Nutaku
{{Short description|Adult video game distribution platform}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{infobox company
| name = Nutaku
| logo = File:Nutaku logo.svg
| founded = {{start date and age|January 2015}}
| location = Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| industry = Adult, Video games
| products = {{hlist|PC Games|Online games|Free-to-play games|Downloadable games|Mobile games}}
| website = {{ubl|{{url|nutaku.com}} (SFW)|{{url|nutaku.net}} (NSFW)}}
| owner = Aylo
}}
Nutaku is an adult gaming platform owned by Aylo with primarily hentai games. Located in Canada, Nutaku offers games with mature content. The platform focuses on browser, downloadable and mobile games,{{Cite web|url = http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm?loadNews=36994/Nutaku-Portal-EN-Versions-of-Great-Online-Games-Incoming|title = Nutaku Portal - EN Versions of Great Online Games Incoming|date = November 5, 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = |access-date = November 27, 2015|archive-date = December 8, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208080351/http://www.mmorpg.com/newsroom.cfm?loadNews=36994%2FNutaku-Portal-EN-Versions-of-Great-Online-Games-Incoming|url-status = live}} offering microtransactions and purchasable options. As of early 2020, Nutaku had 50 million registered users.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-20|title=Prolific Hentai Publisher Nutaku Hits Over 50 Million Users|url=https://www.thegamer.com/nutaku-50-million-users/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=TheGamer|language=en-US|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012184611/https://www.thegamer.com/nutaku-50-million-users/|url-status=live}} Nutaku offers a large pool of 500+ free-to-play and paid titles of various genres, including action-adventure, massively multiplayer online game, real-time strategy, tower defense, dating sim, clicker, collectible card game, puzzle, turn-based strategy, strategy, visual novels, kinetic novels, and virtual reality.{{Cite news|last=Orsini|first=Lauren|title=Hentai Game Portal Nutaku Expands Into Virtual Reality|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenorsini/2018/05/15/hentai-game-portal-nutaku-expands-into-virtual-reality/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=September 2, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240902035644/https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenorsini/2018/05/15/hentai-game-portal-nutaku-expands-into-virtual-reality/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=AVN |first=John Roland |title=Nutaku.net Redesign Enters Open Beta Worldwide AVN |url=https://avn.com/business/articles/technology/nutakunet-redesign-enters-open-beta-887911.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920060949/https://avn.com/business/articles/technology/nutakunet-redesign-enters-open-beta-887911.html |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |access-date=2021-02-04 |website=AVN}}
History
In December 2014, DMM partnered with Nutaku with the objective of marketing and publishing games to the western market.{{Cite web|title=オンラインゲーム - FANZA GAMES|url=https://www.dmm.co.jp/age_check/=/?rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dmm.co.jp%2Fnetgame%2Fforeign%2F|access-date=2022-11-13|website=www.dmm.co.jp}} Nutaku is currently the sole distributor of DMM games outside Japan.
In January 2015, the platform was launched with four Japanese games that were translated for an English-speaking audience. Although they began with the release of card battle RPG “Lord of Valkyrie,” Nutaku has rapidly expanded its selection to include online games of the card-battle, adventure,{{Cite web|url = http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/08/turn-based-jrpg-kanpani-girls-now-available-in-english/|title = Turn-Based JRPG Kanpani Girls Now Available In English|date = November 9, 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = |access-date = November 25, 2015|archive-date = November 25, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151125111120/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/08/turn-based-jrpg-kanpani-girls-now-available-in-english/|url-status = live}} city building,{{Cite web |title=Clash of Clans Meets Hentai RPG in Nutaku's 'Girls Kingdom' |url=http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/clash-of-clans-meets-hentai-rpg-in-nutaku-rsquo-s-lsquo-girls-kingdom-rsquo/0212428/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126102111/http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/clash-of-clans-meets-hentai-rpg-in-nutaku-rsquo-s-lsquo-girls-kingdom-rsquo/0212428/ |archive-date=November 26, 2015|website=develop-online.com |publisher=Games Press}} and sim genres.{{Cite web|url = https://www.lewdgamer.com/2015/08/11/everlasting-summer-shows-up-on-nutaku/|title = Adult Version of Everlasting Summer Shows up on Nutaku|date = August 11, 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = |access-date = November 25, 2015|archive-date = August 29, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072309/https://www.lewdgamer.com/2015/08/11/everlasting-summer-shows-up-on-nutaku/|url-status = dead}} It is particularly noted for its broad selection of translated Japanese erotic games.{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Patricia|title=The People Who Translate Japanese Sex Games For Millions of Horny Fans|url=http://kotaku.com/the-people-who-translate-japanese-sex-games-for-million-1794000788|access-date=April 5, 2017|work=Kotaku|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114012902/http://kotaku.com/the-people-who-translate-japanese-sex-games-for-million-1794000788|url-status=live}}
In August 2015 an online version of Everlasting Summer with restored adult content was released on Nutaku.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lewdgamer.com/2015/08/11/everlasting-summer-shows-up-on-nutaku/|title=Adult Version of Everlasting Summer Shows Up on Nutaku|date=August 11, 2015|website=LewdGamer|access-date=November 25, 2015|archive-date=August 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072309/https://www.lewdgamer.com/2015/08/11/everlasting-summer-shows-up-on-nutaku/|url-status=dead}}
In November 2015 Nutaku announced the launch of an all-ages website.{{Cite web|url = http://mmos.com/news/nutaku-launches-new-all-ages-gaming-portal-featuring-kanpani-girls|title = Nutaku Launches New All-Ages Gaming Portal Featuring Kanpani Girls|date = November 5, 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = |access-date = November 27, 2015|archive-date = December 8, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208151828/http://mmos.com/news/nutaku-launches-new-all-ages-gaming-portal-featuring-kanpani-girls|url-status = live}}
In July 2016, Nutaku announced their partnership with Kimochi, a downloadable game client focused on the digital distribution of adult games from around the world.{{Cite web |date=2016-08-01 |title=An adult entertainment website is about to insert $2 million into sex games |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/sex-games-investment |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US |access-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917112403/https://www.pcgamesn.com/sex-games-investment |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |date=2016-08-07 |title=Nutaku Is Building the Steam of Hentai Sex Games |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/jpgbj7/steam-sex-games |website=Vice |language=en |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622060502/https://www.vice.com/en/article/jpgbj7/steam-sex-games |url-status=live }}
In early 2017, Nutaku released Android compatible version of some of their more popular games.
In February 2017, Nutaku announced the launch of Kimochi Red Light, a new crowdfunding platform that's been set up exclusively to crowdfund adult games.{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Julia |date=February 9, 2017|title=There's a Crowdfunding Site Exclusively for 18+ Games |url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/09/theres-a-new-crowdfunding-site-exclusively-for-18-games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211152526/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/09/theres-a-new-crowdfunding-site-exclusively-for-18-games |archive-date=February 11, 2017 |website=Kotaku}}
At Anime Expo 2017 in July, Nutaku held a panel in which an employee, expressed the platform as being "the steamy Steam". By this time, the platform had reached 9 million users.
In June 2018, Nutaku held the “Hentai is Art” art exhibit popup event in SoHo, New York.{{Cite web|date=2018-07-10|title=Nutaku Adult Gaming Platform Hosts Hentai Is Art Press Event!|url=https://worleygig.com/2018/07/10/nutaku-adult-gaming-platform-hosts-hentai-is-art-press-event/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=The Worley Gig|language=en-US|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308030847/https://worleygig.com/2018/07/10/nutaku-adult-gaming-platform-hosts-hentai-is-art-press-event/|url-status=live}} According to [https://worleygig.com/2018/07/10/nutaku-adult-gaming-platform-hosts-hentai-is-art-press-event/ The Worley Gig], "At the Hentai is Art pop up event, visitors were able to immerse themselves in the world of Hentai art with a range of styles and mediums to get turned on to. The ways in which Hentai is breaking into the mainstream — and helping to break down barriers — were showcased throughout the exhibit with virtual reality experiences, historically-inspired Hentai works, graffiti art, and a unique “toy” showcase."
In 2019, Nutaku announced a $5 million investment in LGBTQ+ games.{{Cite magazine|last=Macgregor|first=Jody|date=2019-06-30|title=Nutaku announce $5 million investment in LGBTQ+ games|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/nutaku-announces-dollar5-million-investment-in-lgbtq-games/|access-date=2021-02-04|magazine=PC Gamer|language=en-US|archive-date=December 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223200009/https://www.pcgamer.com/nutaku-announces-dollar5-million-investment-in-lgbtq-games/|url-status=live}} Nutaku first launched its LGBTQ+ games section in December of 2018 with the addition of Men Bang and Gay Harem.{{Cite web|title=Gay Harem Review: Play This Gay Porn Game For Free {{!}} Sex Games Report|url=https://sexgamesreport.com/gay-harem/|access-date=2021-03-01|website=sexgamesreport.com|language=en-US|archive-date=September 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924040727/https://sexgamesreport.com/gay-harem/|url-status=live}} They also released a "Boob Console",{{Cite web|date=2019-02-01|title=Nutaku boob-shaped console launches and it's already sold out|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/490737-nutaku-boob-console|access-date=2021-02-04|website=GameRevolution|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724184501/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/490737-nutaku-boob-console|url-status=live}} a "Hentai Hot Sauce"{{Cite web|last=Kirkl|first=Justin|date=2019-05-09|title=This Hentai Hot Sauce Was Invented as an Aphrodisiac|url=https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/sex/a27408968/aphrodisiac-hentia-hot-sauce/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=Esquire|language=en-US|archive-date=February 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207201548/https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/sex/a27408968/aphrodisiac-hentia-hot-sauce/|url-status=live}} and a gaming chair.{{Cite web|title=Nutaku confirms gaming chairs are for wankers|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/nutaku-confirms-gaming-chairs-are-for-wankers|access-date=2021-02-04|website=PCGamesN|date=November 12, 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124031741/https://www.pcgamesn.com/nutaku-confirms-gaming-chairs-are-for-wankers|url-status=live}}
in 2020, Nutaku launched the website [https://www.celebratehentai.com/ celebratehentai.com],{{Cite web|last=XBIZ|title=Nutaku Announces 'Celebrate Hentai' Promo Event|url=https://www.xbiz.com/news/254620/nutaku-announces-celebrate-hentai-promo-event|access-date=2021-02-04|website=XBIZ|date=September 24, 2020|language=en|archive-date=April 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409020557/https://www.xbiz.com/news/254620/nutaku-announces-celebrate-hentai-promo-event|url-status=live}} an initiative to "put together a platform to showcase hentai, the many shapes and forms it comes in, and shed light on the wonders it has to offer".{{Cite web|title=Welcome to the club!|url=https://www.celebratehentai.com/blog/welcome-to-the-club/|access-date=2021-02-04|website=Hentai Celebration|language=en}}
In early 2021, Nutaku launched the #nowinutaku campaign {{Cite web|date=2021-02-10|title=Nutaku Launches 'NOW I NUTAKU' Campaign|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2021/02/09/now-i-nutaku-promotional/|access-date=2021-02-10|website=oprainfall|language=en-US|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210010945/http://operationrainfall.com/2021/02/09/now-i-nutaku-promotional/|url-status=live}} a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlVpwZG1mno&list=PL6LJ3ydFOKakW9_9echvyu1iS1YAwl5fg&index=1 "series of safe-for-work advertisements that will reinforce the website’s position as a inclusive adult entertainment brand"].