The lights are on
Azure Striker Gunvolt's lead character received a pair of changes for its upcoming North America release, but now he is partially changing back.
Above and below (and in our announcement story) you can see the Japanese version of Azure Striker Gunvolt. For our release, his braid was removed and his midriff was covered. This change was noticed by Siliconera, and it reached out to developer Inti Creates CEO Takuya Aizu to ask why. The change came as the result of research done amongst the age group the game is being targeted for in North America, boys between 10 and 14 years old, and they didn't like braided ponytails and bared midriffs on their heroes.
Today, however, the official Azure Striker Gunvolt twitter account wrote that it decided to keep the braid, but keep the midriff covered. The new change came as a result of a conversation between Takuya Aizu and Keiji Inafune, who is directing the game's action.
Inafune-san and Aizu-san also discussed the character design of Gunvolt for US version. #gunvolt — gunvolt_official (@GunvoltOfficial) April 16, 2014
Inafune-san and Aizu-san also discussed the character design of Gunvolt for US version. #gunvolt
Inafune-san concluded that Gunvolt keeps "braided hair" in US version too. Because he emphasises the design. #gunvolt — gunvolt_official (@GunvoltOfficial) April 16, 2014
Inafune-san concluded that Gunvolt keeps "braided hair" in US version too. Because he emphasises the design. #gunvolt
As for the "bare midriff", leave the Gunvolt's separate clothes design as it is, we decided to make him wear the black skin tights. #gunvolt — gunvolt_official (@GunvoltOfficial) April 16, 2014
As for the "bare midriff", leave the Gunvolt's separate clothes design as it is, we decided to make him wear the black skin tights. #gunvolt
Azure Striker Gunvolt is coming to the 3DS eShop Summer. You can read more about the game here.
[Source: Siliconera, @GunvoltOfficial]
Our TakeI always find the changes made to localize a game for different audiences interesting. I'm glad he's keeping the braid, just because it's an interesting, atypical look, but I'm not heartbroken that his midriff will remain covered. Exposed midriffs are so '90s.
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Good choices. Even more excited now that I don't have to stare at a boy's belly button the whole game.
Ugh.Used a focus group for character design...
I know how useful focus groups are for selling things, but personally for me, that is the problem really. Only heard about this today, definitely won't be picking it up as it seems to be about selling it instead of it itself (if that makes sense)
I just want the game. GIVE ME
Where did they pull that target audience from I wonder?
I'm not sure what's unmarketable about the braid. If anything, the bare mid-riff should have been scrapped for looking ridiculous. I'm not sure who thought that was a good look, considering how armored the rest of him is.
It's like "Gee, I hope I don't get shot in the gut."
What, is he a Boss character from Zelda?
i like the design...i would like to try this game...
Considering the overwhelming number of female characters in Japanese games who gallivant through war-torn areas in skimpy, impractical, and/or skintight clothing, I don't really see a problem with a bare midriff on a dude. Let the guy show a little skin.
Exposed midriffs are back. I saw no less than 15 of them a couple days ago during an 8 hour shift.
Well, given the crimes that are committed today, and the increasing importance of protecting children, I say that it was a good call on the character change. Maybe other parts of the world are less worried about this though.
That's fine I guess. I mean I didn't even know about this until I read this story but either way I am looking forward to this game especially since I am a big fan of the Megaman Zero Games
I do not mind the midriff leaving, but why change his clothes to black? I do not like black clothes on my character it makes him/her blend in with the background. On another note this game has been added to my must buy list.
I think they made the right call.
Nothing says lame like hipster attempts at style and fashion.
Just put him in some regular future clothes. If they really wanted to be edgy, he should be completely bald except for the braid, with a joker scar on one side of his face.