Nintendo has said that it will not introduce gay characters to its Tomodachi Life game despite a social media campaign by fans.

The game, which has seen success in Japan, is due to launch in the US and Europe next month. It features the Nintendo Mii avatars which players create based on their family and friends.

In a statement Nintendo of America Inc said: "We hope that all of our fans will see that Tomodachi Life was intended to be a whimsical and quirky game, and that we were absolutely not trying to provide social commentary."