Nintendo is catching up and allowing same-sex relationships in at least one of its games, the 3DS game Fire Emblem Fates, due to be released in 2016.
The Nintendo 3DS game Tomodachi Life arrived last year, and many players criticized the lack of same-sex relationships permitted in the roleplay (life simulations). Nintendo claimed it “never intended to make any form of social commentary,” though many saw the exclusion has far more than neutral.
The company said in a statement:
“We believe that our gameplay experiences should reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate and, at the same time, we will always design the game specifications of each title by considering a variety of factors, such as the game’s scenario and the nature of the game play. In the end of course, the game should be fun to play. We feel that Fire Emblem Fates is indeed enjoyable to play and we hope fans like the game.”
Nintendo has not said whether or not this inclusiveness will occur in other games, but many recognize it as a step forward, much like the variation in skin tone in Animal Crossing.
The announcement that Nintendo would permit same-sex relationships in its game arrive just prior to the Supreme Court’s decision to recognize gay marriage all over the U.S.
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