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Only Japan: Higurashi Daybreak
Violence in video games is an issue of furious debate here in America. The general argument is that assuming the role of anyone who performs acts of violence can cause blurring between reality and entertainment. This belief causes some obvious taboos and restrictions for companies which publish games in America.
In Japan however, just about anything goes (ANYTHING), as long as it will sell. When I first saw Higurashi Daybreak Portable, I found the idea of school children dukeing it out with lethal (and sometimes non-lethal) weaponry hilarious. But there was no doubt in my mind that it would never see a Western release – and for once it was not because of any complex cultural undertones.
My guess is the game would be seen as a liability to any publisher who brought it to the West. It only takes one person to cleave their friend in the face and spit out the game’s name for a one-way ticket to Lawsuit City (population too damn high).
Japan gives people more credit for their actions: if you murder someone, you are a murderer, and in some instances even minors are tried as adults. This is surprising considering Japan is probably the bizarre-murder capital of the world. One would think the more bizarre the murder, the more likely some external stimuli had an effect. My research has shown that while the affects of video games are suggested in Japan, often deeper psychological disorders are found to be the cause of extreme violence towards others.
Higurashi Daybreak was released for PC back in 2006, and is now making its way to the PSP this November. The game is a 2 vs. 2 brawler which purposely mimics a popular series of Gundam arcade games. If you’re interested in purchasing the game, it’s available for pre-order at Play-Asia for $58.90. There is also a special edition which includes 3 figures and a drama CD. The special edition is available for $89.90.
Higurashi Daybreak was based off of a line of mystery solving computer games and a manga series which has been licensed for release in America. Both have nothing to do with children battling each other.
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