Home Gaming Koei-Tecmo’s official statement on Dead or Alive Xtreme 3’s lack of Western release

Koei-Tecmo’s official statement on Dead or Alive Xtreme 3’s lack of Western release

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BonJovi

I quite like Koei-Tecmo’s Dead or Alive. As a fighting game series, it’s a surprisingly deep one, with some complex systems that belie its status as a button-masher. It’s fast and fluid, with a great counter-system that makes it decidedly fun to play. It largely gets overlooked though, not taken especially seriously by those both in, and outside of the fighting game community.

I have to believe that’s in part to its over-sexualisation of its characters. With a little too much in the way of skimpy outfits and jiggly breasts, the series is looked on as a bit of a joke. And I think that the situation’s only been exacerbated by its spin-off series, Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball. The first game in that series was actually okay, but took a serious nosedive in quality with the second one, which was hot garbage. It’s why I’m so surprised that so many people seem to want the third game; though I suspect that’s driven more by the brouhaha and outrage following the revelation that the game won’t be making its way to the West in any official capacity.

When asked why the decision to skip a Western release was made, Koei-Tecmo originally posted that the reason was so as to not offend politically-correct Western sensibilities.

“We do not bring DOAX3 to the west and won’t have any plan change in the future,” A Koei-Tecmo community manager said on Facebook “Thank you for asking.”

When prodded for more details on why, the Community manager responded in a way that set off a chain of events that pegged social justice as the main culprit.

“Do you know many issues happening in video game industry with regard to how to treat female in video game industry?” the community manager continued  “We do not want to talk those things here. But certainly we have gone through in last year or two to come to our decision. Thank you.”

It’s led to indignant outrage, and even petitions to have the game released in the rest of the world. Two weeks on, and Koei-Tecmo has released an official statement on the matter. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really say much. They clarify that the community manager may have misspoken, implying that it may have nothing to do with social justice and feminism, but beyond that, really just say nothing.

“The comments recently made by an employee regarding Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 on the official Dead or Alive Facebook page only reflect that individual’s opinion and not the opinion or business strategy of Koei Tecmo Games.

We remain focused on delivering the best in fighting entertainment to our fans around the world, while consciously respecting and strategizing to support the different global audiences the Dead or Alive franchise lends itself to.

Dead or Alive Xtreme 3
remains in development and is still planned for release in Japan and Asia only.”

The funny thing, of course, is that the game was never set for release in the West in the first place, so nobody’s gone and taken anything away from anybody. It’s exclusive to the PS4 and PlayStation Vita. The Asian PS4 version at least, isn’t region-locked, and will have English subtitles for those who really, really must have a probably terrible volleyball and tug-of-war game. Oh, it will also have PlayStation VR support once that launches, which may go even further in explaining why people want to…umm..get their hands on it.

Last Updated: December 2, 2015

26 Comments

  1. VampyreSquirrel

    December 2, 2015 at 08:35

    That guys English is really terrible on an “official” page… he could work for Lagz! XD

    Jokes aside, I really don’t see why they’re being such prudes with this game, just release it to the rest of the world and let the pervs have their fun.

    Reply

    • Jan Prins

      December 2, 2015 at 08:42

      No. It’s art. Gloriously bouncy, flesh in your face art. We all assuming this game will suck on the hind tit, but what if it is actually a pretty good volleyball sim/tug of war game? It COULD happen you know?

      Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        December 2, 2015 at 08:49

        LOL!

        Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      December 2, 2015 at 08:57

      I’m guessing it’s just money. I assume it costs money to have their games rated & stuff in order to be sold locally across the world. They’ve done their numbers & it’s not worth it.

      Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        December 2, 2015 at 09:40

        That’s the best reason I’ve seen/heard for it.

        Reply

    • HairyEwok

      December 2, 2015 at 09:36

      To be honest I understand why this is being done. Unfortunately the Asian countries do not give their woman a lot of power therefore they will get away with all the soft porn happening in the game. Now if the game was to be released to the rest of the world they would have a huge problem on their hands.

      Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        December 2, 2015 at 09:41

        *Obligatory “That’s what she said”*

        Reply

  2. Original Heretic

    December 2, 2015 at 08:45

    DOA on VR!? HA!! “Oops, I thought I was grabbing the volleyball.”

    Reply

    • HairyEwok

      December 2, 2015 at 09:38

      Honestly, I think the game won’t even be played. It’ll be a true start-up and stare game, or at least people would always choose spectator mode and watch AI play the game.

      Reply

  3. Umar

    December 2, 2015 at 08:48

    DOA is actually a really good fighting game with an extremely dark but interesting story but it has become quite the sexual spectacle which is a shame.

    Reply

    • Jan Prins

      December 2, 2015 at 08:50

      Is it though? I dunno. I find the almost childish/immature approach to the game a breath of fresh air. Gaming has just become too serious. We need a series like DOA to remind us to chill the heck out from time to time

      Reply

      • Umar

        December 2, 2015 at 08:56

        I dont know. DOA is a serious game. If you read up on Ayane for instance you can see why the shift in focus to sex is really disappointing because that is all everyone associates to this game now which is a shame. Game is deep yo. With a great story.

        Reply

        • Jan Prins

          December 2, 2015 at 09:08

          I hear you. But I think the lesson here is that gamers should invest in some nerve meds and chill the heck out.

          Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      December 2, 2015 at 08:54

      Yeah, the story is actually pretty cool… the whole volleyball thing cropped up and became a thing with the production of the movie (if I remember correctly, and could very easily be wrong).

      Reply

  4. Alien Emperor Trevor

    December 2, 2015 at 08:49

    I still don’t understand why the volleyballs are attached to the characters’ chests. Surely that makes it more difficult to play?

    Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      December 2, 2015 at 08:54

      Nah, you just use different… tactics.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        December 2, 2015 at 08:55

        Like high jump, except over the net instead of a pole. huehuehue pole.

        Reply

    • oVg SOmaNY games

      December 2, 2015 at 09:08

      Meanwhile on ESPN. I dont think beach volleyball would be as popular if it was just men playing the sport 😛

      Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    December 2, 2015 at 08:51

    And of course the mandatory…

    Reply

    • oVg SOmaNY games

      December 2, 2015 at 09:05

      *peeeeeeeeep*

      Reply

  6. oVg SOmaNY games

    December 2, 2015 at 09:03

    Good for them. I dont blame them. Not even booth babes are allowed in the West anymore.
    THINK OF THE KIDDIE TV GAMERS.
    Only brainless decapitations with chainsaw guns, exploding body parts and the killing of innocent bystanders in airport shootouts COD2 style are allowed.

    Anything else would spark another feminazi gate scandal.

    Reply

    • Jan Prins

      December 2, 2015 at 09:09

      ^ ^ THIS!

      Reply

  7. oVg SOmaNY games

    December 2, 2015 at 09:14

    Just proves how childish the video game community is if jock ESPN allows it but games cant.

    Reply

    • oVg SOmaNY games

      December 2, 2015 at 09:14

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      December 2, 2015 at 09:22

      lol

      Reply

      • VampyreSquirrel

        December 2, 2015 at 09:41

        LOL

        Reply

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