By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Nintendo Discussion - Nintendo Removes Infamous Drugging Scene From Western Localisation Of Fire Emblem Fates

JWeinCom said:
outlawauron said:
JWeinCom said:

No, censorship when you are actually forced to change content.

Nintendo is a company whose objective is to sell games.  If they feel like they could sell more games by changing the content, that's just a marketing decision.  

Unless Nintendo is actually being compelled to change the content, as in they literally are not allowed to publish it as they wish, it's not censorship.

In this case, NOA members are dictated that content made by a IS team is unsuitable for the market out of fear of backlash. They're censoring IS's game by removing content that was apart of the game. You don't need a government banning something for it to be censorship. You can find several definitions of self-censorship and this fits the bill.

I'm not even saying that NOA was particularly wrong in this case, but it's still censorship.

I get what you're saying.  I still say it wouldn't be right to consider it censorship in this case.  If so, then what is the difference between censorship and localization?  Is any change made to the original work censorship?

I think it's a very fine line. I know that when it comes to translating languages, it can be impossible to just literally translate the text with the meaning remaining the same. So, with that in mind, I do think localizing have to take a concentrated approach that the intended meaning comes through when translating a game into English, French, etc. Localization to me if providing the same experience in a language that I can understand, anything more than is unnecessary.

If the actual game's content is removed or edited to suit whatever the company believes is compatible with the values of that country or culture, I believe it's censorship. I want games to be treated like movies where foreign films aren't butchered or tamed for Western audiences. From a personal standpoint, not all censorship is bad. There are some cases where it is mandated by law and the localiser has no choice and I don't think you can fault them for that (or in a more relatable case, AO games can't be on Sony, MS, or Nintendo platforms, so they have to ensure the game doesn't get that rating).



"We'll toss the dice however they fall,
And snuggle the girls be they short or tall,
Then follow young Mat whenever he calls,
To dance with Jak o' the Shadows."

Check out MyAnimeList and my Game Collection. Owner of the 5 millionth post.

Around the Network

They should just replace the reference with a Bill Cosby joke.