Nintendo has decided to apologise for not allowing gay marriage in its upcoming “Tomodachi Life” game, promising it in future installments instead.
The upcoming US version of 3DS “life” simulation game Tomodachi Life was soon harried by an American gay rights pressure group for not somehow not allowing the ancient tradition of same sex marriages:
“In purposefully limiting players’ relationship options, Nintendo is not only sending a hurtful message to many of its fans and consumers by excluding them, but also setting itself way behind the times.”
This campaign for “virtual equality” at first prompted Nintendo to attempt to dodge the issue by explaining it is not engaged in “social commentary”:
“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.”
However, once the scope of the PR damage became apparent, this was soon recanted and replaced with a full apology and a promise to include homosexual relationship options in any future title in the series, though they still apparently omit any commitment to including polygamy or other relationships deemed unacceptable by Americans:
“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.
[…]
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.”
Amongst Japanese there is some scepticism about the whole imbroglio:
“Cultural differences? Poor Nintendo…”
“Typical Yanks.”
“I would think they could have patched it, but if they did imagine the problems which would follow…”
“I can’t help but think these options end up annoying more players when they are put in and they end up with unwanted same sex proposals.”
“How about an option to turn it on or off?”
“Then they get accused of discrimination if it is not on by default.”
“Why are they so desperate to play this stuff with gay marriage anyway?”
“This has more to do with the political clout of the GLBT lot than cultural differences.”
“America, land of the free as ever.”
“The game was just a knock-off anyway, you’d think they’d have realised there might be international sensitivities when they saw The Sims.”
“I think discrimination against minorities is awful, but when these pressure groups do stuff like this it is just as bad.”
“Please just spare our galge this treatment…”
“The sad thing is that this probably just means either the next game will never come out or it will completely drop the marriage system.”
“Next they will be complaining about the games which come out in Japan only…”
Why apologize? Normally people won’t think of same sex marriage in a game. It is no surprise that same sex marriage is not allowed. It is a surprise that Nintendo apologized and allowed it in later updates.
Gays and religion. The two biggest poisons on this planet, need to disappear. America has way too much freedom, seriously. Don’t like the decision Nintendo made for their game which was made in Japan? Don’t fucking buy it. Please continue supporting your shitty western games with the gay s♥♥t included in it and stay the f♥♥k away from Japanese games.
where in the hell is beastility? oh i forgot its no consental relationship so its not okay right?
So having sex with animals is r♥♥e to the animal right?
Here is the question why is it okay to eat animals but not okay to have sex with them? Beastiality campain rights!!!
lbgt is pissing me off see not all gays do this they but the lbgt will whine about almost anything to force it down your throat now they are going for games this is annoying. Thats what happens when you try to be kind and loving to the lbgt they are mafia types.Like i said before not all gays do this i know gay people that hate the lbgt and i agree 100 percent.
I don’t feel any particular way about getting gay in a video game but when they make the conscious decision not to include I just have to ask, “why not?”