Or I just may be doing a week of otome gaming in order to convince folks I am not the Devil...really it can be either or.
So in a few weeks (still trying to narrow down a date) I will spend seven days talking about the genre I apparently despise: otome of both the Eastern and Western variety. There will be videos, features, weeping and gnashing of teeth; everything you'd expect from this site I'm sure! But before that happens, some have asked me a very honest question: why do I care? So what if otome fangirls don't like what I say, why does that bother me enough to capitulate to the wishes of a minority?
Well, in the words of Jules Winnfield, allow me to retort!
Every genre of gaming has its standard bearers depending on the console, demographics, etc. However, when you talk about sports or 'casual' video games; chances are you are either talking about FIFA or Madden. EA Sports (which owns both) is that core brand that is guaranteed to bring you money year in and year out because it usually delivers on what its audience needs: a solid, competitive football simulator that you can play alone, online or at a family reunion.
In comparison, Grand Theft Auto 5 made close to a billion dollars in sales if not over that. But Rockstar Games doesn't make that money year in and year out: it's just this year. Madden will always give you a consistent, fun product and because it has it can dominate its genre and drive the bus for an entire console. Yes, I'm talking about Xbox One. The biggest mistake wasn't its policies or PR, the biggest mistake is that they tried to make the soul of the system EA Sports. But that's just how powerful the brand is and its chiefly because of Madden.
So, how isn't that otome?
Otome is the one genre of gaming we can all agree is driven solely by the interest and pocketbooks of female gamers. And through solely the support of its audience, not only are otome visual novels being adapted into anime at a higher rate but the female audience is also being more seriously considered in all genres of anime. All because of one niche genre...not bad. So regardless of what any of us thinks about the cliches associated with the genre, purely as a business it demands respect.
Except for here apparently.
I talked about it on the podcast, but for those who don't listen to the show allow me to explain a bit further. I have two analytic sites I use to keep track of the statistics of the site; which is why I appreciate you guys so much. The response to the reviews, features and other things I do on this site has been amazing...EXCEPT for otome games. Whenever I review an otome game it flat lines until two or three weeks later when it's out of rotation completely. Now, the reviews themselves aren't negative. In fact, all of the otome games I reviewed so far have been positive and all have come with a recommendation to play. So if the reviews are good why aren't people reading the reviews?
I am not sure why, but my best answer is because the popular opinion is that I hate otome. So why waste your time reading something you think is just going to be some guy trashing what you love?
Admittedly I am a sarcastic bastard and when I'm not reviewing otome games, I can be pretty hard on the genre overall. Well, to be fair, that was mainly Uta no Prince-sama...I got a LOT of mileage out of that one. But, I can see how if you're apart of the otome faithful and all you see are my Twitter posts that you'd think I just hated all otome. Which brings us full circle back to 'the question', because people already hate me/don't trust me based on comments and reviews. So why should I go out of my way JUST for otome fangirls?
I think it's because, at my core, I am a diplomat. But it's also because, at least from my perspective, I have to do it.
As I laid out already, otome pretty much drives the bus with visual novels and that is double-true here in the West. I can't juts NOT cover the genre. At the same time, it's a setback for the site in terms on how you the readers can use my reviews and it hurts good English Otome Games that may be ignored for one reason or another. Case in point: Blue Rose and Princess Battles. So while some may see it as capitulation, for me I have no choice but to at least try and make it as clear as possible that I am fair when it comes to otome.
Now, if the otome faithful still see me as nothing but a hater after that week has passed, then it's out of my hands. I've done everything I can do. And to be clear I'm not about to heap false praise onto anyone. If any of the otome games suck that I talk about in that week I'll let you know. But, again, I can at least make the attempt here and keep an open mind with the otome games that the week will cover. Whatever happens after that happens.
Now it'll definitely happen some time in November and up to that point I am open to any otome games you guys want me to try out. There is one otome game I've wanted to blame because the premise makes me chuckle; but anything that involves turning rabbits and cats into hot guys was bound to do that. Other than that, translated or not, I am fully open to it and I will do what I can do acquire the game in time to talk about it for Otome Week. The other end of that will come in a separate blog post and that is something I mentioned in the State of the Site blog post earlier this year that I wanted to do anyway. So we'll see if we can make it happen.
So anyway, I hope that clears up what is about to happen here on the site. I want to personally thank everyone who responded to my questions and I hope the next month or so will show that appreciation. In the meantime, I hope everyone continues to enjoy VNs Now and is looking forward to the Otomacolypse!
And if I can get KittyKatStarGal to let me use 'Heart of a Maiden Week' THEN I will be changing to that instead of The Otomacolypse.