"ONLY Macho Protagonists Sell... in America!" -- Square Enix

[Hot Shot]

I like playing Japanese games because they're Japanese. If I want to play as a macho man, I'll play Grand Theft Auto or God of War instead.

I totally agree. SE are just geting rid of their uniqueness and becoming a generic company trying to please the masses. Instead of shying away from their uniqueness they should embrace it. A lot JRPGs dont make it out of Japan, so SE should have just released the 'girly' version simply because it is a JRPG and not another bland RPG. And besides, most RPG fans won't mind because they like and want what is popular in Japan.

[Suikojowy]

The Nier thing doesn't bother me but it kinda annoys me what Square is trying to do with the whole "going western" thing. I like a lot of God of War and a lot of western games but it's not what I want from them, it's not what made them great and gave them the huge fanbase they have and I wish they'd recognize that.

[Garland]

Why such a dichotomy? Will the Japanese revolt if a male hero looks male? I know Americans would be just fine with a moderate hero. What about variety? It's sad that the only two options in SE's mind for a male character are Brock Lesnar or Boy George. Honestly, I don't think most of us want either. Just make a character we can relate to. That's what I want, personally. Cloud and Squall were good leads. Sephiroth was a good villain. They weren't ubermensche, or whatever the term is, nor were their genders in question. The whole Kuja "I thought he was a girl till disc 3" thing is good once in a while, but nobody wants to see the same thing over and over. No "burly superman", no "girl for all intents and purposes, but he specifically tells you in the story that he has a penis, so I guess not". Just make a regular guy, and give him a sword. It'll work.

[ShinGundam]

Why such a dichotomy? Will the Japanese revolt if a male hero looks male? I know Americans would be just fine with a moderate hero. What about variety? It's sad that the only two options in SE's mind for a male character are Brock Lesnar or Boy George. Honestly, I don't think most of us want either. Just make a character we can relate to. That's what I want, personally. Cloud and Squall were good leads. Sephiroth was a good villain. They weren't ubermensche, or whatever the term is, nor were their genders in question. The whole Kuja "I thought he was a girl till disc 3" thing is good once in a while, but nobody wants to see the same thing over and over. No "burly superman", no "girl for all intents and purposes, but he specifically tells you in the story that he has a penis, so I guess not". Just make a regular guy, and give him a sword. It'll work.

It isn't Square who said that , it is Cavia.

[Laddy]

I kinda...don't care.

[I Took the Red Pill]

I have nothing to add to this thread 'cept that I love how the thread title matches Tim's username

[Mirage]

I want an old lady for a main protagonist.

*imagines an old grandma kicking ass with swords and magic*

MAKE IT HAPPEN. @_@

I was thinking of her using a kurisagama or scythe. I've wondered for a little bit why there hasn't been any old ladies for party members, we have a few old guys (they were never the main party member),but not a single old lady. I don't think any of the women past the age of 33. except for Fran, but in her case doesn't look like her race even gets old.

Aya in "the 3rd birthday" is 35 years old.

And 35 isn't even very old, not that she looks a day past 20 anyway.

[black orb]

This is a joke right? I mean it has to be. If it's not then Square really have totally lost touch not only with North American audiences, but with their own core audience.

>>> Thats right, Cloud and Sephiroth are popular as hell and they are not exactly the epitome of manliness..

[Nice]

SE's heart is in the wrong place. I mean it's a part of anything J (Jpop, rock, rap, anime, games etc) to have overly emo characters, female looking male characters or whatever. If you play enough JRPG's and watch enough anime and read enough manga, sometimes you need an alternative. An Auron (FFX) or two to contrast a Tidus.

I can understand where SE is coming from, but If the lead already looks a certain way, keep it. Nobody wants to see a Sylvester Stallone lead character get raped by a penguin (these scenarios happen in Jap mediums all the time). That's just weird.

Perhaps with the emergence of games like BioShock and other western rpg's that have a darker edge, the japenese feel the need to compensate. It's weird though, I've seen friends of mine switch alliances from JRPG's to western ones thanks to Bioshock, jade empire and KOTOR. All of a sudden JRPG's are too emo, too light hearted, not dark enough etc. Come on, weren't you like 21 when you were playing Star Ocean Second Story?