Does Censorship Always Make a Difference?

Did Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE's censorship really influence its gameplay?

[jjj0309]

Is this even a question? Censorship without difference? Is such thing even possible?
Stop being censorship apologist, now is the time to stand up and fight. Fight for your rights of your raw, untouched, uncensored, superior gaming experiences.

[cleft5]

Exactly, I want the content the developers put out in its original form. It's like people behave as if these developers set out to make child porn or some damn nonsense. There is nothing wrong with the content in its original form and we all need to send a strong message as the actual consumers that this is what we want.

[Zeldafan64]

I am glad they censored it considering WHAT they censored. I think it made the game better.

[jjj0309]

Made the game better by censoring dev's original intentions and ditching out game contents?
So, not hurting your over-sensitive feelings is more important, sacred than the liberty of the developers and free speech?
What were you smoking when you came up with that?
Either reason out of narcissism or selfishness, advocating censorship is like dancing with the devil, playing with his toys. You better expect the future outcome of censorship-pandering video game industry.

[Zeldafan64]

Nothing they censored has any impact on the gameplay or story. The gameplay and story are still the exact same.

[Fierce Musashi]

They've actually changed and censored lines of dialogue in the localized version, some to accommodate the censorship of outfits in the game, as well as the unlocalization of an entire DLC scenario involving them. Just because it doesn't matter to you, doesn't mean it is minuscule others. It mattered enough to someone overseeing the game to change it in the first place.

[GrimDragon]

When you censor something to appease the few, you upset the majority who want it in its full presentation. When you remove anything from the whole your left with only a piece of what it was suppose to be. You lower its value, and you undermine the products intended presentation. If something cannot be presented as intended than it shouldn't be made. If only a few can enjoy it because it meets their acceptable standards than no one should have it. Choosing one side over another always leaves someone unhappy. The only true outcome is to make it as intended stand by your vision and your product and let the people decide kicking and screaming if they like it or not. Otherwise don't bother your only releasing something diluted from its true form and therefore worthless.

Imagine if everything was censored in some form. Your food because it stinks, your car because it's color is obnoxious, your dog because he barks, your receding hair line because it offends, your neck beard because it's gross, your bear belly because it's nauseating, your breast because you have none. You'd feel left out devalued, and angry that you can't live and enjoy something in its entirety because someone don't like it. Luckily for most things there are places and people that don't care or accept all of the above when you seek them out. Because there is something for everyone and everyone's preference. Right down to gender and various sex orientations. Always you will find a place that accepts your needs. But imagine if not. Imagine if it was all one totalitarian way of being dictated by the powers who only want to appease the few with the largest voice who complain the most.

Censorship of any kind is disgusting and helps no one. It is a one sided view that cares not for differing opinions only the one that causes the most resistance even if in truth that view has no intention of supporting the product it's just a view that's offended by something. Catering to a single view is never good period. In a world so full of differences why in the world would anyone think one way of doing things is the right way?

Anyway to answer the stupid question I'll only say to the author if you have to ask such a question you are a part of the problem.

[Zeldafan64]

You people love making mountains out of molehills. Wow I said that before reading the rest of your absurd comment. I can't believe you're equating censorship in a video game to judging someone's physical appearance. They are in no way related. It is not harming anyone censoring a video game and the only time you should criticize someone's physical appearance is if they are overweight or underweight and even in certain instances you shouldn't criticize someone for being underweight. The most hypocritical thing you say however is "Imagine if it was all one totalitarian way of being dictated by the powers who only want to appease the few with the largest voice who complain the most." You're speaking about yourself and doing exactly what it is you claim you're against. You are part of the few with the largest voice who complains the most and you're saying that it can only be your way or it's wrong, you're the one with the totalitarian mindset that everything can only be done one way and that everyone has to agree with you.

[gerbwmu]

You censor yourself on a daily basis. The way you talk around your friends differs from how you talk with co-workers, parents, peers whatever. How you drive changes depending on who is in the car. When you interview for a job, what you say and the resume you send depends on the job you are trying to get. Nintendo isn't changing this to appease the few and discard the majority. They are changing it for the exact opposite reason. To get a lower age rating and to appeal to a broader market. Those that shout from the rooftops about how bad this censorship is....they are the few and the loud. That maybe the group you hang with so your view is skewed but the vast majority either doesn't care or prefers the changes and a lower age rating opens up sales to more demographics

[SilverClock]

You made some good points and this is coming from a guy who would have preferred the uncensored version.
I think references to the gravure modeling being removed makes sense, but outright removal of swimsuits seems unnecessary. The swimsuits could have stayed in. The white dress Tsubasa wore didn't have to be a turtleneck to keep the lower age rating. I think they overdid the censorship.
I don't see how the vast majority would prefer no swimsuits vs. having swimsuits though. That's more options and more customization removed from the game, essentially.

[GameBoyColor]

http://i.imgur.com/lBBM3nd....
Edit: http://i.imgur.com/ZU4Z3FY.... (Censoring even the arms now lol)

This right here is a disgrace lol

[SilverClock]

I saw that!! That's not overly revealing by any means and I don't know of anyone in my entire life who would be offended by the Japanese version.
EDIT: NO WAY Zeldafan64 I had NO IDEA!! Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Zeldafan64]

It has no affect on the gameplay or story.

[Zeldafan64]

I know you already knew that I was just saying it to make you think about how pointless it is to be upset by something that doesn't matter.

[Segata]

And it's in the game for a whole 90s second on a side quest.

[GameBoyColor]

this was the most unnecessary censorship i've ever seen. Especially the fact that it's only in for a little bit. ESPECIALLY because there are more revealing costumes still in the game. Just because it doesn't impact gameplay doesn't mean you should be defending censorship.

[CrimsonWing69]

No it does not!

[DarXyde]

Well, you could always mod your console and import the game...

And while I don't defend the decision to censor it really, none of the comments are actually looking at the question: does it affect gameplay? No. No, it doesn't.

It doesn't really matter. DLC-wise, perhaps. Base game, no.

Looking at the issue from another angle though...

Maiko playing the pure and innocent angle makes more sense in the west and that could be the result of cultural issues. At the end of the day, Nintendo and Atlus had to choose their critics: people outraged by the portrayal of women in the game (if it wasn't censored) or deal with people criticising their decision to censor.

I don't think Japan is having this discussion and it should obvious why they bothered doing anything.

[Zeldafan64]

Doesn't it seem odd how Nintendo is put under the microscope in EVERYTHING they do yet microsoft and especially sony aren't to anywhere near such an extent? Sony gets a free pass on almost everything and when someone does try to call them out on it they are met with instant rabid sony fanboy hate.

[Scatpants]

Yeah it does. Don't justify censorship.

[RPGrinder]

Nope. Nobody really cares. People make a stink for nor eason.

[Fierce Musashi]

"No reason"? The altering of dialogue, removal of costumes which ultimately lead to the unlocalization of a DLC scenario, etc. Clearly, no line is drawn for you.

lol Oh bugger off. People cared enough to make an uncensored patch. Try again.

[Segata]

The DLC you mention is not important. It's like a minute long. Gee a whole minute or 2 of something optional ruining my 80s hours of play...actually no it has not. You are Barry from the game. Barry is the kind of person who would be bitching about it like you.

[Segata]

Hey look another mountains out of molehills topic to bash Nintendo in some way on N4G. Shocker.

[Fierce Musashi]

How is it a "molelhill" when they are withholding content in the name of censorship? If anything, you are minimalizing the situation. The only ones who made a mountain out of a molehill were Nintendo's "treehouse" or whoever oversaw the localization of the game to censor it in the first place.

Don't turn this into a console war thing, no one even brought that up. I know this site is loaded with people with biases for and against certain brands, but that's hardly what this discussion is about. It's a problem with just Nintendo's American branch, for this title.

[Segata]

ATLUS LOCALIZED THIS NOT TREEHOUSE.Hey remember when Sony changed the name of Bombing Bastards. When Sony changed Grandia's Alcohol to coffee. Sega changed things in Skies of Arcadia. They are not withholding anything. I been playing the game. Some costume changes and a couple of lines changes in a particular spot. Big deal. The core game is the same. You see this is as old as gaming. It's called localization. Everyone does it. The creators of the game changed it and they like it so it's still their vision. You see today's entitled gamer complains no matter what. Before anyone knew about the changed they bitched it was not SMT or FE enough but once word of the changes they bitched there was no bikini..poor them. Most of them never planned to buy this game at all. The other funny thing is while this was common even 20 years ago from all console makers and publishers,few knew about it so they enjoyed the shit out of Earthbound even tho a lot of stuff was changed. People still love Earthbound. People don't let themselves just enjoy it even tho everything core to the experience is there. They want to bitch about minor costume changes. I been playing games for 30 years and this is nothing new in the industry. Japanese games will always have changes to what they feel is more acceptable in the western culture. It's always been that way and always will. Mega Man made changes and changed how bosses look in the west. Still enjoyed the game people did. So again stop making mountains out of molehills. While everyone is trolling meta with 0s and WAAAAAH no BIKINI WAAAAAAH..I am just having a grand time with the game. Best JRPG I played all year.

[Fierce Musashi]

"The DLC you mention is not important. It's like a minute long. Gee a whole minute or 2 of something optional ruining my 80s hours of play...actually no it has not. You are Barry from the game. Barry is the kind of person who would be bitching about it like you. "

No, clown, I'm anti-censorship when it comes to gaming. Because I've seen where this will likely lead for gaming should it continue to effect it. First it's outfits, line of dialogue, etc. to now being DLC scenarios, next will be actual parts of the story. Content is content, and if no line is drawn, it will only get worse. What, because it's a shorter side mission/senario than the game itself, that makes it ok? Bugger off. That mentality is also part of the problem. If you see no problem with it, that's entirely on you, but don't expect the same for others who can actually see the bigger picture of where this can lead in the future.

If you enjoy it, more power to you. But there IS an issue that needs to be addressed regarding censorship. Especially in this age of over-sensitive Special Snowflakes, SJWs, Feminists, etc. who are actively calling for outright bans/regulations for certain games that have certain content in it. It doesn't matter how small you make it out to be today. That's on your shortsightedness of the topic at hand.
http://www.oneangrygamer.ne...

To your second response:
Maybe you should bring yourself up to date on this topic. lol John Hardin, Atlus' PR Manger, placed the blame of Tokyo Mirage's censorship on the game's publisher, that being, *gasp* Nintendo.
https://twitter.com/Censore...
But honestly, It was obvious. Atlus' SMT series has a penis monster in it. They have little to no problem with this sort of thing. So, of course, the other entity had to play a part in this game's censorship, since it's a collaboration title. It was Nintendo Of America who were helping oversee and censored this game, deal with it. And leave that fanboyism crap at the door, I do not care who was bashing this game for any other reason. I, with many others, don't stand with censorship in this industry, no matter who is doing it or how minuscule you think it is, especially for these absurd reasons. If we are to the point where having actual DLC side missions prevented from reaching overseas because "Bikini BAD", it's only going to grow into a much bigger blight on this industry, as I've alluded to above...... No sh!t it's been around forever and everyone does it, does it mean that we should just accept it in this day and age, when it is affecting content (and yes it is content, be in denial and minimalize it all you want)? When gamers, now more than ever, have the ability voice their issues with certain practices in this industry? When we have a ratings system that can warn people of this content, rendering this sort of practice useless? I don't think so. Misuse of DLC has be around for awhile. Should we just stop "feeling entitled" and accept it with no complaints?

And no, it is not their original vision, otherwise, they would not have changed it. Drop the damage-control.

>"The creators of the game changed it and they like it so it's still their vision."
>Japanese games will always have changes to what they feel is more acceptable in the western culture."

Still their vision, right........ LOL I don't believe we need Phoenix Wright in the room to point out the problem with your logic here. ( Also XDDDDD Bikinis = Western Culture)