in-tomodachi-life/
Oh, that's so sad. And worse! I honestly didn't realize that games refer to sexuality or gayness or the LGBT community at all have to be rated T or above (or E 10+ or above). I mean, I can understand requiring this if any kind of sexual activity were referred to or included, but I would expect that with opposite-sex couples/relationships, too.
So, it sounds like at least part of the problem here is the ESRB, which is shocking and depressing, to be honest.
I guess that just means there's more work to do all around, which is OK.
Anyway, thank you for doing this research and sharing it here, Sam. I really appreciate it, and I'm sure others do and will, too!
Thank you! I'll definitely be signing it, and I'll probably send out a tweet about it as well.
While not games a Disney Channel series briefly features lesbian moms in a scene and the family animated film Paranorman has a gay character in it though his sexuality isn't mentioned in till towards the end of the movie. Also the teaser trailer for the family movie Box Trolls (which is by the studio as Paranorman) shows different types of families one of which has 2 dads so there is hope that positive change is coming and video games will affected by it.
I'm going to post the Disney scene and the Box Trolls teaser here for proof. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoEBdCsrOVs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyCEjGkOTL8
Oh, yes, there are all sorts of examples of how things are changing in this regard, Sam, although I think some of the ones involving Disney and Nickelodeon are especially cool.
Anyway, thanks for the links. I appreciate them!
You've nailed my biggest misgiving about buying this game. It looks adorable and funny, but if I'm going to project myself into it as a Mii character, I want him chasing boys. I'll find a way to have fun with it, like my constant string of filthy comments to Walter and Colton in Animal Crossing.
Yep. I actually wasn't all that bothered by the lack of gay relationships (I'm sad to admit) until I thought about those "running on the beach" scenes in the Nintendo Direct.
Sure, they were and are funny in certain respects, but when it dawned on me that I'm probably going to have to watch similar scenes over and over and over again, well, I have to admit it kind of pissed me off.
Like you, I'm sure I'll find a way to have fun with the game and enjoy it, but I'm still sad that Nintendo doesn't think enough of the LGBT community to allow us to play as we see fit, too.
Oh, well, hopefully next time...
Now, they didn't TREAT it like a bug, it was an actual game breaking bug that prevented players from saving. http://www.vg247.com/2014/04/11/tomodachi-collection-controversial-removal-of-same-sex-marriage-explained-by-nintendo/
It's lame there's no same sex relationships, but the initial "gay marriage" reported in the game does appear to have been an actual, dangerous bug that just happened to also cause Miis to randomly join relationships regardless of sex.
Hm, thanks for the info. I only caught the initial English reporting of the incident, but it looks like (as always) I should've followed up by reading the original Japanese posts.
Yes, that's apparently true, Ben. Thank you for passing along the information. That said, I consider it to be beside the point now. The fact is, gay, lesbian and bisexual relationships should have been a part of this game from the beginning. And the fact that this "bug" brought the lack of such relationships to light--followed by Nintendo continuing to ignore them via an update, patch or while localizing the game for Western markets--just makes things worse, IMO.
Well, to be fair, Anne, the reporting on this issue has been confusing, at best. Plus, it's hard to tell based on what people who've played the JP version are saying if there's still some sort of workaround (allowing players to make female Miis look like men so they can form gay relationships, etc.) or not. I guess we'll find out after the game's been out for a few days :|
Even if there's a workaround, it's still a shame that same-sex relationships aren't included by Nintendo from the get go! I'll refrain from judging the situation too much until I actually play it, though, haha
I feel with you, wish I could actually do something to help, other than being number 7373 internet person tweeting/mailing Nintendo asking for a change acknowledging a basic human right.
But if you missed it, Google Tom of Finland stamps, it made yesterday so much better for me :)
Oh, yes, I agree. And I have a feeling this workaround isn't going to be as great as some are making it out to be. Like you said, though, I'll reserve judgment until I actually play it :)
To be honest if this wasn't a "I have to play this as soon as possible" game to me I probably would be skipping this game for the lack gay romantic relationships. This why I haven't bought Fire Emblem: Awaking or any Harvest Moon games even though I find the game play interesting but not must have interesting. I know Harvest Moon might have to follow certain rules to keep it's E rating and Fire Emblem: Awaking had that whole biological offspring thing going on (but I feel they probably could of found a way around that if thought it through better). While do find it annoying not all Persona games have them I can kind of forgive them since that will include them in some (Person 2 has M/M while I think maybe Persona 3 Portable might have F/F) and the fact they'll willing to explore LGBT themes in the stories of the games.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with being #7373 Internet person asking Nintendo to acknowledge a basic human right, Franggio. Sure, our efforts may not get them to add LGBT relationships into this game, but I bet it'll get them to consider it next time around!
As for those Tom of Finland stamps, I saw them yesterday. All I have to say in response is: woof! ;)
Yeah hopefully :)
Thought of you and Anne when I saw it but to my great shame I couldn't for the love of me remember your handle...I blame temporary brain fart :)
Woof: indeed <3
I made this comment but tried to delete it but it showing up as guest please ignore it.
Conception 2, a quirky game that seemed to be even to quirky for me apparently includes this.
But I think you can only play as a male though, anyway you can "classmate" with men and women alike apparently.
Just waiting for a friend to review it before I decide though.
Oops i commented on your guest comment, look above/below :)
Consider this my signature on this particular petition.
Conception 2 *kind of* interested me until I read some reviews of it. Now I'm saving my money for other games. If you get it, though, I'd love to hear *your* opinion of it!
You got it, Justin! Although, you realize this isn't really a petition, right?
Should you want to sign one, go here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/428/194/684/nintendo-we-want-same-sex-couples-in-tomodachi-life/
Will share but it's a big *if*. Waiting for the young Mr.Zach Reese to give his personal opinion. Usually not afraid to lay it out.
Well, that's good. I've read other reviews that suggested the story is awkward at best and the battles are rather boring :|
Nintendo has already shown they can patch and add content to their games even after they've released them. Write to Nintendo via the contact page on their website. http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/webform/ Post on Nintendo's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Nintendo
and sign this petition!
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/428/194/684/nintendo-we-want-same-sex-couples-in-tomodachi-life/
Hey there, Rob! Oh, yes, the first part of what you say here is true. The question is: will NOA actually patch this game in a way that appeals those of us who are gay or gay-friendly (and I'm using gay here to refer to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people)? I have no idea. I hope they will, but I have a feeling they won't.
Regardless, I thank you for pointing out all the ways we can and should contact Nintendo about our thoughts on this issue. I've already signed the petition you linked to (and directed others to it via my Twitter and Facebook accounts), but I've yet to send them an actual e-mail or contact them via FB.
Here's what I wrote on their Facebook page:
"Nintendo excludes gay people from this game. Gay people exist. We are human beings who have loving relationships. We are not bad people who should hide in shame. The message Nintendo is putting out with this exclusion is that gay people's lives and loves are offensive, and unfit for the public. Violence and killing in video games is just fine, but loving gay relationships are bad? Nintendo, move into the 21 century."
That's great, Rob! I like the way you think--and write :)
Thank you for writing this!! I knew you made a #Miiquality tweet but I hadn't seen this article until now! I really want to turn this into a movement not unlike Operation Rainfall or other similar movements. I've already created a Facebook Page and Twitter account for Miiquality, and I'm going to be making a video about it very soon, too. Would you mind if I posted this open letter on the Miiquality pages sometime?
You're very welcome, Tyeforce! And thank YOU for spurring me to write it. I'm glad to here you want to make this a movement of sorts. I'm all for that! And, yes, by all means, go ahead and share this letter wherever you'd like :)
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