Kiregean
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This is the argument I've come into every day upon logging into the TERA servers and I feel it is an important argument to chime in on because it's obviously bringing on heated discussion on all fronts.
Now then, some of you may be unfamiliar with what the issue is so let me lay it out.
When TERA was first released in Korea, the game included rather scantily clad variations of all characters (including but not limited to an undergarment appearance when no armour was equipped.) These textures were deemed unacceptable for western audiences due to the western culture's abundant need to overzealously control what it determines as sensibilities for everyone.
The most prevalent argument is regarding the "Elin" but we will deal with that in a moment. The issue here is whether En Masse overstepped their bounds by altering what is technically classified as 'art' to appease a demographic that they see as the majority.
The items modified in TERA include but are not limited to: The removal of all basic undergarments and replacement with Tier 1 Armour skins, the altering of nearly three dozen armour sets to reduce the amount of skin showing, the removal of nipples and areola from the models, removal of pubic hair from the models, and altering of the basic garments for the Elin race. These are just the observed alterations and many more may be present that are unaccounted for.
Now then, what is the fuss about? Well the issue at play here is known as "westernization", it's a term for when America or Europe alters something to meet what they perceive as the norms for the culture they are adapting the product to.
So what's the problem you might ask, well the issue here is the abundant and overused principle of "Censor if it could be perceived as offensive" and many companies do this to avoid hassle but the real issue at play is actually the western culture and not the products themselves.
Coming from Europe, I watched these issues arise as I grew up and when I was young the perception of adulthood was that when you began work or an apprenticeship then you were considered an adult but over time the western cultures (both America and Europe) changed fundamentally where they added a perceived adulthood and seek to limit life experience during that time. Well what does this have to do with censorship in the game you might ask; it has a considerable amount to do with it. If one were to go back two centuries ago then one would not be surprised to see someone as young as fourteen with a job and family of their own but as our lifespans increase we seek to marginalize these pivotal years as "childhood" and our current culture likes to impose their viewpoints on everyone instead of rationalizing the whole situation.
As it stands anyone under the age of 18 is technically not supposed to view or be party to anything that is now perceived as an adult situation, this applies to drinking, smoking, depictions of sexuality, and more. This was most likely En Masse's reason for the modifications as some of the models taken loosely could be interpreted as distribution of pornography to a minor. However, this would be far fetched as the textures (albeit in the system as a base texture) while containing anatomically correct bodies, are at all times covered at least 75% (I use this number meaning the genital and chest regions, not the forms as a whole) the only exception on this were a few choice Castanic armours that included a partially visible areola.
Now then pushing that minor legal argument aside, the censorship in itself should be viewed from a different light. What is essentially going on is the censorship of art and it is not the first time it has occurred. A real life example would be the replications of the statue of "David", when they were reproduced for western audiences (American to be specific) they felt the male phallus needed to be hidden with a leaf on many occasions as not to offend delicate sensibilities.
Long winded explanation aside, what's the real issue? Well it's mostly that TERA is listed as a "Rated M" game, meaning only for ages 17 and up (contrary to the En Masse terms of service which state this is for the ages of 14 and older with parental consent), as a rated M game partial nudity, profanity, and sexual content are all allowed to an extent yet it has many items lowered down to where the game itself would merit a T rating instead.
Why the anger over this? Well the biggest issue at play is the "Elin" controversy and this one is a little more complicated. Due to the Elin being of such a petite and what westerners consider "childlike" appearance their sexualized clothing from En Masse's point of view at least, was overstepping bounds. Personally I can somewhat see their argument, Elin from our current cultural standards are substantially younger in appearance due to their anime style (a style not carried by any other race, all others use a more realistic albeit disproportional style). The large eyes, head, small frame, and underdeveloped figure are perceived by many to be inappropriate in some of the attire they have and as such it was altered.
Now then, while I mentioned I can see En Masse's argument as a philosophy teacher back in college taught me, it's time to see the other side.
The Elin are no different than any other female regardless of age. This world is composed of all different body types from small to large and looks can be deceiving. Using an old friend of mine as an example, she was beyond petite and was often mistaken for a child due to her stature and frame (She herself stood at a mere 4 foot 9 inches, 78 pounds, and had a A bust size which essentially made her appear as though she were somewhere between 13 and 16 despite her being 22.) or my ex-fiance even who was a miniscule 4 foot 10 inches tall, 93 pounds, and B bust size. There are many actresses I could reference just as easily but back to the point at hand, do the physical appearances of these girls (and boys as well in many cases) mean that they do not qualify to be adults? From a legal perspective this answer is a definitive and unquestionable no. In America once someone achieves the age of 18 (21 for alcohol and tobacco) then they are legally an adult and are granted all aforementioned rights of adulthood. As this is the case, the unsubstantiated censorship of the Elin could be considered discrimination from some points of view as En Masse is essentially using the old "Is it looks like a dog and barks like a dog then it must be a dog." argument but as has been demonstrated, looks can be deceiving. One cannot just someone by their outer appearance and as such the censorship may be just as offensive to someone of petite frame and stature as it is unoffensive to those who feel the need to oversexualize the small Elin bodies.
Now then I welcome all constructive points of view to chime in with critical analysis or observations (The key words here are CONSTRUCTIVE and ANALYSIS meaning I expect civility and no coming on just to call others names and act childish.)
I eagerly await to hear the community and En Masse's view on this subject now that I've made a more detailed explanation of the arguments.
Now then, some of you may be unfamiliar with what the issue is so let me lay it out.
When TERA was first released in Korea, the game included rather scantily clad variations of all characters (including but not limited to an undergarment appearance when no armour was equipped.) These textures were deemed unacceptable for western audiences due to the western culture's abundant need to overzealously control what it determines as sensibilities for everyone.
The most prevalent argument is regarding the "Elin" but we will deal with that in a moment. The issue here is whether En Masse overstepped their bounds by altering what is technically classified as 'art' to appease a demographic that they see as the majority.
The items modified in TERA include but are not limited to: The removal of all basic undergarments and replacement with Tier 1 Armour skins, the altering of nearly three dozen armour sets to reduce the amount of skin showing, the removal of nipples and areola from the models, removal of pubic hair from the models, and altering of the basic garments for the Elin race. These are just the observed alterations and many more may be present that are unaccounted for.
Now then, what is the fuss about? Well the issue at play here is known as "westernization", it's a term for when America or Europe alters something to meet what they perceive as the norms for the culture they are adapting the product to.
So what's the problem you might ask, well the issue here is the abundant and overused principle of "Censor if it could be perceived as offensive" and many companies do this to avoid hassle but the real issue at play is actually the western culture and not the products themselves.
Coming from Europe, I watched these issues arise as I grew up and when I was young the perception of adulthood was that when you began work or an apprenticeship then you were considered an adult but over time the western cultures (both America and Europe) changed fundamentally where they added a perceived adulthood and seek to limit life experience during that time. Well what does this have to do with censorship in the game you might ask; it has a considerable amount to do with it. If one were to go back two centuries ago then one would not be surprised to see someone as young as fourteen with a job and family of their own but as our lifespans increase we seek to marginalize these pivotal years as "childhood" and our current culture likes to impose their viewpoints on everyone instead of rationalizing the whole situation.
As it stands anyone under the age of 18 is technically not supposed to view or be party to anything that is now perceived as an adult situation, this applies to drinking, smoking, depictions of sexuality, and more. This was most likely En Masse's reason for the modifications as some of the models taken loosely could be interpreted as distribution of pornography to a minor. However, this would be far fetched as the textures (albeit in the system as a base texture) while containing anatomically correct bodies, are at all times covered at least 75% (I use this number meaning the genital and chest regions, not the forms as a whole) the only exception on this were a few choice Castanic armours that included a partially visible areola.
Now then pushing that minor legal argument aside, the censorship in itself should be viewed from a different light. What is essentially going on is the censorship of art and it is not the first time it has occurred. A real life example would be the replications of the statue of "David", when they were reproduced for western audiences (American to be specific) they felt the male phallus needed to be hidden with a leaf on many occasions as not to offend delicate sensibilities.
Long winded explanation aside, what's the real issue? Well it's mostly that TERA is listed as a "Rated M" game, meaning only for ages 17 and up (contrary to the En Masse terms of service which state this is for the ages of 14 and older with parental consent), as a rated M game partial nudity, profanity, and sexual content are all allowed to an extent yet it has many items lowered down to where the game itself would merit a T rating instead.
Why the anger over this? Well the biggest issue at play is the "Elin" controversy and this one is a little more complicated. Due to the Elin being of such a petite and what westerners consider "childlike" appearance their sexualized clothing from En Masse's point of view at least, was overstepping bounds. Personally I can somewhat see their argument, Elin from our current cultural standards are substantially younger in appearance due to their anime style (a style not carried by any other race, all others use a more realistic albeit disproportional style). The large eyes, head, small frame, and underdeveloped figure are perceived by many to be inappropriate in some of the attire they have and as such it was altered.
Now then, while I mentioned I can see En Masse's argument as a philosophy teacher back in college taught me, it's time to see the other side.
The Elin are no different than any other female regardless of age. This world is composed of all different body types from small to large and looks can be deceiving. Using an old friend of mine as an example, she was beyond petite and was often mistaken for a child due to her stature and frame (She herself stood at a mere 4 foot 9 inches, 78 pounds, and had a A bust size which essentially made her appear as though she were somewhere between 13 and 16 despite her being 22.) or my ex-fiance even who was a miniscule 4 foot 10 inches tall, 93 pounds, and B bust size. There are many actresses I could reference just as easily but back to the point at hand, do the physical appearances of these girls (and boys as well in many cases) mean that they do not qualify to be adults? From a legal perspective this answer is a definitive and unquestionable no. In America once someone achieves the age of 18 (21 for alcohol and tobacco) then they are legally an adult and are granted all aforementioned rights of adulthood. As this is the case, the unsubstantiated censorship of the Elin could be considered discrimination from some points of view as En Masse is essentially using the old "Is it looks like a dog and barks like a dog then it must be a dog." argument but as has been demonstrated, looks can be deceiving. One cannot just someone by their outer appearance and as such the censorship may be just as offensive to someone of petite frame and stature as it is unoffensive to those who feel the need to oversexualize the small Elin bodies.
Now then I welcome all constructive points of view to chime in with critical analysis or observations (The key words here are CONSTRUCTIVE and ANALYSIS meaning I expect civility and no coming on just to call others names and act childish.)
I eagerly await to hear the community and En Masse's view on this subject now that I've made a more detailed explanation of the arguments.
Edited by: Kiregean
about 1 year ago