Nintendo has not had the best of moments this past week, but thankfully, the company is admitting to some mistakes.
After reporting financial losses for the third straight year, the company was met with backlash from gamers, media, and the LGBT community on the exclusion of same-sex marriages in the upcoming North American and European release of the 3DS life simulator, Tomodachi Life. Now, Nintendo has offered an apology, stating that they are “committed to fun and entertainment for everyone.”
Nintendo’s statement reads as follows:
“We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game’s design, and such a significant development change can’t be accomplished with a post-ship patch. At Nintendo, dedication has always meant going beyond the games to promote a sense of community, and to share a spirit of fun and joy. We are committed to advancing our longtime company values of fun and entertainment for everyone. We pledge that if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series, we will strive to design a game-play experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players.”
As a supporter of same-sex marriages (and part of a large family where I have two gay cousins who I’d take a bullet for to ensure their rights), I’ve remained neutral on this issue. The original statement from Nintendo came off as a little tone deaf and mis-worded from a PR standpoint. However, the backlash itself from media and gamers alike has been blown out of proportion. Calling for boycotts of Nintendo products or for executives resigning is the last thing any fan or skeptic of the company needs to do at this point.
The fact of the matter is that Nintendo has at least admitted to an oversight in the game’s design that could not be fixed right away weeks before release in the States. A patch to allow same-sex marriages? Sure, it’s possible. Yet all we can do is know Nintendo is aware of these mistakes and is committed to sharing its products with everyone. No matter what gender, race, or sexual preference you belong to.
What do you think of the Tomodachi Life controversy and Nintendo’s apology in general? Share with us in the comments below.
