Here's why Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 won't ship worldwide

Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, the voyeuristic beach volleyball game, will not be released in the US or Europe because of its publisher's apparent concerns over how Western audiences will react to its portrayal of women.

The game, which features a sun-tanning system and options to customize its full-figured characters in various costumes, is currently set for launch in Japan on PS Vita and PlayStation 4 in February 2016.

Responding to questions from fans on Facebook, a representative for publisher Koei Tecmo wrote: “We do not bring DOAX3 to the west and won't have any plan change in the future.”

Following more questions from fans regarding its decision, the company went on to explain: “Do you know many issues happening in video game industry with regard to how to treat female in video game industry? We do not want to talk those things here. But certainly we have gone through in last year or two to come to our decision."

The publisher’s choice to scrap global launch plans for its game highlights conflicts between the issues of censorship and sexism in games. Changes in attitudes towards the representation of women in games has carved out a public debate between those who want a more noticeable gender equality, and those who feel such changes are detrimental or unnecessary.