Anime game: Difference between revisions
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'''Anime games''' are computer or video games that are based on [[anime]] or [[manga]], or use an art style commonly stereotyped as "anime" in their presentation (technically, anime is not an art style, though many follow a certain trend), or upon which anime or manga have been made. Generally, anime games fall into the categories of normal games based around an anime, [[visual novel]]s, [[dojin game]]s, or miscellaneous [[H game]]s. The phrase [[bishōjo game]] is often used to refer to any game with anime-style graphics, although it technically refers only to the large majority with attractive female anime characters. |
'''Anime games''' are computer or video games that are based on [[anime]] or [[manga]], or use an art style commonly stereotyped as "anime" in their presentation (technically, anime is not an art style, though many follow a certain trend), or upon which anime or manga have been made. Generally, anime games fall into the categories of normal games based around an anime, [[visual novel]]s, [[Dōjin soft|dojin game]]s, or miscellaneous [[Eroge|H game]]s. The phrase [[bishōjo game]] is often used to refer to any game with anime-style graphics, although it technically refers only to the large majority with attractive female anime characters. |
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==Technology== |
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[[Image:Rogue-galaxy-20060425025407253.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Battle screen from ''[[Rogue Galaxy]]'', the game uses [[cel shading]]]] |
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Up to the [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|fourth generation of videogames]], anime games used [[bitmaps]] and [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] to depict the characters shown, as seen in games like ''[[Langrisser I]]'', ''[[Shin Megami Tensei]]'', ''[[Street Fighter II]]'', and many others. In the [[History of video game consoles (fifth generation)|fifth generation]] ([[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[PlayStation]], [[Nintendo 64]]), some developers started using simple (by today's standards) [[3D computer graphics|3D models]]. Examples include ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' and ''[[Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon]]''. Thanks to the adoption of the CD-ROM, [[full motion video]] became an option. ''[[Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete]]'' and its sequel ''[[Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete]]'' for example had anime cutscenes animated by the well known studio [[GONZO]]. From the [[History of video game consoles (sixth generation)|sixth-generation]] onward, the use of [[Cel-shaded animation|cel shading]] has become increasingly popular. |
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==Role-playing games== |
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[[Image:Tosbattle.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|''[[Tales of Symphonia]]'' also used [[Cel-shaded animation|cel-shading]] to achieve a deliberate look resembling anime.]] |
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{{see|Console role-playing game}} |
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Many console RPGs are developed in anime style. Some of the most famous entries include ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', ''[[Xenogears]]'' and ''[[Dragon Quest]]''. Some anime series were created based on these RPGs after they were released such as ''[[Dragon Warrior (TV series)|Dragon Warrior]]'', ''[[Tales of Eternia: The Animation]]'' and ''[[Star Ocean EX]]'' based on ''Dragon Quest'', ''[[Tales of Eternia]]'' and ''[[Star Ocean: The Second Story]]'' respectively. |
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It should be noted that not all anime style RPGs are made in Japan: ''[[Sudeki]]'' (available on [[Xbox]]) for example, was made by UK developers. |
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==Fighting games== |
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[[Image:Naruto vs Sasuke.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Naruto takes on Sasuke in ''[[Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 3]]'']] |
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On the [[PlayStation]] and [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] platforms, numerous cel-shaded fighting games based on popular series such as ''[[Naruto: Ultimate Ninja|Naruto: Narutimate Hero]]'' and ''[[One Piece Grand Battle!|One Piece Grand Battle]]'' have been released in Japan, and with increasing popularity in the United States too. Brawlers that span multiple series exist too, such as ''[[Jump Super Stars]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]] and ''[[Battle Stadium D.O.N]]'' for the [[PlayStation]] and [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]]. These games can grow to have very large rosters (''[[Narutimate Hero 3]]'' has 42 playable characters), as the games tend to be released while the respective anime is still airing, allowing more characters to be added. |
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==Mech games== |
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| ⚫ | Around 1999, an alliance of small licensing houses, [[Jast USA]], [[G-Collections]] and [[Peach Princess]], began to approach the |
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[[Image:Dgundam.PNG|right|thumb|200px|Screencap from ''[[Super Robot Wars MX]]'' ([[PlayStation 2|PS2]])]] |
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Bandai has for a long time made games based on the many iterations of ''[[Gundam]]'', as well as the ''[[Super Robot Wars]]'' series, where many different mechs for various series battle each other. Another famous mech series is ''[[Zone of the Enders]]'' by [[Hideo Kojima]]. The series also spawned a few anime titles such as ''[[ZOE: 2167 IDOLO]]'' and ''[[ZOE: Dolores, i]]''. ''[[Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner]]'' recieved much acclaim due to its stylish use of cel-shading and fluid game mechanics. |
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==Dating simulations== |
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[[Image:Piacarrot3 screenshot.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Screencap from ''[[Pia Carrot|Pia Carrot 3]]'']] |
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{{main|dating sim}} |
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Dating sims can be simple text games to simulations with 3D graphics. While very few have been translated into English, the genre is very popular in Japan. Some dating sims such as ''[[Pia Carrot]]'' and ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'' have been animated. |
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==Life simulations and erotic games in the United States== |
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| ⚫ | Fan translations have recently become a major factor for |
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| ⚫ | Dating simulations, raising simulations, and erotic games created in anime style have generally struggled to find a market in the United States. The first [[eroge]] to be imported to the United States were created by [[Megatech Software]], a small, possibly unincorporated firm which translated and released games from 1992 to 1995 and then folded without notice sometime afterwards. [[JAST USA|Jast USA]] also began making games in 1992, and [[Himeya Soft]] began releasing games in 1996, but neither one was noticed by mainstream gamers. Meanwhile, a start-up called [[SoftEgg]] acquired the license to ''[[Princess Maker 2]]'' and completed a translation, but because of the lack of a known market for the game, SoftEgg had to work with a small production company which eventually went bankrupt. The first self-dubbed "anime game", ''Graduation'', was released by [[Tokyopop|Mixx]] in 1997 to much fanfare, but it failed to find a market. These endeavours made American licensors wary about anime style games, and halted the progress of the genre for roughly five years, preventing an English version of ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'' (which would have likely been more popular among gamers). |
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| ⚫ | Around 1999, an alliance of small licensing houses, [[JAST USA|Jast USA]], [[G-Collections]] and [[Peach Princess]], began to approach the dating sim market from the more traditional eroge side. Eventually, they were able to translate the beloved eroge ''[[Kana Imōto]]'', as well as producing some cult pornography titles such as ''[[X-Change]]'' and ''[[H na Bunny-san wa Kirai?|Do You Like Horny Bunnies?]]''. |
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| ⚫ | Fan translations have recently become a major factor for dating sims and visual novels in the United States, as anime itself becomes more popular in the United States. Translation projects for ''[[Kanon]]'' and ''[[Tsukihime]]'' promise English versions of the most popular Japanese titles, as the small eroge producers do not have enough money to license these games. [[2005|As of 2005]], it remains to be seen whether these games will become widely popular. |
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===Subcategorization=== |
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==References== |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[List of games based on anime and manga]] |
* [[List of games based on anime and manga]] |
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[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]] |
[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]] |
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[[Category:Anime games| {{PAGENAME}}]] |
[[Category:Anime games| {{PAGENAME}}]] |
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Revision as of 00:01, 28 July 2006
Template:Current-GCOTW Anime games are computer or video games that are based on anime or manga, or use an art style commonly stereotyped as "anime" in their presentation (technically, anime is not an art style, though many follow a certain trend), or upon which anime or manga have been made. Generally, anime games fall into the categories of normal games based around an anime, visual novels, dojin games, or miscellaneous H games. The phrase bishōjo game is often used to refer to any game with anime-style graphics, although it technically refers only to the large majority with attractive female anime characters.
Technology
Up to the fourth generation of videogames, anime games used bitmaps and sprites to depict the characters shown, as seen in games like Langrisser I, Shin Megami Tensei, Street Fighter II, and many others. In the fifth generation (Saturn, PlayStation, Nintendo 64), some developers started using simple (by today's standards) 3D models. Examples include Final Fantasy VII and Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon. Thanks to the adoption of the CD-ROM, full motion video became an option. Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and its sequel Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete for example had anime cutscenes animated by the well known studio GONZO. From the sixth-generation onward, the use of cel shading has become increasingly popular.
Role-playing games
Many console RPGs are developed in anime style. Some of the most famous entries include Final Fantasy VII, Xenogears and Dragon Quest. Some anime series were created based on these RPGs after they were released such as Dragon Warrior, Tales of Eternia: The Animation and Star Ocean EX based on Dragon Quest, Tales of Eternia and Star Ocean: The Second Story respectively.
It should be noted that not all anime style RPGs are made in Japan: Sudeki (available on Xbox) for example, was made by UK developers.
Fighting games
On the PlayStation and GameCube platforms, numerous cel-shaded fighting games based on popular series such as Naruto: Narutimate Hero and One Piece Grand Battle have been released in Japan, and with increasing popularity in the United States too. Brawlers that span multiple series exist too, such as Jump Super Stars for the Nintendo DS and Battle Stadium D.O.N for the PlayStation and GameCube. These games can grow to have very large rosters (Narutimate Hero 3 has 42 playable characters), as the games tend to be released while the respective anime is still airing, allowing more characters to be added.
Mech games
Bandai has for a long time made games based on the many iterations of Gundam, as well as the Super Robot Wars series, where many different mechs for various series battle each other. Another famous mech series is Zone of the Enders by Hideo Kojima. The series also spawned a few anime titles such as ZOE: 2167 IDOLO and ZOE: Dolores, i. Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner recieved much acclaim due to its stylish use of cel-shading and fluid game mechanics.
Dating simulations
Dating sims can be simple text games to simulations with 3D graphics. While very few have been translated into English, the genre is very popular in Japan. Some dating sims such as Pia Carrot and Tokimeki Memorial have been animated.
Life simulations and erotic games in the United States
Dating simulations, raising simulations, and erotic games created in anime style have generally struggled to find a market in the United States. The first eroge to be imported to the United States were created by Megatech Software, a small, possibly unincorporated firm which translated and released games from 1992 to 1995 and then folded without notice sometime afterwards. Jast USA also began making games in 1992, and Himeya Soft began releasing games in 1996, but neither one was noticed by mainstream gamers. Meanwhile, a start-up called SoftEgg acquired the license to Princess Maker 2 and completed a translation, but because of the lack of a known market for the game, SoftEgg had to work with a small production company which eventually went bankrupt. The first self-dubbed "anime game", Graduation, was released by Mixx in 1997 to much fanfare, but it failed to find a market. These endeavours made American licensors wary about anime style games, and halted the progress of the genre for roughly five years, preventing an English version of Tokimeki Memorial (which would have likely been more popular among gamers).
Around 1999, an alliance of small licensing houses, Jast USA, G-Collections and Peach Princess, began to approach the dating sim market from the more traditional eroge side. Eventually, they were able to translate the beloved eroge Kana Imōto, as well as producing some cult pornography titles such as X-Change and Do You Like Horny Bunnies?.
In 2003, Hirameki International approached the dating sim market from the interactive fiction side, removing erotic content from many dating sims and porting them to their AnimePlay technology. In 2005, Hirameki began producing these all-ages games for the PC as well.
Fan translations have recently become a major factor for dating sims and visual novels in the United States, as anime itself becomes more popular in the United States. Translation projects for Kanon and Tsukihime promise English versions of the most popular Japanese titles, as the small eroge producers do not have enough money to license these games. As of 2005, it remains to be seen whether these games will become widely popular.
Subcategorization
Anime-style games may be grouped in several different ways.
- The sexual content level of anime-style games can be erotic or "clean".
- The romance level of anime-style games can be romantic (ren'ai), little romance ("light"), rape (kichiku), or no romance.
- The gender focus of anime-style games can be none in particular, all pairings, a bishōjo game, GxG, GxB, or a BL game.
- The interactivity of anime-style games can be a regular game of any genre, a visual novel, or a kinetic novel.
Different kinds of anime-style games have different fandoms. However, there is a lot of overlap in Japan, since romantic anime games are a proven market there.