Really just a US thing?ramox said:
Funny as we aren't the ones banning Dead or Alive: Dimensions over less.
Catherine Publisher Talks About Covering Up Game's Risque Art
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Funny as we aren't the ones banning Dead or Alive: Dimensions over less.
I guess what I just dont get about this game is the sex appeal that's always talked about. I don't find anything about it that attractive or sexy, girls look gaunt and lifeless- far more creepy than anything else.
A little snipping for brevity, but I am addressing your entire comment.ProfessorLayton said:
Your opinion and that discomfort of watching sexual content with parents or other authority figures is a cultural artifact. It's a commonly held belief (whether or not it's actually true, I can't say for certain, not having experienced it myself) that in European cultures sexuality and sexual imagery is not as frowned upon and most people have more liberal attitudes about it.
The fact that you contrast watching violence or sexuality that way with your parents really shows your cultural bias. Your society has said "violence is ok, sexuality is not". You might think nothing of watching a TV show where a man is murdered by being shot. Where that man is shown being shot, bleeding, possibly treated in an ER before finally succumbing to a fatal, criminal action. At the same time, a pair of breasts on the same screen can make you squirm if your parents are watching with you.
When and why did violence become more culturally acceptable than sexuality? Humans are capable of both, yet one is demonized, one is glorified.
I understand that you actually do seem to have a more liberal and mature view, but at the same time, your attitude of "wait for the change to happen" will have us perpetually waiting for change. Change has to come from somewhere, somehow. If that means pushing the boundaries of "good taste", exposing people to sexuality in ways they may not be comfortable with and normalizing sexuality instead of hiding it away and painting it as somehow harmful, then that's what needs to happen. If people aren't exposed to sexuality in a positive way (i.e. not harmful, not criminal) attitudes will never change.ProfessorLayton said:
In the scheme of things, changing the box art is not an earthshaking event. On the other hand, it gives the conservative mindset, the ignorant, the fearful power over what other consenting adults can and cannot view. Sure, there is the "what about the children angle", but it's up to parents to control what their children are exposed to to some degree while at the same time educating and preparing them for the times when they are not under parental supervision. We can't shelter our children until the age of 21 and then thrust them into the adult world with no exposure to adult situations and materials and expect them to be able to deal with things like sexuality in a thoughtful, mature and positive manner.
In the end, the box art change says that a certain mindset still has the power to rule over everyone, regardless of whether or not we all agree with that mindset. It takes away the power of choice, which in my opinion is never a good thing. I'm glad that the option to buy the racier versions in N. America is still available for those who choose it.
Try again, that's not the US boxart. This is:Zac Smith said:
http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/9/2009/02/xblades_north_american.jpg
Anyway, I'll just go to Amazon where I buy my games anyway and get a choice of what art I want. HINT: It won't be the censored one.
It's a miracle in itself that the game is actually launching here, but this whole box art thing is rather silly.
I thought it was rather obvious to the retailers what they were getting into, but I guess not.
I thought it was rather obvious to the retailers what they were getting into, but I guess not.
Already had mine imported. Though i'll most likely get an english version, slap on the japanese cover, and give the japanese game to my friend and just keep the english version.
Nah, I wouldn't say that. Remember Ubisoft's We Dare? Remember how people in the UK made such a huge stink over it that Ubisoft decided not to release the game there? [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/108368-Ubisoft-Cancels-U-K-Release-of-We-Dare] You guys over there can be just as prudish as people here sometimes. More actually, because We Dare wasn't anywhere near as bad as the Catherine box art (not that I personally think the Catherine box art is bad, but at least I can see why some people would want it censored).Zac Smith said:
Wrong is not the word just downright unthinkable and horrifying is what id say I just cant imigine it off a Sony system.Onyx Oblivion said:
OT: Im excited for this game and getting the Love is Over Version and I find this whole show all the gore and brutality but give any sexualized showing and OH GOD THINK OF THE CHILDREN.
360 and PS3 cases are see-through, especially the PS3 ones. People would open their game and see the uncensored artwork, and some of those people would then proceed to flip their shit over a little cleavage or some butt.Hulyen said:
So you've never played any of the Trauma Center games? For shame, sir. For shame. Go find the nearest Wii you can use and start playing.Veldie said:
Well that's America for you,violence is ok but the second we get to sex it's time to break out the crosses and holy water. I personally pre ordered the Love is Over edition,which most likely will have the regular box art. It's a nice package and I'm glad that Atlus made the box art more accessible to most Americans.RedEyesBlackGamer said:
Heh, I'd get it on 360 given the choice. Unfortunately the 360 version will probably be region locked, so PS3 version it is, regardless.Onyx Oblivion said:
To be honest, I don't think the censored version of the cover looks that bad despite it being censored. Eitherway as long as the game is untouched, who cares about the artwork.
I'm going to do the same snipping with your post to avoid having a massive wall but first I'm going to tackle this specific paragraph. Now I agree with you 100% that parents should control what their kids see and that the government should keep their noses out of what they find offensive because most of their opinions are irrelevant due to not being a part of the actual present culture for quite some time. But this isn't something that happens in the privacy of one's home. This is a public place where children will be (and be there often) and some parents simply aren't ok with that. You might say that's hypocritical, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen parents with kids look at movie posters or video game boxes and say things like "This is disgusting" or "How can you show this kind of stuff in public?" People are easily offended. This is more of a matter of trying to not have to deal with parents raising their own kids...Zom-B said:
I know it doesn't make much sense, but I prefer keeping the peace over causing outrage for no reason. Controversy is very important, especially in today's society which is (thankfully) moving away from the outdated and backwards world of Conservatism where they feel like banning things is easier than having people choose for themselves in order to gain the votes of older people who are out of touch and easily offended (and yet claim to be for small government but that's a topic for another day). But I only believe that controversy is appropriate when... well, it's appropriate. For instance, gay pride parades are controversial to some people (read: bigots) but we live in a time where gay marriage is still considered wrong by (unfortunately) a very large amount of people. What they're doing is putting people in an uncomfortable position in order to bring up discussion. I find that completely appropriate. However, what is Catherine trying to prove by doing this?
Change can happen, but when you try to force it for no reason, you prove nothing. I try to look at the opposite side when I look at this. On our side, we see that the society that we live in is moving away from a backwards, overly religious, and easily offended one and turning into a more accepting and reasonable one where people are learning to raise their own kids rather than having everyone suffer through censorship in order to keep their children "safe." The opposing view, though, sees our side as sinful and evil and indulgent in earthly pleasures (don't laugh, I've actually heard people say this kind of stuff) and that we're trying for nothing more than shock value.
What I'm trying to say is this... we live in a backwards society. America obviously has it's priorities all wrong. But forcing sexuality into places where it doesn't need to be proves nothing and only sends a message that we are merely just trying to offend everyone to get a reaction. Change is gradual, but it can and will happen and it's happening a lot faster than it has before. It's silly to us now, but society is stubborn and doesn't like thinking for itself.
And throughout this, I've just assumed you were American which might not be the case, but it is the case for me. I'm from Tennessee, so I'm right in the Bible Belt. Wikipedia says that Nashville (more or less where I live) is "sometimes referred to as The Protestant Vatican." I see and deal with the kind of people who would sue over a nip slip every single day. This would not go over well with these people and while I understand that they aren't everyone, they make up a good majority of the population. We have to let new ideas grow on people, and we'll meet people who don't want to listen, but like I've said, change is gradual and more people will listen if we actually sit down and let societal change happen instead of trying to shove it in everyone's faces. While that does work at times, I don't feel like having a video game with sexual content on its box art sends the best message or will work in any positive way.
I honestly don't see what the big deal is. Yeah, it's a shame the box art got changed, but the game is still the same, so what the hell does it matter? And frankly, I don't think too many Americans are going to buy Catherine based on what they see on the cover as they pass it; I believe it's going to be a cult hit.
With any luck Europe won't be affected by this bullshit. Not that I'd be picky over cover art, hell, I'm not even sure if I'll get the game, god knows I've been burned before by hammy-as-fuck english dubs on japanese games before (Zone of the Enders 2 I'm looking at you). It's the double standard chickenshit many here have commented on already. "Cool! Guns, murder, guts and blood! Awesom... OH MY GOD! Is that some side boob??? Get the censorship crew in here double time!!!"