I've suspected this for years, but it is not the sexuality in itself why people don't play DOA, it's the fact that most people have no idea how the fuck to play and it isn't easy to figure out how. However, the fetish DLC practices do deter people the fuck off.
Free Step Dodge
Force_of_Nature
zoo
Honestly sums up what a lot of ppl think of DOA. Tried explaining this once but picking up a 3D fighter can be intimidating and not growing up with DOA can make it hard sell at this point. Most play Tekken so why stop playing arguably its best installment to seriously learn DOA6? Combine that with the history of the series and how the devs aren't even trying to make 6 appealing and you get a game no one needs to play
zoo
I remember watching Max trying to learn the game on stream when it came out and even after all the tutorials and command training he had no idea what to do when it came to matches. Coming from Tekken I'd imagine DOA is just.. weird? plays like nothing else, isn't as flashy as bamco's games, is tied to an ecchi beach game, not many well known characters.. just doesn't keep ppl's attention like other fighters