Terms of Service. At some point, we come across terms or guidelines created and enforced by some form of service provider we intend to use. In this case, the enforcer is the Otome Developer and the services are the Otome Games.
If you’re anything like I used to be, you may quickly glance through these terms, not really pay attention or decide to skip reading them all together. The downfall? The possibility of missing key information and accidentally abusing your rights to use the service is at greater risk. And, let’s be honest, some developers are fantastic when it comes to letting you know what content of theirs they permit users to post.Obviously, here were are talking about terms of service set up by [Otome] game developers and what you may or may not have overlooked by skipping the detailed read. After hours of reading developer terms, intense researching and, in some cases, speaking directly with the developer’s, we collected a list detailing what specific [Otome] developer’s prohibit when it comes to sharing their [game] content on social media (Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Youtube, etc).
* Most are familiar with the term, but “CGs” are referring to the special illustrations you may receive while playing Otome game route(s).
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Abracadabra
Games: Blood Domination, Nexus Code, Lotte's Forest, & more!
Only [specifically states they] prohibit redistribution of content, if for profit.
At this point in time, we could not find clear guidelines prohibiting users from posting screenshots, stories, CGs, etc.
Accela Inc
Games: PsychiXx, Burning Heart, Virtues of Devotions, & more!
Strictly prohibits [social] media posts which include game or route CGs.
Strictly prohibits all walkthrough-type posts (including videos) which reveal the highest love point options.
They do allow recordings of game play, so long as you only record the normal end.
They do not allow recordings to include secret stories, after stories, event stories, or the other endings (aside from the normal end).
* If you upload a Let’s Play, you must include links to all of Accela’s social media, download links for the game (iOS & Google Play), and their name.
Arithmetic
Games: Several Shades of Sadism, Cinderella TV, & more!
Rather than paraphrasing, we will post the exact response we received from Arithmetic:
"We do not have a problem with our users posting screenshots of our games (whether it be during chapters, UI, etc) of their play on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and we actively encourage users to have fun and show off their characters to their followers and friends. We do ask to try to avoid posting spoilers of stories as it may ruin it for other fans who haven't read that far yet, although we are not going to take action against anyone who does.
Reposting of posters and images promoting our new routes and events are also okay!
However, we did not wish our users to post CG Stills publicly as these are essentially prizes for users who achieved them (you could consider them as paid content). Also, entire playthrough videos on YouTube of routes go against Japanese copyright law and we do take action to remove them as these actively negatively affect our sales. Other Otome games companies also adhere to this as well."
Ciagram CO., LTD
Games: Nightmare Harem, Princess Closet, Double Proposal, etc.
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Strictly prohibits users from uploading videos of ANY of their content (main stories, events, etc).
Strictly prohibits users from posting walkthroughs.
CYBIRD Ikémen Series
Games: Midnight Cinderella, Ikémen Sengoku, Destined to Love, & more!
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Strictly prohibits users from uploading videos of ANY of their content (main stories, events, etc).
Does not allow users to post more than 10 consecutive screenshots from the same scene nor screenshots which may reveal story plots (main, event, and side stories are under the same guidelines).
favary, Inc.
Games: Dead or Love, First Love Story, etc.
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Strictly prohibits users from uploading videos of ANY of their content (main stories, events, etc).
Does not allow walkthroughs for newly released games.
Idea Factory / Otomate
Games: Amnesia: Memories, Hakuouki, Brothers Conflict, Diabolik Lovers, Norn9, & more!
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Mildly allows users to publish "Let's Play" videos of their games.
NTT Solmare
Shall We Date? Games
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Strictly prohibits users from uploading videos of ANY of their content (main stories, events, etc).
OKKO Sweet Romance
Games: Office Lover 2, Rental Boyfriends, Honey Magazine, & more!
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Strictly prohibits users from uploading videos of ANY of their content (main stories, events, etc).
Voltage Inc
Games: My Forged Wedding, Love 365, Samuari Love Ballad PARTY, & more!
Strictly prohibits users from publishing any/all media posts of game CGs.
Strictly prohibits users from uploading videos of ANY of their content (main stories, events, etc).
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Like we mentioned earlier in the post, we spent hours and hours researching different developers in hope to find their terms of service and whether they not they specify what users are allowed to post on social media. However, even after checking their website and all their apps, there are times when we simply cannot find what we're looking for. Yes, we are making the effort to reach out to these developers in hope to gain some insight, so until then, know the ones listed below were checked.
Developers With Unspecified Terms: DeareaD Inc
Currently Researching: Idea Factory / Otomate
While we understand you may not necessarily agree with developers on what’s permitted or prohibited, we also need to understand ignoring their terms can result in copyright infringement and the developer retains all rights to take further action, should you choose to ignore and continue posting their content.
If you find we are missing a developer with terms similar to these, feel free to leave a comment, message us on Facebook/Twitter, or emailing us. We recommend contacting Myxprint, if you use the Twitter or email option.
Game developers!
Should you find yourself reading our blog post here, understand this was not written to ridicule any of you. Our goal is to educate and remind the community on not-so-hidden terms which you, as developers, put into place in order to protect your company’s intellectual property.
If you believe we need to edit, add, or remove any information regarding your terms, please let us know.
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