About
The Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Localization Controversy is a controversy that arose over the decision of the Japanese video game publisher Koei Tecmo to not bring the video game Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 outside of the Asian market due to fear of backlash over the game’s focus on fanservice.
Background
Dead or Alive Xtreme 3[1] is the third entry in the Dead or Alive Xtreme franchise,[2] a spin-off of the Dead or Alive fighting game franchise which features the games’ female cast in a beach resort setting. The series is known for its heavy amounts of fanservice, and in the past previous entries in the franchise have caused minor controversy. The series’ reputation as sexist amongst critics often makes it appear and criticised in articles about sexism in gaming[17][18] and lists ranking games by sexism.[19][20][21][22]
Although the game was initially considered for a North American release if interest was strong enough,[24] the game’s publisher, Koei Tecmo, announced on November 24, 2015 via Facebook that the game would not be coming to North America due to potential backlash.[3] The initial comment has since been deleted.
Notable Developments
Soon after the comment was posted, the news that the game would not be localized spread to various gaming outlets, several of which shifted the blame onto social justice warriors.[4][5] The decision was also criticized by groups such as the GamerGate movement, who used the decision as an example of the effects of social justice on the gaming community. Meanwhile, a Change.org petition to release the game in the west reached over 2,000 signatures in less than 24 hours;[15] while the r/KotakuInAction sub-reddit attempted to start an e-mail campaign towards Koei Tecmo.[16]
At Play-Asia
On October 30th, the game import website Play-Asia announced on their Twitter that it would carry the English Asia version of the game;[10] restating this on their official Twitter on November 24th following Koei Tecmo’s announcement.[6] Although the announcement was met with mixed reception, the site reported a large spike in Twiiter followers because of it. The Twitter account reporting that in the course of 24 hours they had nearly doubled their Twitter followers; going from 9,000 to passing the 10,000 on November 24th,[8] to over 17,000 by November 25th.[8]
Play-Asia’s announcement was met with mixed replies. Fans of the series and critics of the social justice movement mainly praised the site for its decision. Play-Asia’s offer was also shared by Koei Tecmo Europe on their Twitter account.[23] Play-Asia itself as well replied towards the controversy and reactions to their decision, using Smug Anime Faces to mock the controversy due to the resulting increase in their sales.
At HuniePot
On November 25th, the developer of the fanservice-centered game HuniePop, HuniePot, offered $1 million dollars for the United States rights to the Xtreme series to Koei Tecmo.[7] The offer was subsequently reported by various gaming sites,[11] blogs,[12][13] and forums.[14]
Search Interest
External References
[1]Wikipedia – Dead or Alive Xtreme 3
[2]Wikipedia – Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
[3]Archive.is – “We do not bring DOAX3 to the west and won’t have any plan change in the future.”
[4]Gamespot – Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Won’t Ship Worldwide Due to Sexism Backlash Fears
[5]Breitbart News – ‘Dead or Alive Xtreme 3′ Avoiding Western Beaches over SJW Criticism
[6]Twitter – #DOAX3 will not be coming to the US due to #SJW nonsense. However, we will have the English Asia version available
[7]Twitter – .@KoeiTecmoUS I’ll give you $1M for the rights to publish DOAX in the states.
[8]@playasia – 10,000 followers~ Thanks for the support everyone!
[9]@playasia – 17,000 alienated followers and counting.
[10]Play-Asia News – ENGLISHRELEASE OF DEAD OR ALIVEXTREME 3 FORTUNE/VENUSCONFIRMEDFORASIA!
[11]Dualshockers – Dead or Alive Xtreme 3: Developer Offers $1,000,000 to Koei Tecmo for U.S. Publishing License
[12]The Gaming Ground – Huniepot offers Koei Tecmo US 1 million dollars for the DOAX3 US publishing rights
[13]One Angry Gamer – HuniePot Offers Koei $1 Million To Publish Dead Or Alive Xtreme 3 In America
[14]r/KotakuInAction – HuniePot developer offers Koei one million dollars for US DOAX publishing rights
[15]Change.org – Bring Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 to the West
[16]r/KotakuInAction – E-mail campaign Koei Tecmo about DOAX3 not being released in the west because of backlash from SJWs
[17]VentureBeat – Sexism and misogyny are gaming’s status quo
[18]The Game Bolt – Sexism in Gaming 2014 – Let’s All Be Adults Here
[19]Games Retrospect – Top 10: Blatantly Misogynistic Games
[20]PS3.MMGN– The 5 Most Sexist Games of this Generation
[21]What Culture – 10 Blatantly Sexist Video Games
[22]International Business Time – After ‘Gamergate’: The Five Most Sexist Video Games Of All Time
[23]Twitter – Koei Tecmo Europe
[24]Blog.Esuteru – PS4/Vita「デッドオアアライブ エクストリーム3」