[Discussion] Swearing in Fangames

Um...to what extent of swearing and 18+ content can I have in my fangame?
Maybe like Pokemon Psychic adventures? I know it is a rom hack, but even then...
Thank you so much!

In regards to swearing, I'd say that there's nothing wrong having something like that in a fan-game, but I would definitely keep to a minimum. If everyone's swearing like sailors, it can be a bit of a turn-off to some players, and they'd stop playing. Likewise, if they're an evil team leader and their plans for world domination have just failed, I don't think that "oh gosh darn" really sells it.

In short, when it comes to swearing, just don't over do it, and I think you'll be okay.

As for 18+ content, eh... might be a bit overboard, IMO. Personally, I'd try to avoid having that type of stuff altogether. It'd feel pretty out of place, especially in a Pokemon game. Not to mention that a lot of people probably shouldn't see stuff like that, especially considering a large portion of the Pokemon fan-base is under 18.

Ultimately, it is your game, so you can do what you wish with it. Though it's definitely beneficial to consider what your potential players want to see and not see. It might be best to lean away from stuff like that as much as possible.

LucarioTheGreat said:

Um...to what extent of swearing and 18+ content can I have in my fangame?
Maybe like Pokemon Psychic adventures? I know it is a rom hack, but even then...
Thank you so much!

Click to expand...

Well, it's your game. You can do whatever you want with it in the end. That being said, a lot of people I've interacted with over the years feel that swearing in fangames sort of takes one out of the experience. Usually I play them because I want more content that I guess... "feels" like a canon game, but comes from fans and lives in the universe of PKMN.

As for content allowed by PC, someone else can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think all of that is fine as long as none of it is exhibited on the forums. However, I don't think sexual content is allowed on PC in any externally linked form, so if the game has pornographic elements, I'm pretty sure it could get you banned from the site. There have been "18+" ROM hacks and fangames before, but I think that more pertains to adult themes rather than adult imagery. I'd keep it to a minimum if I were you, and it's really not something I'd personally have any desire to play, so just know that it might turn a lot of people off.

You can have as much as you want, I guess. But how it will look - depend on you only.

I think I would just put an intro that warns people that there will be swearing and other things in the game... Though I would probably avoid having a version of the game with any nudity in it on this site. I would tell you where it would probably be safe, but piles of sand is 18+ now apparently, and that's not okay anymore.

Personally swearing is a turn off for me in Pokemon games. I for one would probably stop playing

There is a time and place for profanity in storytelling, and, as such, the inclusion of swearing can augment the quality of one's hack/fan-game. However, if profanity is implemented in a juvenile manner, it can diminish or eliminate a player's suspension of disbelief. Therefore, saving swearing for rare occasions or for specific characters is advisable.

While it's up to you, what you do in your own fangame.
I prefer to not have swearing in Pokemon games.
To me, it ruins the immersion, and the feeling of a Pokemon Game.

It's certainly not something I associate with Pokemon.

I think like a couple of others have said, it depends on the situation. Personally, I don't mind it if it isn't over the top, but I would have a warning of some kind before the game is played so that anyone who doesn't like it can avoid it.

You can always create pokemon-world unique swear words. While that may sound trivial, having pokemon and characters say words that only have context to irl things does diminish the suspension of disbelief. Remember, you're playing the game from the perspective of a kid. It's true that middle schoolers in the US swear like sailors, but they wouldn't do that to their parents or really anyone besides their friends. It isn't taseful so don't include swearing just for the sake that you can. This is a pokemon game we're creating. If we're creating a GTA fan game, I'd be like go all out with dem asterisks. Swearing will add to the world building, so do it if it is appropriate. I think the fangames do have to comply to community standards to be posted here as well, which means restrictions on nudity, as this is a pokemon thread and there are children here.

It all depends on what your intent of making the game is, if your goal is to have a perverted humored game then yes, but if the characters aren't comic relief but cussing up a storm it'll drive people away;
truth is, unless it adds comic relief or substance the game, cussing is just filler. Swearing is filler. It takes up space, you must make it useful in some way to benefit the player.

I needed this. I aim for a few swears but not overdoing it.

Swearing can be funny sometimes but if used too much, it might get ridiculous.
Pokemon psychic adventure is too much.....adult content. Just think about those kids who press 'i am 18+' at the start of the game. Anyways, swearing can be fun but dont overdo it.

You'll need to follow Community Guidelines to advertise here. Overall you can just go cray cray on this thing if you can find another community, maybe even Social Media. That's what I'd do if I were in your boots, or the boots of the guy making Psychic Adventures. Just keep the actual censorable content off the advertising.

But plausibly speaking, it's not too wise to do 18+ for a Pokemon fangame due to all the above reasons. As for swearing, same reasons, kind of goofy in a concept like Pokemon. Sometimes it's a turnoff, sometimes it adds flavour to an already-nightmarish roller coaster ride of a game you just can't seem to get off because you want to see where it goes. But I guess kiddy cartoon universe swears work, like how Transformers has 'scrap' over 'crap', and 'bearings' over... well...

You need to think about what demographic you aim for. If you want your game to be played only by adults you should go for it. Even though I personally think that nudity and Pokemon don't fit together it's still your game. And if you want a more adult game without nudity and that kind of stuff you could deal with other more serious themes.
Crime, dark humor or difficult ethical decissions might be interessting to work with, but may be not perfect for kids.