Otome Game Playstyle: Self-Inserter or Watcher

[plumtree]

I switch between being a self insert or a friend by the heroine side when I feel like it. I can imagine myself with the LIs or watch the heroine like a guardian angel.

Aww, that's a sweet way to put it. I think all MCs deserve a guardian angel/protection squad lol.

I love yandere and weird crazy LIs in fiction not IRL . I think it's funny I always end up with the youngest or tsundere LIs the first time I play otome games blind ( insert bad ends here too) I can't stand this anymore but I still like them anyway.

Ooooh maybe when you play blind you're unconsciously playing with a certain personality style? Hahaha I wonder why that happens

 

[plumtree]

RO Types or Preferences: i'm not even sure i have a type i usually like completely different LIs, and it depends on how the writers present them and how the MC reacts to them (for example, i don't like kyrie from ozmafia, but i probably would have liked him if fuka had treated him differently). but i can say for sure that in real life and in otome games, i hate womanizers

Interesting point! Writing can really affect the enjoyment (there are some LIs I thought I would love based on character design and personality but the writing really let their routes down. (I was really excited for Zafora from Radiant Tale but the pacing and ending disappointed me (iykyk ). Really ruined the character for me sadly.

 

[ninnikuryona]

oh wow My Candy Love what a throwback, I used to play too! Until it started feeling like you had to use Action Points (AP) to breathe...

The game would say: You need to find so-and-so character and you would have to click around for ages because the characters only show up randomly ...

Lysander was my bae too and he didn't show up in the sequel game so I gave up

Nothing wrong with being a MC simp, those girlies deserve love and appreciation too!! Shoutout to my sweeties Cardia from Code Realize and literal goddess Lynette from CupiPara

Fellow stylist!! I'm also very happy to run into another Nikki fan

oh yeah lol i had two faves (lysander and armin) and both of them were banished in the sequel and the sequel itself had its own problems aside from that, so i guess my candy love is now just a part of my fond childhood memories.....umu

 

[fr4pp3cinn]

Romance with the LI/ROs:
I don't self-insert, it's definitely like reading a romance book or a shoujo manga for me. If the game doesn't have a MC with defined characteristics I will try to match her personality to the current LI. With otome set in Japan, I think it'd be kinda weird seeing my name in a game like Hakuoki or Nightshade lmao.
Morality:
Certainly do!! I love morality choices with heavy stakes. Not really into cheating though, unless the game really explores it.
MC Customisation:
I usually play with default looks and name, but customisation can be fun in certain games. If the game has customisation I make my MC to look like an otome-exclusive OC of mine.
RO Types or Preferences:
Not at all, as I'm not really into men. In otome I go for the yandere older brother routes or NEET types. Looks wise, white haired LIS like Okazaki from CxM and White Mask from Bad Apple Wars would be my preference, but characters like Hijikata are also nice.

 

[plumtree]

Morality:
Certainly do!! I love morality choices with heavy stakes. Not really into cheating though, unless the game really explores it.

Ahh so having those choices actually makes it more interesting for you I wonder if you prefer more dark/plot-heavy games (otome or in general)

I feel like the white hair has an ethereal appeal (though it turns out Okazaki is actually a loveable goof/hot mess haha) Never played Bad Apple Wars so can't comment on White Mask

I will say I'm really into the Okazaki's uniform design

 

[Yuki3548]

Just saw this topic and wanted to vent here. If it's not appropriate, please let me know and I'll delete it:

I really envy how friendly everyone here is . I'm Chinese, and if you were to bring up this question in a Chinese otome game community, the replies would definitely turn into a battlefield. They wouldn't tolerate players who treat the heroine as an independent character in the game. If you dare to say that, they'll insult you, and they'll even pressure the game developers to say they don't welcome such players. If the developers don't comply, they'll be insulted too. They'll also discourage other players from trying the game, insult the heroine, saying she's just a shell for them to enter the game, a "camera" with no soul of her own, and that the male leads love the real-life version of themselves. They treat the heroine as a third party interfering in their relationship, claiming that otome games with heroines who have their own personalities aren't real otome games. (The above situation is most severe in Chinese mobile otome game communities.) That's why I usually don't dare to speak up in Chinese otome game communities. They don't think they're wrong, so I can only complain about their behavior privately with friends.
By the way, I switch between identifying as an "immersion player" and an "onlooker." If the heroine happens to share my thoughts in a certain storyline, I temporarily immerse myself in her. Normally, though, I treat her as an independent character and follow the story from a third-person perspective.
I'm really glad there's a place where we can freely discuss these topics!
(Used a machine for translation I hope I've expressed myself clearly._:(´□`」 ∠):_)

 

[fr4pp3cinn]

Ahh so having those choices actually makes it more interesting for you I wonder if you prefer more dark/plot-heavy games (otome or in general)

You're spot on, I prefer otome (and visual novels in general) with darker themes! It's fun seeing how the relationship develops in those scenarios, especially when we get to see a desperate RO. Some games I enjoyed with an atmosphere like that were Chou no Doku, Virche, Even if Tempest and Sweet Clown.

Never played Bad Apple Wars so can't comment on White Mask

Such a shame that the game is stuck on Vita, and as far as I'm aware, it doesn't run on emulators. The game is a bit divisive, since there's not many choices, but I do believe it's a solid experience if you get the chance to play it.

 

[ishibashi]

Just saw this topic and wanted to vent here. If it's not appropriate, please let me know and I'll delete it:

I really envy how friendly everyone here is . I'm Chinese, and if you were to bring up this question in a Chinese otome game community, the replies would definitely turn into a battlefield. They wouldn't tolerate players who treat the heroine as an independent character in the game. If you dare to say that, they'll insult you, and they'll even pressure the game developers to say they don't welcome such players. If the developers don't comply, they'll be insulted too. They'll also discourage other players from trying the game, insult the heroine, saying she's just a shell for them to enter the game, a "camera" with no soul of her own, and that the male leads love the real-life version of themselves. They treat the heroine as a third party interfering in their relationship, claiming that otome games with heroines who have their own personalities aren't real otome games. (The above situation is most severe in Chinese mobile otome game communities.) That's why I usually don't dare to speak up in Chinese otome game communities. They don't think they're wrong, so I can only complain about their behavior privately with friends.
By the way, I switch between identifying as an "immersion player" and an "onlooker." If the heroine happens to share my thoughts in a certain storyline, I temporarily immerse myself in her. Normally, though, I treat her as an independent character and follow the story from a third-person perspective.
I'm really glad there's a place where we can freely discuss these topics!
(Used a machine for translation I hope I've expressed myself clearly._:(´□`」 ∠):_)

I've heard about these wars reading about Chinese Love and Deep Space community drama....seems difficult.

I think I see otome games similarly to how I see shoujo manga: I play them to read about a cute girl going on an awesome adventure and having cute romances with cute guys and maybe commit war crimes along the way, with a bonus that I can pick which cute guy she romances. If the MC isn't interesting to me to some level as a character, I actually won't be able to enjoy the story that much. Even in RPGs with a blank MC I just make up an original character to follow instead of inserting myself lol.

Over here I think the stance is that self-inserters and watchers want different things out of games and that's fine, and neither should be treated as the default experience! Does that sound more peaceful to you?

Also don't worry about machine translation, you expressed yourself very well! Talk to us more!

 

[ishibashi]

You're spot on, I prefer otome (and visual novels in general) with darker themes! It's fun seeing how the relationship develops in those scenarios, especially when we get to see a desperate RO. Some games I enjoyed with an atmosphere like that were Chou no Doku, Virche, Even if Tempest and Sweet Clown.


Such a shame that the game is stuck on Vita, and as far as I'm aware, it doesn't run on emulators. The game is a bit divisive, since there's not many choices, but I do believe it's a solid experience if you get the chance to play it.

All these cool games stuck on the Vita, and then Otomate decides to port......Suuran Digit.

 

[Yuki3548]

I've heard about these wars reading about Chinese Love and Deep Space community drama....seems difficult.

I think I see otome games similarly to how I see shoujo manga: I play them to read about a cute girl going on an awesome adventure and having cute romances with cute guys and maybe commit war crimes along the way, with a bonus that I can pick which cute guy she romances. If the MC isn't interesting to me to some level as a character, I actually won't be able to enjoy the story that much. Even in RPGs with a blank MC I just make up an original character to follow instead of inserting myself lol.

Over here I think the stance is that self-inserters and watchers want different things out of games and that's fine, and neither should be treated as the default experience! Does that sound more peaceful to you?

Also don't worry about machine translation, you expressed yourself very well! Talk to us more!

I think so too. How one chooses to play a game is entirely their own decision. No one has the right to demand that others must follow their own rules of play unless you buy the entire game and prohibit others from playing it entirely, only then do you have the authority to interfere. In fact, part of the reason the Chinese otome game community has ended up like this is due to the official developers being too lenient with these players. They know that as long as they make a big fuss and draw widespread attention, the officials will make changes according to their wishes. If things don't go their way, they'll just keep causing a commotion. This environment might be difficult to change in the future as well... Thankfully, the Japanese otome game community hasn't been influenced by them. If they try to come over and start arguments, they'll be driven away. When I usually play games or look up information and guides, I avoid browsing community posts (seeing them would put me in a bad mood). The people I know also disapprove of these players'behavior, and I can join them in condemning such individuals. Plus, I've discovered this very friendly community I'm still lucky!
Thank you for your encouragement. I'll try to speak up more often! (♡>𖥦<)/♥

 

[Pixiedust01]

Romance with the LI/ROs: Call me weird, but I always self-insert. Even if the MC personality makes me absolutely mad.

Morality: I find it really hard too, but I have completionist syndrome. I must have all the endings even if they're really bad. I remember playing one game, where one the LI had some sickness and suddenly dies in the bad ending, while he just survives and lives happily ever after with MC in the best end. lol

MC Customisation: I love it. Especially because of the fact that I like to self-insert.

RO Types or Preferences: Love some tsunderes and bad boys. Sometimes I wish the MC wold slap the stupid bastards, but I still fall head over heels for them.

 

[lyrevega]

Romance with the LI/ROs:
seeing most of replys being a watcher makes me a bit shy to say it but i fully insert myself, i see a lot of the times people complain about mc's not having voice acting but its because of this that i enjoy the games a lot more. In real life im actually pretty shy so im afraid is actually easy for me to relate to a lot of mc's . Only thing that can make me not do it is if something makes me cringe but its only temporary.

Morality:
i mostly choose whatever i would choose irl, its on the words of the own mcs that i feel affected the most by my own morality but when it comes to the general themes in the game or the actions of the LI is when i can completely separate the fictional story from my own values and just enjoy the game.

MC Customisation:
it may look like i would like more customisation but just a bit of change of clothes would be enough for me, when you can change face, hair and all that i always end up questioning myself if i should make a better version of myself of just myself and during the gameplay i always end up regretting whatever i chose, so i prefer the developers just show me how the mc look and i'll adapt.

RO Types or Preferences:
i think my type actually build itself from games, i like the competitive and charming personalitys irl or otome but of course in otomes i end up loving more morally gray characters which doesnt translate to my personal life. About appearance i just like good looking people. But i just remembered im aromantic so im probably just describing the type of people that i like to see hahaha.

This was so fun to answer

 

[plumtree]

Just saw this topic and wanted to vent here. If it's not appropriate, please let me know and I'll delete it:

I really envy how friendly everyone here is . I'm Chinese, and if you were to bring up this question in a Chinese otome game community, the replies would definitely turn into a battlefield. They wouldn't tolerate players who treat the heroine as an independent character in the game. If you dare to say that, they'll insult you, and they'll even pressure the game developers to say they don't welcome such players. If the developers don't comply, they'll be insulted too. They'll also discourage other players from trying the game, insult the heroine, saying she's just a shell for them to enter the game, a "camera" with no soul of her own, and that the male leads love the real-life version of themselves. They treat the heroine as a third party interfering in their relationship, claiming that otome games with heroines who have their own personalities aren't real otome games. (The above situation is most severe in Chinese mobile otome game communities.) That's why I usually don't dare to speak up in Chinese otome game communities. They don't think they're wrong, so I can only complain about their behavior privately with friends.
By the way, I switch between identifying as an "immersion player" and an "onlooker." If the heroine happens to share my thoughts in a certain storyline, I temporarily immerse myself in her. Normally, though, I treat her as an independent character and follow the story from a third-person perspective.
I'm really glad there's a place where we can freely discuss these topics!
(Used a machine for translation I hope I've expressed myself clearly._:(´□`」 ∠):_)

That sounds super stressful, I'm really glad that you've found the community here more welcoming and calm No worries about the translation, it's very understandable. As otome game players, I hope that even when we have different opinions and play styles we can respect others and not interfere with how others enjoy otome. Especially considering there can be a stigma against otome games and players .
I've been having fun talking here with everyone (I used to be a silent lurker) !!

Thanks for the response

 

[plumtree]

Romance with the LI/ROs: Call me weird, but I always self-insert. Even if the MC personality makes me absolutely mad.

Morality: I find it really hard too, but I have completionist syndrome. I must have all the endings even if they're really bad. I remember playing one game, where one the LI had some sickness and suddenly dies in the bad ending, while he just survives and lives happily ever after with MC in the best end. lol

MC Customisation: I love it. Especially because of the fact that I like to self-insert.

RO Types or Preferences: Love some tsunderes and bad boys. Sometimes I wish the MC wold slap the stupid bastards, but I still fall head over heels for them.

Nothing weird about self-inserting, there's no wrong way to enjoy otome!! It's hard out here being a completionist haha ( some things cannot be unseen), but I need those CGs lol. The kiss-kiss-slap dynamic is classic and super fun

 

[ishibashi]

Half the gamers in this world self-insert, don't be shy. As an RPG player, I'd say that self-inserting is a super common way to enjoy games haha. Problems only happen when we judge each other needlessly and that goes both ways tbh.

 

[plumtree]

Romance with the LI/ROs:
seeing most of replys being a watcher makes me a bit shy to say it but i fully insert myself, i see a lot of the times people complain about mc's not having voice acting but its because of this that i enjoy the games a lot more. In real life im actually pretty shy so im afraid is actually easy for me to relate to a lot of mc's . Only thing that can make me not do it is if something makes me cringe but its only temporary.

Morality:
i mostly choose whatever i would choose irl, its on the words of the own mcs that i feel affected the most by my own morality but when it comes to the general themes in the game or the actions of the LI is when i can completely separate the fictional story from my own values and just enjoy the game.

MC Customisation:
it may look like i would like more customisation but just a bit of change of clothes would be enough for me, when you can change face, hair and all that i always end up questioning myself if i should make a better version of myself of just myself and during the gameplay i always end up regretting whatever i chose, so i prefer the developers just show me how the mc look and i'll adapt.

RO Types or Preferences:
i think my type actually build itself from games, i like the competitive and charming personalitys irl or otome but of course in otomes i end up loving more morally gray characters which doesnt translate to my personal life. About appearance i just like good looking people. But i just remembered im aromantic so im probably just describing the type of people that i like to see hahaha.

This was so fun to answer

No need to be shy, you do you! So you generally play the MC with your own morals, but you're okay with LIs having different morality and dark game themes. Understandable (I too would throw aside my ethical standards when it comes to fictional pretty faces ) Red flags are there for decorating LIs and it's fun to imagine being with a bad boy even if you wouldn't in real life lol, great guilty pleasure

Thanks for replying , I had fun reading through your response (it's interesting that a lot of our IRL sexualities/types/preferences don't always correspond to our fave LIs)

 

[baybridge]

• Romance with the LI/ROs: Do you imagine yourself in the romantic situations with the LI/ROs? Or is it like watching a romantic drama for you?

Watching a romantic drama, the protagonist is always her own person to me. I love them so much!! Though Love and Deepspace makes it 50/50, especially with the scenes at the Cafe:)

• Morality: Do you separate the decisions you can make in-game from your IRL morality?

Separate! Fiction and real life don't mesh like that for me.

• MC Customisation: Do you prefer more or less customisation?

I'm okay with whatever that is intended; no particular preference.

• RO Types or Preferences: Do you think your fave RO tropes/types correspond to your IRL preferences?

Hm. I'm always down for someone dependable and really good at what they do both in games and real life

 

[Kyouri]

Rather than self insert, what is important to me is that I can feel the emotions between the characters. It sometimes feels too difficult to do if the MC is too much of a blank.

RL/morals/etc are completely irrelevant in fiction to me lol though I do often struggle with "being mean" to characters at times.

 

[blackflag]

Romance with the LI/ROs: Do you imagine yourself in the romantic situations with the LI/ROs? Or is it like watching a romantic drama for you?
I never self insert, pretty much ever. I do not think it is a healthy thing to do in large quantities as it can lead to a slippery slope of fiction replacing reality. I like to cheer on the MC as much as I cheer on the boys as she often has a drastically different personality to myself.

Morality: Do you separate the decisions you can make in-game from your IRL morality?
I think a lot of the time I seperate myself because it is a story in the end, a lot of bad things happen in stories - and sometimes, bad things have to happen for plot to continue.

MC Customisation: Do you prefer more or less customisation?
It doesnt matter either way, its not often a thing in JP otome games.

RO Types or Preferences: Do you think your fave RO tropes/types correspond to your IRL preferences?
Not really, I suppose the tsunderes I like in games are a much harsher version of the man I married. My husband is easily embarassed. Where as most men I like in otome are a bit more closed off.

 

[plumtree]

Hm. I'm always down for someone dependable and really good at what they do both in games and real life

Another one for the competent LI fans

 

[baybridge]

Just saw this topic and wanted to vent here. If it's not appropriate, please let me know and I'll delete it:

I really envy how friendly everyone here is . I'm Chinese, and if you were to bring up this question in a Chinese otome game community, the replies would definitely turn into a battlefield. They wouldn't tolerate players who treat the heroine as an independent character in the game. If you dare to say that, they'll insult you, and they'll even pressure the game developers to say they don't welcome such players. If the developers don't comply, they'll be insulted too. They'll also discourage other players from trying the game, insult the heroine, saying she's just a shell for them to enter the game, a "camera" with no soul of her own, and that the male leads love the real-life version of themselves. They treat the heroine as a third party interfering in their relationship, claiming that otome games with heroines who have their own personalities aren't real otome games. (The above situation is most severe in Chinese mobile otome game communities.) That's why I usually don't dare to speak up in Chinese otome game communities. They don't think they're wrong, so I can only complain about their behavior privately with friends.
By the way, I switch between identifying as an "immersion player" and an "onlooker." If the heroine happens to share my thoughts in a certain storyline, I temporarily immerse myself in her. Normally, though, I treat her as an independent character and follow the story from a third-person perspective.
I'm really glad there's a place where we can freely discuss these topics!
(Used a machine for translation I hope I've expressed myself clearly._:(´□`」 ∠):_)

Thank you for sharing your experience - I'm sorry to hear that there's such an overwhelming consensus about otome game heroines in CN communities :(( Happy to have you here <3

 

[plumtree]

Rather than self insert, what is important to me is that I can feel the emotions between the characters. It sometimes feels too difficult to do if the MC is too much of a blank.

RL/morals/etc are completely irrelevant in fiction to me lol though I do often struggle with "being mean" to characters at times.

Mmh I have to keep telling myself they're just pixels on a screen otherwise I get guilty (if they started it first that's another story )

 

[plumtree]

RO Types or Preferences: Do you think your fave RO tropes/types correspond to your IRL preferences?
Not really, I suppose the tsunderes I like in games are a much harsher version of the man I married. My husband is easily embarassed. Where as most men I like in otome are a bit more closed off.

Aww that's so sweet

 

[AkinaSR27]

I personally like to see the protagonist as a separate character than me. Even in games that have huge customization I think of the mc as an OC instead. But I also support otome gamers who self inserts!

As for types I usually just see how I enjoy the writing as even the RO or story tropes I'm not into become very good in the hands of a skilled writer. I.e. I'm not into oniisan/gege tropes but Caleb is my favorite in LADS

 

[Yumehara_raito]

I've always believed that games must possess a certain background setting from their initial design phase; even if it's minimised, it will still manifest itself. Moreover, it's impossible for a game to cater 100% to every player's individuality. Of course, everyone is free to enjoy games however they wish, but becoming completely immersed in a game doesn't mean your oc has replaced mc