What do you think about gender selection in otome games?

[Arisara]

I played a lot of games on itch with otome tag and most of it have gender selection.

For me otome game is a game where you play only as a girl who romance guys.

But the biggest problem is that even if I chose the female gender,portrait and even a female voice but MC can have male futures like

chest , CG or mini portrait. Personality is alosy blurred. Sometimes idk i play fem or male.

On picture below i play as girl with set female voice. But when she take off her clothes turn to male.

She is also naked and 3 naked guys are swimming in the river around her. How she is ok about it??? lol But still MC call urself is "she".

I often come across this in Western otome games.

What do you think about it?

 

[nerim-w]

Im open to the idea in theory because even though otome is female oriented it doesnt mean only girls can enjoy otome. But at the same time, otome is used by alot of women to escape mainstream media which is usually more male dominated - so it would really feel like a slap in the face when you play otome (to escape that) only to be met with poorly matched gender cgs and your supposed female mc being depicted as a guy...

 

[Stella123]

I get vexed when authors of otome or female MC games are pushed to add different MC portraits, pronoun options, or more customization. I do appreciate the inclusivity Western games often provide, but I notice this expectation is usually placed on female MC stories, not the other way around. People rarely ask BL games to include a female MC, or ask male MC games to center female MCs too and studios changing it.

 

[Stella123]

I wouldn't mind it if it didn't affect the quality of the story or my enjoyment of the CGs. But a lot of the time, it does. The MC ends up feeling flat, with no real background, no face, and no presence in the CGs. It takes me out of the immersion. At that point, I'd rather read a Twine story.

 

[Arisara]

Im open to the idea in theory because even though otome is female oriented it doesnt mean only girls can enjoy otome. But at the same time, otome is used by alot of women to escape mainstream media which is usually more male dominated - so it would really feel like a slap in the face when you play otome (to escape that) only to be met with poorly matched gender cgs and your supposed female mc being depicted as a guy...

I like Bewitching sinners so you can play male or fem but Cg is different. Also Dating crush similator coz when I chose to play as a male some Lis dislike it. Or mushroom oasis i can easly imagine myself girl. But many "otome" games by default MC is male... It's sad. Thats why i dislike it.

 

[myfrral]

When I play otome games, I definitely choose female players to play. I prefer playing otome games from Japan because its art style is very exquisite, and the female lead looks like a girl, which gives me a sense of immersion.

 

[lilycadence]

that's the pretender's guild, right? i didn't remember experiencing that issue when i played it, but it must be a glitch because i don't think that's supposed to happen TT

i like an immersive experience and visuals are important for that. that means either MC has a set appearance (like in most otome games and some amare games like bewitching sinners, burn the midnight oil), or that you can customize the way MC looks and it appears that way in CGs (reanimated heart, tailor tales). it's not a dealbreaker but i don't usually like when MC is faceless or has no skin color, among others.

at the end of the day, western "otome" is usually actually amare, since they tend to allow MC's gender to be chosen, but developers don't really differentiate it and bunch it all together.

 

[Arisara]

that's the pretender's guild, right? i didn't remember experiencing that issue when i played it, but it must be a glitch because i don't think that's supposed to happen TT

Yes. Idk glitch or no . Other ppl had same problem. I just don't see any option when creat character change her sex. Also on CGs she have male chest . And her mini portrait even with clothes still male + have adam apple everywere. Sometimes I come across same problem in other games. So idk male or fem.

 

[lilycadence]

Yes. Idk glitch or no or creator just used mini portrait + cg for both male and fem. . Other ppl had same problem. Also on CGs she have male chest . And her mini portrait even with clothes still male + have adam apple everywere. But this is not first game like this. Sometimes I come across same problem in other games.
View attachment 108215View attachment 108221

wait, what option did you press on this screen?

 

[Arisara]

wait, what option did you press on this screen?

View attachment 108231

Never saw this option when creat character. Choose race => continue=> voice=> she => yes and game start.

 

[lilycadence]

Never saw this option when creat character. Choose race => continue=> voice=> she => yes and game start.

it's the screen right before you choose race/appearance. if you choose the right option on that screen, you will have a fem appearance. this is what it looks like for me after that screen

 

[winterkitten]

I've seen some people calling romance games with a choice of gender "amare" games instead of otome, to create more of a distinction which I personally think is nice because I (like most people, I'd assume) only associate otome games with female MCs and male LIs.
I'm definitely in favor of more gender and orientation diversity in games as it creates space for more people to comfortably enjoy romance games, but I can see how the labeling might be a bit of a sticking point and I feel like that's still being figured out a bit ^^

 

[Arisara]

it's the screen right before you choose race/appearance. if you choose the right option on that screen, you will have a fem appearance. this is what it looks like for me after that screen

View attachment 108233View attachment 108232

I found it! I was able change sex in the end of the character customization by clicking "no".
How was I supposed to know that the most important button was there? haha And seems not only me can't find it at first lol Thank you so much! <3
It was weird experience playing female mc with male chest and not shy at all. Now at least she cover her OO in text.

 

[lilycadence]

I found it! I was able change sex in the end of the character customization by clicking "no".
How was I supposed to know that the most important button was there? haha And seems not only me can't find it at first lol Thank you so much! <3
It was weird experience playing female mc with male chest and not shy at all. Now at least she cover her OO in text.

i'm glad you were able to figure it out c: