The game currently being discussed in this conversation is the Dead or Alive series – a name that is no longer unfamiliar to many gamers.
Initially, Dead or Alive was known as one of the prominent fighting game series, renowned for its action and depth. However, with the recent release of various spin-off versions focusing on volleyball, alongside significant improvements in character design, Dead or Alive has increasingly become a “fan service” game in the eyes of players.
As it continues to gain popularity, the development of Dead or Alive appears to be straying from the original direction that the developers of this game intended.
According to representatives from Koei Tecmo, they have acknowledged that there is no alternative but to continue producing works that appeal to the desires of the gaming community. They believe that the aesthetic aspects of the characters, especially the female characters in Dead or Alive, have become a hallmark of the series. This is reflected in the roughly 2,000 to 3,000 artistic works created by fans, which have been shared widely across various social media platforms.
Further explaining their stance, Koei Tecmo has indicated that some artistic works intended for adults in the Dead or Alive series are permitted to be publicly shared, provided that the integrity of the game’s character designs is maintained. However, as the game continues to evolve, there are concerns about the potential for “lewdness.” Additionally, mod versions styled for adult audiences are currently being flagged for removal during this phase of development.
Of course, this wave of “fan service” cannot be overlooked without acknowledging the responsibility of Koei Tecmo itself, as prior to this, the publisher had also released numerous bikini skins and DLCs that leaned towards serving the desires of the fanbase.
