Check and support your local libraries!!
This is your daily reminder to check in with your local libraries - they might surprise you!
As an avid otome gamer who's also frequently broke, I usually feel left out when everyone's discussing the latest game while I'm still saving up to buy Olympia Soiree or something (cries in Canadian pricing). However, I discovered that my city's public library carries video games, and better yet, otome games! They're literally the only reason I've been able to stay up to date with all the new releases.
If your libraries carry video games but not otome, remember that you can suggest titles! There's no guarantee they'll buy all your suggestions, but if enough people suggest something, that shows that there's demand. I've requested almost 5 otome, and my library has bought almost all of them. The more otome there are in the system, the more people will borrow them, and the more they'll add in the future! It's the perfect cycle since it makes otome available to those who can't afford it, still supports localization companies by buying from them, and best of all, supports your local library!
I'm not aware of American public libraries, but I live in Ontario so I'll link some libraries below for my GTA girlies who are interested :)
- Markham Public Library: link to an Otome collection with 31 games
- Mississauga Public Library: another collection of 25 games
- Vaughan Public Library: they have the Virche FD and the PS4 edition of Code Realize
- Aurora Public Library: Radiant Tale
- Barrie Public Library: Norn9
- Burlington Public Library: Mistonia
- Vancouver Public Library: Radiant Tale, Tengoku Struggle, Norn9, Norn9FD, DesperaDrops, Variable Barricade
I found all these within half an hour, so I'm sure there's SO much I'm missing. If anyone knows another library with otome games, feel free to add it in a comment.
I just wanted to show love and appreciation for public libraries who are constantly underfunded and undervalued, especially in recent times. If an otome game is what convinces people to get a library card or borrow something, then that's a win!
(I worry that this sounds sponsored or something lol. It's obviously not, I just love libraries)