As most of you who regularly read here know, I’m terribly excited for Street Fighter V. My excitement is palpable, even if I think that some of its fighters – in particular Rainbow Mika – could do without the giant boobs and bare ass. It’s just unnecessary, sexualising characters in the game in a way that’s out of place. Capcom seems to agree, and they’ve made a few changes to help boost the game’s mass appeal.
They’re removing the butt-slapping animation from R. Mika’s Critical Arts, along with several other close up crotch shots that are out of place in the game. Here’s what the animation used to look like.
And here’s what it’s been changed to (Critical Art at 88 seconds).
All that’s really changed is that the butt slap is now off camera. Somebody at Capcom’s made the decision – wisely in my opinion – to change the animation well before the game is out, by making the game at least appear that it’s not made to satiate teenage boy fantasies. And of course, there are people terribly angry about this, banding together with their rallying cries of censorship. Yes, there’s a petition to bring back R. Mika’s butt-slapping.
“Some time recently Capcom chose to censor this Critical Art animation, the original shows Mika slapping her butt to taunt before grabbing, and the final downward slam brings both legs down as is normal in a great deal of wrestling moves.
In the newest version, the camera pans up to hide the slap and the severity of the final downward slam is lost as the legs are untouched.We do not want to accept any censorship of this kind, and we do not wish to purchase censored games.
This content must remain uncensored, retained in its original form when the game is released, as should all the current content in the beta builds thus far that your company may wish to censor for whatever reason.”
While I think those who started the petition and have signed it have every right to, the biggest problem here is that Capcom, internally making a decision to change an animation, is not really censorship.
You could argue, perhaps, that Capcom making their games have broader appeal by way of less overt sexualisation and removing a damned butt slap is self-censorship, but it’s an internal change made before the game is even out. In the end though, whatever the reasons for the change, I don’t feel it’s worth arguing about. It’s Capcom’s game and they can change whatever they please.
What do you think? Is this censorship? Is this that blasted Social Justice ruining games? Or is this a silly thing not worth getting so worked up about?
Last Updated: November 10, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 10, 2015 at 09:41
I lol’d, literally. “Critical Art animation”. lol. Capitalised. lol. Sometimes people really put the dom in freedom.
Geoffrey Tim
November 10, 2015 at 09:57
“Critical Art” is a move. 🙂
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 10, 2015 at 09:58
Should be called Critical Arse. 😀
Captain JJ the Goo
November 10, 2015 at 09:42
It’s definitely not something worth getting worked up about, I think. But it’s pretty much like movies in a sense. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.
It doesn’t mean I’m for it or that I would ever want something like this game, but “censoring” it won’t give it bigger mass appeal or make it more acceptable. The real fans will want it for what it is, the rest probably won’t even bother getting it.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 10, 2015 at 09:44
I wonder if oVg’s signed the petition, he’s being very… Quiet.
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 09:44
Bwahahaha!
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 09:51
Here’s a wacky idea. When they game starts have an option.
1. Show everything the way the creators and artists intended
2. Show the censored, I’m too sensitive and too closed minded to appreciate other cultures way of entertainment version, because I feel the need to mingle in other people’s affairs. Now excuse me while I starve on my vegan diet, shop online for lumberjack shirts and search for other games to petition
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 09:52
Oh great minds think alike, huh?
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 09:53
Seems we posted our comments within seconds lol
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 09:55
Ugh. I am getting tired of all this seriousness in games. Takes the fun out of my hobby.
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 09:57
Two options. That’ll work. That’s one way of compromising
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 09:58
It is as simple as that. If I recall, MK1 had a ‘Blood’ option that could be switched on and off. On = Head Rips. Off = No Head Rips.
But no. Simple stuff is usually the rocket surgery stuff.
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 10:00
Even BLOPS3 has an option
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 10:01
Switch FISH AI on or off? 😛
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 10:02
hehehe
Raptor Rants
November 10, 2015 at 09:55
You forgot:
Checking all food labels for gluten
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 09:55
HAHAHAHAHA!
Gavin Mannion
November 10, 2015 at 14:05
the SJW’s in the team are going to shit when they see I featured this
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 14:44
I’m honoured XD
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 09:51
Le sigh. It’s a video GAME! I think this game needs two choices in the Options Menu:
1. I am a reasonable human being that can stand a bit of silliness in a game.
2. I am a sour puss old fart.
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 09:52
What I said, in fewer words XD
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 10, 2015 at 10:07
tl;dr
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 10:09
More like tl;cr
Total Loser; Can’t Read…
😛
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
November 10, 2015 at 10:49
So lame
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 11:19
I know! I am trying! I am sorry!
(Umar) Must be Cipher
November 10, 2015 at 09:52
http://img.pandawhale.com/103875-chris-tucker-facepalm-gif-Frid-GSTI.gif
Loftus
November 10, 2015 at 09:58
Man people are DUMB…it’s your money, buy the game if you want to, if you choose not buy the game because of reasons then don’t.
KingKappie
November 10, 2015 at 10:00
probably some horny kid in Murica that started the petition
KingKappie
November 10, 2015 at 10:04
But haven’t Street Fighter always been in the cross air about “over” sexing the caterers. way stop now?
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 10:08
Female costume design for all games going forward: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iY7gGlaMbfQ/TOQggd2rVbI/AAAAAAAAAEY/26CjEIlzV3U/s1600/modest_dresses_phebe2.jpg
Loftus
November 10, 2015 at 10:09
That is one hot bitch!
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 13:49
What breed is that?
Loftus
November 10, 2015 at 14:35
‘n skootskytertjie 😉
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 14:43
XD
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
November 10, 2015 at 12:51
SHE IS NAKED FROM JAW TO NECKLINE!!!! THIS CANNOT BE TOLERATED!!
40 Insane Frogs
November 10, 2015 at 13:06
SHOCK HORROR!
40 Insane Frogs
November 10, 2015 at 13:06
Is that a little bit of ankle I see? BURN HER!! She’s DRESSED INAPPROPRIATELY!! #SJWsFrom2020
RinceThis
November 10, 2015 at 13:11
If you want some of that, you gotta marry it first! 0_O
40 Insane Frogs
November 10, 2015 at 13:21
Cast aside your eyes, perve… those ankles may not be looked upon by single, unmarried men!
RinceThis
November 10, 2015 at 13:11
so haaaat!
Dutch Matrix
November 10, 2015 at 13:24
I know right! Makes me horny in all the right places!
Hammersteyn
November 10, 2015 at 13:48
Can at least show a little ankle
Daniel Hallinan
November 10, 2015 at 10:14
When I first saw that header image, I thought it was the character hunched down, facing the “camera” with her butt cheeks being her knees, with framing focusing on the obvious crotch shot seen between her “legs”. This impression lasted longer than I suspect most will believe.
Needless to say, I was surprised when it finally clicked. Deceptively well camouflaged butt shots are deceptively well camouflaged.
40 Insane Frogs
November 10, 2015 at 13:04
ME LOVE YOU MIKA!!! DON’T YOU CENSOR THE GAME CAPCOM! LOST SALE LOST SALE!!!
RinceThis
November 10, 2015 at 13:10
So I assume they are not changing their name to KLAPCOM anytime soon?
Sageville
November 10, 2015 at 13:43
Can’t say I care enough to read the whole article….
But I’m here for the comments….
Gavin Mannion
November 10, 2015 at 13:56
It’s self-censorship, changes being made to art/model after feedback… it 100% fits the definition of censorship..
also, no one should care.. it’s their game they can do as they like. If you don’t like it then don’t buy their game. That’s how it works
Darren Peach
November 10, 2015 at 15:10
Censorship in any manner ( Obviously there are exceptions to this rule ) is not something anyone should adhere to. Period. Finish and Klaar. A Boer maak a plan. Dis die fokken happie klappers wat doen soe. En die mal regte wing mense wat domb is 🙂
lamar
November 10, 2015 at 17:54
“It’s just unnecessary, sexualising characters in the game in a way that’s out of place.” Clearly you never played a street fighter game. Anyways its not “out of place” for a character that is a pro wrestler. The point of the slap to gain hype.
she is an exaggeration of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlUM0awYC28
Jack
November 13, 2015 at 05:02
People who support censored Street Fighters are just jealous about it’s gorgeous ‘fictional’ characters and are just another insecure attention seeker (don’t believe me? Read the infamous main character ‘Naruto’ your will understand what I mean).
That why those group of petty minded-alike will try to forbid these cool characters you don’t get to see in real life to make themselves feel better.
Sandro
November 25, 2015 at 17:42
People.. it’s a game .. who cares if it has animated ass slapping..? Offended buy a girl slapping her own ass but don’t care about the big dude just beating the living he’ll out of a girl?. OK boys and girls there is no problem beating up girls but no ass slapping.. look it’s 2015 not 1865.
Matteo Neviani
January 13, 2016 at 20:35
OMG NUDITY IN GAMES! THAT MUST BE THE WORK OF SATAN, MAY THE LORD SAVE US ALL.
LET’S CENSOR THIS HORRIBLE THING! -_-
It’s not about seeing R.Mika slapping her boot, dude. I can watch an hentai anime if i want to see a cartoony ass slapped. It’s about condoning censorship in videogames. If you consider vgs as a form of art, censorship is BAD, period.