One of trademarks of the games that Goichi Suda produces… aside from the over the top violence, along with the over the top humor… is the over the top sexual under/overtones. It's why many love his work so much, and they definitely are an integral part of the experience.
But the times, they are a changing. Sexuality in games has become quite the red-hot topic. Many are striving towards a more realistic and more sensitive portrayal of the opposite sex in video games, in hopes that the medium as a whole will become more sophisticated, less base, and all inclusive.
Though one direct effect is how certain games that seemed rather behind the times and backwards thinking (especially those that relish certain "old fashioned" qualities) will look even more so. To an embarrassing, even damaging degree. So with all that in mind, some might wonder if Suda51 will change with the times, or if he's even willing.
As Eurogamer notes, the upcoming Killer Is Dead has something called Gigolo mode, which is a series of side missions that is designed to show off lead character Mondo's prowess with the fairer sex (though they admit that no one knows what this mode will exactly entail).
The proposition presented, which is a fair one, is that if a Western developer were to try such a thing, it would get into a lot of trouble. Right? In an interview with Eurogamer, Suda states:
"I think Western publishers do similar things, like with GTA, going out to a strip club and other things… But I do understand that if a Western developer was to create something like [Gigolo mode] it could backfire."
Meanwhile, Eastern games have been able to get by, with its own set criteria. Why is that? Is it because it's exotic, or is it because things are indeed different "over there"?
"I don't really use [sex] as something full frontal, but sexuality is a good way to express a certain element in the game… Maybe sexuality in games shouldn't be as big a taboo, but at the same time I live in a country where sexuality is pretty crazy."
One has to wonder where the various discussions and arguments as they pertain to sexuality will eventually lead, and how games like Killer Is Dead will fit into the equation. There's also the issue of what is considering "worse"; games with sexual content or violent content.
It's worth pointing out how, in Japan, games seem to free tackle sexual subject matter in a far more relaxed, matter of fact manner than us in the America. Meanwhile, they're far more concerned about violence overtones, whereas here in America, it's not as big a deal.
It's also worth noting that such a difference in standards is not just contained within video games. It reaches all forms of entertainment, on both sides of the world.
