It's a shame that the media and even people who identify themselves as gamers hold double standards for video games and what can be presented. Movies, comic books, literature, and classical art can celebrate its freedom by putting whatever it wants for its intended audience and the inclusion of mature content is almost always done tastefully, to make an artistic point, and/or because the tone dictates it. It's as if the golden rule of, "If you're that sensitive to this mature content, maybe you should not be watching/reading/viewing it," doesn't apply to video games. And with video games fighting to gain recognition as an artistic medium, the double standards in play dictate that it will only get that respect if it relinquishes its freedom to be absurd or graphic in any varying degree (despite having a rating system) just to avoid potentially offending someone who ignored the label or doesn't respect the intent of the work. Meanwhile every other artistic medium enjoy those privileges, some even without a rating label so if you do complain, you'll be laughed at or told politely that this artistic piece is just not for you.
And so with all that said, that's the real reason why video games can't have so bad it's good/brilliant or accept over-the-top and absurdity. Although part of it has to do with publisher restrictions and people who identify themselves as gamers not willing to accept anything that deviates from the norm, it all comes back to the wrong people's reactions to graphical content, sexuality, and tone given majority rule and merit instead of finding something that suits them. That's also why we're seeing so little variety compared to ten+ years ago where someone could easily find something that appeals to them instead of now where every release has to face the spotlight which normally wouldn't be a bad thing; but, if it doesn't have maximum appeal and maybe has a bit too much mature content than the insufferably sensitive general audiences would like, it's over criticized than it should and can sometimes become taboo. The general audience has become the only audience, no work can be respected for what it is, and its intended audience will be shamed for liking it and labeled a creep or whatever.
I'm just glad that japanese developers carry on the freedom of putting whatever they like in video games and even in some cases include western imagery, celebrating it with a fun and ultimately benign over the top style and purpose. How sad is that where western based developers can't celebrate its own culture if it has too much graphical content, sexuality, and unconventional tones for the undeserving masses? I guess Japan and other markets will have to do that for the west until things change. Generally japanese culture tends to be less prudish so their games tend to get censored just so it can appear on western stores but if it still has content that ticks off over-sensitive western audiences, its then critically panned and labeled taboo. No wonder why most japanese companies don't feel like putting up with these unnecessary complaints and rather not bring it here when the complaints can all be answered the same, "If you're that sensitive to this mature content, maybe you should not be playing it and let everyone else enjoy it." You will never hear that from the western gaming industry until things change and artistic vision is protected from double standards.
R if anything does...
