Home Gaming Gay marriage in another game… So what?

Gay marriage in another game… So what?

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In a bug (or feature!) of Nintendo’s Nippon-centric Tomodachi Collection: New Life, male characters can engage in same-sex relationships.

As such, male couples can marry, raise children and follow all manner of normal couple routines.  However, female characters do not have the same capacity.  Also, same-sex relationships weren’t an option for males or females in previous titles – and weren’t intended for this one either. 

Since its launch on 18 April, the game has gone to the top of the charts in Japan, with many players purchasing this game because of the same-sex relationship option.  Nintendo customer support is aware of the issue and plans to patch the game, although it is unclear if the patch will mean letting the ladies pair up, or removing the functionality completely.  Guess we’ll have to wait and see – but given how outwardly conservative much of Japan is (despite appearances), it’s likely that it’ll be patched out, dealing a blow to player choice. 

You know, considering how often homophobic slurs are used by gamers, the gaming community is surprisingly accepting of homosexuality in games.  Just think of The Sims, or just about anything Bioware has ever made.  I’m not sure why this is even an issue – we all enjoy playing with our fictional characters, and it’s up to the individual player if they choose to go down that road. Here’s hoping that Nintendo opens up more LBGT options  for Tomodachi – which will probably help drive up their sales.

Last Updated: May 9, 2013

17 Comments

  1. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 9, 2013 at 13:09

    Shit, I almost thought that Nintendo had finally grown up. Lets see what the patch does.

    Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      May 9, 2013 at 13:14

      Relationship nerf patch in 3…2…1….

      Reply

  2. OVG OfflineVideoGamer

    May 9, 2013 at 13:09

    Shit, I almost thought that Nintendo had finally grown up. Lets see what the patch does.

    Reply

  3. Uberutang

    May 9, 2013 at 13:16

    This still a thing? Same sex marriage have been legal in SA for ages, why is the rest of the world so slow to catch up?

    Reply

    • Gideon Venter

      May 9, 2013 at 15:21

      Technically, in SA you can only have a Civil Union, not get married. Same thing, different terminology. Bugs me though, why not just call it marriage, ffs? Progressive, and yet not.

      Reply

      • Uberutang

        May 9, 2013 at 15:22

        OH? Did not know that. The way the papers went on about it years I ago I just read as Marriage and went on my way. Thanks.

        Reply

      • Uberutang

        May 9, 2013 at 15:27

        Main article: Same-sex marriage in South Africa

        South Africa legalized same-sex marriage in 2006. Same-sex and opposite-sex couples may register their unions either as marriages or as civil partnerships, but there is no legal difference other than the name.

        Reply

        • Gideon Venter

          May 10, 2013 at 10:01

          Hmm, I have heard otherwise. If this is true, awesome.

          Reply

  4. Rince da Ref Lvl2

    May 9, 2013 at 13:40

    I need a relationship patch, anyone got one lying about?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

      May 9, 2013 at 14:01

      Its right next there to your manhood

      😛

      JK buddy, we love you

      Reply

      • Rince da Ref Lvl2

        May 9, 2013 at 14:08

        No, I think you are right… It’s over there, in the trash, along with my HEART AND SOUL, and copy of Justin Beiber…

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 9, 2013 at 14:10

          Your heart and soul belongs to bieber????

          O_O

          Who are you man?

          Reply

          • Rince da Ref Lvl2

            May 9, 2013 at 14:13

            No, you are right, no one could ever hurt THAT much!

  5. Trevor Davies

    May 9, 2013 at 13:57

    So Liara is all mine!

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

      May 9, 2013 at 14:00

      Pfff, SHE IS MY WIFE

      Reply

      • Rince da Ref Lvl2

        May 9, 2013 at 14:06

        And, ladies and gentlemen, that is a SLAM DUNK!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Combat Engineer

          May 9, 2013 at 14:10

          Whoops, gave away the bedroom cosplay secret….

          Reply

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