Heavily influenced Japanese characters

[Eriol Clowphengire]

Dung Beetle, why would you even use real ethnicities/nationalities in your games?

In my game, it takes place in a Sci-Fi Fantasy MMO, similar to dotHack's The World (but only modeled after RF Online, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy Tactics). However, I'll retain real nationalities but their country names are different for the world they're on is on another Earth.

 

[LostPetal]

Dung Beetle, why would you even use real ethnicities/nationalities in your games?

In my game, it takes place in a Sci-Fi Fantasy MMO, similar to dotHack's The World (but only modeled after RF Online, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy Tactics). However, I'll retain real nationalities but their country names are different for the world they're on is on another Earth.

*Face palm*

As much as I agree that Japanese characters shouldn't just be thrown in a game. I'm not going to suck my own dick. A good game is a good game, this may be a game by a snot nosed white kid jerking off to anime porn and throwing their anime fantasies at you... or a game designed by someone intent on making a good game who stay true what they know (their own culture).

Do you know what makes a game good? It's storyline.

I detest most anime jrpg's because its usually friendship speech, save the world, panty joke, honto ni kawaii desu cutesy crap.

Usually the people who play that are the ones that worship japan as this candy land that could do no wrong. Buying pocky and anime dvd's at the local videostore and squinting their eyes and giving peace signs left and right. Weeaboos for short.

Is there a jrpg that doesn't have that shit in there? Good Question. I played quite a few jrpgs and all of them made me feel like hitting the power switch at some point.. but I didn't because I wasted money on it.

With western games at least the Western RPG's I played they attempted to have a storyline. Of course, it's a cultural thing-desu

 

[Rappu]

With western games at least the Western RPG's I played they attempted to have a storyline.

Really? I usually find WRPGs storylines' too simple and straightforward and made for the lowest common denominator. Other beefs I have with WRPGs are ugly graphics (they try so hard and fail at being realistic, and this makes them uncanny, which makes them ugly), overly simple game mechanics and so on. But well, each to their own.

Spoiler

Usually the people who play that are the ones that worship japan as this candy land that could do no wrong.

Usually the peole who play WRPGs are the ones that worship the States as a candy land that could do no wrong. Otaku exist (and I laugh like hyena at anybody who proudly claims to be one), and they're annoying, but not all of us that like JRPGs watch cartoons, drool at Sasuke and clutter our speech with fangirl japanese. And while US-fanatics also exist, not everyone playing WRPGs is an idiot that eats, drinks and shits stars and stripes.

But but. Aren't WRPGs and JRPGs practically their own genres nowadays? Comparing those two is like comparing Mario and Zelda, ice cream and hot pie or the colour orange and Watchmen. :P

I don't ree a real need for a having exclipitly Japanese characters, though, unless the game is set in a world where Japan actually exists. But there's also no reason to have exclipitly western characters, either. If you have a katana-wielding guy in the game, you could just not pay attention to his weird sword, or lampshade that he comes from afar (I loved how Fable II had katanas explained in a fitting way) or something.

Character stereotypes are imho a bad thing regardless of the source - making the characters generic anime stereotypes is just as bad as making the characters generic Hollywood movie ones.

 

[friend]

Otakus tend to make Japanese Stereotypes, even though Japanese characters is typical, stereotypes are worse, and it happens more often.

Western stereotypes aren't so noticeable because they are not THAT frequently used.

 

[Rin]

I've always found WRPGs generic Dungeon and Dragon clones to the point where they expect the player to "make their own" story as they just traverse the world leveling up. I find it pretty pointless; I don't invest enough time in games for that to be worthwhile. So I do like an actual story being spoonfed to me.

But that's another topic completely. Rappu, I agree with you. Shallow characters suck, because it's bad writing. Japanese characters, or characters with influences of Japanese culture doesn't equal to shallow. Good writers who invest time in their projects will make their characters more than the nationality of their names.

 

[SyphonShadow]

Huh? Who gives a shit if someone wants to have a Japanese main protagonist named Kyosuke! Sorry if I'm missing the point, but I'm not exactly sure what the exact problem is here.

I think the problem is that its too over-used without serving a real purpose. For example, I've played games where the main protagonist is Japanese and then they have allies called 'Bob' and 'Jane'. What purpose does it serve for only the main protagonist to be Japanese and no one else in the entire game world? I wouldn't mind if its set in a fictional Japanese setting, but PLEASE, for God's sake, make it relevant! lol

 

[Rappu]

Western stereotypes aren't so noticeable because they are not THAT frequently used.

Or maybe because western people are generally so used to w-stereotypes that they hardly pay attention. Yamato Nadeshiko catches more attention than Martha Steward, because while it's a complete cliche, it isn't as present in western media as the latter.

 

[friend]

Even in Asia, people are crazy over Japanese, Rappu.

Besides, I am not a WESTERN person.

Like Syphon shadow said, Otauks ( or rather young children ) at least put some relevant character, people are going all like:

YAY! JAP ARE COOLZ, MUST PUT JAP AS HERO!!!
^^

:box: :cheers: :thumb:

 

[mawk]

However, I still don't think that means you can't have a character name Namiko in your game if you want to be original. If someone takes a look at "Namiko" and writes a game off, that's their loss. It's a trifling thing to be hung up over.

I think the original point of this thread is against poorly executed or archetypal japanese characters, i.e. all that anime shit. if you want to use a japanese character in your game, so long as you don't just look up your favourite anime for the characterization, then I don't see any more problem with that than I do with adding a Greek character or one from Jamaica.

honestly in rm* games 90% of the characters who embody bullshit jrpg or anime cliches aren't japanese or in a japanese setting at all so I don't really get this thread

also I like how people are getting all defensive over their awful jrpgs

 

[SyphonShadow]

However, I still don't think that means you can't have a character name Namiko in your game if you want to be original. If someone takes a look at "Namiko" and writes a game off, that's their loss. It's a trifling thing to be hung up over.

You're right. It's a stupid reason to right off a game. But like Hanekoma said, those characters tend to be given an identity from anime and I can pretty much tell what they are like just from the first few lines of dialogue. It's always the same too; the loud/hot blooded guy, the silent/moody guy, the girl with the big heart, the girl who doesnt want to rely on people for anything especially guys. Fortunately, it doesn't apply to ALL games but its definitely the majority.

The characters are central to any game so why not take the time to develop them just the little further than the attitude, you know? :smile:

 

[Rappu]

Even in Asia, people are crazy over Japanese, Rappu.

Whoa, seriously? I thought the relationship between Japan and most other Asian countries was rather strained due to Japan's imperialism in the beginning of the last century. Well, live and learn.

It's always the same too; the loud/hot blooded guy, the silent/moody guy, the girl with the big heart, the girl who doesnt want to rely on people for anything especially guys.

So true, and it's especially annoying when the audience then sees the lost potential. I mean, clichés can serve as a great basis for anything; they just have to be handled correctly or twisted a bit. The problem is that people usually just copycat their fandoms and hammer the characterization flat, which leads to predictability. For a non-game example, just check out the first two books in the Eragon cycle.

Spoiler

For a ghastlier example of no real, intentional characterization, check out Twilight. Brrrh.

 

[Rin]

I took a look at the first handful of threads in Project Discussion. I only found one game with a cliche or stereotype that I would attribute to anime or jRPGs with the exception of people using facesets that were drawn in an anime style (probably because that's the only kind out there). I just think that the complaining about how this site is overrun with bad anime clones is a bit much. Maybe if you hate that stuff it's easier to see. It's a really trifling issue but what else can I say? To each her own.

 

[SyphonShadow]

I took a look at the first handful of threads in Project Discussion. I only found one game with a cliche or stereotype that I would attribute to anime or jRPGs with the exception of people using facesets that were drawn in an anime style (probably because that's the only kind out there). I just think that the complaining about how this site is overrun with bad anime clones is a bit much. Maybe if you hate that stuff it's easier to see. It's a really trifling issue but what else can I say? To each her own.

Only VERY recently have people decided to venture out of the anime bubble and develop REAL characters and even then its still the few. I don't think anyone is complaining that its overrun on this site, I think its more that they are expressing their dislike for recurring characters. Like Rappu says, there are too many developers straight cloning anime characters which is leading to predictability. Be honest, wouldn't you prefer to play a game when you get to know the character as the game progresses rather than knowing what to expect?

A good example of this (in my opinion) is Tidus from FFX. I personally saw him and thought "okay, typical energetic, hot blooded guy." But as the game goes on, I learned so much more about him through his experiences and it shattered my original image of him. This is a good example of a real character to me, despite him being in a Final Fantasy game. lol

Oh, and for the record, I have nothing against using the cliches and stereotypes but that's only when its pulled off correctly. :thumb:

 

[friend]

I made this thread when I was fed up that many people did not want to use original characters, so basically, there aren't so much anime games out there anymore.

Also, the Japanese history is like forgotten now, the bad things of Germany are still remembered, unlike Japan...
and yes, Asians worship Japan, you won't believe how many Otakus there are in Asia.

Hmm, I wonder whats so nice about Japanese stuff? Looks pretty normal to me.

 

[Armor King 108]

Hmm, I wonder whats so nice about Japanese stuff? Looks pretty normal to me.

One thing that stands out to me about Japanese stuff is that a lot of it is more "feminine"...Men are usually portrayed as being beautiful with long flowing hair and occasionally even lipstick. The women are more slender and smaller. The clothing is often more "dress-like" with the men (even the old ones) wearing skirt like outfits and the boys looking like girls sometimes. There are obviously a lot of masculine characters too, but feminine characters are more common. You don't really get that with other cultures, because it's not a part of other cultures. (of course, I'm talking more about feudal Japanese outfits and styles, partially because it's more relevant to the setting of most RPGs, modern day stuff is a completely different story)

If you hate long-haired men with make-up on, then obviously this won't interest you. But personally, I like the idea of some men looking like women. It's...intriguing.

Also, I'm rather fond of Martial Arts, particularly Karate because it's the style I practice. I'm not completely sure, but I'm pretty sure the Karate style I practice originated in Okinawa, which I think is a part of Japan. At class, we do a lot of traditional Japanese things, like bowing to our Sensei and the Shinzen, and most of our techniques we study are in Japanese. It's not much, but it taught me a bit about the culture. I admit when it comes down to it, I know very little about Japanese culture, but it's still interesting, because it's different, you know? Of course, it's not the only foreign culture that interests me, I'm interested in a lot of other cultures, and I try to gather stuff from various ones to make a more diverse game world. But it's hard when I try to use the default tilesets...heh. But because of Karate, Japanese culture has more relevance to me.

Anyway, you do seem biased against Anime. When people make generalizations about Anime, it's often inaccurate. I'll admit there are several overused Anime stereotypes. In particular, the main character and main villain are often the most predictable and cliched, which is really weird, but then again, that's common in almost all genres of media, regardless of country of origin. It's just that there's a lot more variety in Anime than you give it credit it for, which makes you sound ignorant. That's all I'm saying.

 

[SyphonShadow]

It's just that there's a lot more variety in Anime than you give it credit it for, which makes you sound ignorant. That's all I'm saying.

You're right, there is a LOT of diversity in Anime. But this topic was about overusing the standard anime-hero types. I can't speak for everyone but its always the same character-types being used that annoys me. There's so much more to anime than Naruto and Bleach, and some developers need to realise that. Not ignorance at all. :thumb:

 

[friend]

No wonder there are more homosexuals

I admit I'm biased, but this topic is mainly opposing typical characters, I should've put it in the main post..., but oh well.

Feel free to express your own feelings. :angel:

Sorry if I sound stupid or ignorant :P

And I used to learn Kung Fu

But I realized I would be better off fencing, I think its cooler. ( Talking about cultural switch nowadays )

 

[mawk]

you guys get that the stigma against most contemporary anime is fueled 99% by the behaviour of the fanbase, right

yeah as a medium it's just like the shit you find on western tv (most of it really isn't worth watching, but there's usually one or two shows that are worthwhile the problem (in what I see, at least,) is that people tend to grind so hard up against any anime regardless of the quality that it kind of embitters a guy to see it. like with anything, the majority of the shit out there is pretty bad. when you see people who absolutely idolize that shit, you can't help but turn against the majority even if there are one or two really neat things in the pile.

that's actually the exact same reason that I quit rm*

basically just think of anime in terms of western tv and things should clear up a lot more. it's not a separate entity; it works similarly enough for comparison and it's plagued by a lot of the same problems.

but this is major sidepoint anyway how did we get here???

 

[Rin]

I think the thread just became a lot more honest in the past few posts and now at least I can understand what Justin Lee and others are talking about and where they are coming from.

 

[mufffin]

Maybe it's because they're using a Japanese RPG Maker, which makes games in the style of JRPG's, that they find Japanese names would be best suited ? Hehe.

Hey admit it guys we all know what comes to our head everytime we see a chibi sprites and tile sets that comes with this F*%(*$ rpg maker yeah its anime :D lol.