Eroge

[DragonmasterX]

I'm not too fond of the term eroge for visual novels. Why do people use these terms? I've even seen 2ch posters use the term! Not all visual novels have that eros element!
Action: Suikogaidens
Mystery: Konohana 1-4 , Akaito
Horror/Mystery: Hayagami, Hayarigami Revenge
Anime based: School Rumble, Evangelion, Chobits, Juuni Kokki, Love Hina, D->A Black
For Women: Neo Angelique, Prince of Tennis

Besides, ports to console have all the hentai removed!Not so much eroge after that, is there?!

There's also the visual novel/SRPG hybrid which is becoming more commom nowadays.

[GreatSaintLouis]

I've actually never seen the term used for any visual novels that don't have adult elements in them. 'Eroge' comes from 'ero(tic) geemu (game)' and therefore doesn't specifically mean visual novels, but rather ANY game with adult content in it.

[omgwtflolz]

Not really. It's a slang term, which means that there will be people who don't agree with how it's used. Some say that Muv-Luv Alternative is an 18-kin game, but not an erogee, for example.

Anyway,

I'm not too fond of the term eroge for visual novels.

It isn't. It's a term for adult (18-kin) games.

[Shii]

kj1980 on AnimeSuki prefers the use of "ero-game" for all games called "visual novels" here, because to him, the genre includes moé RPGs such as Castle Fantasia. The ero part is not a big deal to him and a lot of people have adopted his terminology.

It's a political issue really. If you want the otaku fandom to turn out less rowdy than the furry fandom, it'd be best to avoid announcing the deprecation of terms you don't like. Actually, now that I think about it, my definition of "hentai game" on my site is unhelpful and I'll go remove it.

[roxfan]

I agree that "eroge" or "hentai games" shouldn't be used for non-adult visual novels.
That said, I don't really see the need for "eroge" when "hentai game" is already a pretty well-established term which means the same in English. You shouldn't take kj1980 and all his crusader followers too seriously. Japanese is Japanese, English is English. Who cares if English "hentai" is not equal to Japanese 変態? Japanese also change meaning of some imported words to mean some pretty different from original (like フォロー or サボる), that's just the way languages work.

[Misu]

I've generally avoided trying to use the term "eroge", "erogame". and "hentai game", just becuase of the possibly confusing and demeaning it may bring. Even though, its a common term, to those outside of the fansub, especially speakers of English who know nothing about the fandom, anything with the prefox "ero" is generally considered 18+, and frankly, thats not what most of us are trying to push here.

Though, the term may be inaccurate, I generally clump everything into the category of "visual novel", and if it contains other elements within it, I may add an additional word to help describe it, like "strategic visual novel". In generally, that terminology has worked really well for me, especially when introducing the medium to people who have never heard of visual novels before, or even anime.

[DragonmasterX]

Though, the term may be inaccurate, I generally clump everything into the category of "visual novel", and if it contains other elements within it, I may add an additional word to help describe it, like "strategic visual novel". In generally, that terminology has worked really well for me, especially when introducing the medium to people who have never heard of visual novels before, or even anime.

Speaking of strategic visual novels, I saw someone calling the Sakura Taisen games visual novels. But from my experience with that series, there is no prose in them. Lots of static images with accompanying dialogue, but no prose. Without prose, I cannot consider it to be a visual novel. But then again, what term can be used to describe the static pretty backgrounds with accompanying text+voice acting+no prose?

[omgwtflolz]

Adventure game. :P

[Nanatuha]

ギャルゲー :P

However, I've wondered for years why games for boys are called Bishoujo(cute girls)-game or Girl-game, on the other hand for girls are called Otome(maiden)-game.
I think that everyone can call them in way who likes, after all.

[omgwtflolz]

ギャルゲー covers more than just adventure games, though, doesn't it?

But yeah, it's pretty much subjective.

And game makers making up genre names (あいとゆうきのおとぎばなし indeed) doesn't help, of course.

[F.I.A]

While many might disagree on the fact that games such as those from Key are labeled "eroge" even when ported to console, they, ultimately, still have those h-scenes(Even at a small ammount) in their earliest edition. Even in ONE for example, to get Rumi's good ending, you need to accept her "offer".

Tsukihime or Fate/stay fans defend for each titles from being branded as "eroge" as well, but how true it is to say that those hscenes are there not as a purpose to attract more audiences?

Side note: As for evangelion, Gainax has pretty much creamed out fanservices for the rabid ones with stripping games and such. And from what I read, in Maiden of Steel II, it is said that Rei and Shinji were involved in a intercourse.

My opinion on this matter? Take it with a grain of salt.

[gp32]

Originally Posted by Nanatuha

... on the other hand for girls are called Otome(maiden)-game ...

This reminds me: on the road to the place where I work, there's this large billboard for Bud Light -- one of the many American beers that taste like slightly stale water. It depicts a bunch of guys (and girls, too, but mainly guys) at a party, holding up their glasses of beer (and looking like they're having a good ... err ... time).

But then, in huge letters: "B.L. -- always worth it!"

I'll have to remember to take a picture of it the next time I walk by ...

[DragonmasterX]

When I saw your abbreviation - BL - first thing I thought of was "Boy's Love", not Budweiser Light.

[Misu]

I think that was half the point XD.

[GreatSaintLouis]

Originally Posted by gp32

Bud Light -- one of the many American beers that taste like slightly stale water.

You're too kind. Stale water is a huge compliment.

Originally Posted by gp32

It depicts a bunch of guys (and girls, too, but mainly guys) at a party, holding up their glasses of beer (and looking like they're having a good ecchi).