This may not be the best forum for this, but since I think it's related to what can or cannot be distributed, I'm posting it here.


I have an idea for a new game, and with that, an idea for the games title...

For secrecy reasons until the game is ready for release, I don't want to yet reveal the proposed name of the game (sorry for that, I know it makes answering my question difficult), but my name idea includes using the word - NYMPHO in the title.
The name would be something like "blanknympho" all as one word.  (the actual 'blank' word fits really well with the word nympho)  (For example, pretend 'blank' stands for Train; so it'd be like Trainympho, (but a lot better))

Now, 'blank' is just an ordinary, safe, common word (trust me on this); but I'm concerned about the usage of 'nympho'.
When I thought up the idea for the title, my primary thought when using the word nympho was that it suggested 'an obsession', an obsession of the previous word 'blank (like in my previous example, Train, an obsession with trains)'.  And I think that THAT definition of the word would make it perfectly fine to use in the title and be a great description of the game.  By the way, the game would have NOTHING to do with actual nymphos, nymphomania, etc.

However, I'm worried that most people wouldn't think of the word nympho in that sense (as an obsession) and they might consider its usage misleading.  Or perhaps the powers that be just wouldn't allow the word to be used because they might feel it's not an appropriate word.  (a common dictionary definition for nympho is: Noun 1. nympho - a woman with abnormal sexual desires )

So, I thought I'd like to get some opinions.  There's no point in me investing time creating a Titlescreen and other media that uses the word if it's just going to get failed, so I thought I'd ask in advance.
Do you guys think that the general public would be accepting of a title like that?  I'd like to think so because the title would work really well with my game idea.

My advise would be to steer clear of using it.  I think that I can see where you are coming from with it, but also think it would have a negative effect.

Hope this helps.

Mark

Hi,

in English "nympho" is the informal expression for "nymphomaniac", so is the very wrong one to be used as suffix to imply an obsession. there are already English suffixes for that. If your game is not about nympho and its title suggests so it will be failed because "grossly misrepresents the game content": any expression suffixed by "nympho" suggests a definite kind of nymphomaniac.

Cheers,
Pino

nympho
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
English
Noun

Singular
nympho

Plural
nymphos

nympho (plural nymphos)

   1. (informal) A nymphomaniac.


Wiktionary only mentions nymphomaniac, nothing about a general obsession. Wiktionary is probably the most widely used online dictionary, so I would guess that word won't be acceptable.

WolRon:

The name would be something like "blanknympho" all as one word.  (the actual 'blank' word fits really well with the word nympho)  (For example, pretend 'blank' stands for Train; so it'd be like Trainympho, (but a lot better))

Then why not just do something like "Trainiacs". I'd stay away from "nympho".

As the other replies have stated I think you're a little confused about what the term Nympho means. It refers only to those obsessed with sex. The 'Maniac' suffix is what denotes extreme obsession with a subject. For example Pyromaniac, Technomaniac, Nymphomaniac. The word Mania would better indicate an obsession.

I don't think there is any way Nympho will make it past peer-review, let alone retail.  It's pretty clear what is being referenced, no matter what the context.

Noogy:

I don't think there is any way Nympho will make it past peer-review, let alone retail.  It's pretty clear what is being referenced, no matter what the context.

Well, IMO that's not quite right. The term itself is not banned and if the content of such a game contains no explicit material but only sexual overtones, then if properly classified it coud get a pass in review.
The issue here (IMO) is that the meaning of the term is quite specific so if the content is different it will misrepresent the game, thus will be failed for that reason (because there are no nimpho contents but the title says so).

Cheers,
Pino

PinoEire:

The issue here (IMO) is that the meaning of the term is quite specific so if the content is different it will misrepresent the game, thus will be failed for that reason (because there are no nimpho contents but the title says so).

Exactly. A game called "Trainympho" brings disturbing images to mind! :D

There is no part of the word "nympho" that means just "an obsession."  The word Nympho is slang for nymphomaniac, in which case the "nympho" part means sex while the "maniac" suffix is where the obsession part of the definition comes in.  If you include the word "nympho" there is no way that the title could be implying anything other than sex, so it is completely reasonable that people would interpret it that way, and no reason why they would interpret it the way you intend it. 

Unless your game is about sex, or about forest nymphs, then I don't see any way that using "nympho" in your title would work really well with your game idea.  In the mean time, here's a thesaurus entry for "obsession" to give you some other ideas of words that might be more appropriate.

Its not a banned word, nor is it enough to get the game failed IMO.

However its likely that some folk are going to see the word as sexual so they may increase ratings on your game which could fail it if you don't rate it high enough yourself.

So if you must use it, then make sure you rate it appropriately.

Otherwise, listen to the advice here - in general if you have to ask its because you know its going to bother someone. If if bothers a few reviewers then it can jsut slow down your process or even get you into trouble later in the game even if the game doesn't fail and Microsoft decide they don't like it. Don't rock the boat.

I think everyone here tends to steer towards the prudish side.  If your title is rated appropriately for the mature suggestion then I see no issue with the term Nympho

Now excuse me whilst I go out and buy "The Ballard of Gay Tony" and continue playing "Dragon Age: Origins" where I was recently called a s*ut by a fellow NPC.

Well, that's just it.  The game itself wouldn't require a mature rating.  Only the title is in question.
Pretty sad to mark up the maturity rating for just the title, but I DO agree with your post.

And about not Rocking the Boat:  I completely understand AND agree with you ZMan, however, sometimes rocking the boat (just look at Rockstar games) is exactly what makes money :)

Michael Dobele:

I think everyone here tends to steer towards the prudish side.  If your title is rated appropriately for the mature suggestion then I see no issue with the term Nympho

You're missing the point of this thread. It has nothing to do with being prudish or the actual word. It's about how people that look at the time will view the game. "nympho" == "sex" to the vast majority of the people and if the game isn't about sex, another word should be used to avoid misleading people.

WolRon:

When I thought up the idea for the title, my primary thought when using the word nympho was that it suggested 'an obsession', an obsession of the previous word 'blank (like in my previous example, Train, an obsession with trains)'. 

Nice! I like that, very funny. But like Jim alluded to, it's the exact OTHER HALF of nymphomania that suggests 'obsession'. Nympho comes from a Latin word describing parts of female genitalia, so it makes sense people tend to think of sex when they hear it.

But bravo on the marketing chutzpah, it's definitely entertaining, and good luck figuring out the name!

Jim Perry:

You're missing the point of this thread. It has nothing to do with being prudish or the actual word. It's about how people that look at the time will view the game. "nympho" == "sex" to the vast majority of the people and if the game isn't about sex, another word should be used to avoid misleading people.

I agree with this 100%, and don't even think it's worth further discussion.  Personally I get tired of games trying to stand up on the merits of their title, as opposed to the actual contents within.

WolRon said: " (For example, pretend 'blank' stands for Train; so it'd be like Trainympho, (but a lot better))"

The definitions have been cleared up already, but when I read this I was thinking, "Trainysexual would probably be the more witty title".  But as I read through your post it looks like that wasn't the meaning you were going after. 

A "fanatic" does denote someone who is obsessive about something, whether it's about a sport or videogames (fan-boys).  Though "train-atic" may not convey the sort of meaning you are going for maybe the word you were planning on using would fit better?

Train-aholic

Train-boy

from fanboy ;)

As usual: If you need to ask, you probably shouldn't.

Work on making the best game you can, and then work out the title afterwards. The specifics of the title can't possibly be even one-tenth as important as making a really good game!

Well, from what I know of Xbox-Live, everything viewable to the general public must be rated "G".  You would not be able to get away with a title such as "F### All Humans".  So, why would you get away with having NYMPHO in the title?  Seems like a pretty open/shut case to me.  What are you trying to pull here?  Sure, sex sells, but comon.  Make your title something that 5-year olds won't google to accidentally find out about the (freaky) birds and the bees and you should be fine.

Squimball:

What are you trying to pull here?  Sure, sex sells, but comon.

I'm not trying to pull anything other than creative titleing.  This title idea has NOTHING to do with "sex sells".  The choice of the word was considered based only on it's SPELLING (how it fits with the 'blank' word (for example: InfoNympho)) and the possibility that it might mean to some/many people something similar to an obsession (which most posters here have shown/proven that that is an incorrect/poor assumption). 

I was never trying to use sex as a selling gimmick.  I just liked the word because of how it 'fit', hence my reason for creating this thread.

P.S. InfoNympho wasn't my title idea.

jwatte:

As usual: If you need to ask, you probably shouldn't.

Work on making the best game you can, and then work out the title afterwards. The specifics of the title can't possibly be even one-tenth as important as making a really good game!

Really?  Have you seen the game "The Answer to Life" ?  :)