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 a Canadian adult gaming platform owned by Aylo with primarily hentai games. Located in Montreal, Quebec, 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/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}}
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 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."{{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=2025-06-12 |website=The Worley Gig |language=en-US}}
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 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 a "series of safe-for-work advertisements that will reinforce the website’s position as a inclusive adult entertainment brand".{{Cite web |date=2021-02-10 |title=Nutaku Launches 'NOW I NUTAKU' Campaign |url=http://operationrainfall.com/2021/02/09/now-i-nutaku-promotional/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210010945/http://operationrainfall.com/2021/02/09/now-i-nutaku-promotional/ |archive-date=February 10, 2021 |access-date=2021-02-10 |website=oprainfall |language=en-US}}