Game localisation is a tricky business, and in some cases game publishers can't win. Leave content untouched and cultures can collide and some gamers get confused or, worst case scenario, are offended. Make changes and some fans bemoan the fact. It's a tightrope.
Of course, often localisation happens and we don't notice or care. Practically every game has differences in subtitles, names and language, of course they do - Europe, North America and Japan are distinct markets that result in tweaks both large and small. Sometimes it can be something mild like a track's name in a Mario Kart title, for example, and the reaction is typically a shrug of the shoulder; that's assuming you're even aware of the discrepancy. It's rather like reading a book translated from another language - you don't definitively know, 99% of the time, whether the words you're reading are an exact translation or have some artistic license applied. It's a matter of acceptance, ultimately; I can't read Japanese, so when I read Haruki Murakami's books I simply accept that my copy and the related experience may not align perfectly with the original text.
Yet sometimes game localisation slides from being an innocuous, invisible part of life to a hot topic, and it's happened to Nintendo a few times in recent years. Most recently the debate has been related to Fire Emblem Fates and the commonly referenced 'petting' minigame, which Nintendo of America originally said had been taken out as part of the localisation process, yet without the loss of the actual character bonding; in other words, players in the West can still develop relationships as effectively, but without that particular interactive feature. Now we know from our own in-progress review that these interactions are possible between characters with an 'S' relationship (married, in other words). Below is a summary from our own Jon Wahlgren that we published just recently.
Typically, you can select Invite Ally into your Private Quarters with the hopes of boosting your relationship. What then happens is you get a POV (point of view) close-up of the invitee and they say some canned line about friendship. There is no 'petting' involved in non-S relationships.
When you S-ship, there's a new Private Quarters option called "Bond," which is basically the same as Invite Ally but with a heart meter that tracks how often you've bonded with them. Every so often on this meter some kind of event triggers. The first (and only) event I've seen so far was my S-ship fell asleep so I poked them awake on the touchscreen.
...My understanding is that in the Japanese version anyone you invite to your quarters would get the same hands-on treatment. That isn't the case for the Western version since touch is limited to your spouse unit. There are remnants of the free-for-all since you can still get the same POV close-up of any ally you invite to your quarters, but that's it.
The aim of this particular article isn't necessarily to argue about the rights and wrongs of changes such as this, as that's a potentially never-ending debate. What I do want to do is make a clear distinction that often gets lost in the debate - the fact that localisation and 'censorship' are not the same thing.
For starters, it's important to reiterate the point that localisation is a tough but important process. I once had the fortune of chatting to the co-owner of a localisation company based in Germany which had worked with publishers as sizeable as Ubisoft. It was enlightening in terms of learning how structured and challenging the process is. Working with languages is a balancing act in terms of making the right translations, while there's also the issue of content that varies in suitability between countries. In the least pressurised cases it may relate to how a joke or comedic reference is phrased, while at the other end of the scale it can involve decisions on whether a particular country's audience will understand and be accepting of certain content.
It's doubly difficult for publishers such as Nintendo and others based in Japan, perhaps, due to the cultural differences between territories. From popular culture, to societal norms and laws, different territories each have to follow their own path. In some cases - such as the issues that can arise in titles like Fire Emblem: Awakening and Fates - outfits, suggestive lines or touching between characters that are suitable for the target audience in Japan may not fit with equivalent requirements in the West.
This is where 'censorship' is cited, but that's a term that is often ill-fitting for what's actually happening. For example we have ratings to consider - what's a '15' or equivalent in Japan may not fit the equivalent PEGI or ESRB rating, so that's a consideration. To take film, as an example, a film that's rated '15' or its equivalent in a number of countries may be given a higher rating when release in theatres elsewhere. Localisation, ultimately, is part business and part cultural consideration - if a particular line of dialogue, scene, outfit or feature doesn't fit with a particular market they may be altered.
Examples are varied and skirt the line in the debate of what's localisation and what's 'censorship'. The original No More Heroes on Wii replaced red blood with a peculiar black liquid in PAL regions, as the red was deemed too violent at the time. The game wasn't explicitly censored in my opinion - I could still run around hacking off limbs and it was still a mature game. That one is debatable, though, which I accept; removing blood has been a political argument in the past (Mortal Kombat on SNES, for example) and so can be argued as going beyond mere localisation.
There are plentiful examples of localisation that steer further away from being censorship, though. Some outfits are made less revealing or replaced with alternatives in games - including titles like Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water and Xenoblade Chronicles X - but the characters and the core content is still there (with a different look) when I play it. In The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes one line in the North American version was an awful riff on memes; as a European gamer that was a localised difference I was happy with.
The problem is that people call outfit changes, adjusted dialogue and design tweaks 'censorship'. The touching / petting social aspect of Fire Emblem Fates (as an example) has not been entirely removed - the mechanic has simply been adjusted for different territories. You can still invite characters into your quarters to socialise and benefit from improved relationships as required, you're just limited to semi-flirty touching with your in-game hubby. That's localisation, not censorship.
I appreciate that some will dismiss and disagree with these distinctions and perspectives, declaring that games should arrive untouched and identical to the source material. What I would say is that the desire for a 'pure' version of any product that's been localised is largely unrealistic. The degree of localised changes are relatively fair game for debate, of course, but references to 'censorship' should stay realistic and sensible. Taking a game and preparing it for a specific region necessitates catering to the relevant target demographic, adhering to ratings requirements and aiming to adjust - where required - content that may not be understandable or acceptable to a broad audience in a particular country or region. It's not always 'censorship' in the most negative sense of the word.
Some will argue it's wrong to accommodate the views, lifestyles and beliefs of consumers different countries - in these ways - by making changes to games, and I personally disagree with them. I think it's right to consider local societal norms, attitudes and laws, allowing ratings and localisation processes to play their parts. Beyond that and regardless of my opinion, though, desiring completely unchanged localised releases is an impractical viewpoint.
When content is adjusted for an audience it is, most of the time, localisation rather than outright censorship. The key features and content are still in place, and they fit with a regional ratings system - no-one's stopping anyone from importing a Japanese 3DS system and version of Fire Emblem Fates if they want to; yet Nintendo of America is perfectly entitled to adjust features for its market. I also accept that this is a minefield of opinion, and some - not all - of what I've said above drifts away from objectivity and towards subjectivity.
It's all relative, ultimately, but I do feel the case of the 'skinship' relationship mechanic does comfortably fall under localisation. While examples like my remarks on the blood in No More Heroes are on the line and can be debated as such, matters around outfits, dialogue and the relationship-building mechanic in Fates seem a lot clearer.
I would like to conclude with an observation that, ultimately, outrage over localisation decisions typically focuses on elements of sexual and/or explicit content. Yes, some bemoaned and mocked the meme joke in Tri Force Heroes, but that was correctly branded as iffy localisation rather than censorship. The breakdown in distinguishing localisation and censorship often seems to come when there's skin or sex involved; it's an area where some become blind to the logic of a localisation choice, and that leads to heated debates.
As a final example, I don't remember North American gamers kicking the metaphorical door down when Dr Kawashima's Devilish Brain Training: Can You Stay Focused? was renamed as Brain Age: Concentration Training - rather than, say, Brain Age: Devilish Concentration Training. It seems the European market is fine with a reference to devilish challenge in the title - albeit the region is yet to actually get the game.
A game included on upcoming release lists for multiple years with no actual date for a large region? Now that's something to complain about.
Comments (107)
Good article Tom.
Personally, I wonder why a game like Fire Emblem needed the anime tropes and sexual cliches to begin with. The game already stands alone as one of the best incarnations of strategy rpg's today. I feel debating tired choices is a better place to put forth one's energy, as opposed to debating the philosophical purity of stylus petting.
@Pandaman Seems people mainly play Fire Emblem nowadays for the waifu sim aspect. Its kinda sad really....
The problem lies in context, normalizing a very japanese joke or reference in mario or zelda might make sense, however Fatal Frame was a mature niche title, so it was foolish to anger the handful of people that would buy the game. Its saying we're not mature enough to understand cultural difference.
It would be like localizing Huckleberry Finn and removing all references that Jim was a slave.
Fire Emblem is a tactical RPG, almost everyone buying it understands its a game from a different culture. Removing it insults our intelligence.
When you remove/water-down sexual themes in a game for the American Market it reduces any likelihood we'll get decent mature sexual games like Catherine ever again.
I almost think Nintendo would be better suited to having a mature titles label like Disney has with Touchstone. Then they don't have to worry so much if a mature japanese game released under this imprint has a bit of ecchi.
@Pandaman, it needs that stuff because thats the only way you sell things in Japan, you need to pander to the otaku crowd.
People have no idea the difficulty that localizing a Japanese game is. Not specifically Fire Emblem mind you, but just Japanese games in general.
Ultimately, it's much easier to whine and complain over the alteration of a line. It's human nature after all.
Have you ever thought that it is the media that highlight these issues. If I had not read about FEmblem on NL I would never have known about it.
So by drawing it to our attention, you actually make mountains out of mole hills.
Nintendo's President made a comment about women, making more games for them.
Why have you not picked up on this?
And what is it with the Japenese that this so called 'petting' stuff is even included in an RPG. And why should you need to pair up characters, who are cartoons and are designed to look like half dresses teenagers or even children?
Nintendo is loosing the plot.
There is a line between what is good localization and what is bad localization, and that line is crossed when people take notice of how much a product differs between regions and voice their concern. Localization is a way of tailoring a product for a new audience, and if the audience isn't happy, then the localization is bad. As far as I'm concerned, that's the end of it.
I'm not sticking around to argue, but here's your backlash.
I think most of us realize that localization is an incredibly difficult and delicate 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' process, but we should not be defending censorship.
Fire Emblem and Fatal Frame are both very Japanese games aimed at a very specific audience in America, so censoring things in these games and angering fans makes little sense. Also, games get ratings from the ESRB for a reason.
This article definitely puts things into perspective. I hate seeing things taken too far by the Treehouse, but ultimately, what have I really lost? A boob slider and a few moans from characters when I rub the screen with a stylus?
I'll live. But what I could not live with, is not getting sequels to those 2 franchises.
@zool
The same reason you marry in Harvest Moon, or any other number of games which involve relationships. Just because you don't enjoy it doesn't mean others don't. If you see those characters as "children" then by all means follow your conscience. But understand not everyone sees things the way you do. I for one see no "half dressed teens or children" in FE games.
***And you asked why that aspect had to be a part of the game? Allow me to answer that. It was a dying franchise without it. But with it, it's now become a juggernaut. People love it. I love it. It's what elevated Awakening from a great game to one never to be forgotten. Conversation and character building has always been at the heart of RPG's. And the support system in FE has been around for a long time.
I think you could make the argument that importing is an option if the system wasn't region locked.
Basically Nintendo's policy (especially for localizations) is this.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ViewersAreMorons
No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have researched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.
Of course, there is a "moron" demographic out there, and it has its members, but executives seem to believe that every person who watches TV belongs in it. This may be due to something known as the "80-20" rule in business—in this case that market-research shows 80% of money spent on television-advertised products comes from the lowest 20% in terms of education and intelligence, so show-content is naturally geared towards them.
On top of that, not only are viewers stupid, they are also intolerant of people and things unlike themselves, ignorant, hate change, need to be instantly satisfied, and have the attention span of a goldfish.
Great, this semantics argument again
Choose one:
I believe what the Treehouse is doing is right - call it 'localization'
I believe what the Treehouse is doing is wrong - call it 'censorship'
Now repeat after me:
My definition is the right definition!!
....and now that we've got that out of the way, I think if you look at it logically, looking at multiple definitions of these words, you'll realize that there is A LOT of overlap, making all of this a ridiculous, moot point, centred around the fact that censorship has a negative connotation, whereas localization has (had?) a positive one.
What we really should be looking at is why Nintendo isn't trying to cater more to a growing number of people who want to play a version of the game as close to what the original artist intended as possible.
Removing region lock is the first step. Perhaps it's also time to invest in an English language option on Japanese versions, that would be close to a 1-1 translation. And before anyone scoffs at that....some games already do that officially, and if fans can do it in their free time, I'm sure a company like Nintendo can as well.
Of course, the Treehouse can still exist so that they can make their changes to the Western versions and they can "adjust" those to fit their precious "cultural sensibilities" and whatnot...sigh...but people would at least have a viable import option if they don't want to see any of that.
tl;dr We should be discussing possible solutions, not words that can be interpreted in various ways.
"Leave content untouched and cultures can collide and some gamers get confused or, worst case scenario, are offended."
So when the localisation of Phoenix Wright changed the game's setting from Japan to California, were people confused that there are other countries outside 'Murica, or were they offended that they exist? I accept that there are language differences, it's unavoidable, but the removal of content is plain xenophobic. The collision of cultures is good.
Great article with good points Thom.
Although the following line is one of the worst sentences I've ever read that was presented as if no further justification was needed:
"some gamers get confused or, worst case scenario, are offended"
Please don't assume such things when writing. To many of us, being confused is infinitely worse than being offended.
Many of you are too young to remember, but this kind of attitude is what killed it for the nintendo audience back on ye olde n64 days. I was a rich kid so I had both a ps1 and an n64, and although I love them both to death, these kinds of decisions made the late Hiroshi Yamaguchi resign to his position. I really hate history repeat itself, and I still think the best choice would be to put such striped content as a form of dlc behind an age wall (as in not paid, still optional).
There's a big difference between localisation and censorship. I've got no problem with adapting the games if something will be lost in translation. There's plenty of puns and play on words that's funny in English but the meaning would be lost when translated.
However, I hate it when it's decided that something is inappropriate for certain regions and it's cut out of the game. I view it as self-censorship and I'll still complain when it happens. I just want to play the original game without someone else deciding for me that it's inappropriate.
If Nintendo consoles weren't region locked, then I'd consider importing.
So when the localisation of Phoenix Wright changed the game's setting from Japan to California,
Gyakuten Saiban wasn't popular or well known outside of Japan. Capcom played it safe when first releasing the game in America. And it turned out to be popular and well received. But would it have been as popular and well received if it was a straight translation of the original Japanese game without any of the memorable pop culture references that the American game is known for? When discussing localisation elsewhere, someone said that he didn't care if localisation makes the game more money and gains a higher popularity, all that matters is accuracy to the original even if the original would have a bad impenetrable story if given a straight translation.
Nintendo is loosing the plot.
Loosing isn't a word. Do you mean losing or loosening?
@DarkKirby That's pretty much the policy for the entire industry.
Context is key.
And example for a good, transformative localization ? Eartbound.
A bad example ? Cutting out content that may be labeled "offensive" for...i guess reasons.
I think what @DarkKirby referenced above is quite accurate.
Japanese devs in general get the impression, that the entire western audience must be absolutely insecure about their sexuality and culture based on the ridiculous outcrys of some rabid lunatics.
You know, media can be educating. Media can tell you what other cultures are like. You know how many people got interested in hindu mythology due to ridiculous games like "Asuras Wrath" ? Or take games like Muramasa for instance. Also a crashcourse of japanese mythology.
Its by no means accessable to everyone without looking into it a little on their own accord. Id even go so far as to say that the games endings are not understandable without a slight knowledge about "buddhist reincarnation".
If we cut out everything that might feel foreign, weird etc, the medium gets stale and meaningless.
It makes me wonder, are western games marketed differently in japan ? I know that certain characters like, say, Ratchet & Clank got a slight makeover to make them more anime-ish in style.
But lets take your run of the mill military shooter.
Gloryfication of war. Is that also censored in japanese countries ? Because they might not agree with "western war patriotism".
Again, i have nothing against making a medium accessable. But treat it and its audience, no matter who and where, with respect. Dont treat them like insecure children who might get "triggered" by "potential sexism in video games" or "scared and confused by foreign culture and mythology".
I, personally, cant help myself but feel a little insulted when censorship like that gets treated as if "i wouldnt understand it if it wasnt changed like that".
One more ironic thing: Most people who are ok with FEs censorship are people who solely concentrate about the potential sexism and make it about it. Everyone against it that i know is just tired of not being able to play a game the way it was meant to be in the first place, not caring about what exactly was changed.
@Bass_X0
Well I certainly don't play it for pop culture references, I miss them most of the time. But you are missing the point, the game is clearly set in Japan, why does it make sense to change that to America?
But you are missing the point, the game is clearly set in Japan, why does it make sense to change that to America?
To sell more copies. American gamers who enjoy the game we did get may never have given it a chance if it was seen as being heavy in Japanese culture. That can put some gamers off from playing games.
And really? You didn't get the joke here?

@Bass_X0
You might want to check out the back cover:
http://img.gamefaqs.net/box/7/2/0/64720_back.jpg
There is no reference to America on the back. Throughout the game, the attire, the backgrounds, the whole art style screams Japanese.
Edit: nope, don't get it.
The problem with those kind of localization when they cut content is that some developers decide to not localize at all if they can't get their game untouched for west.
An example is Dead or Alive Xtreme 3, you can still get it in English but you would need to import the Asian version.
Also if I remember Idea Factory will no more localize a game if they need to cut the content for it to be localized.
Here's Haru Akenaga quote:
"That’s honestly their decision, but yes, sadly, it has stopped us from localizing certain Compile Heart games. We don’t want to censor anymore because we know that’s not true to the original developed art."
And here's a second quote from Akenaga: "That’s actually Compile Heart Asia’s decision, not really ours. We could start seeing that more in Asia, but maybe we should do something to change in the West in the future. Anyway, we just don’t want to censor anymore."
Let's just hope they keep localizing games. We can always import but imports will affect only their market and not ours, making it less likely to get localizations.
This definitely needs to come out soon in Europe... It's getting ridiculous. On another note, I don't mind localization changes or censorship! As long as the core game is unchanged, that's what matters.
There are more ways to know about a game than just reading the back cover in a shop. I wasn't interested in the series at the start as I thought it would be a serious lawyer game so I didn't pay attention to advertisements, promotions, news coverage and review. I didn't dislike it, I just didn't know enough about it. I actually had the choice one day between Final Fight Streetwise and the first DS Ace Attorney. I chose Final Fight Streetwise. I chose wrong.
We could at least have the option to play the original if we wanted to. But Nintendo keeps pushing the region lock forward no matter how much we ask the opposite. Not always the developer is interested on localizing, or they might think the game won't sell outside its original country.
"The problem is that people call outfit changes, adjusted dialogue and design tweaks 'censorship'. The touching / petting social aspect of Fire Emblem Fates (as an example) has not been entirely removed - the mechanic has simply been adjusted for different territories. You can still invite characters into your quarters to socialise and benefit from improved relationships as required, you're just limited to semi-flirty touching with your in-game hubby. That's localisation, not censorship."
I'm sorry how is this not censoring? Fatal frame is M rated and the costumes would have been perfectly compliant with ESRB/PEGI rating as such, Head pats as terrifying as they are would at most fall under suggestive themes which is acceptable in a T rated game by the ESRB. This is absolutely censorship someone deemed this unacceptable for others and altered/molested it till they deemed it acceptable.
Localisation is replacing jokes that would completely go over an audiences head as they lack the context to understand them, not picking out things you dislike and removing them. Arguing something isn't censored because some of it is still there seems like a really dumb argument.
Thank you for this article. Even translations have to be subject to some bias as many things in Japanese simply do not translate into English well at all. Read any straight and dry translation from Japanese to English and it sounds like complete and utter garbage. Even writings like Shakespeare were edited by Shakespeare himself to be made appealing to more audiences.
While many people may be okay with things that are considered culturally innapropriate Nintendo isn't aiming for them. Both sides are extremely niche parts of the bigger audience that Nintendo is targeting, they sadly yet have to just pick a side that is less likely to nip them in the rear for their decision which is usually localizing content.
And please,let's not insist people who do not understand Japanese culture enough to the point of being able to comfortably play straight translations of games idiots or morons. Most people are obviously not very familiar with cultures outside their own and while I feel that's it's important to learn about other cultures video games are a horrible medium for that.
Jynx is the most absurd example of censorship I ever seen. There's also a Dragon Ball character that had its skin color changed for the same reason from black to blue, just because they thought people of color would be randomly offended and compared to the character.
Also, the tomahawk change in Bravely Second is another atrocity. Replacing a native american by a cowboy is twice as more offensive.
Why are you people so predictable?
The author's attempt to apply diametric distinction between censorship and localization is very weak. Ultimately, anyone interested in truth or justice has some level of obligation to understand other people and cultures, and localization inherently undermines and devalues such efforts. That's not to say that every sensibility of a given culture is legitimate or correct, but we need to ask ourselves why we aren’t even interested in applying ourselves to something we aren’t familiar or comfortable with. And that question is relevant to all parties involved—the creators, the markets, the localizers, the players, etc.
@Bass_X0
Yes there are, but how many of them mentioned "where" the game was set?
Not a fan of Nintendo of America's desire to insert memes into games (noticed it even in Pokemon, with ORAS having too much cringy #YOLOSWAG dialogue), and the censorship of certain game aspects is rather disappointing. I understand targeting specific ratings, but they have gone beyond that a few times.
Censorship is more akin to forcing every Nintendo game released in North America to remove all religious references. Or forcing all Nazi references from a game like Castle Wolfenstein because it might start an uncomfortable conversation.
Two articles in a row?
Seriously?
@DylanMcGrann Because video games are a horrible medium to use to attempt to immerse yourself in a culture. It's the equivalent of teaching or trying to supplement teachings of Japanese by watching anime. The way Japanese culture is portrayed in media such as TV or games is usually exaggerated or innacurate.
Localization can be a tricky thing, and I do think there are times when the line between that and censorship can be somewhat fuzzy, but, with all due respect to the article writer, a lot of the language in this piece just feels weasely.
Take this excerpt: "The problem is that people call outfit changes, adjusted dialogue and design tweaks 'censorship'." This comment was made specifically with regard to Fatal Frame V and Xenoblade Chronicles X in the article.
Nothing in this passage is explicitly false, but it looks past the issue people are finding with these changes: the changes aren't made to better accommodate cultural differences so much as they seem to be made to avoid angering certain demographics or made to reflect a certain social agenda on the part of the people engaging in the localization process. In Fatal Frame V, the localizers don't change the more Japanese aspects of the game, to my knowledge, to make it more palatable to a person who is unfamiliar with Japanese culture. What the localization does do, however, is remove skimpy lingerie bonus outfits and modify a scene in the game where a character is being secretly filmed wearing only undergarments to make it look like she is wearing her normal outfit.
These changes clearly weren't made with the intention of making the game more understandable or relatable for an international audience. They were made either because the localizers found these elements of the game to be distasteful, or because they were afraid of offending people who would find these elements of the game to be upsetting (I would include skepticism about the marketability of an uncensored product in this second category, by the way). Either way, this was clearly censorship, and talking about the issue in a vague way to avoid this truth does nobody any favors.
Also, there is a particular strawman set up in this article, so let me address it directly. People who object to censorship in their games are not necessarily "purists" who won't tolerate any deviation from the original Japanese product. There is a difference between wanting a "pure" translation of a game and not wanting someone's social agenda to dictate what changes are made with regard to the localization.
Finally, let me point out something: censorship isn't necessarily always imposed by some outside force (I'm disregarding the silent influence of social forces that can't be objectively established or addressed one way or another). In fact, it often isn't. Also, censorship isn't always a bad thing, depending on one's viewpoint regarding this issue and depending on the context. While censorship is definitely a loaded word, I do think we can discuss it without necessarily casting it in an inherently negative light.
As much as I agree with the opinion of this article (ie: that localization and censorship are not the same thing), there is no legitimate argument given in this article. In my perspective, censorship is preventing access to something, whereas localization is providing access to something.
If you want the pure form of the game, get the original and import a Japanese 3DS. They're not expensive, and you have fully access to it and most games at a reasonable price. No one is preventing you from doing so, though arguably, region-locking is a hindrance to this access. Region-locking is the bigger issue to me.
If you want the convenience and luxury of having it in english and sold locally, working on your DS, then buy the localized version that they have put effort and money into tailoring the game for you. If they didn't tailor it perfectly for you, then its your value judgment. Is your money worth the sub-par product or not? No? Don't buy it. Complain about it and maybe Nintendo will change. But if they make an awesome game and it sells well even without you, don't expect any changes.
Localization really is a damned if you do, damned if you don't process. Someone is going to be unhappy with it no matter what you do and someone will shout censorship. Thing is what the Treehouse has been doing recently can easily be classified as censorship, and rightfully so.
Look at the changes that have been made to Fates for instance. The Soleil support was slightly messed up, but the way it's presented never once shows Kamui as having any malicious intent. He's just trying to help his friend. You'd have to be careful with how you worded it but it's not impossible to localize. Hell just have Kamui talk to her before hand that he has an idea to help her. Problem solved. That's not what they did. They outright replaced it. This one can go either way but between localization and censorship it leans more towards the latter.
The changes to Skinship are simply insulting. It's basically saying "Nope. America is not mature enough to handle rubbing a stylus on a touch screen with a human face projected on it." Sad part is I do like the NoA version better. It makes sense that you'd only do that sort of thing with the person you married. This wouldn't be a problem if the Japanese version didn't exist. Fact is in the Japanese version you could play the skinship mini-game with any character. In the American version you can't. That ain't localization, that's outright censorship.
Looking at Fatal Frame and Xenoblade X it's the same exact deal. NoA is saying "You are not mature enough to handle women in their underwear in a game rated M. You can't handle a girl in a bikini and a breast size slider" These features were in the Japanese version, not the North American version. That's not censorship?
In this context at least it's real simple to me. Localization is changing what you must to get the same message across. Censorship is the removal or replacement of things that can easily be understood but might be offensive or make some people uncomfortable. I'm sure somebody has made this argument already but that's my two cents.
I would argue that localization involves exchanging a piece of content with a culturally-equivalent or culturally-appropriate one, while censorship involves removing or de-emphasising particular content. While the international versions of Fire Emblem: Fates retain the rewards associated with the "Skinship" feature, they greatly diminish the feature's purpose and use, rather than exchanging it or part of it with something equally appealing. Thus, it seems that, at least for FE:F, this is a case of censorship rather than localization. Same goes for the "drugging" scene's removal, for it was not replaced but entirely removed or diminished in effect.
Another example of this nature can be seen in EarthBound Beginnings's removal of blood from certain enemies (censorship) and the addition of a "run-button" (localization).
@Annoying_NPC It reminds me of those movie gangsters who collect "protection money" from terrified business owners. That might sound nicer than "extortion money," but at the end of the day, they're still doing the same thing.
@Annoying_NPC "NoA is saying "You are not mature enough to handle women in their underwear in a game rated M. You can't handle a girl in a bikini and a breast size slider" These features were in the Japanese version, not the North American version. That's not censorship?"
NOA is saying that the content isn't suitable for the culture, not that their audience can or cannot "handle" it.
If society truly is only as fast as the slowest member, then problematic entertainment such as a breast slider on an underage character does more harm than good. What statement is being lost by this change? Is this Tiananmen Square, or is this a JRPG menu option? Are you aware what censorship truly is, and what it hopes to subvert?
Good read. And like others have said, the company's goal at the end of the day is to sell as many copies as possible. If that means minor changes to the content, so be it. It's their property to do with as they deem fit.
Want to experience the "true" or "original" version? Import it. Learn the language. No one's stopping you.
@Ralizah That's a really good way of putting it.
I should have seen a "hey, it's just localization" editorial coming a mile away. Let's make one thing clear - yeah, Nintendo is an awesome company and stuff, as we wouldn't even be here otherwise; no, this doesn't mean we have to defend every single choice they make. And yeah, no matter how we want to call it localization, there's definitely stuff that's been censored while the game was being - well - localized. No point in sugar-coating it.
@Pandaman The fact that you think a breast slider is "problematic entertainment" is the real problem here. How are breasts a problem? Every woman has them. And to use your own logic, what statement is gained by removing it? What do I gain by not being able to put Lyn in a bikini? They may not be important but why is it good that they aren't there?
Also, I think you missed the part where I said "in this context" about censorship.
I don't think that any localization travesties could ever come close to the Dragon Quest mess that was Dragon Quest 8, and then the DS DQ4 and DQ5. Thankfully, things have improved since then, and I'm curious to see what will happen to DQ7/8 on 3DS.
For those who wanted a bit of background, Dragon Quest 8 was heavily modified for the North American audience, including overhauling the entire interface, changing the audio to a live symphony (which involved cutting a few tracks), adding full voice acting, and followed in Chrono Cross's footsteps by adding swaths of different dialects. It was also decided to abandon many of the traditional item, enemy and spell names. People were pretty divided on the changes, but I was on the side that wanted the game to be more like the Japanese version, and keep the names more like the have been traditionally. I also despised the dialects, forced humour, puns and alliterations.
Dragon Quest 4 was more of the same, but it almost seemed like dialects became worse, and all of the party chat dialogue was cut for the NA release.
Dragon Quest 5 has a very important final NPC speaking in a Ned Flanders from the Simpsons dialect. Which sucks because other than that, it seems they really reigned-in the dialects for that one, and the localization is otherwise pretty good. By this point I was getting used to the spell names, even though the names are still very ambiguous at times.
@Pandaman I missed this in my first reply but the breast slider was on the avatar. Not Lyn. So no underaged breast slider.
@Annoying_NPC Maybe I'm being naive, but specifically regarding the Xenoblade X stuff, I feel like no one would have noticed if there had been other customization sliders and equal customization options for the male characters (pec slider? idk).
Yes, it could have been just censors run wild, but it was kind of bizzare that it was the only real body size customization option. Was the solution to take it out? I don't know. It would've made more sense to add everything else in, but it's not like Treehouse could've done that.
This topic is getting pretty tiring though. Can't wait for Fire Emblem Fates!
Localization is not censorship.
Censorship is when someone else tells you that you can't say or show something. Nintendo of America deciding they DON'T WANT to say or show something is not censorship, it's just them making a decision.
Some people are sure to erroneously claim that because they now don't get that content in their game, they have been censored. Except no. Nintendo hasn't stopped you from saying or showing anything by deciding they don't want to say or show something in one of their video games. You may be missing out on some kind of content and that may be worth getting upset over, but it's not an example of censorship, so please stop misusing the word.
If you want an example of censorship, look at Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where Nintendo put in a filter to prevent you from using certain words as Pokemon nicknames or otherwise using them in the in game text fields. And this was for a single player game. THAT is censorship. If I want to nickname my Koffing "fart" in my single player game I should be allowed to do so, but Nintendo steps in and says "NO YOU CANNOT SAY THAT". Actual censorship. I would have been totally fine with them having a filter that kicks in when you go online, and if your Pokemon's nicknames are in the filter, it just doesn't show the other player(s) that nickname. And if you trade, trading removes the nickname and defaults back to the Pokemon's name. But blocking us from using whatever name we want when playing alone is stupid and is actual censorship.
Meanwhile, willfully changing things during localization is not because nobody's forcing Nintendo to not use that content. They're deciding not to, they're not being blocked from doing so. It is not censorship.
@World Have you ever heard of Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed? It was published by Xseed in the U.S. The game involves beating up vampires and ripping off their clothes to expose them to sunlight. In the Japanese release, only female vampires had strip portraits (CGs that showed the characters in more detail once you stripped them down to their undergarments). To address this inequality, Xseed actually worked with the original developer to have male strip portraits added to the U.S. release of the game.
Instead of viewing the female strip portraits as something "problematic" that needed to be removed and justifying this is as an inevitable result of "localization," Xseed actually added content to the game so that both genders were treated pretty much equally by the game.
When some comparatively tiny company like Xseed can accomplish this, it's hard for me to give the localization team for NoA a pass, whether the censorship was out of laziness or some crusade to purify the game of "problematic" content and not have to deal with the ire of prudes.
EDIT: Before anyone brings this up, I realize Akiba's Trip is kind of a fanservice game that isn't really designed for mass consumption to begin with, but my point still stands: censorship isn't usually the only way to deal with something.
It's a tricky subject, and its always hard to find a happy balance. Each game is different so it all depends on the individual game and the audience its for. Most times people don't know because news outlets don't mention them. But when they do, such as changes in Fatal Frame/Project Zero, Xenablade X and Fire Emblem Fates, that is when people make a fuss.
I really agree with this. Awakening was the first FE title I bought, and while I remember at the time thinking it was peculiar NoA chose to censor/"localize" the picture of Tharja, it didn't really irritate me that much. Tons of places had the original picture for download anyway, if anyone really wanted it.
I have the same feeling about the differences between NoA's version of Fates and Japan's. Never once in the hundreds of hours of playing Awakening did I think "I really wish I could rub Chrom's/Tharja's(my main two units to marry) cheek."
Actually, I've never been upset about localization that I can remember.
I really don't care, I'm dropping $80 on Fates for the campaign, story, and multiplayer.
I didn't even know Skinship existed until everyone was complaining about it's being changed.
Basically each instance has to be evaluated individually.
Something like adding some extra texture to Linlee's bathing suits is fine and changes nothing about the gameplay in Xenoblade Chronicles X.
However, the problem with the face touching game in FE Fates...is that it was stupid to begin with and was out of place in a medieval fantasy war strategy game.
"However, the problem with the face touching game in FE Fates...is that it was stupid to begin with and was out of place in a medieval fantasy war strategy game."
Finally, someone said it.
@Ralizah I definitely did not know about this game, but that sounds like the ideal way to deal with this issue. I had no idea that this kind of thing ever happened, except in games where it was written into the Japanese version. And yeah, if Treehouse does have that kind of creative control then I don't see why they couldn't have just added these things in!
Ultimately I want to believe that it's the sexism that people don't like, not the actual depictions of sex/sexuality and if it was more equal opportunity there'd be less backlash.
@MarinoKadame
I don't think IFI will stop localizing the games that they CAN localize just because some of their games aren't suitable as is for Muricans. Unlike Nintendo, IFI actually understands their audience and they know full well that their fanbase has little issue simply importing an Asian or Japanese copy of their games if they think it won't be coming over. Doesn't stop them from localizing though. They're even putting in money to port games to PC as well, just for the west.
"I understand that some not all of what I said drifts into subjectivity rather than objectivity"/Misquote
Yes. And the other part is objectively wrong. It's censorship by definition. Arguing it's not is the ridiculous thing. You can say it's OK or not a big deal but it is objectively censorship. Quoting a voice actor doesn't make you any less wrong. Heck you were even wrong about the Fire Emblem feature being available to spouses, since a single poke to wake them is not the same thing as touching to improve relations. All this objective not subjective.
Whatever. I'm not trying to discuss like that anyway. Instead I'm going to talk about how pathetic this article is for its click bait. I knew there would be an editorial. Usually it's amusing but now it's just sad. I still don't mind clicking myself, but don't you have any decency? Holy wow you guys are tumbling down the hill fast.
@ThomasBW84: Blatantly lying to people again. Contemptible.
To me it seems apparent that Nintendo wants to expand its user base for Fire Emblem, making it accessible even to kids. It was apparent from even difficulty settings being adjustable to super easy levels.
also the article makes a fair point that every localization will differ from the original content by virtue of language barriers. There's no way to get original content without playing the Japanese version in the first place. The nuances and speech patterns are different experiences entirely of often times.
Some decisions are definitely questionable and worth voicing concern over, but others seem rather apparent and make sense to me on the face. This change was merely for making the game more accessible for younger audiences. Expanding the fan base etc.
@Action51
So true. Plus, I don't know if in Japan people pet everyone, but in my country we sure as hell don't pet your friends, just your close family and your boy/girlfriend.
When I was in the US, I got the impression they were even more skittish on personal contact, It definitively isn't socially acceptable to go and pet anyone....
What happened to fatal frame and xenoblade chronicles x falls more into censorship then localized changes. Sure the bikini change for x is OK but not to let people change bust size of their own character is protecting children from sexual images. Same with fatal frame but that was never intended for children in the first place. I thought Nintendo learned their lesson with the original mortal kombat on SNES. Let's hope they change very little in smt x fe.
It's simple. Localization and censorship are two different things, but censorship can be an aspect of localization. Localization is more or less translation, taking something understandable in one culture (language, symbols, etc.) and then making it understandable in another culture. Censorship is specifically when the localization changes or omits something that culture (socially or legally) views as unacceptable. The issue has been that people are using them as justification words: "I don't like this, so it's censorship." or "I like this, so it's localization."
tl;dr version: Some aspects of Localisation is still censorship, especially when it pertains to censoring content in mature rated titles. (Fatal Frame was M/18 rated)
@Bass_X0 Loosing is a word. It's a verb conjugation.(Look it up if you don't believe me) You tried bro, but you should have just told him he used the wrong word rather than saying the word itself didn't exist.
@SomeBitTripFan I don't think calling something like this censorship can be considered justification. It's nothing but factual. Calling it localization to deny the fact that it's censorship is justification. It's true people take advantage of the fact that censorship sounds bad to people, but it's the correct word to use and there would be no reason to swap it out for anything else.
@Nooneinparticular I'm talking too much on this article but I kind of hate when people pull this crap with objectively defined words. If you deny that this is censorship(The full definition, not the partial one you friggin' posers.) you either don't know the definition, or you're straight up lying to people. It's a fact that this is censorship. You can be OK with the censorship but you can't deny that it's censorship. Would you people stop ****ing with my precious words please? I'm not even kidding right now. I hate this crap. Stop propagating dreck. Oh my gosh. I just want to go on a long tirade about this but I don't even have any more of my precious words to use right now. Ugh. Blatant mockery of the English language, and @ThomasBW84 is from the homeland. No good. No good at all.
imo, do as the dvd animes do. put out a uncut version and cut version, let the consumers decide on there own. maybe charge a little more for the uncut versions.
there's worse things in anime than in the games listed here, girls in bikinis ...okay that's about every modern anime tbh. they sell fine and are watched just as much as others again imo.
also funny thing any one recall project rub? funny how things that's been in other games are fine on PlayStation but not Nintendo. if the nx is region free, tree house might be in trouble if they see people vote with the wallets to play the japan versions.
Great article. Usually I would say more but they got pretty much everything.
I didn't honestly mind the doge meme in Triforce Heroes. It was out of the way enough and didn't change the story that I just thought of it as the localization team having some fun which I'm for in that instance. Also the North American of Splatoon is in my opinion the best version just for how the final boss acts compared to other versions. Fit in the game more.
Translation does not equal localization, localization does not equal censorship ... got it!
No, just kidding, while that is certainly true factually and semantically, it does not really help in understanding what is what.
First off, growing up in Germany, I've had plenty of exposure to your average "green blood" censorship. That was not the exception, but the norm. No one ever even bothered to sell this as localization, esp. since not every game that was thus censored, got actually ... y'know translated.
Secondly, the comparison to literature is misleading at best, and irresponsible at worst. IF a part of a Murakami novel were to just disappear, that would either be an honest mistake (unlikely with such a huge profile release), or indeed censorship (if not flatout tampering), be it for economic purposes, cultural ones, legal ones or whatever (strangely, no one actually censors books around here ... wonder why? ^^)
Third, back to the actual question at hand ... well, what is censorship then? I think that is actually a very simple question, censorship is the change of source material in accordance with external demands (be those demands explicit or implicit, factual or perceived). What do I mean? Well, simple enough, if you are trying to change material to fit the legal norms of a region, you are censoring it, if you change it to fit e.g. the sexual mores of a region, you are censoring it.
Which leads us to my next point, fourth, what is localization then? That is trickier I think, it's translation, sure, but not just translation, on that much I can agree with the article. But if it's more than translation, but less, or different from censorship ... was is left?
Well, I would argue what left is actually internal demand obviously. This is harder to explain. Look, normally if you want someone to translate, AND localize material, you want some who speaks both languages, but more than that, is aware of both cultures, preferably lived in both cultures for extended periods of time. (ideally at least) Now, that individual will have a good shot at understanding the artistic intent of the original creator, and he would also have an idea of how to "transform" that intend into something the new audience can grasp.
Simple examples for this are references, that all or most members of the new target audience, will not understand. The person in charge can "test" this in a kind of internal reflection, by going back and forth between their personas, which they had to acquire when they lived and studied these different regions/cultures (thus giving rise to the need of an actual localization, instead of just a translation). Jokes are another instance, where I think, most people will instinctively grasp the difference between censorship and localization.
There is "you cannot/should not make this joke" which is different from "you can make this joke, but people will not understand it". The former is censorship, the latter is localization. Pretty straight forward distinction ...
Now, I think you are better off calling localization something like "cultural adaption" versus censorship, which you might actually refer to as something along the lines of "cultural sanitation". That is at least my understanding of the terms, and while this is by no means univeral, I'm going to stick with it until someone comes around offering me a better and clearer alternative.
Now, by that metric, and while this is not entirely and 100% obejctive of course, I think in this instance Fire Emblem was in fact culturally sanitized, thus censored. Now, this sounds worse than it actually is ... but it still IS the case, if I go through with my logic.
I cannot fathom how anyone would not "get" this petting mini-game, everyone seems to be so upset about, one way or the other, it was simply deemed inapproriate on probably several levels. It was not a matter of transforming one thing into another for the sake of making it understandable, but to forgo the risk of offending someone, somewhere, someday. To me, that is censorship as clearly as it gets.
The fact that it was REMOVED, not REPLACED (think about what I said about references and jokes, those you would expect to be replaced with something people can "get", right?), only reinforces this view of mine, although censorship does not automatically equal removal, it still ends up this way more often than not.
I hope I could shed some light from my personal perspective on that debate, and maybe "assist" this article in drawing a distinction, as well as point out some flaws (again, the example of literature is a really bad example, and I don't just say that because we Germans had TERRIBLE experience with censorship of literature specifically, but also art in general).
@Pandaman
They opened the gates for the 'otaku' crowd and those gates ain't closing any time soon >.<
To be honest, I liked the Advance Wars series more in terms of strategic SRPG gameplay which could employ a lot more advanced tactics since you don't have to worry about character deaths. Along with unit production, capturing buildings, terrain being more important, etc. Sadly Intelligent Systems has abandoned the franchise for quite some time. I would love another game in a similar vein to Days of Ruin. Sadly the game didn't have Hard mode.
Regarding the article, localization is meant to make the game accessible to people of a different region while keeping the creator's vision. Removing content due to it being less acceptable in a region, instead of replacing it with an acceptable alternative is not localization but censorship. And localization is also not filling memes in games which Nintendo loves to do these days (even their survey repeatedly asked me about memes!).
@Ralek85 I just have to say I disagree with you on one point. I say it is 100% objective to say Fire Emblem Fates was censored. It's the literal definition. It's not really up for debate. The only way anyone can argue that it wasn't censorship is if you don't believe that Nintendo removed it for being objectionable. Objectionable includes if they thought it would reduce sales, lower their image, reduce quality, etc. It would obviously be a huge stretch to make that argument. In other words if this isn't censorship then by definition it would mean that they just removed the feature for the heck of it.(Or I guess because of necessity but that's an even bigger stretch. Did they use up so much more of the games data when they translated it to English that the feature would no longer fit on the cartridge? Highly Highly Highly Doubtful)
In other words I only disagree with you because instead of outright stating you're correct, you act like there's room for discussion. Which there isn't. Then again, given the two low low low possibilities I mentioned I guess you can honestly say you're not 100% objective. It's more like 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999(into ****ing infinity)% objective.
I'm just gonna post this here for good and all. Important parts bolded.
cen·soredcen·sor·ing play ˈsen(t)-sə-riŋ, ˈsen(t)s-riŋ
transitive verb
: to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable <censor the news>; also : to suppress or delete as objectionable <censor out indecent passages>
Suppress
verb (used with object)
1.
to put an end to the activities of (a person, body of persons, etc.):
to suppress the Communist and certain left-leaning parties.
2.
to do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop (a practice, custom, etc.).
3.
to keep in or repress (a feeling, smile, groan, etc.).
4.
to withhold from disclosure or publication (truth, evidence, a book, names, etc.).
5.
to stop or arrest (a flow, hemorrhage, cough, etc.).
6.
to vanquish or subdue (a revolt, rebellion, etc.); quell; crush.
7.
Electricity. to reduce or eliminate (an irregular or undesired oscillation or frequency) in a circuit.
Objectionable
arousing disapproval or great dislike offensive
@ThomasBW84 : "Leave content untouched and cultures can collide and some gamers get confused or, worst case scenario, are offended."
Blatantly admitted it's censorship without realizing it.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/censor
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/suppress
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suppress
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/objectionable
Note: I don't believe Dictionary.com is as good of a source as Webster but I used it for the word "suppress". Webster still agrees with the definition just not as clearly, and the definition for suppress was just a bonus anyway, since most of the feature was straight up deleted.
Note: I'm not trying to argue whether this is acceptable censorship or not. I'm not arguing anything in fact.(Actually I am. I just looked up the definition. Pfft.) I'm just outright stating that this is censorship by definition.
Note: Again @ThomasBW84 This editorial was garbage in every way imaginable and I don't usually say that about articles. Heck even if I say something similar I don't usually mean it, but this. Wow you dropped the ball. It's really inexcusable how much this editorial sucks, and not just because you don't know definitions. Pathetic, blatant click whoring without the charm of @Damo. Horrible points, examples, and research. Nothing new brought to the discussion. You're pretty much just repeating a misinformed voice actress and comments sections with a sorry already-been-done attempt at justification. You failed. You just failed. I can't say it enough. A poor attempt. 0/10. No good. No love for this whatsoever. I can't even joke about it like usual. It's just not any good. It's bad. Ugh. Someone help me.
Honestly I'm more annoyed with the arguments about censorship than the "censored" things themselves.
Some of these comments and the article. Cringe.
Here: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Self-censorship
I know I've censored myself on some sites out of fear due to potential backlash. Yet I see some idiots on the net that continually kick beehives no matter how many times they get stung.
Yes, yes, this is indeed censorship. No ifs ands or buts. I can agree with some that, yes censorship is needed but only in very specific topics. I'm under the thought that censor the bare bare bare minimum because censorship is a slippery slope. To those who don't mind this change, ban. You're all banned from the internet. See slippery slope. What's to stop someone even worse from coming to power and using your tools against you? There's nothing to prevent that except you and others. Oh but wait, you've censored the others already. So no one's coming to your aid it looks like. Have I made my point?
And seriously, I was so looking forward to the face petting BECAUSE it was silly and stupid. Here I was going to get the games and enjoy this silly feature for shits and giggles. But thanks PC/SJ culture, and yes I do feel that is a safe bet why this has been removed as they'd most likely cause a storm (just look at the poor guy who was hounded for the shirt he was wearing while landing a probe on a comet), I won't get to have my laughs.
What a joke of an article, I thought I was on Kotaku for a second there. It seems that someone doesn't have a firm understanding of the English language. If this is the future of Nintendo Life then no thank you. That rampant Nintendo fanboyism that goes on at this site is bad enough, but this is just a joke. There are plenty of other sites that actually know what they're talking about in such situations. Once again, no thank you. I suppose I'll stick around Push Square, but I don't think I'll be spending much time here in the future.
Ok, so something I feel needs addressing is the fact that people with certain ideologies have been found to work at Nintendo Tree house and their localisation teams. They have actively boasted about this on Twitter.This is a big issue,these people should be impartial and not inject their agendas into games. It is censorship and changing the artists and creators true vision of the game. Not to mention paying full price for an incomplete product
https://www.reddit.com/r/KotakuInAction/comments/422gwy/nintendo_treehouse_manager_alison_rapp_goes_full/
Just because there is a "waifu" simulator in a game and you dont want to use it,doesn't mean there isn't others who do want it and will use it. Just as bad as people not wanting customisation to come back in the next main Pokemon game because they dont like it...
@thatguyEZ Well said.
The outrage il not to be able to chose and order a US version in Europe because of this region lock stupid policy
@bloodycelt Sorry, but I disagree. A mature game like Fatal Frame is one thing, but sexual references for a game targeted at teenagers should be localized/censored as cultural norms dictate in order to better reach the target audience. I for one would've been extremely disappointed had FE: Fates been given an M rating in North America just because they kept in all of the sexual references.
@sonicmeerkat Head pats, seriously?! It's full on groping and may have very well resulted in an M rating had it been left unchanged.
"The problem is that people call outfit changes, adjusted dialogue and design tweaks 'censorship'"
I will take an example from my country, France being infamous for TV censorship until the 1990s. (there had to be a law to prevent it, I think o_o )
During the 80s, there was a US soap opera called "The Young and the Restless" on our first national channel. Some character was homosexual, there was a meeting where others were talking about him with an aggravated expression on the face and would not say it out loud. Suddenly, one of them shouts "Let's say it! Xxx is gay! He's gay!".
Now, let's check what the french public heard: "Let's say it! Xxx is ill ! He is ill !".
From the localizers perspective, it was just an adjustement based on what the public would understand/tolerate. I think it was an act of censorship, an adjustement can be made by choosing the vocabulary but not by changing the objective meaning of the phrase.
Also, about the pictural censorship, we are experts too. Japanese animations (even some Hanna-Barberah or Looney Tunes shows) were heavily edited. But that was for the sake of localization, ouf! For a better acceptance/reception/understanding, Ranma 1/2 had several bath scenes cut, there were some pasted things on some characters in order to cover them, ... Of course, script was also heavily edited for our happinness: "sake" could have been translated to "alcohol" but became "apple juice", "stalker" = regular "fan", "to hate" = " ø ", ...
After my youth was full of those experiences, I have a problem with the fact someone can a-posteriori modify the content of a cultural product.
Note: as always, I want to notice that I am not interested about the rubbing function, my only personal problems with this game are the name changing (most were "european med.fantasy" enough, Kamui should have been adapted to keep its meaning...) and the dialogue changes (bevause, obviously, there are a lot of them to soften the script, not only the advertised one).
@LasermasterA Sorry to single you out, but no. You're wrong. Go look up the definition of censorship.
Censorship is outside interference from an outside body. EG the government telling Nintendo to remove said scene from game. Nintendo deciding on their own to remove a scene is NOT censorship. Not even close.
A company choosing to alter their own product for cultural or ratings reasons is definitely not censorship. They were not forced to do it by some kind of regulatory body. They chose to do it. There is a very big difference there.
Nintendo of America knows that the average user of a 3DS in the US is a kid. There are mature gamers who have a 3DS here, but they are very much the minority. Therefore a large percentage of the people who will be excited to play Fire Emblem Fates in the US are kids. If Nintendo left skinship in, and it caused the game to get a mature rating here, then that would have a big impact on how many copies Nintendo could sell. Removing the skinship mini-game was very much a business decision.
@Mogster You might want to take your own advice. I've ONLY seen that listed as a necessary precondition from people who advocate for censorship. Various dictionaries, wikipedia, etc. seem to disagree with you.
@BulbasaurusRex I'll have to disagree. If NoA really feels Americans are too stupid for a touching game, they should not have localized this game in the first place. You shouldn't compromise, this trend of censoring out the more uncomfortable aspects of Japanese games does more harm then simply not bringing them over in the first place.
It makes a statement of what is acceptable and what is not in games, and I'm sorry but for games to be taken seriously as an art form, everything must be acceptable.
@RatKing64 Then they should not have brought it over, removing the skinship will reduce the amount of their core audience who will just buy the Japanese version.
Nice read. I was thinking (yesterday) how NL should do a article like this after that latest FE: Fates news.
When it comes to localization, I haven't adjusted to the "new age" mentality of the meaning, just like with hardcore gamers playing "mature" and hard games. What I mean is seeing it as a way to bring a game from a foreign land and converting it so the natives can better connect to it and enjoy it and not only for a ESRB rating and to make the PC police happy. Animal Crossing series is a good example of that with the 1st western release on the Gamecube (Japan had it since N64) and the holiday events.
I'm just happy Nintendo don't do their older version of localization where if they feel that westerners wouldn't get it, they wouldn't release it in that region, NA and/or EU.
Triforce Heroes was one of those odd localization topics for me. People were up in arms about a line that was a easter egg to people that knows memes (I never got it until others explained it) and how there should be a female Link (different game but debated around the same time) to be progressive but completely ignored that TH's Link is a cross dresser with at least 6 female outfits, especially the Cheer Outfit.
@Mogster
I will disagree. Censorship doesn't have to be by the government. This will be considered as a case of self-censorship which is a completely valid term.
As long as the original content is removed, it is definitely censorship.
@Mogster You ignored the posts above yours. You will never learn when it comes to this topic. How about you click on one of the links I posted and read the full definition? Read the bold part? You're really ignorant about this, and since you haven't learned yet I doubt you ever will. I'm just gonna have to remember to ignore you like you ignored me twice.
@LaserMasterA You are not wrong. Don't listen to someone who's completely ignorant about the topic. I corrected him before but he ignored me.
@SirBot: The only misinformed part of your post is that when he said peculiar black liquid he was probably talking about what you called dust. It does look like it could be seen as liquid to me so that's really just the way you two saw it. You're right about everything else though. Including the part about no dismemberment and him being wrong about it being a mature game.
@ChokingVictim87 - Excellent post, thank you for bringing this up.
I've been playing games since the 1980s and never cared about censorship... until now. People genuinely believed games were for kids and thus trimmed a bit of blood and violence here and there.
What's making people so angry nowadays is the sense that certain groups are forcing their political ideology onto gamers. Bravely Default, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Project Zero/Fatal Frame are all clear examples of censorship and the desire to reclassify the bikini as sexual. Also, that sexual = bad. Similar issues with Street Fighter V and Dead or Alive Extreme 3.
It's completely insidious that feminists and SJWs have infiltrated the media, tried to sway the UN and put pressure on various companies. Their aim seems to be to ruin games, comic books and other media - basically the fantasy and escapism of young males - and also to reclassify the average views of heterosexual males as sexist. In other words, they want to spoil enjoyment, particularly any enjoyment that may be erotic - this is Puritanism at its most basic, and I don't think you can talk about the modern wave of (sexual) censorship without acknowledging this.
@Fee I think, I just phrased that poorly, what I meant to say is that said metric of distinction is not "not entirely and 100% obejctive of course" - as in, no people are a homogeneous mass.
For instance, I can watch a show like the Daily Show and get most references to American pop-culture, literature, sports, TV-shows, celebrities and so on, and while I can't catch all, I can still catch vastly more, than most of countrymen.
By the same token, I consider myself fairly progressive, even for a European ^^, so I doubt my take on all kinds of cultural issues, sexual mores and so on, is really representative of the average populus.
What I am trying to say is, you can make a perfect localization for one person, that is absolutely illsuited another, and in extreme case, for example, in very polarized societies, by my logic, you would create something that was either censorship to some, or insufficient localization for others.
Now, in most cases, societies (in the west, where most of that nebulous localization happens) are not that polarized, that the distinction between the two becomes so skewed as to become meaningless - although while there is significant argument about "sorting v. polarization" in the U.S., there is strong evidence to suggest that there is indeed a very real polarization happening on multiple levels, not just Republican VS Democratic voters, but on some esp. cultural issues, a significant generational chasm that transcends political parties, but not at age.
In that instance, you can still go back to manifest, explicit and thus empirical external demands, such as laws, instead of latent, implicit and thus normative demands, to make a judgement - it'S still better than nothing, but you have to account for the nature of the object you are looking at.
I hope I could clear that up, and again, I would also say that FE:Fates is a pretty clear cut case of censorship, but again, in my view, such distinction can in fact NOT be irrespective of the object, thus the nation/region in question. I wonder what the EU release will look like, but I doubt it will be much different, as Nintendo will probably simply be too lazy to put something back in, or anything like it.
If getting offended is the worst that can happen then by all means do not change anything.
Some jokes, play on words and other similer stuff will have to get changed because otherwise they will not work in a different language or even country because some references will just not be known.
But content should be off limits unless you add content.
To this article: No.
You really could have just stopped at the second sentence: "Leave content untouched and cultures can collide and some gamers get confused or, worst case scenario, are offended."
The cost of leaving content intact is that some gamers might get offended. Deal with it; if that's the cost of avoiding censorship, well, offense is cheap. And make no mistake, it IS censorship when an entire feature is removed, and the petting minigame WAS removed - I don't know why you're still regurgitating the S-rank stuff, when that's a different (though similar) mechanic that's always been in the game. Get your facts straight.
Localization isn't a process of removal, it's about rebuilding context, subtlety, and vivacity that's lost in a rote translation. It's a fundamentally additive process. What Nintendo's been perpetrating lately isn't localization.
@Ralek85 I think I understand what you're saying. Truth be told I had only read like 80% of your first post. (I've read the whole post now. Admittedly I just wanted to rant about definitions some more, and wasn't actually trying to say you're wrong.) I think I skipped the paragraph above and below the one I referred to.
Actually I read this post multiple times because I was honestly a bit confused but I think I understand for real now. I don't think the part about polarization makes much sense. If it was censorship for even one persons sake then it was censorship for the whole. The deciding factor is the intent of the body that brought it over, not the sensibilities of the person receiving the product. In other words if Nintendo removed it because they thought it would be offensive to even one person then it's censorship, even if there was no one in the country that would actually be offended.
Censorship is to examine the product and remove things that are deemed objectionable. If Nintendo deemed something objectionable and removed it for that reason then it's censorship. It doesn't matter what the public thinks. We have to decide Nintendo's thought process to determine whether or not it was censorship.
If I still didn't understand you properly feel free to explain again because I am admitting I was confused.
Earlier in gaming history, localization was relegated to two aspects: an accurate yet nuanced translation, since there is rarely such a thing as full transfers of meaning when translating languages; and censorship, such as removing religious references and sexual depictions. As time when on, this process became more sophisticated, with an increasing amount of references and depictions being acceptable, even under the purview of a relatively shallow rating system.
For example, with Chrono Trigger on the SNES, the Ted Woolsey translation's words used are quite different from the direct Japanese translation, but it adds to/changes the flavor of the text, while remaining consistent to the vision of the writers and presenting a more relateable script to English speakers. Certain meanings are changed that don't make as much sense to the non-Japanese speaker. However, certain pieces are removed entirely; upon first meeting Ayla in the Japanese version, and throughout the adventure, it is implied that she may be either bisexual or at least bicurious. Since the game was given a K-6 rating by the ESRB, such statements were of course censored in the West. (Interestingly, there is one potential scene left in during the Rainbow Shell sidequest where Ayla makes a brief comment about Marle's ability to give birth if she is in the party.) Today, it would not be uncommon to leave such references in for T and up ratings.
Those sorts of things are a far cry from entirely removing "features" from the game, though, as is the case with Fire Emblem Fates. The act of removing such sequences are more akin to Rockstar removing the "Hot Coffee" sex scenes in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas than any form of localization. It is a misnomer to use the term localization for the act of removing parts of a game. It is either strategic tampering or straight censorship. Saying otherwise is just whitewashing what is really being done.
In particular, I actually think it's a bit unprofessional to use the term "localization" as a crutch for explaining away the Puritan behavior of removing sexual references while accepting gratuitous violence. Just call it as it is, don't sugar coat it and pretend you're taking the moral high road or "correct way" for your region.
@BulbasaurusRex This has been reiterated many times, but... games like The Sims have all sorts of crazy acts and (censored) sexual activity going on, yet it has.... an M rating? Nope! T rating! The idea of the rating going up because of the "skinship" sequences is false. Nothing explicit is happening or being shown, therefore, the rating does not go up. You just have the "Suggestive Themes" tag added onto a T rating, which is actually already on the final ESRB rating for Fire Emblem Fates. Others have made this point numerous times, but for this discussion, it has to be reiterated... yet again.
@shaneoh That scene was a reference to the ridiculous "Sharknado" SyFy channel movie series... Which is... Already up to number 3 now... And a 4th one is on the way.
...I'm baffled at the stupid stuff we Americans watch sometimes. But yeah, Phoenix Wright is absolutely brimming with pop culture references. However, they are there because the Japanese version had it's own, of which would not make any sense outside of Japan.
@MarinoKadame Excellent quotes. Drives home the point that most game developers know the difference between localization and censorship. The media circus surrounding this kind of issue is entirely an opportunistic ploy.
@Fee Sounds like this article took... a fee from your sanity!
"The deciding factor is the intent of the body that brought it over, not the sensibilities of the person receiving the product."
Well, but what is that intent? We mostly don't know, as they don't tell us, we have to guess and reverse-engineer it - but based on what, if not our own perception of ourselve, projected onto, in this case Nintendo. Also, what is the process that informed that intent? Is it not the perceived sensibilities of "the people" - as seen by Nintendo here?
My original reasoning was, if the perpection is that people don't "get" it, and content is therefore changed/removed, it is localization. Meaning the intent to carry over as much and as intact as possible, but looking at it from both ends, what was the original intent artistically from their perspective, how will that intent be understood on the other -receiving- side.
To even make that call, you have to look at "the people" and judge what they can understand, and what they cannot, what might offend them and what not. How do you do that, if you have a society that is pretty much split?
If I change something, that one individual would have understood, then technically I would have already censored it ....
Also, the change by itself is not indicative of the intent. I think the basic problem here is, that the whole debate is dominated by sex. It's easy to go "sexual content -> dialed down/cut -> censorship", because we are used to it, it plays into our own stereotypes (Japanese are all "pervs" - using that term lightly^^) and as such we see (mostly) removal, and are satisfied with looking at the act itself, making a judgement right there, e.g.: obviously, they think us "prudes", so they changed it.
That might work for sexual content, as it's hard to argue that it's about not "understanding" it rather than being offended by it, but I do think we should keep in mind, that not every change is about sex, and thus preemptively narrowing the conversation and argument to fit that particular theme. In fact, I think going about it this way, betrays the intent of being reasonable and as objective as possible, as it makes it look like the whole "definiton" was just setup as to basically bash companies for what they are doing - with censorship being a negatively connotated term, no matter how one puts it.
If we talk about censorship and localization, we should look at it as a broader topic, not just in terms of how it relates to sexual mores (and saddly, the economic of those). I get, that this is the most pervasive aspect of it these days, but again, it's not the only one, and if it really were, the whole debate would be kinda pointless, because you are only left with what amounts to textbook cases of censorship one way or the other.
@PlywoodStick That movie does sound ridiculous. I have seen a bare handful of references in there, but as I said, who plays it for them? May as well read a bunch of memes. My main point was at the ridiculousness of changing the setting of the game from Japan to America in localisation, when the whole game oozes Japanese to the point of stereotyping (not in a bad way).
There is a fine line in censorship and localization. The translation of a game might not come out right in the dialogue. When games remove certain outfits and skins there is censorship. It's sad that Nintendo can't win. I'm wondering if Sony or Microsoft has this problem? I personally feel if the game has good game play. I'm getting get it regardless. I'm not going to quiver or cry about it. I'm going to move on and be more pragmatic. It's not the end of the world for me. It was a good read Thomas and it put the topic into perspective somewhat. The fact that these games are fantasy which is not real makes me wonder. I see so many PG movies with violence. It's draped all over the news. We can hear provocative lyrics and music on the radio. We can see images of scantily clad Women in beer commercials and yet we can't have a princess with a bigger bust. In the end someone is bound to get offended. I just wish everyone would just lighten up.
@Ralek85 You're right that we can't 100% say we know their intent but it is very very unlikely it was for anything else. That's why I said 99.9999999-% but to be fair I could have overlooked some other possible meaning behind their removal. Still, very very unlikely.
"In fact, I think going about it this way, betrays the intent of being reasonable and as objective as possible, as it makes it look like the whole 'definiton' was just setup as to basically bash companies for what they are doing - with censorship being a negatively connotated term, no matter how one puts it."
I don't think the definition should have been brought up the way it was by @ThomasBW84. Trying to justify using semantics is pretty ridiculous. That's what I was trying to say in my earlier posts. Arguing that the censorship was acceptable is fine, but trying to argue that it wasn't censorship is worthless and(almost certainly) factually wrong.
@PlywoodStick I am offeecially done. =[
@Fee Like I said, if we are talking sexual(ised) content, it's hard to make a case for anything other than in fact censorship, and what I said only reflected my view, that sexual content as well as this particular example of FE aside, things are not always as obvious and clear-cut!
I mean, it could only be clearer if they came out and said, yeah, we decided to censor that because ... [insert reasoning here].
All of this goes only to the question whether it was censorship or not, not whether it was "good or bad". The one thing that still bugs me in that regard, is the question, whether they could not have tried to replace it with something else. I mean how hard can it be to more or less faithfully replace one (what amounts to a) minigame with another.
I think, this way, the perception ends up being that a willingness to censor content was paired with an unwillingness to go the extra mile ... and if nothing else, that is no a good image to project imho.
Yeah, removing Facerubbing was definitely for the best. However, we're all ignoring the REAL issue with the Fates localization: The war on French! Benny? NINA? Eponine was the perfect name for a character with a righteous thief complex! It was a frigging Les Mis reference, for crying out loud! Why would you replace that with something as generic as Nina?
One issue with all of this.
Say that I want the west release of Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the holy war. Now in the west, that would seem impossible to happen because the game has extreme level of violent content. Its nowhere as less violent as Awakening. In which case, that game would seem impossible to localize to the west and would flat out be ignored.
In fact, that's what happened to the first Mother game until now. Heck, that's probably why we never have Mother 3 yet because of the censoring they have to do while its being emulated.
Speaking of Mario Kart tracks, who the frick thought "Music Park" was a better name than Melody Motorway?
Also, doge is best meme
such amazing localization https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA6A-ySMHYI
removal of features , clothing , change to personalities, sexuality, supports,
@Pandaman @Cestius, oh lovely, you all love stroking each other A-LOT.
Sigh, the ignorance is astounding. Try understanding what actually going on... It's more about the dialog changes and frankly cutting out anything at all.
The thing is, the localization done in America is an intellectually dishonest fallacial mess. America is multicultural and things have changed over 3 decades. We have ratings and content warnings for a reason.
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