Nintendo apologise over lack of equality in flagship game

Nintendo has apologised after the game designer came under fire from fans and gay rights organisations this past week, after refusing to add same-sex relationship options to the game Tomodachi Life.

Nintendo has pledged to be more inclusive after being criticised for not recognising same-sex relationships in English editions of a life-simulator video game.

The publisher said that while it was too late to change the current game, it was committed to building virtual equality into future versions if they are produced.

The Japan-based Nintendo Co and its subsidiary Nintendo of America now pledge to create a more inclusive Tomodachi instalment in the future.

The game was originally released in Japan last year and features a cast of Mii characters - Nintendo's personalized avatars of real players - living on a virtual island.

The trailer for the game Tomodachi Life:

Gay advocacy group GLAAD commented on Nintendo's apology: