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No Miiquality for Tomodachi Life

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No miiquality

Tomodachi Life is a weird cross between The Sims and Animal Crossing that has launched on the 3DS and made Geoff giggle like a little girl even more than usual. However, it has sparked controversy over its heterosexual-only relationship option. Nintendo has commented – are you satisfied?

When Tomodachi Life was initially released, it was reported that same-sex relationships were allowed. However, Nintendo later called this a bug and patched it out of the game. This prompted a gay Nintendo fan, Tye Marini, to launch his Miiquality campaign. Seeing as Tomodachi Life allows players to encounter real-life celebrities, visit amusement parks or go on dates, Marini argued that he wanted to be able to marry his real-life fiancé’s Mii – currently he’d have to change his Mii’s gender or marry a female friend instead.

This LGBTQ campaign didn’t spark controversy with non-LGBTQ gamers. It seems quite natural for simulation games to allow all kinds of relationship options – just look at the Sims. However, Nintendo will not be changing their game to allow same sex relationships. In a statement, they said:

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.

While I can appreciate that Nintendo isn’t trying to provide social commentary, the reality is that all games are being held to a higher standard. Sure, Nintendo is quirky, and Tomodachi Life is beyond quirky, but I’m not sure that it’s enough of an excuse. Excluding homosexual relationships was a purposeful decision by Nintendo – regardless of their statements to the contrary, this will be viewed as a purposeful exclusion of homosexuals in general. Maybe Nintendo wants gamers to see it as a “playful alternate world”, but player’s sexual tendencies are likely to continue into their gameplay. Why would Nintendo choose to alienate those players and restrict gameplay options? It simply doesn’t make sense when inclusion would make more gamers happy, and won’t change the core experience.

Do you think Nintendo will be excused for this because they are so off the wall? Or should we get into our bomb shelters and prepare for the fallout on this one?

Last Updated: May 8, 2014

30 Comments

  1. Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

    May 8, 2014 at 09:19

    Honestly, as a Nintendo fan this upsets me. It’s backwards. Guess what, Nintendo – by saying you don;t want to provide social commentary, you actually have. You’ve marginalised 10% of your audience for this game just by sticking to your stuck-in-the-50’s “family friendly” ideal.

    It’s time Nintendo grew up.

    Reply

    • Umar Returns

      May 8, 2014 at 09:22

      The more I see how Nintendo are doing things the more backwards they come across…I Love Nintendo as well, but seriously, it’s becoming increasingly harder to turn a blind eye to the way they do things. Ninty love can only take you so far

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      May 8, 2014 at 09:22

      Pretty much what I was thinking, except with less swear words. It’s just so… pointless.

      Reply

      • Wincethis

        May 8, 2014 at 09:22

        *Fewer RUNS

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          May 8, 2014 at 09:23

          No no, he used a swear word. “Nintendo fan” 😛

          Reply

          • Wincethis

            May 8, 2014 at 09:24

            Also known as @Umar Returns:disqus RUNS FASTER

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 8, 2014 at 09:26

            hahahahaha. Now to say something insulting about JRPGs.

          • Wincethis

            May 8, 2014 at 09:27

            On a ROLE!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 8, 2014 at 09:27

            *roll

          • Wincethis

            May 8, 2014 at 09:27

            ROLE playing silly

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 8, 2014 at 09:30

            I know 😛 It was funnier for me to ignore that.

          • Umar Returns

            May 8, 2014 at 09:31

            You guys are so borrrrrrrring SNOOOOORRRREEE!!!!!

          • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

            May 8, 2014 at 09:35

            That’s what she said

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            May 8, 2014 at 09:37

            Wow, that’s a bit harsh coming from a Final Fantasy fan. *run*

          • Umar Returns

            May 8, 2014 at 09:38

            Lol

          • Wincethis

            May 8, 2014 at 09:58

            Snap!

          • Wincethis

            May 8, 2014 at 09:31

            tROLE 😛

          • Umar Returns

            May 8, 2014 at 09:27

          • Wincethis

            May 8, 2014 at 09:28

            HAHAHAH!

  2. Wincethis

    May 8, 2014 at 09:22

    As someone pointed out on twitter, gay marriage is not law in Japan, so including it would actually be a social commentary. Still, I think it’s backwards and does a lot to make them look like the antiquated company that they are.

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      May 8, 2014 at 09:41

      the game originally had same sex marriage on its japanese release…it was fucking patched out. That is fucking social commentary right there.

      Reply

      • Wincethis

        May 8, 2014 at 09:43

        Ya. Nintendo’s response to that was ‘technical glitch’. Utter bullshit.

        Reply

      • Weanerdog

        May 8, 2014 at 10:21

        Nintendo really screwed the pooch on this one.

        Reply

    • Weanerdog

      May 8, 2014 at 10:20

      What am I he who must not be named.

      Reply

      • Rincethis

        May 8, 2014 at 10:23

        Sorry “Some arsehole” on twitter *fixed 😛

        Reply

        • Weaner 'some arsehole' dog

          May 8, 2014 at 10:30

          That’s better

          Reply

  3. Umar Returns

    May 8, 2014 at 09:23

    I honestly just don’t get Nintendo anymore……

    Reply

  4. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    May 8, 2014 at 09:34

    Mmm.. I actually got nothing to say here…

    The game holds no interest for me so I have no right to comment or say anything really.

    I will however say this: If the internet in general didn’t tell the LGBTQ community to quieten down this time for being upset about all this then it certainly says something and Nintendo should consider looking in to this to make sure they don’t sink themselves completely now.

    Reply

  5. MrMetalFox

    May 8, 2014 at 20:16

    Homosexuality does not have to be included in every facet of the free market; especially in the creative market.

    Let’s say I’m Jewish and the game doesn’t feature the ability to go to temple. Should I protest? Or should I wake up and realize it’s only a game?

    Nintendo NOT including homosexuals on the game making process is no crime. Why do they need to flaunt a sexually based relationship on a children’s game? Enough homosexual agendas?

    Reply

  6. silvananoir

    May 12, 2014 at 21:23

    I feel like I need to provide a correction. The homosexual relationship wasn’t the main reason for the patch. The glitch also prevented people from saving their games and that is why it was patched out.

    Reply

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