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Do you think Japanese creators should take down games from their dark history period?

qixianxiaomiao

qixianxiaomiao

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上級乙女
Aug 26, 2025
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I really hate it when Japanese creators do this.
Sometimes I find an interesting free doujin game on VNDB that was originally hosted on Vector or the official website, but when I search for it, it has already been taken down long ago. So I turn to the Internet Archive to check the official site, hoping that someone has kindly archived the game installer.
Unfortunately, the installer is the one thing that never gets saved. I really want those Japanese creators to know that there are people who actually like these so-called 'dark history' games of theirs.:akazukin_down:
 
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Basically, it seems like they dislike leaving traces behind. Do they consider it a somewhat embarrassing past? If you look at it the other way, it's not that I don't understand, but from the perspective of someone who enjoys the game, it is regrettable in many ways.
 
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I feel the same way. It would be a shame if I couldn't play games I used to love again. I understand that creators' perspectives may change over time, but those works from back then might hold happy memories for someone. Even if a game isn't perfect, I hope the developers will keep them available for as long as possible.
 
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Since the creator wanted to remove it, I suppose the game is no longer available, so I guess I just have to accept it.
I'd like them to respect the creator's decision to remove it.
 
I think that people are free to do what they want with the games they create, even if it sucks for people who were fans of the game/want to play the game. It can be frustrating, even heart-breaking, but it's their property in the end even if I don't agree with why they were pulled. It kind of reminds me of Pacthesis, she made a few dating sim games a long time ago, which were the first introduction for a lot of people to the otome genre, and she ended up taking them down citing them as unhealthy (You can find the files for them again now though).
 
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i can understand completely why they do it, but as a player of course it not a positve. Its their choice of course, but I do prefer a warning first so it can be archived. So its not directly accessible, but if someone really wants to play them, they can. But of course this is mainly from a players perspective, as a creator there can be many reasons why they would think its better to take it down! Its a balance. But everytime I cant play a game my heart gets a little broken </3
 
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Since I'm into preservation and data hoarding, I think it's a shame to lose all those titles!

I get feeling embarrassed or not identifying with your old work anymore, but I wish there was a middle ground to preserve them and separate from an older title you don't want to associate with later on, like some platform for archiving purposes
 
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That's been my experience exactly. It's happened to me a lot, and it's pretty disappointing, especially since I like how doujin games are more willing to take creative risks.
But thankfully, I found out how to request freeware otome games on 5ch, and they've fulfilled most of my requests so far. If there's a game you really want, I could try asking there for you if you'd like. Or even teach you how I do it.
 
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理解但还是希望他们不要删除游戏。(⋟﹏⋞)

I understand, but I still hope they won't delete the game.(⋟﹏⋞)
 
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I forgot to mention, I can understand their behavior, but every time my interest gets dampened, it's just...ಥ_ಥ
 
I can understand but it's still a sad thing QAQ I think that from the moment they released the game, it became a two-way interaction between players and developers. If they unilaterally remove it, some players are bound to feel disappointed.
 
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as a chronic history eraser, i understand the need to wipe everything youve lived through so far. although for me personally, its never a good decision because its basically just destroying my own memories;-;

im pretty sure its a normal practice for japanese creators. not just gamedevs, but artists too. sometimes artists delete their entire gallery when changing fandoms (ill forever mourn zakiko's danganronpa fanart), other times they delete everything just because. and i understand that, and i get its their right and everything since theyre the one who created it in the first place, but as a player/watcher/reader/consumer/fan who apparently entered the internet too late to make an archive of old freeware games, im disappointed!!!!!!!D: luckily though there are people kind enough to share long lost works, but;-; its not like everyone has every game thats ever been posted;-;
 
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ninnikuryona said:
as a chronic history eraser, i understand the need to wipe everything youve lived through so far. although for me personally, its never a good decision because its basically just destroying my own memories;-;

im pretty sure its a normal practice for japanese creators. not just gamedevs, but artists too. sometimes artists delete their entire gallery when changing fandoms (ill forever mourn zakiko's danganronpa fanart), other times they delete everything just because. and i understand that, and i get its their right and everything since theyre the one who created it in the first place, but as a player/watcher/reader/consumer/fan who apparently entered the internet too late to make an archive of old freeware games, im disappointed!!!!!!!D: luckily though there are people kind enough to share long lost works, but;-; its not like everyone has every game thats ever been posted;-;
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I also started using the internet quite late, so it's really sad that I can't help preserve old games.:cry:
 
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lst said:
That's been my experience exactly. It's happened to me a lot, and it's pretty disappointing, especially since I like how doujin games are more willing to take creative risks.
But thankfully, I found out how to request freeware otome games on 5ch, and they've fulfilled most of my requests so far. If there's a game you really want, I could try asking there for you if you'd like. Or even teach you how I do it.
Click to expand...

ninnikuryona said:
sorry to bother you but would you mind teaching me how to request games on 5ch? feels like its a good skill to have overall;^;
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I really don't want to say this, but I think it's better to ask for instructions via DM or something rather than doing it publicly.
I guess it works because Japanese people do it discreetly. It works partly because they act politely in accordance with Japanese customs and sensibilities.If someone sends you that 5ch thread, be sure to read it carefully. It includes the creator's thoughts as well.
I didn't want to write this because I'm worried the place might get vandalized and disappear, but I wrote it anyway.
 
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Euclase said:
I really don't want to say this, but I think it's better to ask for instructions via DM or something rather than doing it publicly.
I guess it works because Japanese people do it discreetly. It works partly because they act politely in accordance with Japanese customs and sensibilities.If someone sends you that 5ch thread, be sure to read it carefully. It includes the creator's thoughts as well.
I didn't want to write this because I'm worried the place might get vandalized and disappear, but I wrote it anyway.
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aaaa im sorry ill delete my reply D:
 
While it ultimately comes down to the creator's own discretion, Japanese people do tend to feel uneasy quite easily. I once heard a reader left a comment for an artist on Pixiv about a rare-fandom fanwork—and the creator ended up deleting their entire piece right away.
 
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I agree. That said, I can understand the feeling of wanting to delete the work...
 
mikoto said:
I once heard a reader left a comment for an artist on Pixiv about a rare-fandom fanwork—and the creator ended up deleting their entire piece right away.
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omg yeah this also happens pretty often. i remember asking a pixiv artist in dms if i could use their fanart as a pfp, with credits of course, and im pretty sure they just. restricted my access to this specific artwork? even though everyone else can see it and i also can see it when browsing in incognito? that kinda hurt lolol
 
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