Message from Developers Regarding Art Changes

[[NXA] Pex]

Check out the following statement from Eundo Chae, CEO of CWAVESOFT, the developer of Hyper Universe. Yes, it's regarding art changes. Feel free to respond in this thread. We will start to close some of the huge threads and direct comments here so we can keep things organized.

{LINK REMOVED}hyperuniverse.nexon.net/en/news/article/25193

We will be responding to your questions and comments here as well. I have some additional info from the NA team, but I'd like everyone to read Eundo's statement first.

As always, please keep the discussion civil.

Thanks.

[[NXA] Pex]

Originally posted by knightnightmare:

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

It's certainly a hard call for us to make when we know there is a passionate group that opposes the change. We have to look at our ability to launch the game into multiple regions where local laws and/or rating systems are in place and work to make the game as accessible as possible. ESRB/PEGI/USK ratings are things we have to consider as we expand.

In my previous statements I said that player feedback was one aspect and our ability to market the game was another. The gameplay is unchanged and the characters retain their sexiness and character. We worked to make as few changes as possible. We understand that for some, any changes are too much, but when we move a game from one region to many, changes are going to happen.

If changing every almost every female model was as few as possible I'd hated see what you would've called major changes.

Major changes would be completely removing characters all together. Or totally altering wardrobe to the point that a side by side would be completely unrecognizable or changed the characterization substantially. It would be removing all cleavage from the game.

The female (and male) Hypers that have recently received update or modified artwork: Athena, Tatyana, Celine, Elendis, Blue Rose, Kurenai, Sapitelbub.

There are currently 13 female Hypers in the game. Six of them have received updated or modified artwork. We worked to keep changes as minor as possible.

I appreciate and understand the arguments that any censorship is too much. That's a valid stance for someone to take. But the attempts to make it sound like we've totally altered the identity of characters, and thereby the game as a whole, is not accurate.

[[NXA] Pex]

Originally posted by Spideroth:

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

It's certainly a hard call for us to make when we know there is a passionate group that opposes the change. We have to look at our ability to launch the game into multiple regions where local laws and/or rating systems are in place and work to make the game as accessible as possible. ESRB/PEGI/USK ratings are things we have to consider as we expand.

In my previous statements I said that player feedback was one aspect and our ability to market the game was another. The gameplay is unchanged and the characters retain their sexiness and character. We worked to make as few changes as possible. We understand that for some, any changes are too much, but when we move a game from one region to many, changes are going to happen.

If it's a ratings issue, why in the statement did they say they are gonna retroactively alter the korean version?

It is not purely a ratings issue. That is one factor. As mentioned, we are trying to balance a lot of different needs.

[knightnightmare]

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

Originally posted by knightnightmare:

If changing every almost every female model was as few as possible I'd hated see what you would've called major changes.

Major changes would be completely removing characters all together. Or totally altering wardrobe to the point that a side by side would be completely unrecognizable or changed the characterization substantially. It would be removing all cleavage from the game.

The of female (and male) Hypers that have recently received update or modified artwork: Athena, Tatyana, Celine, Elendis, Blue Rose, Kurenai, Sapitelbub.

There are currently 13 female Hypers in the game. Six of them have received updated or modified artwork. We worked to keep changes as minor as possible.

I appreciate and understand the arguments that any censorship is too much. That's a valid stance for someone to take. But the attempts to make it sound like we've totally altered the identity of characters, and thereby the game as a whole, is not accurate.

Yea removing characters is a no, can't get money for censored skins later, and 1/2 were changed to fit some kinda moral values that are very subjective. Basically this game has been toned down to benefit those that will never play this game at the expense of those that supported it. I wish you and your team good luck with this, but with tons of MOABs out there that are not butchering their product or bullying devs into meeting their value. I don't think this is gonna fly.

[DestructionAdv]

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

Originally posted by Spideroth:

If it's a ratings issue, why in the statement did they say they are gonna retroactively alter the korean version?

It is not purely a ratings issue. That is one factor. As mentioned, we are trying to balance a lot of different needs.

So now you're even backpedaling on that? Could you be any more dishonest?

[[NXA] Pex]

Originally posted by DestructionAdv:

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

It is not purely a ratings issue. That is one factor. As mentioned, we are trying to balance a lot of different needs.

So now you're even backpedaling on that? Could you be any more dishonest?

My posting history will show that I've been very consistent. Player sentiment is one part of our decision. Our ability to market the game (and that includes ratings) is the other.

[Sid Suspicious]

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

Originally posted by Spideroth:

If it's a ratings issue, why in the statement did they say they are gonna retroactively alter the korean version?

It is not purely a ratings issue. That is one factor. As mentioned, we are trying to balance a lot of different needs.

Why are you trying to balance things that don't need to be balanced? What needs is retroactively censoring the art on KR going to fufill?

[knightnightmare]

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

Originally posted by DestructionAdv:

So now you're even backpedaling on that? Could you be any more dishonest?

My posting history will show that I've been very consistent. Player sentiment is one part of our decision. Our ability to market the game (and that includes ratings) is the other.

Steam doesn't require rating to begin with, this is that old censorship song and dance. Europe is a little stricter on PEGI 18 games when being advertised but even uncensored this would've never pulled a PEGI 18.

[Sid Suspicious]

Originally posted by WatchGintama:

This is the person I wanted hear from but they still do not answer the important question I've asked to relay to him.

Before this message was posted, I had already lost hope for a toggle option. And now the CEO has not even said yes or no to the idea.

I will take silence as they are ignoring feedback they wanted from us, these concerns aren't properly being conveyed to him, or he is telling in-between lines that it is not a good idea by not acknowledging it.

This was the quote I got from pestering Raz in the discord:

We are trying to bring Hyper Universe worldwide, and due to standards set by local governments and review boards, adding a toggle option would negate our efforts, so we will not be adding one at this time.

[[NXA] Pex]

Originally posted by GingerOgre:

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

It is not purely a ratings issue. That is one factor. As mentioned, we are trying to balance a lot of different needs.

Why are you trying to balance things that don't need to be balanced? What needs is retroactively censoring the art on KR going to fufill?

I believe that was addressed in the dev update linked above:

"We are deeply sorry that we could not keep the content consistent, due to difficulties in managing the revisions for both the Early Access and Korean versions; we will work harder to keep the content consistent across regions in the future."

[[NXA] Pex]

Originally posted by knightnightmare:

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

My posting history will show that I've been very consistent. Player sentiment is one part of our decision. Our ability to market the game (and that includes ratings) is the other.

Steam doesn't require rating to begin with, this is that old censorship song and dance. Europe is a little stricter on PEGI 18 games when being advertised but even uncensored this would've never pulled a PEGI 18.

Once again, ratings are just one aspect of our decision making process.

[OxNEOxO]

Can you show us what art work was changed? I'm interested in knowing what resulted to the changes that have been made. At least a screenshot of before and after would be nice.

[Sid Suspicious]

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

Originally posted by GingerOgre:

Why are you trying to balance things that don't need to be balanced? What needs is retroactively censoring the art on KR going to fufill?

I believe that was addressed in the dev update linked above:

"We are deeply sorry that we could not keep the content consistent, due to difficulties in managing the revisions for both the Early Access and Korean versions; we will work harder to keep the content consistent across regions in the future."

Ah, my mistake, must of skipped through it in my eagerness to read. Would it be possible to be more transparent and tell us all the aspects in your "decision making process"?

[Shylaar]

We take your opinions seriously and strive to use your feedback to fine-tune Hyper Universe into a better game. We ask for your continued feedback.

And yet our feedback is condemning the censorship, and going completely ignored.

This process was done through CWAVE’s internal discussions among various teams

Based on our internal review

I thought it was changed based on player feedback at PAX and during alpha?

In other words, the art in question was harming the game’s accessibility.

And the censorship is so minor that it does nothing to improve the game's accessibility, while simply turning people away.

As expected, instead of admitting that it was a bad call, they're simply doubling down and refusing to budge. And Eundo doesn't even acknowledge the demand for a toggle.

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

It's certainly a hard call for us to make when we know there is a passionate group that opposes the change. We have to look at our ability to launch the game into multiple regions where local laws and/or rating systems are in place and work to make the game as accessible as possible. ESRB/PEGI/USK ratings are things we have to consider as we expand.

Please don't pretend this is a ratings issue because you know just as well as we do that it isn't. Nothing about your incredibly minor changes would do anything to affect ratings in any of those three regions.

The gameplay is unchanged

Stop falling back on this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ deflection, you've been told already.

and the characters retain their sexiness and character.

No, they absolutely don't, because you changed them.

We understand that for some, any changes are too much, but when we move a game from one region to many, changes are going to happen.

Yeah, usually it's just changing the language from Korean to English. There was no reason for these art changes to happen, and even if you insist that it was necessary for ratings in some area (which I don't believe for a second), that's still no reason to apply it worldwide.

[DestructionAdv]

Originally posted by NXA Pex:

Originally posted by DestructionAdv:

So now you're even backpedaling on that? Could you be any more dishonest?

My posting history will show that I've been very consistent. Player sentiment is one part of our decision. Our ability to market the game (and that includes ratings) is the other.

Except for when you said you had to change it as a ratings issue then went back on it in seconds. If there's anything you've been consistent about it's condescension and at least you've admitted that you don't care if it's the majority or not that wanted the censorship when you mentioned you didn't even know if they were the majority. Why even bring up an issue with the ratings when they literally won't be a problem if not to misdirect people who won't think it through or aren't familiar with ratings boards?

[HowPlayGaem]

Regaring "local governments and review boards" "multiple regions where local laws and/or rating systems are in place and work to make the game as accessible as possible. ESRB/PEGI/USK ratings are things we have to consider as we expand. "

I dont understand how Hyper Universe needs to censor, meanwhile global juggernaut League of Legends has zero problems with its fanservice characters. Miss Fortune, Sona, Pool Party skins, etc.

Not just league of course, many games seemingly don't have these issues. Something isn't right here.